today's agriculture related website with everyone, the Agchat Foundation. This foundation was formed to help farmers and ranchers use social media to tell their stories to the 98.5 percent of the population not engaged in the production of food, feed, fuel and fiber. I am proud to say that I have been a part of the weekly #agchat discussion group on twitter that discusses issues facing agriculture on a wide range of topics since its inception one year ago. I have made many friends as a result and feel empowered to help agriculture at more than just my local level.
What else do you do besides your art?
I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT ART BUT I KNOW WHAT I LIKE?Perhaps you've gone to a gallery or art museum, looked at the artwork displayed and said to yourself, "What the heck is that? I can't understand it! Why is this here in a gallery?"
Or, maybe you've gone to a gallery or art museum and your reactions was, "Wow! Great stuff! I like this! I don't know why, but I do!"
Or, maybe you've gone to a gallery or art museum, and, after viewing the exhibits, you walk away feeling bored and disinterested. You may have said to yourself, " Why do I bother with looking at art? I never understand it. It's beyond me."
Like any other discipline, art requires the viewer to be knowledgeable about the information it presents. Sometimes we think we should just automatically understand art. After all, there it is, just hanging there on the wall and all we have to do, we think, is just look at it. But do we really SEE it? Often, our response may be, "I don't know much about art, but I know what I like."
That is just another way of saying, "What I like is really just based on my ignorance."
THE MORE YOU KNOW, THE MORE YOU CAN ENJOY
Liking a certain artwork is a pleasure. You have communicated with visual phenomena and really enjoyed the experience. It can be a very enriching, rewarding experience to know how and why an art form developed or have some knowledge of how and why an artist works in a particular way. More than likely, your perspective is quite limited if you have never studied art or know how it has developed in not only, our Western culture but all over the world.
What if you could gain information on the many forms of art that have been produced since humanity began, and how it developed over time to the present day? What would this kind of study mean to you? It would mean that, equipped with that knowledge, you would be able to enjoy a lot more art! Here's why.
The more you know about art and its development, the more you can enjoy looking at art! You will see much more and understand the context, content and style of the art form. And this is the basis of Art Appreciation-a study of how to expand your knowledge of the art world, past, present and future and, with that perspective, be able to communicate with the rich visual/creative world!
HOW TO BEGIN
So, how do your start gaining knowledge of this vast art world? Where do you begin?
Begin by dipping your toe into Art History. With a basic Art History 101 knowledge you will be able to see how art, as we know it, was not really a term until the science of Art History was developed in our western culture. And, when it was developed, as you can read in many art history books in the library, art has existed as long as humans have been able to pick up a stick, brush or chisel and record their lives and experiences.
There are several ways of learning how to appreciate art:
ONE -- Learn about the basics of art history. How art developed, from the Lascaux cave paintings to modern art today. Older art history books deal primarily with artistic development in Western culture. Newer books add developments in Asia, China, Russia and the mid-East. The study of Art History has, over time, become global. In learning the time lines and factors that produce new perspectives and styles in art, you will not only gain a new historical perspective, but also become acquainted with the various art forms produced over the past centuries.
TWO--Choose a certain period or style in art history and learn about it. Perhaps Impressionism interests you. Or maybe you've always wanted to know the difference between Op Art and Pop Art. Through studying the cultural impact of a certain style on a specific period in time, you can understand why that particular art form developed and appreciate the artwork in a broader context.
THREE--Take a tour of your local art museum. Museums offer a wide variety of art educational programs and tours of their exhibits. Or travel and see the actual art in its setting. There are many websites on the Internet listing global art tours and travel, often by geographical location or specific art and architectural styles. On site art tours offer a unique and interesting way to travel and can give you an intimate, one on one perspective with the historical art and culture of the area. Tour groups are generally small in number and conducted by very knowledgeable guides delighted to respond to all of your questions and comments.
FOUR-Visit your local art galleries often. Galleries are supportive of their artists and gallery owners and attendants are usually quite pleased at your interest in their exhibits. They will be glad to give you information on the artists, such as whether they are local, where they have shown their work, what awards they have won, and who has purchased their artwork. Keep informed of present and future exhibits. This hands on approach, connects you closely with affordable art that is available where you live and often created by artists who live in or near your area.
DISCOVER A RICH VISUAL WORLD
Art Appreciation is as big or small a study as you want to do. Whether you want to make it an occasional outing or a serious study, whatever you choose, learning how art forms have historically developed and understanding what is on the walls in your local gallery will definitely change your perspective.
Wouldn't it be great to be able to discuss a painting on the wall in a gallery, instead of shrugging and muttering, "I don't know much about art, but I know what I like."
