For the last several centuries the world of fine art has been dominated by paintings. Although this rich and vibrant world has a limitless abundance of beauty, emotion and storytelling potential it still has yet to be appreciated by those outside of the artists whose creations bring it to life. Why is that exactly? Why do the masses limit themselves to only peeking through the keyhole instead of walking through the door?
Fine art is so far beyond the boundaries it has been forced into. Yes oil paintings are a breath taking achievement in the art forms, but why not expand the tastes of the fine arts? Sculpture, in the fine art sense, has tragically faded into the background after its zenith in the golden age of ancient Greece. To visit the multitude of fine art museums throughout the country, do they not touch on the magnificence of these sculptures on display? Watercolor is one of the few medias that can combine the softness of pastel colors and the boldness of bright and dark side of colors. Take a walk through the city and search out a studio or a gallery that highlights these wonderful yet oflen over looked pieces. Charcoal depicts its subjects in the visual simplicity of values. Not every story needs to be shown in colors. Graphite, the other side of the values coin. Sit and stare at a graphite drawing for a few minutes and see all the intracate details that rival any oil painting. Pastels and chalks, blend colors together on a completely different level than any of the other medias. The softness of these works gives the sense of the simplicity of the subject matter itself. White charcoal, the ultimate in contrast. The use of values suggests that everything in the focal point has been bathed in a pure light.
The medias can go on forever but the idea is clear, not any one media can express the everything that is fine art. So get out there, find some studios and explore. Don't be satisfied with just peeking through the keyhole. Open that door and experience the complete story that is fine art.
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