Without Art...

I was at an all day training on Friday and the trainer asked the question, 'what would life be like without art?" Immediately images of my many artistic friends and their works popped into my head, I thought of all the paintings, mosaics, tapestries, music, and other artistic works that I have seen in my life. That I have had a chance to appreciate. The emotions I have felt. The mere thought of that question made me really think...so I decided to share my thoughts with you.

I have some of the most talented friends who can sit down at a canvas, computer, instrument, or simply open their mouths and produce some of the most amazing art. They have the ability to take something from within themselves and create something beautiful for the rest of the world to admire. I am, on the other hand, not artistic....I am NOT being modest. I really have no artistic ability, I can't draw, I can't paint, I can't create pottery, I can't sing or play an instrument, I can't dance...heck I can't even do a scrapbook page so it looks good. Trust me...I have tried it all...end up failing miserably too...I am coming to accept that. It is still a bitter point deep inside of me...but it is becoming less so.

This is what I am coming to understand...I may not be able to create something beautiful. I may not be able to unlock something within another person, reduce that person to tears or elevate them to the highest joy by merely creating a work of art...but there needs to be someone to admire, someone to be moved beyond words, someone who cries from the joy they feel or the pain that a piece invokes, someone who is willing to let their heart be broken or filled to capacity. I am that person. Art is created for a vast variety of reasons...but for me, I see art as the quickest way of reaching out and touching another person's soul and I am grateful for those artists in my life who reach out with their work to do just that.

Back to the original question, what would life be like without art, I can only imagine a world without color, without true pure joy, without true pain...a world without humanity. Art connects us on a basic level, it shows us that regardless of race, creed, nationality, cultural bonds and language barriers that we are all the same. We are all driven to create and to admire. I believe God gave us color in the world, gave us sunrises and sunsets, spring and autumn, green grass and blue skies, to show us how to create, to show us how to admire, and most of all how to thrive.
We could exist without art. No doubt. But I don't believe we would thrive. I don't believe that we would stop and enjoy a simple sunset with two strangers. To allow our breath to be taken away. We have art for a reason and I think we need to evaluate our own reasons for loving and admiring art.

I know we could exist without art...but I am glad we don't have too. I hope all my artistic friends will appreciate the gift that they have been given and will continue to create. If you do that, I promise to continue to admire.


Just Remember:
"Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one. "
~Stella Adler