Think of it. Perhaps your response would be more like, "I like the way this artist uses color in an Expressionistic style. The brushwork is so vigorous! There is a lot of energy in the composition. Also, the use of thick paint produces an interesting texture."
Through Art Appreciation you can discover a rich visual/creative world that will inspire you and beckon you to learn more.
Lois's website offering free online art classes and many art resources, includes a gallery of her own paintings and pastels, as well as her videos demonstrating a wide variety of skills and techniques in the lessons: http://www.free-online-art-classes.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lois_Dewitt
What advice to you have for aspiring artists?
Cow Art and More is pleased to welcome Jo Lynch into its cow painters family. Jo calls her paintings "Whimzicals"(tm), as she designs each piece individually. No two are alike! All Original Whimzicals(tm) are painted in watercolor. Her cow paintings are created from photographs taken while traveling through the rural roads of West Virginia. Through the years, she has have taken many, many photos of cows. As Jo puts it, "They come in so many interesting shapes and sizes." You may view Jo's pieces in our new products or watercolor paintings sections.
What would you like to do more of in the future?
Are you involved in some way with agriculture and farming? Are you "agproud"? Today's agriculture website of interest to share with readers is the Agriculture Proud site, sharing the story of all people who help produce food.Being Agriculture Proud simply involves telling your agriculture story. The site encourages farmers to explain why are you proud to be a part of agriculture. A few key points of emphasis are:
Don't start by asking "Did you make this?". I realize that may seem like a perfectly innocent question on your part, but it's one that artists are asked MULTIPLE times during an art show or opening. Artists tend to take that question as "Of course! As opposed to my little gnomes or slave labor?" A better question would be, "Are you the artist?" if you are unsure if the person you are talking to actually created the art.
Cow Art and More collage artist Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson has created a series of mixed media collage pieces to represent her interpretation of the musical symphony suite The Carnival of the Animals. Her work will be featured by the Maitland (a suburb of Orlando, Florida) Art and History Association. Her "Exquisite Harmony" exhibit will have an artist's reception, September 10, 2010, from 6 to 8 PM.
How did you get interested in creating art of farm animals?
Today's website of interest to the agriculture community is the SXSW panel picker. SXSW is a Texas based company that puts on events for the entertainment, music and social media communities. Why is this important to agriculture? The voting is open for readers to suggest and vote for groups to include in next year's social media conference. The AgChat Foundation has submitted their application and looks to have the farming community's voice heard! I encourage readers to vote for AgChat's inclusion in the program. Full information can be found on the AgChat website. By presenting at this conference, farmers will have their vision in front of other leaders in social media from Google, Microsoft, Apple, Twitter, and Facebook just to name a few. Please vote soon as the polls close August 27.
How do you decide what to photograph?
Is it hot enough for you? Is it too hot for your artwork? Today's art themed article discusses measures people can take to protect their art from hot weather. A few simple steps can prevent irreversible damage to that beloved piece of artwork.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Cow Art and More announces a new acrylic painter to its ranks. Robert Saueressig has had an extensive career in advertising and graphic design. After retiring 10 years ago, he took up painting full time. He enjoys painting livestock and farm scenery from his studio in the midwest. Currently, Robert's work is available only as originals. Robert's work can be seen in the Cow Art and More new products section.
Where did you learn your technique?
Today's agricultural website of interest belongs to the Coopersville Farm Museum. Built to honor the history of farming and dedicated to the memory of Peter Hanenburg, the museum serves as an anchor in the historic downtown area of the Coopersville, Michigan. The 12,000 square-foot facility displays rotating agricultural related exhibits, contrasting old versus new, and showcases the John Deere collection of Ed Hanenburg, the man behind the museum.The museum is open all year but hours vary by season.
What is your technique?
*For those new to this blog, every Friday, blog writer Kathy Swift share an art themed article or website with readers.*
Why do you do photography?
Cow Art and More was thrilled and honored to have been asked to produce the Grand Champion trophy for the 2010 Michigan Dairy Expo Brown Swiss State Show. Pictured at left is the Intermediate and Grand Champion of the open and junior show, exhibited by Taylor Bolinger. Her mother, Laura, is holding the stained glass box trophy, made by Mary McIntyre, which contains a print of the Ideal type Brown Swiss cow drawn by Gary Sauder. 
How did you get started?
*For those new to this blog, every Monday, blog writer Kathy Swift shares an agricultural website of interest with readers.*
Photographer and digital artist Michael Murray is this month's featured artist on Cow Art and More. Michael lives in Scotland and enjoys taking photographs of animals and manipulating them into non-traditional scenes. He has exhibited at numerous galleries across Europe and also uses his skills as a graphic designer for magazines and catalogs.
