What Is Art?

Trees

I’ve been on this quest lately – to create art. Be artistic, creative, crafty. I’m trying all sorts of media that I’ve either never tried before or tried so badly and with an attitude it doesn’t count.

Birch Branch

As I look around at what people create and call art – I’m constantly inspired. There is art in everything! Obviously – from knowing me or following me on social media you know photography is something I love to do. Creating art by seeing a picture in nature, in life. And grabbing it. Quick. And the extra special ones I print on canvas and hang on my walls.

Puppies!

Some days I just want to photograph everything that other people have created – old barns, fences, doorways etc.

Carver Barn

And some days I want to make the thing instead of photograph it.

Birch Twig Wreath

You know what’s been on my mind to try? A garden gate. I want to build a garden gate. From recycled pallet wood. Watch for it.

Doorway

So right now I’ve been working on painting with acrylics.

Trees

I’m also working on crocheting my first scarf.

Scarf for a Giant

I just finished creating an inside avian flight habitat – using large cages, natural and fake plants and lovely birds. Art.

The acrylic painting in interesting. I paint like I’m six years old. I hold the brush and seem to use it more like a sketch pencil than a wet paint brush. It is extremely humbling. Can I improve, can I get good enough to please myself? Stay tuned.

The crocheting is much easier. My dear sister-in-law, Rita, taught me how when I was in New England last week. She’s a lefty, I’m a lefty, I got it. (well, the first easy stitching part anyway) I’m making my first scarf.

Very First Crochet

It feels like a practical, useful form of art – you can do it while your visiting or watching a movie or waiting for something.

From the Garden

Drawing is on the list. A good website I found says that, yes, I can learn to draw. It is a skill that can be developed.
We. Will. See.

Winter Mallard

What is the value of art?

Twig Table (top painted by Maggie)

So, back to the painting. While sheepishly staring at the ones I just finished, I thought of the art I have created that is in my house now. A couple of pieces – the tiny willow table and the embroidered horse, I did a while ago.

Cherokee War Chief

The others are from more recent. Off I went to photograph them all, confirming in my mind, that yes, I’m artistic, creative.

Twig and light wall decor

So do it. Keep doing it.

Whatever it is.