I am a very lucky woman. I belong to a family of artists. Hence, my decor includes beautiful gifts.  There is nothing better than knowing that someone has given you something that is an integral part of themselves.

My friend, also an artist, just commented the other day – “You have a studio available to you right next door, and you aren’t there EVERYDAY???”  Well, I promised my mother, after April 30th, when StoryCorps wraps up.

My mother did something that I also did with my kids, and that my daughter is doing with her son.  She allowed us free rein with art – mainly by providing us with blank paper and a medium.  Allowing young kids to experiment with art, and by this I mean young – as soon as they can sit up – gets those creative impulses pulsing. 

I have noticed that the younger the child is when introduced to art as an expression of self, the better equipped they are in allowing themselves to be creative.

Living in communities that support their schools is one of the keys to having a heathy population.  I hope to never live in an area where the arts are not offered to the students in a community.  If a community is without an arts program in their school, teachers should play an important role in incorporating art into the other subjects that they teach. 

The Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico was “home” to two of my sisters in the 80’s and to one of my daughters after high school in 2000.  

I am continually amazed at the multitudes of artists that we have in our community.  Two- and three-dimensional artists, musicians, writers, poets, photographers, wood workers  – you name it – we have it. 

Incorporating where you live and who  you are play a huge role in the success of your work.  Just as writers should write what they know, artists should take from their environment and their community values to create.

 

Expression can take all forms.  My oldest sister has a passion for language and a furious ability to champion and protect the environment.   My good friend Jerah can paint a picture with words.   I shouldn’t have been, but I was totally surprised when I found out my kids had been composing their own music.

So…when the storms are bent on keeping you cooped up inside, read about something you don’t know about, learn a new instrument, or pick a medium and have at it.