Saturday, December 03, 2005

Why and My Thoughts About Art

Because humanity needs a new mythology of generosity to counteract our current glorification of greed. Because humanity needs to remember its creativity to counteract its commidification.

I am certain many of you will wonder why I would choose to make and distribute my art in this particular way. Some of you may question if many of my projects are "art" at all, at least in the consumerized concept of art our culture has today.

I believe my life is a work of art. Every moment that I choose to authentically express myself I am living art. Whether I create a simple beaded snowflake ornament or sculpt a completely original piece out of clay, I am expressing my authentic self at that moment. I believe we are all creative beings, but most of us don't know it or have been talked out of it. One of my hopes with this project is to inspire others to living their lives as a work of art...or at least question if they need to make room for more creativity in their lives.

I consider myself an artist, but I don't seek to make a living from my art. I also have no interest in attempting to become a part of the "art world." At least not now. I make things because it feels good to do so, no matter how simple or complex the project. Sometimes I have something significant to say with my work, but more often I just want to play and make pretty things (pretty to me anyway). I don't want to worry about selling my work, marketing, and all the associated issues. Right now, I have precious little free time, I want to spend it doing what I love.

I am obsessed with creating. Nothing gives me greater joy outside of my relationships with the amazing people I am blessed to have in my life...my two children, my husband, and my beautiful community of friends....except maybe the few opportunities I have to create *with* them. Right now, I have a pile of completed art and craft projects that have no homes. I create more than my home can hold, and more than my friends' homes can hold. I already overwhelm the people I care for with my creative gifts. I need some place for all these beautiful little pieces of me to go, so I am choosing to send them out into the world at large to find their homes by drawing the attention of someone in particular through the synchronicity of the time and place they are gifted.

I believe strongly in sychronicity and the sacred undercurrents of life. I am trusting that each piece of my art will be found by the person in my community who needs it most at that moment.

PS -- April 22, 2006

The nature of the project has changed. I haven't been gifting randomly around my community nearly as much as I've been sending out blessing packages to people who email me and request them for themselves or loved ones. It's been fabulous having an idea of where my gifts are going and knowing that they are touching the lives of people who need a little hope, beauty, and/or inspiration in their hearts.

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

i have been doing something quite similar called artrovertism. check out my website if you get the chance. http://www.geocities.com/pp_artrovert

12:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I thought I was alone in the world making items and gifting them to others. I also am running out of room. The only difference, is I am in a wheelchair and have a LOT more time to create.

10:00 PM  

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