By Louise Seirmarco-Yale, Reston Artist
If I were to ask if you like art, what would you say? I’ve often gotten the same reply: “I don’t know anything about art, but I know what I like.” Some claim not to be creative or able to draw.
Those responses make me wonder. We mostly agree that sports are for everyone; either you are an athlete or a fan. When asked if we like a sport, we usually don’t feel the need to say, “I’m not athletic,” or conclude that sports are only for an elite few. We assume we can appreciate athleticism without being talented ourselves.
Why then do people become defensive when it comes to art? When you ask little children if they like art, the answer is always the same: They love art. So, what happened to the natural love of art we had as children?
Our innate openness to human creative expression seems to be in our DNA. Since the dawn of man, people have decorated their houses (or caves). There also seems to be a natural inclination to make stuff. Once it is formally declared “art,” however, many adults become intimidated.
The elitist notion that one must be talented, rich, and educated to enjoy art leaves out most of us. I call this “The Art Myth.” The notion that somehow one must “know about art” to enjoy it is false. Yet we deny ourselves this pleasure. What a shame. Art enriches life.
I’ve often thought that the sometimes barren, all-beige environment of corporate cubicles could use a bit of livening up with some art. What if it’s true that art makes people happier? A happy employee is more productive, right? Wouldn’t that be good for the bottom line? Why then live without art on the job as well as at home? We are insecure about our choices. What will others think? Leaving the walls beige is the safer choice, albeit boring. Too bad. Good news: We can change.
Needing experts to guide us is firmly entrenched in society’s thinking. As children, we naturally need adults for guidance even if they misguide us. Do you remember a hurtful incident around art? Did it cause you to mistrust your art instincts?
We can change how we feel about art as adults. We don’t need an expert to pick out the color of our car, or the clothes we wear. Maybe it’s because these are not considered art choices? But they are. You are already good at it, right? You buy what you like, and you feel good about it.
Every month, I will bring you ways to help you to trust your art instincts again. We will look for erroneous notions about art from childhood that no longer work. Begin to look around you. Start noticing art. You will discover that you do know what you like. And, that it is enough.
Louise Seirmarco-Yale is a Reston artist, speaker, teacher, and suthor of “Art. You Be The Judge. Reawaken Your Instincts and Enjoy Art on Your Own Terms,” available on Amazon. Learn more at www.peopleneedart.com, or email: hello@peopleneedart.com.
Comments