The Positives and Negatives of Visiting Art Galleries
How can you use Google to help you find an “Art Gallery Near Me” and should you do so?
If you are interested in purchasing fine art landscape photography, one of the first steps is to determine what you are looking for….does your home décor tastes lean toward certain landscapes such as mountainsides or ocean seashore scenes? How do you know what you really want to purchase?
One tip I have is to Google “Art Galleries Near Me”. You may be wondering why an online photography gallery would recommend this step.
Why Visiting an “Art Gallery Near Me” in Person is Important
There is something very relaxing and mesmerizing about visiting art galleries in person. You see the details of a painting up close… you get to talk to the staff and ask questions.
You will get to see a wide variety of artwork --- all at one time and all in one place… which will allow you to start determining what kinds of artwork speak to your heart. Art is not a logical type of purchase…it involves the emotional pull of being connected to something other than yourself.
How to Visit an Art Gallery – How to Get the Most from Your Visit
If you Google “Art Galleries Near Me” you will be provided with a list of galleries that contain varied offerings of fine art – from paintings to sculpture to photography.
Make a list of the art galleries near you then visit their websites. Galleries often have a specialty …. for example, classic or contemporary art. These galleries will be different from each other in style and aesthetics. What kind of art do they display? Is it contemporary? Black and White? Nature scenes?
Some galleries, depending on size, may require you to purchase a ticket in advance or may have limited hours. Ticket costs depend on the size of the gallery and if they display the artwork of famous artists.
Once you have identified 2 or 3 galleries, then it is time to put on your comfortable walking shoes (that is very important as you will be on your feet much of the time) and head out the door.
What to Do When You are in an Art Gallery?
It is easy when you first enter an art gallery to just want to rush from room to room but that is not the best way. Instead, you should move slowly to allow a meaningful connection between you and the artwork instead of seeing a zillion glimpses of multiple artworks pieces.
If it is a large gallery, then you also need to determine how much time you want to spend there and you may need to choose the exhibits that are most aligned with your interests.
It is very important… regardless of the size… to intentionally slow yourself down and if there is a bench or a chair, sit down. I realize in today’s rush-rush world the thought of sitting down in an art gallery may make you want to twitch. But take the time to sit. The chairs and benches are there for a reason.
Separate yourself from the others in the room and create your own art critique experience. Ask yourself questions such as what was the artist concentrating on or thinking about when they were working? Spend time in one room looking at the colors, and the subject matter of the different works of art displayed. Notice what catches your eye and your heart… is it dramatic scenes or intimate streetscapes? Do you gravitate towards sunlit and brightly colored landscapes or does modern abstract art catch your eye?
What role does color play? Do you prefer close-up pictures of a vase and flowers and a basket of bread or do you like countryside scenes with a winding road and trees?
Do You Need to Know a Lot to Visit an Art Gallery?
You do not need to know art history or all the famous painters or fine-art photographers to visit an art gallery. There is no test.
Instead, what is important is to enter the gallery with a fresh and open mind… that you want to view and experience the colors and scenes in front of you. Your may not remember any names of the artists when you leave but you will carry with you the momentary sense of peace and awe that you experienced standing in person in front of the artwork.
When standing in an art gallery, you are on a journey… one where the artist is going to take you somewhere you may never have been … but you will come away refreshed.
What are the Benefits of Visiting an Art Gallery?
One benefit to visiting an art gallery or museum is that it can be a memorable and unique family outing if approached correctly. You can make this a family event where you look at the paintings and artwork together. Ask each family member which they like the best and why? Expose them to culture and the joys of beauty.
When you are at an art gallery, you will be around other individuals who share your joys and passion, and interests. Just as skiing and hiking clubs are fun as you are with others who share your love of the outdoors, walking in art galleries and being around lovers of art is a wonderful way to spend a hot afternoon in the summer. Some galleries even offer cocktail parties or food and wine events that allow like-minded individuals to gather and connect.
Another benefit to visiting an art gallery is to expand your horizons … you get exposed to the stories the artists are sharing --- what they are seeing at that moment in history. Their artwork is a doorway into their world and as you study the artwork, you may experience the same emotions as the artist and gain insight into that time in history.
We live in a rushed world with noise and sound coming at us from all directions. Spending time in an art gallery provides you with time to decompress as you stare silently at works of art and reflect on their meaning. It can be very calming.
Where Are the Best Art Galleries in the United States?
If you Google the above question, you will certainly get a variety of answers but these art galleries/museums listed below are often found on a list of the Top Ten Art Galleries in the United States.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art – New York City
- Museum of Modern Art – New York City
- The Whitney – New York City
- National Gallery of Art – Washington DC
- Art Institute of Chicago - Chicago
- Getty Center – Los Angeles
- LACMA – Los Angeles
- Museum of Fine Arts - Boston
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
What to Do Once You Have Visited Art Galleries
At this point, you have hopefully spent some time immersing yourself in artwork and should have an idea of the type of artwork you gravitate towards … what style of artwork brings you joy and a sense of peace and serenity?
Your experience with art galleries should have made you realize fine artwork is an investment in the emotional side of your life…it turns bare blank walls into colorful canvasses that will add warmth and beauty to your day-to-day life…. helping you create memories that will increase in value over time.
I would now suggest that you get a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and put on some soothing music and spend some time visiting the Fine-Art Landscape Galleries on my website. You can slowly scroll down the page and see several pictures one at a time or use the Slide Show feature that allows you to view enlarged photographs.
The same questions should be in your mind as you view my fine-art landscapes. What draws you into them? What story do they tell? What speaks to your heart and can you see one of these photographs displayed over your sofa or in the entranceway to your home?
The Next Step for the Fine-Art Landscape Collector
If you do feel one of my fine-art landscape photographs speaks to you and you can visualize it in your home… then what is the next step? And why would you even consider purchasing a fine-art photograph from me?
The simple answer is this: My fine art photographs are the result of years of experimenting with photographic techniques and processes. I use the best digital camera equipment available and offer high-end framing and print options. That, combined with an eye for the essence of the true beauty of the landscape in front of my camera, has allowed me to create a gallery of stunning landscape photographs.
But great photography is not enough….. I also offer a strong commitment to you, the buyer. I am truly committed to providing outstanding customer service and will work with you every step of the way to make certain the end result is a fine art photograph that you will be able to proudly display in your home.
I look forward to hearing from you.
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