Art Appreciation for the Clueless (A.K.A. Me): How I Learned to Stop Pretending and Just Enjoy It

Confession: I used to be that person at art galleries. You know the one—standing there with a furrowed brow, nodding thoughtfully as if I had any idea what I was looking at. The truth? Half the time, I had no clue. I mean, I could recognize a Picasso when I saw one, but when it came to abstract art or anything remotely avant-garde, I was lost. Was that a painting of a sunset or just someone’s messy breakup? Who knows?

But somewhere along the way, I decided to stop pretending and start actually enjoying art—whatever that meant. And guess what? Once I let go of the idea that I had to “get” everything, art became a lot more fun. Here’s how I made peace with my cluelessness and started appreciating art in my own way.

Step 1: Embrace the Confusion

First things first—I had to admit that I didn’t always understand what I was looking at, and that was okay. Art isn’t a puzzle that needs solving; it’s more like a journey where the destination doesn’t really matter. So, instead of stressing over whether I was “getting” the artist’s intention, I started focusing on how the art made me feel. Confused? Sure. Intrigued? Definitely. Hungry because the painting kind of looked like pizza? Sometimes. And you know what? That’s all valid.

Step 2: Find Your Favorites (And Don’t Apologize for Them)

Here’s the thing about art—it’s subjective. What speaks to one person might not speak to another, and that’s perfectly fine. I used to feel like I needed to appreciate all the “important” pieces, but then I realized that art is personal. So, I started gravitating toward the pieces that really caught my eye, whether they were famous masterpieces or quirky little unknowns. If a painting of a giant, smiling cat brings me joy, who cares if it’s not considered high art? It’s high art to me.

Step 3: Ask Questions (Even the Silly Ones)

At first, I was embarrassed to ask questions about art. I didn’t want to look like I didn’t know what I was talking about (spoiler: I didn’t). But then I realized that the people who work in galleries or museums are there because they love art, and they usually love talking about it, too. So, I started asking questions, even the ones that seemed silly. “Why is this painting just a red square?” “Is this sculpture supposed to look like a melted ice cream cone?” Turns out, asking questions made the experience way more interesting, and I actually learned a lot.

Step 4: Mix It Up

Art isn’t just paintings on a wall—there’s sculpture, photography, street art, and so much more. Once I started exploring different types of art, I found that I connected with some more than others. Street art, for example, always brings a smile to my face, while certain sculptures make me think about things in a new way. The point is, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to art. Mix it up, try different things, and see what resonates with you.

Step 5: Let Art Be What You Need It to Be

For some people, art is a serious, almost sacred experience. For others, it’s just a fun way to spend an afternoon. For me, it’s a bit of both, depending on the day. Sometimes I visit a gallery and get lost in deep thought, and other times I’m just there to see something pretty. And that’s okay. Art can be whatever you need it to be at that moment—no pressure, no rules.

Final Thoughts

So, if you’ve ever felt like you’re not “artsy” enough to enjoy art, trust me, you’re not alone. But the good news is, you don’t have to be an expert to appreciate it. Just show up, let yourself feel whatever you feel, and don’t worry about whether you’re doing it right. Art is for everyone—even the clueless (like me).

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to ponder whether that abstract painting I just saw was really about the meaning of life… or just a very intense love of shapes.