Even though I like to look at abstract art as an interesting design or intellectual exercise, I've always known in my heart that tranquil landscapes were more beneficial to the human soul. It's like looking at a puppy. Unless it's from some poor soul in New Mexico who fancies himself an artist, how can they not make you feel good?
I've known your point since a child and have always had landscape paintings, serial graphs, and prints around me. Thank you.
I have to admit you were way ahead of me. It was a long time dawning for me -- I was giving too much to the looking-at-art-as-an-intellectual-exercise school! Not until I was in my mid 30s did I begin to appreciate it the way you have.
Landscapes are ... at first glance, boring, ho-hum, uneventful. But I've learned something interesting about them, at least for me. TWICE now, landscapes that at first went in one eye and out the other, have become highly cherished art pieces. I know the paintings didn't change over the 12-18 months it took for them to grow on me!