Hidden Art

One of the most common things I hear from visitors who see my paintings is "I wish I was artistic. I just can't do anything artsy at all!" I know what they mean, but I also know how untrue that statement really is.

Back in the 70's...yes, I am that old...there was a wonderful book circulating that brought attention to all the expressions of art surrounding our everyday lives. The language and assumed female roles in family and culture compared to today would definitely seem old-fashioned, but I absolutely loved how the author, Edith Shaeffer (of L'Abri fame...if you remember that community from the 50's and 60's) helped me see, early in my adulthood, that there are a multitude of ways to express art; most have little to do with drawing or painting.

The obvious... and not so hidden... art is revealed in gardens and kitchens: those wonderful salads filled with color and unexpected surprises of walnuts and blueberries, the stir fry with pink shrimp and bright green sugar snap peas, the sweetest fresh corn dripping with butter and sea salt... and the garden, oh my! Blooming peonies followed by lilies followed by roses followed by sedum Autumn Joy. And aren't we surrounded on all sides with inspiration from the Cooking Channel, Pinterest, Etsy, etc etc?  

But there is more. More art. Not inside a frame with a title and signature, but in every corner of our lives. It's the centerpiece on the table, the balance of color and texture in the living room, the pumpkins and corn stalks on the front porch. And it's not always a visual thing: art can show up in kindness, tenderness, the right word at the right time. It is in the space between the moments, like the rests in a musical score, giving rhythm and power to the experiences of life. It's the carefully chosen gift, the flower arrangement, the baby photo. 

Have open eyes to art and beauty this Autumn and don't sell yourself short: you are artistic!!