Art is Life

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Facebook certainly has changed the way we view the world. Every day I seem to learn something new and get inspired by the photos and quotes that cross my news feed. I’ve personally designed my feed to include only positive things, each pertaining to positive thinking, writing, animals, and of course, art!

This quote appeared not too long ago, and it was one that really made me think: “Art begs you to notice it. Why? Because art is God’s way of saying hello. So pay attention to poetry. Pay attention to music. Pay attention to paintings and sculptures and photo exhibits and ballets and plays. Don’t let all this go unnoticed. Your world is shouting out to you, revealing something intrinsically glorious about itself. Listen carefully. Love art, the way art loves life.” Neale Donald Walsch

Art inspiration from Lee Hammond
The colors seen in nature are truly a form of art, and an inspiration for anyone who takes the time to “see” them.

Isn’t that a good one? Read it again! Read it everyday! It’s a great reminder of how important art is to this life! I admit, there are times I question why I keep producing drawing after drawing, painting after painting. I don’t exhibit or sell things in galleries. I do most of my work for two reasons. One being that I use them as as examples on various techniques for my students. The second reason is because I love it! I’m an artist, and there seems to be no reason better than that. It’s who I am. I simply must create every day.

Imagine a world where art didn’t exist. I don’t think most people understand how much of our civilization is based on creativity. Without it, we’d still be living primitively, in the woods like forest animals. As crazy as that seems, think about it. All of our homes and buildings were first ideas, conjured up through creative thinking. Anything that has been built by man is an artistic creation, based on the imagination of the human mind. Without art, we would have no clothing, for it’s highly creative and carefully designed. We would have no books, and therefore no structured education. Without art, we would have no musical expression such as songs and dancing. Without art, nothing would be decorative, and all would seem the same.

Nature provided the world its first form of fine art. The beauty of nature, with its glowing colors, magnificent sunsets and magical sounds, is what triggered the creative, artistic side of man. Everything we do is a mere reflection of the life around us. Each song and melody we perform is an extension of the songs birds gift us with each morning. Every color that the flowers and leaves provide is an inspiration for us to build on and replicate in our hand made things.

It’s important that we take the time to observe things. Ask yourself, are you really seeing the things around you? Are you absorbing the colors and shapes of the world around you? Are you hearing the sounds of nature, or the music all around us?

Remember as you go through the day how important art is. Art is what makes us human beings special. The need to make things is what gives us goals. It’s what brings us joy and something to share. Art is what gives us comparisons and variations in this life.

So if you ever question your work, and ask yourself what the point is, remember this fabulous quote. Pay attention. Art is US.

Now go make something! It’s important.
Lee


Edited by Cherie Haas, online editor of ArtistsNetwork.com

Lee Hammond has been called the Queen of Drawing. That may not be fair these days, since in addition to providing the best drawing lessons, she has also created fantastic books and videos filled with the same easy to follow acrylic painting techniques, colored pencil techniques and more. Click here to see all of the instructional books and DVDs that Lee Hammond has to offer!

Free download! Easy Acrylic Painting Techniques by Lee Hammond

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