Wherever I travel, my eye is always drawn to the work of artisans and designers. Having been involved in the production end of design for so many years, I can't help but think about the person who dreamed up a hotel lobby's beautiful design, the craftsmen/women who brought it into being, and then I think about where the money comes from to create monumental works of art and design.

In prior eras, it was royalty that commissioned artwork and were patrons to brilliantly talented artists. Then as the industrial age grew, there was a new kind of "royalty" – the industrial barons who amassed great wealth, and then commissioned or collected great art.

This week as I spent yet another business trip in Vegas (this time with several thousand designers and photographers at Photoshop World) I really thought about who is employing the artists of our day. Vegas is a very surreal place and it is hard to spend more than a few days on the Strip, but you can't ignore the monumental art and architecture that has been built there.

Our convention was held at Mandalay Bay, which has a lot of tropical themed art throughout the property. Because the convention lasted a few days, I had a chance to really take a good look. When I say "art", I am including the inlaid marble floors and intricate cornices in the lobby, the realistic elephant head sculptures that form an outdoor fountain, the large scale banana leaf wallpaper, the stained glass/crystal chandeliers, the gigantic headless statue of Lenin outside the Russian restaurant… you get the picture.

I am not a gambler, but in this case I couldn't fail to notice that this is Art for the People, paid for (albeit indirectly) by the People. Yes there are ultra wealthy people who own these monuments to gambling wealth, but you and I can walk through the lobby and the public areas in and around the property (don't forget the amazing gardens and waterfalls out front!) and enjoy the designers' and artisans' work for free. With the water issues, who knows what Vegas will be in a hundred years? – but if you keep your eyes on the surroundings instead of the slot machines – you just might find an inspiration there for your next project! (see photos on my photo page)

Hope you are enjoying your long holiday weekend!