Doug Teiger: There is No Right or Wrong When Viewing Art

When you step into a gallery or stand before a painting, there is no test to pass, no correct answer waiting to be found. Art is not a puzzle with one solution—it’s an experience. What you feel, see, and take with you is yours alone.

Some artists work to provoke, to challenge, to disturb—and that can be powerful. Other works are created to soothe, uplift, or spark joy. Neither approach is more valid than the other. The meaning is found in the connection between the art and the viewer.

How Art Speaks to You

Colors, shapes, and textures all carry energy. Science tells us that colors can be broken down into frequencies—vibrations that resonate differently with each of us. A warm red might energize one person while overwhelming another. A soft blue could feel calming to some, distant to others. What matters is the way it lands with you.

That’s why choosing art for your home is more than decorating—it’s curating the energy of your space. When you bring a piece into your living room, your office, or your bedroom, you are inviting its frequency to live with you.

Art in the Home

Think of art not only as something you look at, but as something that shapes how a space feels:

• A bold, expressive painting can anchor a room and inspire conversation.

• A gentle abstract with soft hues can create a sense of calm and balance.

• A provocative piece might challenge you to think differently every time you pass it.

When you purchase art, you’re not just buying canvas and pigment—you’re investing in energy, atmosphere, and presence. You’re creating a daily experience for yourself and anyone who enters your home.

Trust What You Feel

There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to art. If a piece makes you pause, if it stirs something inside you—joy, curiosity, nostalgia, wonder—then it’s doing its job. Let that guide you. Because ultimately, the most important part of collecting art is this: Does it resonate with you?

That resonance is the real gift of art.

Experience Art in Ojai This Fall

If you’d like to experience this connection firsthand, the Ojai Studio Artist Fall Tour takes place October 11th, 12th, and 13th (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday). Spending a day—or better yet, the whole weekend—in Ojai is an uplifting experience in itself. Known as one of the spiritual vortexes of the country, Ojai offers hiking, incredible food, wineries, and this fall, the chance to visit more than 70 artists’ studios during the tour.

Always a highlight of the Southern California arts calendar, the Ojai Studio Artists (OSA) tour is a three-day “choose-your-own-adventure” extravaganza that delights collectors, decorators, and the merely curious. From paintings and sculpture to fiber arts, collage, jewelry, glass, prints, and mixed media, you’ll discover art in intimate studios ranging from backyard sanctuaries near town to stone cabins nestled in the hills.

Tickets are available here: Ojai’s #1 Renowned Art Studio Tour. Proceeds from ticket sales support scholarships for high school students—a beautiful way to support the next generation of artists while immersing yourself in the creative spirit of Ojai.

I look forward to seeing you at the event, Best Wishes Douglas Teiger