Outdoor Art: Different Styles, Materials and Uses

Food smorgasbords are satisfying and fun because there is so much to choose from. Outdoor art is a smorgasbord, too - and just as satisfying and fun. Outdoor art styles vary widely to fit different tastes. Wide-ranging materials and assorted uses for art in natural settings create an endless variety of alternatives for outdoor artistic expression.

Home owners and office owners can draw upon this buffet of choices to create just-right outdoor spaces that delight, soothe and prepare visitors for what's to come when they enter or exit a building. Style: First Order of Business When searching for outdoor art to enhance spaces, first pay attention to the nature and personality of the space. Is it old-fashioned or modern? Does it offer a grand scale or an intimate feeling? Do you need sophisticated pieces to impress clients, or can you funk it up a bit for your friends? If sophistication is key, you might choose timeless outdoor bronze sculptures or outdoor metal wall art. Outdoor stone sculpture or ceramics are other appropriate choices. If you're only trying to impress your friends, you might opt for humorous painted outdoor sculpture, whimsical outdoor wall decor, pretty outdoor decorative candles - or a dozen pink flamingoes. To match common decorative styles, such as Early American, French Provincial or the Prairie Style made famous by Frank Lloyd Wright, do a little research to get ideas. Make a wish list, then begin browsing for pieces that follow your chosen style. You might choose a decorative style based on your own taste, or you might look for outdoor art to match the building style of your home or business.

Expressions in Stone, Metal, Clay and Other Quirky Materials

Yards, parks and corporate entrances traditionally have been spruced up with outdoor sculptures, outdoor wall art, fountains and garden embellishments made of stone, metal, glass and ceramics. Choose a piece of subtle outdoor stone wall art or a glass gazing ball to express your finer tastes, or select an obnoxiously bright, painted-metal outdoor kinetic sculpture to show your avant garde side.

Don't neglect other interesting materials in your search. Technology has provided a number of ways to paint, bronze, temper and otherwise protect art outside. That means you can include composite plastic, fabric, mosaic and even wooden architectural embellishments in your personal outdoor art gallery.

What do you Want your Art to DO?

Finally, when searching for art to add punctuation to outdoor spaces, think about the effect you want it to have. Do you want people to laugh? Choose a set of funny blown-glass faces or outdoor cartoon ceramic tiles. Looking for a comfortable homey feel? Consider weather-proofed outdoor canvas murals or banners, bird carvings or outdoor sun art. Want people to think of you as "cutting edge"? How about contemporary outdoor sculpture any socialite would love?

Outdoor art can draw attention with movement, such as a spinning outdoor mobile or wind sculpture. It can blend into the environment (a composite, wood-look stump with a frog on it) or stand out to make a point (brightly painted 3D metal garden stakes that look like a rooster and hens). In some cases, outdoor art doubles beauty with function (thermometers, lights, shelves). In almost every case, outdoor art inspires (outdoor stained glass panels) and prompts conversation (full-size outdoor bronze statue).

Take some time to enjoy the search and consider every option before quenching your appetite for outdoor art!