Art, why art ?

Art is everywhere. Not just in galleries, magazines, instagram or owned by the wealthy.

Art is not untouchable.

Everything you see around you is art it was created or it was designed by an artist.

The chair you are sitting on, the table, the bag, your shoes, your coffee cup and the logo stamped on it.

We grow up believing that art or the arts is secondary, its not a real profession. It's for kids that aren't smart.

We are told that maths, sciences, sport are primary subjects studied for us to have more attainable things and success.

It is not true.

But what did we primarily do when we were children ?

We played, we imagined, we dug in the sandpit, we painted, we created.

We did all of this in pure joy. 

No expectations, no judgement, just experimented and expressed freely.

Is that who we really are ? 

When I paint I feel good, I feel happy and whole.

So, why did we stop ?

Were we judged or compared to someone or something else ? were we told that “oh he/she's a dreamer, airy fairy” 

Did someone say … 'what is that ? or is that supposed to be a bird ?'

Did we self criticise ?

Some of us stop creating and do something else that receives better positive attention from our parents, teachers and friends. Some of us maybe still make art but as a private ritual in our bedrooms listening to sad songs, at least we are expressing though right ?

I remember one of my role models commenting on my excitement of wanting to be an artist and what was said was ‘but what are you going to do with all those paintings if they don’t sell ?’ ‘that’s a lot of time and money wasted’ 

True, I do have a collection of paintings that haven’t sold, but I don’t care. I cannot not paint. It is me and it makes me feel good. And isn’t that what we are trying to accomplish ? Ultimately feeling good ?

Take a moment to close your eyes and take yourself back to kindy or early primary school where you allowed yourself to create. You did do this freely, you picked up a brush spontaneously dipped in any pot of paint colour and painted on butchers paper. You grabbed textas or crayons and drew your home and family with no hesitation and you loved showing mum or dad your creations. You were expressing.

This is what expressionism art is and this is why we 'do art'.

Now, go grab a paintbrush and paint, paint anything and express.

Art is everywhere