Why I love ART

I never knew what art is. I remember going to school and feeling completely lost in art class. I hated not knowing what to do. I liked clear instructions and guidelines i could follow. Art was like a big question mark and I had to play pretend all the time.

And then one day, (after school was long over), I understood what art is.

I saw a photograph of Moeraki boulders in a shop in England.

I had been to Moeraki boulders in New Zealand some years before, and of course I had taken pictures myself. I had memories in my head, I "knew" the place.

When I saw this photograph, I could see and recognize the place Moeraki boulders, but it appeared completely different. I saw stones that looked like stranded whales on a beach, I saw the place in a way I hadn't seen it before.

I bought the photograph and hung it on my wall. I gazed at it for a long time and found a totally new realm of reality.

I started to wonder what was real:

The place i had been to? Or the photograph?

Maybe both, or none of them?

What I love about making art is that there is this new dimension of reality coming into existence. One that is fresh and vibrant, soothing and comforting in so many ways. It's home.

When the outside world and me collide, then art offers me to create whatever outcome I wish to have.

And it's not imaginary or pure phantasy. It's very real. More real than anything else.

It's like holding a magic brush that paints a path into freedom. I can use anything, there is no good or bad material. Sometimes “bad” material makes the path more interesting, unique and special. It’s not bad at all. Everything is perfect the way it is. Now is the time of the year of giving gifts. If you struggle with ideas: Homemade pieces of art are the most precious gifts. Why not write a poem for someone you love? Paint or create something, bake yummy cookies and decorate them… Craft a piece of your heart into whatever you feel inspired to and give it away, send it on a journey so that it will brighten up someone’s life. I do believe that we are alive to help each other shine. Art is a wonderful tool to make that happen.

Wishing you lots of inspiration, Renée