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| Back yard feeder |
Why do we create art?
Take a minute today to get present to what is so for you in this question. You can do it right now - take a deep breath, relax. Let the answer come to you from the peacefulness of your inner being. Why do you create art? When an answer comes, keep asking. Don’t get settle in any specificity, keep inquiring, until you feel so inspired by your own findings that you get chills. Goose bumps. Feel in awe. The purpose of this exercise is to connect deeply to what moves, touches and inspires you.
Picasso once said “The meaning of life is to find your gift and the purpose of life is to give it away”
I personally believe the act of creating, the creativity behind an artwork, is crucial for personal happiness and satisfaction. I paint because there’s nothing else I would rather do. I paint with my eyes, with my imagination, with my hands. I look for beauty all around me. The way the light drapes over my water cup. The way my daughter’s eyes squint a little in the morning right after she wakes up. The way a ray of sun feels on my arm. I love to observe. To look at something without judging, analyzing or dissecting it. Just notice. Observe. Wonder. I pick up the brush and take emotional notes of my observations on a surface. Painting is poetry on canvas. Ahh the moment the water is moving from wet to dry, the way the backwash slowly expands, tickling my soul with every wet area in which it spreads carrying color, with a life of it’s own.
When I was young I dabbled a little in art, mostly with drawing which I learned to love at an early age. I would take a picture and see how closely I could copy it and was told by many family members that I didn't draw it but traced it...that sent me into a world of not wanting anyone to see what I did for fear of criticism not realizing that their words meant to hurt and belittle were actually a compliment since it meant I was good...At least I was good at copying.
As a young mother I sewed but stopped drawing and took up oil painting and loved it but oil paint was pricey and we did not have the income to spend so I stopped and have since given all of my paintings away.
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| Work in progress |
I kept sewing because the money spent was a benefit to the whole family in ways of making gifts and clothing but even then I had this need to be different so started doing my own thing with sewing. My sons had the coolest flared pants (disco period) and my daughters had beautiful maxi coats...I even made a rust colored corduroy sports jacket with plaid lining for my hubby which was my first attempt at tailoring. I made most of my own clothes...and they were all couture. So my youth up to my retirement years I spent most of my creative energy sewing with a short time in college where I learned how much I love black and white photography and writing.
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| Newly installed outdoor studio sink |
I started making cloth dolls and was fascinated by the doll artist that could make life like dolls. I strived to be like them until one day, years after I retired, I discovered I did not care to make life like dolls at all but to make fun and artistically beautiful dolls. Of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some of my dolls are right down ugly or so I have been told. That pleased me. I felt like I had arrived.
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| Painted gourd |
A long time ago a person I did not know but was going to become quite familiar with ask me why I wanted to make dolls. So why do I create art? Both are one and the same to me.
My calling cards describe me as "a collector and creator of stuff". My inspiration comes from the 'stuff I collect. Bottle caps, old used car parts, copper elements from my replaced air conditioner, corks and boxes.
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| Future art |
Now in my old age I want to do it all. I want to draw, I want to paint and I want to mold clay into shapes that are pleasing to my eye. I want to take my old cast off parts and make beautiful art pieces. I want to make new books and alter the old ones. I want to learn watercolor painting and do more intuitive painting. I want to use torn paper for collages as well as torn fabric. I want to sew but instead of following a pattern to the letter as in the old days of sewing when I was learning and conforming I now want to use the pattern to see how I can manipulate it to something that is 'mine'. Something different then anyone elses. I want to do everything and fret over the fact that there is not enough time to do it all.
My creative spirit comes in spurts. When I get the urge to start a piece of art in one medium or the other I can feel it in my fingertips, see it in my dreams and all my waking thoughts are spent working out the next step or the next piece. I am consumed with the working of it until it is called finished. When that time arrives I feel exalted and deflated all at the same time. That is when I read.
Reading is my first love. I use it for escapes, for inspirations for relaxation. Now I am adding one more love to my life which is dancing. Brave intuitive dancing. A chance to move my body, free my spirit and find my soul. That is why I create!
