What I've Learned from Art

Wow, first I would like to say I can't believe we are already here at the end of our class. To be honest at first I questioned what I would take away from this class, but I am very happy to say that I have learned a lot, and finally understand why this class is called Art Appreciation. I can now describe art not just as pretty, but I can apply terms like color, hue, contrast, with the actual knowledge of their purpose and outcome.
When I thought of art I thought of the process of making it and viewing it, never anything in between. Now I see that art has more of a purpose than just to look pretty, and be there. Artist can convey ideas, messages, concepts, and whatever they choose. An artist's canvas is what he sees and feels, and he can convey these messages in a variety of ways. Not only are there no boundaries to where art can be displayed, there are also countless techniques and varities of art.
This is another thing that astonished me about art. There are so many different varieties of it, from painting, printmaking, camera art, to sculpture, to conceptual art, it is whatever you think. That is another thing I took away from this class, art is whatever you want it to be, and it doesn't really matter if others think it is or isn't, everyone is free to think whatever they want. In example, conceptual art, take away what you want from it.
Ultimately I will take away from this class the concept that art does not need to be defined by a textbook or other people. Just like Picasso, and other upcoming artists who did not adhere to traditional methods of art and created for themselves a new form of self expression, I see that art can take any form, and has a unique beauty from every person's perspective.
Another amazing thing about art is that over time meanings and other such things change. For example, hundred years ago a women with a bulging belly is a good sign of fertility, but now that just means they like to eat. Art is a little picture in time that grasps a message then, but also can take on different messages when put into different contexts.
Art can not be defined. It can be enjoyed, viewed, created, among many other things. I am glad to say that I took this class because now I have a different and wider perspective on art, one where I can better understand concepts, techniques, and ways artists convey thier ideas.
Lastly I would also like to talk about the medium in which this class was taught. I loved it. Just how art is ever changing, technlogy and methods of teaching change, and I like how we got to incorporate many different aspects of internet learning, and hands on experience like the collage and the art visit.