". . . a brush with nature"

Recently I read this quote in an article by Carlos Fentanes.

 “…art isn’t just a luxury; it’s essential.”

Let’s consider just how true that is for all of us, whether you are an artist, an art collector, or a human being just going about your daily life. You may not realize it, but art is essential for each of us.

For myself, as an artist, I know I have a true need to create. I have been doing it in one way or another throughout my life. Creativity has taken many different shapes through the years, be it being “in charge of” monthly bulletin boards in grade school to painting murals on the walls of my own children’s schools years later. Then, after selling a business decades later, I began a career as a full-time professional artist. Now I have a studio that is a joy to go to where I can continue paint the subjects I love.

I know art is essential for me because, on the rare occasion when I cannot visit my studio, I get “antsy”.  Perhaps, it could even be called going crazy, if I am away from it for too long.  The length of time spent there in my studio varies and, perhaps, isn’t even the most important part. It’s just the fact that I’m there painting, sketching, planning or doing something, even if only for a short while.

Now let’s consider how we all choose to decorate our homes and offices. This certainly includes our bedroom walls when we are children and our dorm rooms as we head off to college. The choice may be as simple as a poster or two, but we still choose to keep the “art” that makes us happy close to us. Art makes us feel good. It makes us happy. It is essential to our wellbeing.

Later our tastes for art may change (in fact, they most certainly will), but our choices for decorating with and/or collecting art will be driven by what is “essential” to us at that time in our life.

Everyone can enjoy art every day on so many different levels if they choose to. It is all around us as we go about our daily lives, but we may not even recognize it. Do you remember that old saying “don’t forget to stop and smell the roses?” The quote urges people to slow down, relax, and appreciate life's beauty (dare I add art here), rather than rushing through life so quickly. Just take a look around you at the murals, sculptures and other types of public art projects that are most likely part of the town or city where you live.  Many areas have galleries where local and regional artists show their work and even offer it for sale. Perhaps, there is a museum or two (maybe even more) that offer both permanent and changing exhibits for the public to view. There are often even studio tours and other events where visitors can view the artwork of many different artists together at one time. All of these experiences can be quite enriching and inspiring to those of us who choose to “stop and see the art”.

I suggest you take the time. Make the choice. It will make you feel better. Art is essential.

Sometimes, as an artist, we become our own worst enemy. We let fear, doubt, uncertainty and insecurities sneak in and they become that constant nagging voice inside our head telling us that we aren’t good enough . . . that we should stop trying to create. Well, that just isn’t true. 

Vincent Van Gogh said, “If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” I believe he was right. I also believe it isn’t easy. Many things can (will) stand in your way and it takes strength and courage to fight them. Procrastination is one of them.

Procrastination is insidious because, like so many other things in life, once practiced several times it can become a habit. Once you allow it to take over for a day or two that can easily become a week or two or even more. 

When you begin to question your own abilities as an artist it is so easy to find excuses not to show up in the studio. There is too much laundry to do, the cupboards need reorganizing, the dog needs a bath, I must rotate the tires today, and, of course, the hardwood floor needs refinishing. You get the picture. Of course, there will always be daily chores that we shouldn’t neglect, but at some point, it becomes obvious that we are procrastinating and simply avoiding what we used to run to. All because we listened to self-doubt.

Take a step back and remember the sense of peace and joy creating art brings you. Remember your passion, your purpose, your heart. You shouldn’t avoid doing your work because of the insecurities you hear in your own head or the fear of “not being talented enough”.

Don’t be your own worst enemy.