Summer in New England is a little like living in a painting of many hues: the blues of ocean and lakes; the greens of forest and plants; the pinks, oranges and purples of flowers and sunsets.

The art of nature is indeed a beautiful thing.  If viewing it close up is of interest to you, consider a trip to Bedrock Gardens in Lee, NH, which is notable for its landscape design, horticulture, and sculpture. Or if you prefer a trail-based combination of nature and large sculptures from around the world, a sojourn to Kensington’s Alnoba is in order.

There is another, cooler way to view art by staying in air-conditioned comfort and watching a movie about art and artists such as any of following:

• Loving Vincent
• Girl with a Pearl Earring
• Big Eyes
• Frida
• Woman in Gold
• The Monuments Men
• The Goldfinch
• Mr. Turner
• Midnight in Paris
• Pollock
• Artemisia
• Nightwatching

Many fine art museums, small and large, are an easy drive away from the seacoast. For example, consider visiting the Addison Gallery, which is a department of Phillips Andover Academy in Andover, MA. Founded in 1931, the museum specializes in American art and displays the works of John Singleton Copley, John Singer Sargent, Georgia O’Keeffe, Jackson Pollock, and Andrew Wyeth to name just a few. Its current traveling exhibit, Mel Kendrick: Seeing Things in Things, which runs through October 3rd, shows the artist’s ongoing investigations into the fundamentals and possibilities of sculpture through impressive giant works of wood and metal.

The Currier Art Museum in Manchester, NH is another local gem housing art from the medieval period through current day, with works by such well-known artists as Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Edward Hopper, and Alexander Calder. It also houses a fine collection of ceramics, glass paperweights, and American furniture. The current ceramics exhibition by Roberto Lugo entitled I bring you my joy is an exploration of cultural identity through the influence of urban graffiti and hop-hop. In addition to its main galleries, the museum owns two Frank Lloyd Wright designed and furnished houses—the Zimmerman and Kalil Houses—that are open for specially booked tours. These are very popular so be prepared to book well in advance of when you want to visit!

The work of Roberto Lugo

What is summer but a perfect opportunity to put your feet up and lose yourself in a good book?

Here is a sampling of enjoyable reads of fiction about art and artists:

• Girl with a Pearl Earring
• Girl Reading
• The Painted Girls
• The Lady in Gold
• The Goldfinch
• Clara and Mr. Tiffany
• I Have Always Loved You
• Luncheon of the Boating Party

If you prefer non-fiction, the titles listed below also provide interesting and informative reading:

• The Gardner Heist
• Provenance
• The Monuments Men
• Strapless
• Loving Frank
• The Forger’s Spell
• Vincent and Theo

If “there is always that one summer that changes you” (KushandWizdom), let it be this summer and let it happen through the influence of art in any of its many guises.