As many others do, Vivian and I travel in our home for reasons too many to count on two hands. But if there was only one reason, that would be enough reason to travel in an RV. Whatever the reason, traveling guarantees one new experience after another. Which brings me to this blog’s topic – ART.
Among the reasons we travel is an appreciation of art and artists. If you truly want to experience America in a meaningful way, seek out its artists. Better yet, open your mind and allow yourself to stumble upon them in the most unexpected places. That is where we have found our greatest joy in America’s hidden gems – the artists that make their communities and the world a better place. These include the vegetarian sheep farmer, the cowboy, the sharecropper who never learned to write her name, and all the other unknown artists out there.
It has been an endless journey of discovery. Some art was sought out, such as the C. M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, MT or Georgia O’Keeffe’s Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. But most was stumbled upon unexpectedly. Museums, roadside installations, murals, public art spaces, galleries – wherever we discovered art, we were also discovering America. Sounds corny, but it’s true. See for yourself.
Among the happiest moments in our travels is when we come across art while driving down a road, or walking around a city or small town. Art for the passing tourists – a quick, but thought provoking impression. Usually we pause and consider the artists, what was their motivation or inspiration. Who is this unknown creator of things for people to enjoy or contemplate? Each photo of a piece of art we found serves to remind us of places we’ve been and the people we met. And for some reason, they almost always conjure up positive thoughts! We forget the uncomfortable weather, the horrible roads, unexpected RV repairs, the rising cost of everything. Art, among many other reasons, is why we keep it going. Enjoy these photos of art on the road.
Carhenge, near Alliance, Nebraska. You ask, why Carhenge? Creator Jim Reinders responds simply: “Why Not?” 
A small portion of a very large mural in downtown Deland, FL. The artist used photos of actual people to paint faces on the bodies, very much lacking a sense of scale while doing so. 
Yes, art can be found anywhere, like under a bridge along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in downtown Pittsburgh. 
Downtown Milwaukee mural created by German artist Andres Chrzanowski. The headless figure created quite a controversy on social media. 
50-ft high Dignity of Earth and Sky, at the I-90 Chamberlain Welcome Center on the Missouri River, South Dakota. 
Another Welcome Center art work in Northeast Wyoming. 
Jackie O lives! Meet JoLean, the Uniroyal Gal at the OLean marijuana dispensary in Leelanau peninsula, MI. Jolean onced lived in Kentucky and Ohio, and apparently, there is more than one out there in America. 
A metal sculpture of an anhinga, displayed near the Clifford House in Eustis, FL. 
Geese in Flight, one of the installations along the Enchanted Highway in North Dakota. 
From the Porter Sculpture Park, along I-90 in South Dakota, another example of one man’s obsession.
This year, we spent many weeks in my home state of Michigan. We made it a point to stay in parts of the state unfamiliar to me, including the Grand Rapids area. It was here we learned about Art Prize. This was such a wonderful event, I wanted to highlight it here. Enjoy this slideshow of some of the art we enjoyed around downtown Grand Rapids.
You can read more our encounters with art in these previous blogs:
Changing Views From Our RV 
Wow, you’ve found a lot of beautiful art! This post brought back many good memories of our travels having been to many of those sights. If you get a chance, google “Florida Highwaymen”. You’ll love the artwork.
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Yes, we love Florida Highwaymen, have seen many originals in homes & galleries.
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Forgot to add, I remember enjoying some of these art works with you & Lorraine!
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Amazing post! As always, love the photography, pictures, and narrative. Amazing the way so many artists point out issues of justice through their work. Love it!
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Thank you Dean! Art can wake people up. Like the new MLK monument, “Embrace” in Boston causing quite a stir.
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Yes indeed. I have reading about it.
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