The Painting Spectrum - Why Art Is Important

   This is an unusual blog post - usually I'll focus on a painting, or a creative process, or another aspect of my art that I'm currently working on. However, this post is sort of a stop-gap. I am working on a new series of paintings - ocean sunrises and sunsets. I have painted over 20 works over the past two weeks. The creative muse hit hard and I responded to it. The result has been oil paintings ranging in size from 11" x 14" all the way to a 26" x  28" canvas. At this juncture, I'm waiting for the paintings to dry, so my husband can photograph them.

   Numerous people have seen some of the finished works in my studio. They seem to strike a chord, a memory, or something inside themselves. Some have gravitated towards one particular painting, others appreciate the entire series. The question remains - will they sell?

   In our western world culture, art in general, on the surface it appears, is "supported" by the public and the communities we live in, mine included. However, when reality sets in, art as well as artists are often considered to be pretty far down on the totem-pole of importance when it comes to what we add for value to society. Art, Music, and Drama are some of the first things cut from school budgets. Business loans are few and far between for artists and studios. Why? Because we don't sell just a product - we mostly sell emotion. Adding insult to injury is the that we live in a total monetizing, fear and lack-based society. When all this is added up, it's no wonder most people feel that art is self-indulgent and a luxury for those who have the time and can afford it.

   Nothing could be farther from the truth. I believe that by understanding and honoring our natural need for the arts, we would see less suffering, unhappiness, and violence in the world - and an increase in happiness, health, fulfillment, and well-being. History has shown that people and societies have risked their lives to save art works during times of war and upheaval. They answer, again and again, the age-long question, "What are we fighting for if we lose the beauty and history of humanity in the process?"

Art is important - it's as natural as you and me. We have an emotional need for it. We have to ask ourselves - how much beauty have we allowed to come into my life today?

Until next time,
The Happy Painter,
Jill