Art Is Everywhere by Pat Hilpert

 I believe art is everywhere.  Most people will admit a scenic view is beautiful or a certain color catches their eye.  But these moments seem few and far between.  For our own personal happiness, I think we should try and be more aware of our surroundings and the soul refreshing sights that are all around us.

I remember a family outing from Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Sisseton, South Dakota, to see an Historic State Park: Fort Sisseton.  One would expect the roughly ninety mile trip to take about an hour and a half.  But because I had just gotten a new SLR (single-lens reflex) digital camera, the jouney took us almost three hours!  Suddenly, everywhere I looked seemed interesting and beautiful to me and I had to have a picture of it so I could remember it forever.  Our three sons in tow were beside themselves at the slow progress of our trip.  But my patient and amazing husband seemed to enjoy my new-found passion and enthusiasm. 

Old buildings became studies in architecture and shadows.  Tall grasses along fence lines evoked feelings of calmness or isolation.  Old barns became keepers of memories and symbols of generations of hard work.  I wanted to document everything!  Having a camera with me made me recognize the art around me.  It was very emotional for me.  Looking through the camera grounded me in the "now".  It made me very aware of being in that moment of time at that particular place.  It was transformative and was the beginning of my desire, dare I say craving, to become a visual artist. 

Astonishingly, it was a photo taken on that fateful drive that was chosen by the Smithsonian Institute as the first place winner of their "Barn Again" photo contest!  I could hardly believe it! The Smithsonian! I saw the call for entries but thought there was no chance my work would ever win.  It was my husband who encouraged me to submit my photo saying, "If you don't enter, you have no chance at all."  Great advice.  

Here is my winning Smithsonian entry:



And here is an example of "Art Is Everywhere" taken on that same fateful drive through South Dakota:




My art still calls so I am off. I hope by sharing my thoughts and experiences that you are encouraged to notice the art around you! 

 

Till next time,

           Pat Hilpert 🎨 

 













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