Hello everyone! The summer heat and humidity has been kicking my butt and it’s terrible. Of course, it’s only August so we have a while until we get the most amazing early Autumn weather. Alas, we must suffer! Until then let’s find something to appreciate this month, and no it isn’t the beach or air conditioning, it is American Artists! That’s right, August is officially American Artist Appreciation Month!
There is no real founder or origin to this month’s designated appreciation, but we all know that art consumption is ever present in our daily lives! Before European art influenced the Americas, native tribes were creating ritualistic and utilitarian objects far before miniature portraits and floral still lives entered the scene.
European influence then went on to produce many modern artists like Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keeffe, Grant Wood, so on and so forth, but both Native and European influences contributed to many contemporary artists that we can look to today like Barbara Segal, Michael Dixon, Michael Hussar, Wendy Red Star, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Cannupa Hanska Luger, and numerous others. If you haven’t heard of some of these artists, now is the best time to look into them in the spirit of the month! Or if you are looking to buy, check our auction catalogs for American artists or consider buying from your local artists. Keep in mind, anyone can be an artist so if you consider yourself to be one then this month is for you too!
However, since I’m here for history lessons and not to tell everyone that they are artists, I’ll break this down quickly. American art as a whole did not become a cohesive entity until the mid-19th century with the birth of the Hudson River School. Although many artists here still looked towards the influences of Europe, there was a shift in focus towards American urban life and the rural landscapes of the Midwest. After WWII, American artists began utilizing abstract expressionism which brought them international fame, with minimalism and pop art furthering America’s spot in the art scene. Although very brief and not all that complicated, America’s mark in the art world happened in a swift manner since we are still a young country. Art is still ever changing in the United States, so our history is not quite finished yet, but that is the same for the rest of the world as well.
With that, I wish you all a happy American Artist Appreciation Month! Visit a museum, a local gallery, watch a movie, or go on a date night to one of those rug making spots because that sounds cool as heck! Most importantly, keep an eye out for our upcoming Historic Illustration auction where we have many prolific American artists available and be sure to read our blogs describing a selection of the works!
