Art, and How to Waste It
This is my opinion. This is my experience. This is my voice.
I was at the Sterling Art store in Irvine, California, browsing through aisles of art supply last weekend, when I stopped in front of a glass case.
I saw my half-silhouette staring back at me, with my sweatshirt and baggy jeans, my uncombed hair, my frumpiness, my shortness, my day-old stooping posture, my face that seems like it was made of clay and various other necessary parts that allowed me to talk and hear and breathe.
My eyes then refocused on the art supplies behind the glass. My focus widened to acknowledge the art supplies within my peripheral field. And then I slowly turned my head to look around the whole store, to see all the art supplies that were around me.
One thought went through my mind and stayed there, and it has stayed there ever since:
I could, literally, go to any part of this store, pick up any tool, and use it to create art. I have this ability.
My eyes focused back on my half-silhouette, and this thought happened, and it has also stayed:
No matter what I do to this face, no matter what I do to this body, I will never be able to make myself so good-looking that it surpasses the beauty that I’ve already created with my mind, my heart, and my hands.
Even if I had all the money in the world to recreate my physical shell, to look like the most perfect human being that ever lived, this physical shell will never surpass the beauty that I’ve already created.
In fact, the most perfect-looking human being that ever lived will never surpass the cumulative beauty in almost any artist’s portfolio. The most perfect-looking human being won’t even come close.
Fact: Over my lifetime, I have scrutinized my face and my body more than examined my art.
Fact: I have spent more time and money shopping for clothes and face and body products than I have spent on art supplies and going to cultural events.
Fact: I have spent more time on uninspired things than inspired things.
At any given moment, I have the ability to attempt to create something beautiful. I have the ability to reach out and pluck a fruit from the tree of inspiration and give it to anyone. I have an unlimited supply of this gift from God.
If God asks for a refund one day, I wouldn’t blame Him.
One Reply to “Art, and How to Waste It”
A friend married a guy because he was good looking. Her married life has been a living hell, not because the guy looks good but because she realized that there is more. Looks are an ephemeral feature that you overcome to learn the stuff that really matters. Pretty people are like the golden leaves in the fall, they quickly become dirt. Inner beauty is the force that drives our ship. The universe. I know some pretty people (well some think they are pretty mostly) that are incredibly ugly. I also know ugly hands that can create beauty… you my friend, can scratch paper with lead and create kick-ass beauty.