Feeling the love in the arts community
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
--Pablo Picasso
Actually, I've seen modern art that looks very similar to my baby's drawing.
I am just interested in the things people create, the things people choose to do, or in some cases have to do, to express themselves. To get out those butterflies and demons hidden inside.
This is what I do. I put words on paper, and that is my art. I also like to make music, with my voice and with my fingers on the piano. That is my art, too.
And lately I have begun designing jewelry as a hobby. It slowly grew from a hobby to an obsession, and last Saturday I showed my jewelry collection at the Monrovia Art Fest at the Artistic Minds Gallery on Jeff Road.
It was just about the most fun day I've ever had. It wasn't just that it was a beautiful day (it was), or that I loved people looking at my jewelry and sometimes buying it (I did).
I loved being a part of the arts community.
I've lived here for a short time now (but in Army years, it feels like a lifetime), and one thing I've noticed is that the arts are alive and well in North Alabama. Panoply, Monte Sano Arts Festival, Art on Main, galleries, and festivals just about every weekend give people a taste of what it's like to create and enjoy other people's creations.
Being a part of that, not just someone on the outside looking in, was a wonderful feeling.
Not only that, but the artists and craftsmen I met Saturday were among the nicest, most generous people I've ever met. Everyone was willing to lend a hand with a clumsy tent, or lend change to an emptying money box.
These people were not in this for the money (I assume), because there is not a lot of money to be made in art, unless you are world famous. These people were just there to share their passion with others. It was a wonderful place to be.
I loved the passion of these artists! Even if I didn't necessarily understand the art, I definitely understood the passion of creating something and having pride in that creation.
I believe that everyone is good at something-specifically, creating something. Anything one creates can be considered an art-a story written, a good meal prepared, a song sung, even a house kept clean.
My husband builds houses. A friend of mine paints, my mother plays the organ, yet another friend writes poetry. My baby scribbles. I write and make jewelry. These are the things we all do to feel good, to pass on what we know and feel to someone else.
I'll be the first to admit that I don't understand most pieces of art. I guess you could say I am unrefined, or maybe I just lack the creativity and vision of artists. I don't want anything too fancy--just seeing (and now feeling) the joy of creation is enough.
