Blog

It's that time of year again: Thanksgiving. A time to contemplate all the things we have for which to be grateful and one of them, the gift of creativity, or being an artist.

Everyone has a gift or talent; for some, it's public speaking; for others it's technical abilities, and still others may be blessed with the gift of teaching or compassion or being merciful and gracious toward others. We all have something to share with the world.

Those who have been gifted with the ability to create art are truly blessed. We have the ability to make an emotional connection with our viewers/collectors; no small thing. When you stop to think about how impersonal communication has become/is becoming due to the rise in technical equipment and social media, connecting on this level is becoming a dinosaur. 

Now, I'm not saying technology is a bad thing, just that I, personally, think that we have allowed it to dictate the level of control it has in our lives, rather than we, making the determination of just how much technology we allow. But, now I am deviating from my original intention, which is being grateful for the gift of creativity, or, of being an artist.

Not everyone can pick up a paint brush, or oils, or fabric, or music, or a camera, or any other medium, take that medium, "see" what isn't already there and, capture the essence of it so that a viewer feels, or relates, in some way to what they see. As artists, we can connect on an intimate level. What we create resonates unseen, deep within the viewer, in a differeant way than other talents or gifts. 

I can still recall the work of other artists' that touched me, made a significant impression on me, after visiting galleries or other artistic venues. I'm sure I'm not alone in this experience. And those images live on, having made a personal statement to me and other viewers.

So, at this time of year, when we are called to remember that for which we are grateful, think of your gift. Though you may not know everyone upon whom you've made an impression, know that your gift has a purpose and that it has inspired and continues to enrich the lives of so many others. Treasure your gift.