Something to See... Something to Be: A Word on Inspiration

So name me one purpose of art....

One reason art should "be" is that it is a stimulus.

The painting of a ballerina by Degas could make a child dream of becoming a ballerina. If the child is truly inspired it could happen with the application of hard work to natural talent.

How important is art anyway?

If art makes you feel like you are in elegant surroundings, just how valuable is that?

When you look at a painting and it makes you feel like you know something of the character portrayed you are momentarily taken to another place

in your mind's eye.

We all know... Or do we?... Just where we go when we visit our imagination, when we use

our "third eye" to go somewhere....

What about a visual, an abstract version of the so-called common

sight?

What does that do to us... Do for us?

It expands our view of things. It forces us to see the possibility of more color, more liveliness, more dimension to life.

Art literally adds depth to a wall because when you look at it your eye looks into a scene. This is actually good for your eyes

as they are forced to look more at a distance sort of like an American Indian looking out over a vast horizon.

Sure, the depth varies with the scene... It's part of the variety of art that you could be looking at most anything and that "anything" isn't like keeping a full grown pink elephant in your room just because you want to see a pink elephant in your room! (Down right practical when you look at it that way!)

So, don't resist getting art, thinking it isn't necessary... It is one of the great opportunities to add variety (and spice!) to your life. Enjoy.