I’m referring to the way that art can take those things best seen by the heart, and making them visible to the eye. This is what great art does, and it’s magic.
You can do this with paint, you can do this with words, you can do this with any creative medium. However, there are a few prerequisites and a learning curve that goes with that.
The best artist journeys, and some would argue the only true ones, start with the heart.
When a painter or writer loves their subject, delights in the subtle and the bold expressions available in their media, the viewer will sense and share that delight.
It takes practice to be able to take what is in your heart and let it flow from your hand, your brush or your words. But an overflowing heart is a wonder to behold.
It’s a remarkable journey. ‘Remarkable’ is so apt – the artist notices what others may not and reaches to share that in their art. There is always something else to experience, to see through the lens of your life experience and therefore something else to be shared.
The beginning of all true art is immersing yourself in life and feeling it to the full. That means both the joy and the pain. It’s a bit scary that.
In my imagination I think of the human spirit as somewhat elastic. Artists tend to be more empathetic, and as such are able to stretch the farthest in either direction: joy or sorrow. Not always an easy journey.
Perhaps that is why so many artists are known for having suffered. Suffering comes in many types - life seems to have an endless smorgasbord of variety available. In any case, suffering puts one into a place of making a momentous and life altering decision. Will you let the suffering make you hard, or will you allow yourself to feel that pain?
Here’s the crunch: it feels better (sort of) to go cold and hard. But when you lock away your heart from feeling pain, you sadly lock it away from feeling joy too. A high price to pay.
Of course I am not recommending that you seek out pain. Good grief no! I’m simply acknowledging that rarely does a life exist without it and pointing out the decision it lays at our feet. Put those bunny slippers on and dance, or ignore them and sit down. It’s your choice, but don’t be deceived, there is no in between.
On the other extreme, more joy is something we all long for. Even when, especially when, the world seems to be crumbling. Don’t be shy to express this too.
All of this swirling, shining, singing, mourning, mix is fair game as fuel for your creative soul, should you choose to be an artist.
When you first start with your creative expression, you may feel alone. It’s really difficult, as in ‘I thought I knew how to dance but just stubbed my toe and am hopping around on one foot looking ridiculous so please nobody look at me’.
In spite of this, we take a deep breath and to put our work out there.
In my experience, that feeling of “oh my gosh, this is never going to be any good” doesn’t completely evaporate. But something else happens instead.
When you keep practicing, and when you keep putting your work out there, your people will find you. Be prepared, not everyone is going to like what you do. But when the ones find you who love your voice, who resonate to your heart’s cry, it’s a beautiful thing. All the effort and doubts are suddenly worthwhile.
Putting it out there doesn’t have to mean galleries – though I’m happy for you if it does. It can mean making a hand made card or a small poem for someone you care about. It can mean putting one of your paintings on your wall or sharing your writing on Substack. There are many ways of sending forth what you create.
Bottom line - art is a language and the best art is language from and to the heart. You and what you have experienced are unique – but please know that there are others who will love your voice.
So whatever stage you are at with your art, I hope you will persevere. Put in the time to live life to the full. Put in the time needed to find your remarkable voice.
I can’t wait to see what you make visible to me, that I didn’t see before!
Yours for a kinder and more creative world,
Cheryl O Art / Creatively Inspired
Thank you for the restack, SLAM. I'm glad you enjoyed the writing.♥️
Thank you, @The Creative Visionary for the restack. ♥️ Have a creative day.