Emotion Pairs Well With Art...

Let's talk about the Art Movements in history.  That's a good place to start.
There are many many movements, each with their own distinct style.  I'm going to name a few and their defining scope, then zero in on a particular movement.

It all started with Prehistoric Art, and I very much doubt they realized they were the first art influencers! 
Ancient art mainly told stories of the civilizations and rulers and decorated bowls.   The Medieval Art, depicted the dark ages characterized by grotesque imagery and brutal scenery.... compared to the Renaissance period which focused on nature and man as independent and self reliant.  Baroque Art was ornate with elaborate visual arts and architecture focusing on richness and grandeur.  Neoclassicism  was a period of antiquity passionate about all things  past with renewed interest in classical ideals of harmony and simplicity.  Realism is considered the first modern art movement inspired by capturing everyday life.  Art Nouveau attempted to create an authentic movement free from any imitation of styles of the past.  Impressionism painters wanted to capture the impression of the moment, using short quick brushstrokes and an unfinished look.  Expressionism was a response by artist to an increasingly troubled world view.  The artists painted with their emotion..  Edvard Munch's The Scream, is an example.  Surrealism emerged creating works that defied reason, exploring the power of imagination.  Pop Art of the 20th century challenged consumerism and drew from the idea that art can draw from any source.  Warhol's Campbell Soup Cans is a good example of this.
Minimal Art movement started in New York with young artists who urged the viewer to look at what was directly in front of them and not draw parallels to outside realities.  And our present movement...Contemporary Art which is actually a compilation of many smaller art movements...feminist art, groups greating highly textured huge pieces, street (grafitti) art, art using images shaped by perceptions of the world, artist groups willing to shock with their art pushing beyond limits of decency, and digital artists.
Whew... that's alot.
 

What art movement do you see in my work?

​Today I'd like to bring up Expressionism art which focuses on  emotions and responses.  At that time, bold colors were used along with distortion in art and artists ignored the physical world ...in favor of their emotional expression and responses to, their work. 
 
Many contemporary artists desire to evoke emotion
through beauty, color, surprise and playfulness.  Artists emote as they paint and it is rare to witness a viewers authentic response.
I have a story to tell,
it's quite lovely.

Ruta is a neighbor (I have great neighbors, btw) who has attended several of my open studio and gallery events.  Prior to Covid she admired two large paintings  and weeks after viewing  mentioned she is still thinking about them.   After Covid,  Ruta came to another open studio.  She approached me and asked if I still had those two paintings, and purchased them.  I would see her outside while walking Angel, the wonder dog, and she was still as excited about those large paintings she put into her bedroom.  An honor. for me...to have my work appreciated.

This late Spring, several people gathered in my studio viewing newer work I had completed over the winter.  Ruta spent quite some time looking at three framed acrylic on canvas pieces.  She commented on two she liked.  A couple days later she asked for more information about them so I sent her images, dimensions, and pricing.  Another request to come over to view one piece in particular which she did.  While looking at it Ruta told me, "This painting keeps calling to me, I'm obsessed with it!"  It was then I had a moment and realized  Ruta had an emotional attachment to this painting...and eventually all three framed pieces.  They  made her feel good and she kept thinking about them. All three now hang in her home where she can easily view them.  She's delighted.

Have you experienced  a strong attraction , or distraction, to art, sculpture, dance, movie or novels?

 Emotions are rich! 
Pay attention to them. 
They can make you feel alive.