When most people hear the word, “pop art” they think of Andy Warhol’s painting of the Campbell’s soup can, or his color altered series of four portraits. His vivid colors and depiction of an American staple is now etched into our artistic psyche. It’s only natural for an artist to take what is around him and turn it into art.

Every day objects, friends, and family make up the bulk of an artist’s repitoire. No wonder pop art came along–it’s a natural extension of our lives.

Few people know that pop art started in Britain in the 50s and quickly moved to the United States. Pop art is now a broad category of amazing artists and the work they produce runs the gambit, but it can’t be denied that at the heart of the movement is the inarguable fact that pop art is for the people. Pop art reflects how every day people value and interpret art. It makes art accessible, something all of us can relate to.

Whether it’s a movie poster or a product icon, we value pop art not only for for its artistic merit, but also for its use and practicality–these images give our every lives color, value, and aesthetics. There’s something incredibly satisfying about taking objects you live with and turning them into art. Pop art gives us permission to see the ordinary as art.

Take pop art one step further. Make it personal. Instead of an iconic can of soup, turn your golden lab into pop art, your baby’s first birthday photograph into pop art, take a picture of your car, or make it memorable and turn your engagement picture into pop art. There’s something satisfying about seeing the art in the people and objects around you.