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SAN FRANCISCO ART GALLERY & MUSEUM INFORMATION
and ARTICLES
Visiting Art Galleries
Most major cities have art galleries. Many have numerous
galleries of all types for viewing and/or buying original works of art on canvas, posters, lithographs, prints,
as well as art sculptures and other forms of artwork. If you live in a big city like San Francisco California,
you're in luck. But if you don't live in or near by San Francisco and you're a true art lover you should seriously
consider making San Francisco your next vacation destination.
San Francisco
Art Gallery Recommendations:
Haines Gallery
~ Crown Point Press
~ Robert Tat ~
Pasquale Iannettie
Art Gallery ~
Fraenkel
Gallery ~
Silverman Gallery ~
Gendell Gallery
~ Toomey Tourell
Art Museums & Galleries:
New York ~ Chicago ~ Los Angeles
~ San
Francisco ~ Washington DC
~ Boston ~ Philadelphia ~ Seattle ~ Houston ~ Atlanta
Why Guided Tours Are A Good Idea
If the gallery or museum you want to visit has a guided tour, it may be a good idea to take the tour. Even if you're
the type of person who likes to browse independently, walking slowly at your own pace, to take in the beauty, going
on a guided tour of a large gallery will be well worth your time. Why? Most larger art museums and galleries are
so large, and so filled with wonderful paintings and sculptures, you can literally get lost in the moment as you
gaze at the works of master artisans. Many of the big galleries and museums have winding hallways and rooms inside
rooms, all usually have walls the same color in every room, which can quickly make you feel like you've already
been in a room when you haven't. Or you can walk into the same room over and over, wondering why you can't find
the rest of the artwork. It can be a little confusing and disorienting until you get use to the layout of the rooms
and alcoves and this can cause you to waste time, or heaven forbid, miss some of the best artwork ever created.
A guided tour will give you an organized view of the layout of the gallery, as well as give you information about
paintings and artwork you may not be familiar with. Once you've taken the tour, you'll find it much easier to stroll
through the gallery (or museum) on your own. You can then stop and gaze at the paintings you liked the best during
the tour, taking your time to really look them over.
If a gallery or museum doesn't offer a guided tour, or if you don't want to go on the tour (or if it's too expensive),
you can still enjoy your visit to any large art gallery or museum by getting a map of the museum or gallery collection
from the front desk or visitors information booth. Even if there's a small charge, it will be well worth it. For
larger galleries and museums this map will be your best friend in lieu of a guide or guided tour.
It's Like Falling In Love
When you see a painting or piece of art you really like, that
truly moves you, you'll know it right away. You'll feel it in your heart, in your mind, and through your whole
body. A really beautiful painting, for example, will make your heart flutter for a moment. It might even give you
a bit of a chill, maybe even raise the hairs on your forearms. The pupils of your eyes will naturally dilate and
a peaceful relaxed smile will come to your face. A really outstanding piece, one that touches your soul deeply,
may even make you quietly gasp and swoon. Sounds a lot like falling in love at first site doesn't it? Well, that's
because it is.
But what's good for one art lover is not necessarily good for the other. While some people love modern abstract
paintings, others like realistic figures, western art, or impressionistic paintings. But with so many pieces of
art to look at and choose from in galleries, museums and online, how do you find the right one for you. And if
you're new to shopping for paintings and artwork, how do you know what to look for? First, you need to discover
what style you like- what really sets your heart, mind, and soul on fire. You need to find out what really moves
you.
If you're new to the art world, or if you haven't truly seen it all, there is actually a suggested way to look
at art. No doubt you've heard of "art appreciation". That's the class that always sounded so uninteresting
when you were younger - the one so many people made fun of as either too boring or perceived to be so easy it's
a guaranteed straight A grade. But that way of thinking is for highschool and sophomores. Once you get older, and
wiser, you know art is a valuable commodity. But while only a handful of art collectors can afford to buy and invest
in a painting by one of the true art masters like Van Gogh, Ansel Adams, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Auguste
Rodin, Norman Rockwell, or Andy , you can still buy a piece painted in this century, by a local artist, that is
just as valuable to you personally - because if when you find one that truly moves you, it will be a painting that
makes your space feel warm and cozy, more inviting, or more exciting and alive, or welcoming.
A well selected piece of art, one that you've fallen in love with, can make a world of difference not only in how
others view you and your home, but how you feel about your own space. When you've found just the right piece, not
only will you know it, but you'll feel you have to have it. And once it's in your home (or office) it will always
make you feel comfortable and happy in your space. Even if it's the only thing in the room of any value or beauty,
gazing on it will take you to your "happy place" time and time again.
Finding the Perfect Style - the Perfect Painting
If you haven't yet found what type of painting you like, that
trip to the gallery or museum will be of great benefit. As you move through the different galleries and rooms in
a museum, take the time to look over each painting. Don't just glance at it - really look at it. Give it a chance.
When you find one that makes you stop in your tracks, or do a double-take, stop and take a closer look. It might
sound strange at first, but trust me when I say, if you find something you think you might be interested in, get
closer to it. Look closely at the paint, and the brush strokes. Look at the details, the individual colors. Then,
step back and spend some time with it. Yes, spend time with a painting. If there's a bench or chair near by, sit
down and look at the painting.
Don't be afraid to spend 10 or 20 minutes with it if makes you feel good to look at it. Don't feel you have to
quickly move on to the next painting or room like you're taking a tour of an animated Disney exhibit. Stop and
enjoy what you see. That's what galleries and art museums are there for. That is what you're expected to do. In
fact many art collectors and enthusiasts regularly spend time in their favorite museums over and over. Sometimes
they come just to sit and look, but quite often you'll find art lovers sitting in front of their favorite painting
with a good book or (if the museum permits) a brown bag with lunch.
You'll know, as you spend time looking at a painting, if it's a style that fits you, because you'll find it hard
to look away. And when you do finally decide to move on, you'll feel like you need to keep coming back to it. And,
it will make you feel that way each time you see it. It will make you feel good to be near it, to look at it, like
being with a friend or lover.
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