Art thy name is Play

"I dwell in Possibility-

A fairer house than Prose-

More numerous of windows-

Superior for doors."

-Emily Dickinson

So well, the craft fair got me thinking about selling art. I know that many people need to make their living selling art and I think they should be paid well. But I am somewhat troubled by the concept of art as a commodity. In our consumer driven society almost everything is commodified. I think that the focus on monetary "value" takes away from the amazing benefits that come from the process of creating art. The joy and escape I get from painting and other creative pursuits are far more valuable than the final product I produce, whether I or others love it or not. 

I have been looking more into the area of expressive art and specifically intuitive painting. This is art making for the sake of art making. The only goal is the enjoyment and other benefits (emotional, physical, spiritual, etc) that are gained through the process of creating. Art making should be like play was as a child. When you get lost in the present moment and time disappears. If you end up with a painting that you love, that is a bonus.

To further my education in painting, I am currently enrolled in two online classes. The first is Soul Food 2015 at Community Thrive. The class consists of a number of talented mixed media artists sharing fun and interesting lessons which I can watch over and over. I have learned new skills and so enjoy watching the artists' process.

The second class just began and it is called Painting with Fire at Creative Juices Arts. This is an intuitive painting course which just focuses on the benefits of process art. No painting lessons,. No comments on each other's art.  I am excited to begin this new journey. 

As I continue to shape my now 4 year, 2 month plan for my future creative work life shift, I continually come back to the desire to teach others how to develop a creative practice in their lives. My desire is to be able to show anyone how they can have a creative practice that is fulfilling, practical, affordable, and most of all fun.  I am considering taking a training in intuitive art instruction in the future.