Why Art?
Reflections on Growing a Creative Practice
I had previously written a different post for today. It felt good to write, but when I got to the end it was more of a statement about the world and less about me/my art.
So I decided to switch gears and talk about me/my art. 🤗
I have been writing about my creative journey for about a year and a half on Substack. I also share my almost daily painting practice on Notes. I’ve appreciated the ability to document my progress in such an encouraging environment.
And along the way I have had the fortune of being inspired by amazing poets, masterful storytellers, and soulful painters and artisans.
This creative space has moved me to tears as other people share their journeys. Acquaintances have become friends. Such amazing people have come into my life and their positivity has meant the world to me.
While I have been painting for several years, but only given myself permission to use the word “artist” as a descriptor when I stepped forward and started writing on Substack. And now it is hard to imagine back to the time when I was too shy to share my finished paintings.
There is a huge sense of freedom when you are accepted by others for being the person you want to be.
So why art? For me it isn’t a choice, it is an absolute must. It is a form of nonverbal communication (which is perfect for me and my social anxiety).
A picture says a thousand words, right? For me it is deeper than that. My painting expresses my emotions, which can be a complex jumble of joy, excitement, sadness, exhaustion, wonder, awe, and on and on.
I have something I want to say, but it can only be expressed through pigment.
And when I share the finished painting, it continues to take on life when someone else recognizes the emotion or is moved to recall a memory. Pure magic!
This is “why art” for me.
What is your “why art” reason?
Of Creative Interest
I love to surround myself with original and creative art, and have recently discovered wood burned/illustrated mushrooms from Emily Charlotte Powell, an amazing lunar calendar from Kim Koehler, and a fabulous autumnal zine from Natasha Newton. JS Hyder wrote a captivating book called Champion of A’dara that I read cover to cover in one sitting. And, I now have an amazing original watercolor hummingbird by Maureen C. Berry hanging prominently in my home.
Studio Updates
New paintings are now on my website at klrockwell.com.
I have been on a parallel path with writing. I am a text editor by profession, but have never “gone public” with my writing until this year (just barely daring to say it, and only to a few very good, very trusted friends: “I’m an editor… and a writer”). Your words about wanting to express something through your art rang true to me, but in a different medium. I see the natural world and want to share how amazing it is, how profoundly it moves me, the ways it has comforted me and challenged me and taught me about all manner of things. I hope I might be able to grab people gently by their shoulders and urge them, “Stop! Look at this! This is amazing and beautiful and we might never get this chance to wonder and marvel at this again!” I feel that way when I see your paintings. I feel as if we are seeing similarly, appreciating, trying to capture something so much greater than ourselves and our human anxieties. Thank you for sharing your art with us. (I can’t draw myself a bath, as they say!)
Your dreamlike watercolours are awesome.