What does "luxury" represent?

This is a question that's been popping in and out of my thoughts over the past few weeks. What does luxury represent and what might its link to art be?
So I googled "luxury". Interestingly...I found some trends.
First off...I had no idea there were multiple periodicals dedicated to the subject. Here's just a few: www.luxuryhomemagazine.com, www.luxurylv.com, www.modernluxury.com, www.robbreport.com, and on and on the list goes.
As I sorted through many of these sites I was looking for a common thread...specifically does art fall into this category? Without a doubt!!!
The common items I saw linked with the term "luxury" were as follows in no specific order, nor is this list anywhere NEAR complete...this is just a sampling of what I found.
Luxury equals: Yachts (boating), large homes (real estate), exotic travel (adventure), private jets (aviation), high-end automobiles, watches (jewelry), cigars & spirits, wine and ART!!
I am MOST intrigued that art is always a part of the topic of luxury. Yet, after looking through many many websites that told me what luxury was...it dawned on me...."wait a minute. These 'luxury' items are what I'm being SOLD are 'luxury' items. Hold on...are those items what I, ME, truly feel are luxurious to me?? I have a lot of art! Yet I don't consider it a luxury item.
So let's break this down a bit more. Dictionary definition: a material object, service, etc., conducive to sumptuous living, usually a delicacy, elegance, or refinement of living rather than a necessity OR free or habitual indulgence in or enjoyment of comforts and pleasures in addition to those necessary for a reasonable standard of well-being.
For me, art doesn't fit into this category of a luxury item as defined above...unless of course we're talking about an original Picasso or Renoir (pricing in the millions). Art is a NECESSITY item to me. And there's so many price ranges in the art world to choose from.
I'm curious what your thoughts might be about this. Is art a luxury? Is it a necessity? Or is art something only the uber-wealthy purchase? Is the fact that art is considered "untouchable" in the minds of so many keeping you from owning an original piece of art? (Is that like some sort of false advertising to keep everyone from owning art??) Art is for EVERYONE!
My own personal mental jury is still out deliberating the final verdict concerning what is "a luxury to me"...
Until then...check out some affordable art!

Justice and Liberty for All

Memorial Day is a time to honor those who have lost their lives serving the United States as a service member of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force or Coast Guard.
In honor of those who have lost their lives I've painted two new paintings.
Rest in Peace, you are not forgotten!

Click here to view "Justice and Liberty for All" and "Stars and Stripes Forever"

Both of these paintings are painted on old barn wood from the big red barn on the farm I grew up. Nothing more representative of American than the farm.

Fresh out of the studio!!

I'm excited to announce FOUR new painting releases! I had a lot of fun painting in hues of green this go-round...along with some blue bases. The one here shown on the left I've titled, "Dance to the beat of your own drum" since this has been a topic on my mind lately...how appropriate eh?

To view this piece as well as check out other original art that's still available
click here

oh and I also just published the latest enewsletter! If you're not getting these by email...it's simple to sign up. Just go here.

In the mean time...visit www.racheldickson.com for all the latest!

...and FuN was had by ALL!

Bowling Green, OH played host to the 19th Annual ARt Walk where downtown businesses featured local artists work for a day. Chris nor I had ever attended before...so off we went for a fun day exploring downtown Bowling Green.
I'd equate the experience somewhat to an art scavenger hunt. Before heading out I scoured the Internet for some sort of map or direction for a plan of attack (like where to park and what stores to visit to view this artwork) but came up empty handed.
Chris and I are both fairly easy going so we weren't at all stressed over the fact that we were just gonna have to wing it.  We figured there would be signs or some sort of direction once we arrived.
She being much more familiar with the layout of Bowling Green...we parked behind the Ben Franklin store downtown (which was where we found these STELLAR glasses pictured here) and off we went. Somewhere along the line we found a brochure with a map of participating stores...but by that time we were having fun scavenging for participating sites.
All-in-all it was a VERY fun day indeed! I'm not sure who organized the Art Walk, but it did get us into many stores of downtown Bowling Green, OH and we did see some local art in the process!
Stay tuned....because next I'm going to recap the art opening we went to at Angelwood Gallery in Grand Rapids, OH that same evening. Now THERE was a STELLAR event!!
until then...onward and upward for the arts....

When nature calls!

I recently had the pleasure of visiting one of my very favorite places in Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Within the park itself I've always felt drawn to the Greenbrier National Park area.

My mom and I were meandering up the Ramsey Cascade trail along the Little Pigeon river and stopped along the way to have a picnic lunch. A few feet away from where we were sitting was this truck sized rock. It was HUGE!

I couldn't help but think what a FABULOUS canvas that rock would be for some abstract water art. So off I went (nearly slipping into the creek at one point...to which mom chuckled..."don't fall in") and began to sling water onto the face of the rock...and the photo above left is the result. I'm pretty sure that my joy in this experience had mostly to do with the fun in creating...not so much in the final result.

Yet another reason to embrace spontaneity. Art is everywhere!

Graduation is right around the corner!

We all know there are many special dates, holidays, occasions and reasons to give gifts. And Graduation is right around the corner.

But how many times have we received a gift that felt empty or simply obligatory? So why give a gift that implies obligatory? Make it special...give ART!

CLASS of 2012 Art!

As that young person you know is celebrating the beginning of a new era in their life...why not give them something that they will cherish for the rest of their life? Give ART!

Click here to select your graduating senior's art gift.

HOT off the press! Just published first enewsletter...

Check out the HOT off the press first issue of my enewsletter! Naturally an envolving project...I would love to hear your comments!

Click here to view the enewsletter!

If you're not already signed up to receive this "all things art" enewsletter take a second and join. It's easy.

Click here to sign up for future enewsletters.

Just click the image above and enter your name and email. Since it's an opt in list...you'll have to go to your email after you sign up and click on the confirmation email to complete the sign up process.

Cheers! and onward and upward for the arts!!