We all need art – inside or outside is the only question

It’s easy to ignore art. Staying out of snooty downtown galleries takes little effort, after all. But that’s a fast way to keep an open mind as you walk through the world you’re in.

We need art to stimulate the ‘little gray cells’. We need to open up our eyes more.

Dude, OPEN UP . . . use those eyes and ears . . .

An alternative approach to art education in the classroom involves an emphasis on imagination, both in interpreting and creating art. It encourages experimentation and purposeful play, linking art to conceptual messages and personal experiences.

Spruce up your personal garden with some art

Not all residential garden art has to be as large as the face here – but it does create a dramatic backdrop for your blooms by adding bold textures and colors.

There are all kinds of artistic media that will survive in the garden:

Formal or informal; wood or metal; rustic or polished; adult-centric or playful.

Recycled steel and wood – they both work for DIY garden art

Wood has been used for centuries, since it’s so easy to work and there is so much to be recycled.

Steel is great for durability if you can do a little welding.

Shovels and other tools can create surprises, but welding them can be tough.

Tree faces have become very popular all over the U.S. since the 60’s.

They’re even available as kits online to add to the tree. As it ages, the bark wraps around the added facial features, and it can look very realistic. Or try carving . .

And then, sometimes the garden itself becomes art. Called topiary.

But keep an eye out when you’re on the street

Alternative approaches, such as visual culture and issue-based approaches in which artists explore societal and personal issues through their art, also inform formal art education in the classroom.

Political art from the streets – since, in 2020, discourse is dead . .

Environmental statements come from the street as well

Love your music? Music has visual art too. .

We all have our music. It’s very personal.

Just Google the sales numbers of Air Pods and headphones and appreciate the size of that market. Plus YouTube Music is off and running – for better or worse. So while you’re listening on the computer or smartphone, remember the relevant art that is created around the music too.

During the ancient days of vinyl, the covers to the records were as persuasive as some of the music. And naturally, some were better than the enclosed music. I was lucky enough to meet one of the ladies who modeled for the artist Mati Klarwein, who created the art used for the Abraxas album cover by Santana.

The here and the now of great art

Walk to see where the art was made and learn the details.

Now that’s travel for the right reason. I think of it as an immersion into the artist’s world. Here’s a couple of examples from my trip to Arles as part of my personal Van Gogh trail. I just followed the signs . .

Van Gogh’s painting of the hospital vs the picture from my own visit.

Van Gogh’s local cafe painting from 1889 vs my 2017 picture of the tourist cafe.

Here is Loretto, in modern London at work on his palette . . an abandoned storefront.

As a personal belief, I think that art is not meant to be looked at only for what it is.

• It can also teach many important qualities such as listening, observing and responding to multiple perspectives, but we must be open to it.

• It stimulates thought because it allows viewers to draw their own emotions and pull from their personal experiences when viewed.

• It is very powerful in this way and it naturally develops critical and innovative thinking skills which we need more and more in this hyper-aggressive informational world.