Life Enhancing Art For Life Affirmation

An artist is someone that can produce something that attracts us, that speaks to us on some level, and that resonates well enough with us that we want to purchase it and bring it home. We don't need to just hang pictures on our wall or leave a sculpture in a corner to be art enthusiasts. When we can recognize that we hold something precious in our hands, we can see beyond the visual stimulation that an artist can look into our soul and bring out a small voice that was dormant.

There is something life affirming about being a collector of art. Whether you are a fan of just one artist or you collect one painting because you simply couldn't walk away from it, you know the instant you see something that seems made just for you. When we can recognize the artist's perspective we connect with their initial vision. We become and then remain connected to the artist, not just the work.

If we want the artistic world to survive, we need to become more in tune with the art world. We need to support artists by buying their work in order to allow them to continue to create. The more we all start remembering the importance of artwork in our life, the easier it is to support a single artist or a whole group of individuals. The artwork that we hang into our houses is more than just something to hang on the wall for a decorative purpose. It is a testimony to the vision of the artist.

There are many social benefits to keeping artwork a part of our daily lives. Children who are exposed to art and are encouraged to find their own creative voice are less likely to participate in unlawful activities. Studies in large inner cities have proven that children who participate in programs for artistic expression refrain more often from gang violence than children who are left to their own devices.

Knowing this, we should all be alarmed about the declining rate of artistic programs in our public and even our private schools. Without these programs the artistic world is bound to suffer just as the children denied access to the arts are bound to suffer. Schools that have progressive art programs are turning out higher test scores and have a reduction in violence.

Collecting artwork can be an expensive endeavor. However, many pieces of artwork are prone to appreciation and can be a better investment than the stock market. There are paintings that have more than quadrupled in monetary value over a period of twenty years. Of course, there is no way to measure the personal value of a cherished piece.

Art is part of our history and with consideration, it can remain a part of our culture for the remainder of human existence. With every piece of art that we buy, bring home, or create we enrich the world we live in.