Let’s Talk About
Art
By:
Sherryl Brown
“Seeing the Contemplative”
The Visual Arts and Leisure
Asweleadourbusylivesleisureoftenseemssoelusive,sowhollyunobtainable.ButtheconceptofleisureisoftenmisunderstoodinAmericanculture,
asthoughleisureisasignofanunwillingnesstoremaincompetitive,orworse
laziness.
AtFredericksburgArtGallerywhereIwork,wearealwayshappytoseelocal
residents,whethertheypurchaseartornot.Wewantthemtofeelcomfortablewalkingintoourspace,andaboveall,wewantthemtotakeplentyof
timetolookattheartworkandfeelfreetoaskquestions.Whydoesoneartist
paintonlyinacrylicandanotheronlyinoil?Whatisthedifferencebetween
I’d like to suggest that we need to make good use of our leisure time doing fusedartglassandblownglass?Whyarebluebonnetpaintingssuchbigsellthosethingsthatchargeourbatteries,stimulateouraestheticsenseandleave ers?Why do some artists go to school for years to learn techniques so that
usrefreshed.Thinkofit.Youhaveablockoftimethatisactuallyfree,andthe their paintings will not mimic photographs?
question is what to do with it. One of the most refreshing things you can do
with your family or out of town friends is to visit local art galleries.You can Mostofuswhoareluckyenoughtoworkintheartbusinesshaveadeeprealsogoforawalk,readpoetryorcallafriend.Thelistisverylong,however,at spectfortheartistswholiveandworkinourcommunity.Theyarethoughtatimewhenmostofusare“challenged”forwaystoconstructivelyuseourfree fulpeoplewhowanttocommunicatesomethingspecialinaquiet,thoughtful
time, art holds great promise.
way. All they ask is that you come and look and then take a little time to
considerwhattheyweretryingtoportraywhentheyreachedouttoforma
Inmyworkasagalleryrepresentativeforthepasteightyears,Ihaveseenfirst claymoldintoathreedimensionalfigure,orpickupabrushtopaintahorse
handthejoyandexcitementthatcomesfromdiscoveringworksofartthat that has been put out to pasture after a life of service, or perhaps to take
transformtheviewerinwaysthattheycouldneverhaveanticipated.People fabricsandstitchthemtogetherintoapieceoffiberartthatcreatesamood
whoarecomfortablegoingintoanartgalleryunderstandthattheywillnotbe of nostalgia.With art, the life of the mind is given spiritual food, through
subjectedtothesalesmanshipofmajorretailoutletswhere“makingthesale”is theinfusionofcolor,textureandformconceivedinthemindoftheartist.It
pushedtothediscomfortofthecustomer.Galleryownerswantvisitorstofeel isthetrainingandyearsofpracticethatallowartiststofulfilltheircreative
athomeintheirshops,andtheywillengagewithyouabouttheworksofart impulses.Lookforworksofartthatsendamessage,tellastoryorconjureup
ondisplay,butneverpushasale.Theyarehappywhenyoulookandreallypay a feeling so rare and deep that you will treasure it forever.
attention to the collection.
ThefirstFridayofeachmonthFredericksburggalleriesaresponsoringART
Art prices reflect the creative and intellectual property of those who have WALK,awonderfulopportunitytoexperiencetheworkoflocalartists.All
sacrificedandgonetoschooltolearnthetechniquesandskillsrequired.What 9participatingartgalleriesremainopenafterhours.Artscommunitiesall
artistshaveproducedhasvaluebeyondthemonetarydesignation.Liketravel, overthecountryhaveestablishedthese“artwalks”,andtheyserveasacataart is affordable, but it requires lots of exposure to find these treasures. Art lystforthosewholongforsomethingmoreenduring.Arthelpsusholdon
collectors spend a great deal of time looking at art, and that is what makes tothebeautyofourlandscapes,ourarchitecture,ourmagnificentseashores
their avocation so rewarding.They come from all walks of life1⁄4. teachers, and countless other treasures.Think of art as visual music for the soul, not
writers,artists,scientists,businessowners,retirees,chefs,students,nurses, somuchasdecorativematerial.Tapintoitstreasures.It’sawonderfulwayto
constructionworkers,musicians,daycareworkers,etc.etc.Theyarewilling use your leisure time.
tohaveaconversationaboutart,oftenaskingmorequestionsthanmaking
pronouncements.
Woman
TEXAS
FREDERICKSBURG
57
www.fbgwoman.com