Join Me in The Joy of Art

They always say that art is subjective. It might be a cliché to say, but it couldn’t be more true. Art spans so many realms in our lives. We can choose to be a pencil and paper artist, an acrylic painter, an oil painter, or even someone who just enjoys collaging in an art journal. It doesn’t matter what medium you choose to express yourself with, as long as it brings you joy. Who cares if your art brings others joy either, some might love your art and decide to pay for it, and some may leave rude comments on your Instagram just because they can. No matter what people say about your art, never let other people’s comments lead you to abandon your craft. Art is such a beautiful and expressive medium for everyone of any age and it can connect us with those around us in a meaningful way that we need, especially right now.

Look at kids. They learn art at such a young age. They dip their fingers into globs of paint on a paper plate and then wildly and without care, they paint on the canvas in front of them, even if that means the table or the wall. But they don’t even stop to think for a moment about what others are going to think of their art, they are doing it for the sheer joy of the practice. Once they are done laying down their colors, whether it be a whole masterpiece or a couple of colored dots, they will hold it up to you with the largest smile on their face and expect you to love it. And you do love it, mostly because they are adorable but also because part of you sees the happiness in their face and that emotion rubs off on you and makes you happy. The art itself may not be detailed or something you will see in a museum someday, but it expresses so much of the joy and emotion of its artist and because of this, you take a magnet and place it center stage on your refrigerator for all of your friends and family to see.

This is why I ask you to join me in the joy of art. Whether you are just starting, or have spent your whole life making art, you should grab whatever you have and just create. You can even finger paint if that is what you’re feeling right now. Just take some paints, pencils, pens, even collage paper, and glitter, and just start putting stuff down on paper, or wood, a canvas, even your desk or bedroom wall. Don’t worry about following any tutorials or classes (unless that’s what makes you happy) and just put stuff down in a way that brings you joy. Choose your favorite colors and your favorite patterns. Put them in arrangements that are pleasing to you and maybe even find a quote that you enjoy and write it over the top of everything.

Maybe you finish it and you look at it and it doesn’t bring you joy anymore. That’s totally okay. If you had fun doing it, that’s what matters, and if you want, you can toss it and start over. The point isn’t to make a masterpiece that will bring you likes on social media. The point is to make art in a creative and fun way that lets you express your feelings and feel joy in a new way. Then when you look back on that piece you created, you will see the emotion in it and remember how much fun you had while making it. Maybe your art journaling and that journal will now be a happiness journal. You will flip through the pages of varying textures, colors, quotes, and shapes, and you will smile because you had so much fun and felt so much creative joy during the process.

Now, go gather your supplies and start creating something that makes your heart happy!

Catherine