Art presents itself in many shapes and forms today. To me it is always interesting and gratifying to appreciate other peoples art. You dont necessarily have to like it personally to accept the hard work that has gone into it and the thought behind it.

As a contemporary artist myself I find it gives you freedom to express your inner emotions. If I had a bad day it probably reflects in my paintings appearing more dramatic. On the other hand I also find it calming to paint seasoned skies.

I would say that art is something that is very personal. A work of art that one person loves may have the complete opposite reaction for another. Art is something that is very individual. Thankfully in our modern days there is a such a huge variety of art around that there surely has to be something for everyone. Take Graffiti for example. What one person calls vandalism is anothers work of art.

You only need to visit the Montmatre area of Paris to experience unconventional forms of art. Pavement artist sketching out their paintings in chalk or art students putting their easels out in the street to earn a little extra money by drawing caricatures. Neither yields a lot of money for the artists, but surely this is talent.

Other forms of art that are popular are sand sculptures which feature greatly here in the Canary Islands, and I am sure in other parts of the world as well. They take all kinds of forms, from biblical scenes to dragons that even have fire breathing out of their nostrils. And what about the old art of mosaics? Many of us see them every day or even have them in our gardens in form of plant pots, walls etc.

Posters – somebody has to design them so they are thought provoking and catch the eye. This is a great challenge for children too, who are encouraged to do posters for any number of things from road safety to recycling the environment. I love to see what sense can be made of driftwood collected along the beach. I think a special type of person is needed to do this with a very good imagination and creativity.

On this theme also delightful paper weights can be made from nice pebbles once they are cleaned, painted and varnished. It is also fun searching for the pebbles in different shapes and feeling how smooth they are when you run your fingers over them.

A great individual gift and form of art is designing and creating your own cards. Most people do this as they know the joy it will give to its eventual recipient. And when I see the things that some artist achieve by working with papermache I am truly amazed. Other things that are getting very popular these days are needlepoint, felting, patch working and scrapbooking.

I could go on to mention a great more forms of art, but surely there has to be something for everyone? And with the wonderful variety comes a great many workshops that are being run by local crafts stores or schools. The great joy art can bring to people can not be measured, be it by creating it or seeing it. And it also lets you make a whole bunch of new friends along the way. So what are you waiting for? Go on and get involved!…

Technorati Tags: art, Art And Entertainment, art gallery, artist, artists, arts, contemporary art, crafts, painting