“The arts empower. The arts give a voice to the voiceless. The arts help transform American communities and, as I often say, the result can be a better child, a better town, a better nation and certainly a better world. Let’s champion our arts action heroes, emulate them and make our communities everything we want them to be.” ~ Robert L. Lynch, President, Americans for the Arts
How much time this week did you spend creating? Making art? Looking at art? Doodling? Taking photos with your Smart Phone? Playing an instrument?
What?
I can’t hear your answer!
What did you just say?
When I ask many people this question they quietly whisper an answer that is hardly audible. I ask again and again and then they often say “I didn’t spend any time this week, or last week or for years.”
Something is missing gang. We are born to create. We are here on this planet because we were created.
We have time to watch hours of tv, why is that more important than giving yourself permission to create? With all the pressures we have these days between politics, and juggling family and careers, we are drowning…. We are overwhelmed and out of balance. Give yourselves permission to do something creative, go see an exhibit, go to a wine bar and paint. I guarantee you will feel better.
In the last month I have taught 4 Expressive Arts Workshops. Art heals, it gives voice to our feelings. In our culture we would rather numb out, or distract ourselves. My students included Doctors, Artists, Health Care Professionals and so many other careered professionals. The difference from when they walked into the workshop until the time they went home was palpable. Believe me when I say Art is a verb, there is action, and movement that helps us express ourselves and just feel good.
Try it, it will make you feel better, help you cope better and reconnect to that inner child that has so much to say.
Why I express myself with art.
- It is my joy of self expression, and how I relate to who I am in the world.
- It is a way I can be authentic.
- I am a pleaser in my life but not in my imagery.
- I photograph to make sense of my life.
- It grounds me and makes the world alright.
- I photograph what I am curious about.
- The stories I want to tell I can’t tell any other way.
- With the creative process, there are no distractions, I am totally in the moment.
- It makes me feel good.
Questions to ask yourself
- What are you curious about?
- What stories do you want to tell that you can’t tell any other way?
- How can you carve out time for you to nurture your creativity?
- How many of these bullets resonate with you?
Please ask yourself these questions and share your answers with others on my facebook page VIsual Visonaries