An artist is a dreamer consenting to dream of the actual world. - George Santayana
Art has always been a part of my life. My parents first noticed my creative side when instead of sitting in my high chair and obediently eating my food, I played with it as much as possible before eating. I smeared it places, I threw it places, I made pictures with it. Food was my first art medium.
Music was the next kind of art I discovered. My mother is a piano teacher so I had always been around music, but when I was in kindergarten she began to teach me and a few of my friends in a children's music class. We learned the notes and sang silly songs (my personal favorite was a Sesame Street song entitled "Everyone Makes Mistakes"). I grew to love music. I have been playing piano ever since that first class; so twelve years now. There was a period in junior high when I almost decided to quit, I didn't think it was worth the time it took, but as I look back on it now, I am so thankful that I did not end up quitting. Music gives me an outlet to make something truly beautiful and a way to express myself through it. In time, I also began to sing. First, just singing in church and singing in the car, but then more and more as I realized how much I enjoyed it (along with the fact that I realized I had been born with the natural ability of a good voice). Singing allowed me to express a whole new side of myself that I couldn't with piano. It is somehow more personal than playing piano. I think that is the case partly because you're born with the voice you have been giving; there is no swapping or getting a better model, your voice is your voice. I'm hoping to continue both singing and piano in college, and frankly, I don't think I would be able to give them up; music is too much a part of my life.
More recently I have begun to explore some of the other mediums of art, like ceramics and simple pen and paper drawing. I have been pleasantly surprised that I enjoy these forms of art too. I like the simplicity of sitting in a chair with a pencil and a piece of paper; I like the versatility and life-likeness of clay; I like the structure and robotic motions of patterns and signs. At this point I'm not as good at this type of art. It's a whole new world that I'm just beginning to explore, but that looks extremely exciting.
For the spring musical this year at my school, we're doing a production of Kiss Me Kate. I offered to design the t-shirt and put a lot of time and effort into it. Just yesterday, I saw it on the t-shirt for the first time and it was so exciting to see something that I had made actually put on something and have people compliment me on it! I'm extraordinarily (and probably too much because I mean it's only a t-shirt design) proud of it, but it's just so neat to be able to share something you made, something you created, with everyone else!
There is some talk of cutting funding in the fine art departments in different schools, so I think it is important to really showcase the benefits of art. Here is a list of 5 things that art has given me; it really has given me a lot!
1. A way to express myself
2. Time management skills
3. An appreciation for the beautiful things in life
4. Experience teaching myself and working on my own as well as learning from others and working in groups
5. Fun!
Peace to all and stay safe :)
Art has always been a part of my life. My parents first noticed my creative side when instead of sitting in my high chair and obediently eating my food, I played with it as much as possible before eating. I smeared it places, I threw it places, I made pictures with it. Food was my first art medium.
Music was the next kind of art I discovered. My mother is a piano teacher so I had always been around music, but when I was in kindergarten she began to teach me and a few of my friends in a children's music class. We learned the notes and sang silly songs (my personal favorite was a Sesame Street song entitled "Everyone Makes Mistakes"). I grew to love music. I have been playing piano ever since that first class; so twelve years now. There was a period in junior high when I almost decided to quit, I didn't think it was worth the time it took, but as I look back on it now, I am so thankful that I did not end up quitting. Music gives me an outlet to make something truly beautiful and a way to express myself through it. In time, I also began to sing. First, just singing in church and singing in the car, but then more and more as I realized how much I enjoyed it (along with the fact that I realized I had been born with the natural ability of a good voice). Singing allowed me to express a whole new side of myself that I couldn't with piano. It is somehow more personal than playing piano. I think that is the case partly because you're born with the voice you have been giving; there is no swapping or getting a better model, your voice is your voice. I'm hoping to continue both singing and piano in college, and frankly, I don't think I would be able to give them up; music is too much a part of my life.
More recently I have begun to explore some of the other mediums of art, like ceramics and simple pen and paper drawing. I have been pleasantly surprised that I enjoy these forms of art too. I like the simplicity of sitting in a chair with a pencil and a piece of paper; I like the versatility and life-likeness of clay; I like the structure and robotic motions of patterns and signs. At this point I'm not as good at this type of art. It's a whole new world that I'm just beginning to explore, but that looks extremely exciting.
For the spring musical this year at my school, we're doing a production of Kiss Me Kate. I offered to design the t-shirt and put a lot of time and effort into it. Just yesterday, I saw it on the t-shirt for the first time and it was so exciting to see something that I had made actually put on something and have people compliment me on it! I'm extraordinarily (and probably too much because I mean it's only a t-shirt design) proud of it, but it's just so neat to be able to share something you made, something you created, with everyone else!
There is some talk of cutting funding in the fine art departments in different schools, so I think it is important to really showcase the benefits of art. Here is a list of 5 things that art has given me; it really has given me a lot!
1. A way to express myself
2. Time management skills
3. An appreciation for the beautiful things in life
4. Experience teaching myself and working on my own as well as learning from others and working in groups
5. Fun!
Peace to all and stay safe :)
I definitely agree; even if you're not amazingly talented at it, art is a really great way of expressing yourself and having fun at the same time. It sounds cheesy, but art class is one of my favorite classes of the day because I can kind of just let go and play with glue and glitter. It's definitely a stress reliever, and with practice you can always get better. Great post! You really showed us what art means to you. :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of completing any type of art is realizing what hard work and imagination can create. As stressed as theater makes me, I've always found it to be the one place where I can put myself out there and have fun.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that you highlighted how amazing it is to explore different art forms. I went through a period this year when I realized how much I loved reciting poetry and making things out of clay. It was cool to read about your own personal artistic journey.
I am currently in a saturday studio art class so that I can explore all of the different mediums of art. I love it! i never would have imagined how creative the mind can get. we are learning about the ways that art can be absurd and I must admit some artist can get a little crazy. great post though i enjoyed it
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