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Today I am continuing my series diving more deeply into my list: The Top 17 Reasons Why the World Needs You to be an Artist 
Beauty can be a loaded topic. We all crave it. We question it. We fear it. We desire it. Beauty is often considered something closely linked with desire. Desire of love or passion. But we know that beauty is more than just skin deep. We know that there are moments that are beautiful. Actions that are beautiful. Beauty can be found in instances where we are lifted up or encouraged. Beauty isn't just about "pretty things" or creating a facade. Sure, we try to take care of ourselves and our belongings. But you know what I am getting at here. There is quite a lot in this world that is unlovely. So when we fill that space of desperation or lack of hope with compassion through an action or a gift. Through community and forgiveness. We are giving some daily doses of beauty. When I was a new art school grad, I struggled with a lot of guilt about my chosen path. I had such a heart for others, but I had chosen this seemingly selfish path in some ways. I worked alone in my studio to make this stuff that no one actually needed to survive right?! So for a long time I struggled and thought about all these ways I can serve and do good in the world. I didn't want to be selfish and self-serving and a weirdo loner who didn't care about anybody else, just me and my art. How sad that was the idea stuck in my head of what living an artistic life would be like! I see now the flaw in that type of thinking and the importance of the beauty that I offer. We could have blank cinder block walls OR we could paint interesting murals on them. We could all wear white t-shirts and never smile. But quite frankly, that is not the best we can do! Yes, our lips were made to curve up at the edges into smiles and there are so many colors to enjoy. We were made for experiencing beauty. We were made for giving and receiving beauty. I am friends with a number of mural artists. One thing we do is notice blank walls anywhere we go. Big walls. Walls that would be a challenge to paint. Walls that would be fun to paint. Walls that would impact the community if we painted them. Blank walls can be kinda boring if we left them all that way. That is why , when we see a blank wall, we see an opportunity to bring some beauty. If you find a space, a need, a gap, a need for beauty, instead of focusing on the negative, fill it with your art instead. Is your art organizing? Is your art fund raising? Is your art campaigning for a cause? Is your art collecting blankets to donate? Is your art preparing delicious food? Is your art encouraging others? Is your art singing? Is your art your sense of humor that lifts others up? Make it, do it, give it, receive it, live it.... The world needs daily doses of beauty, everywhere and in everything. I would love to hear your thoughts on this idea of beauty, so please leave a comment below! If you are digging this Art Nurture goodness, feel free to join the newsletter to receive it directly in your inbox or share this post with someone you think will love it too! As always, keep nurturing and cultivating, Court p.s. Wanna cultivate creative community? Join the Art Nurture BOOK CLUB! It's FREE to join and the journey begins January 8th! Read last week's post for more details. 
14 Comments
12/5/2013 06:28:48 pm
Court, I know exactly the feeling. After spending years as an actress, I had a moment doing the same - asking myself, "how does this serve and what's it all for?" But without art, without beauty, our lives would miss the richness and fullness that makes life worth living. Yes, Susan, it can be a touchy topic for some people. I know that I was affected by the belief systems of others so much on my journey to understanding beauty, serving the world, and my place as an artist within all of that...but I have seen the power of sincere art and the hope and healing it brings. I do think it is truly important to shine a light on this way of perceiving "art" and it's place in our world. 12/7/2013 11:39:04 am
First of all, I love your website! And this blog post is simply exquisite! My art is seeing someone as fully living their dream (I see it and feel it so clearly that they see it for themselves!). I love to help people recognize where they have inner obstacles and create a safe and supportive environment for them to heal, reveal and soar! I am so glad that you recognized that you can uplift the world through your passion for art! Court! I love this and my first reaction is that I love creating meals with deeply pigmented fruits and vegetables not just because of all the vitamins and minerals, but also because there is something very satisfying about sitting down to a table with beautiful food. Thank you for sharing and reminding us all of the significance of beauty in our environment. Elise, delicious and beautiful food is one of my most favorite arts to enjoy : ) It's amazing how luxurious, healing, soothing, and joyful a delicious and beautiful meal can be....just goes to show art doesn't have to be expensive or unattainable. It can be as close and intimate as a meal at your own table. Court, Love that you've written about this. There are so many gifts that beauty brings but here's a very practical one that totally affects me and my work. I simple can't thrive in an environment that's not beautiful. Beauty nourishes me in the same way that I need food. If I'm in an environment that doesn't suit me, I find it restrictive...even depressing. So wherever I've lived over the years, from my first tiny, dingy apt. in NYC to a beautiful home in the country to a small home overlooking a gorgeous large lake where I live now, my first order of business is to make my nest a beautiful one. Then I can thrive in it. Silvia, I love how you say 'make my nest a beautiful one'. So important to remember! Even if we are busy busy and always running about, it is nice to come home to a place where we can be nurtured and thrive as well. I know for me when the laundry is piled high it feels so healing just to fold and put it all away. Then home can be a place of rest again. It's probably my favorite interior design tip ; ) 12/12/2013 08:52:57 am
No, you're NOT a loner!! LOL. Artists unite! I love that you have a group of friends that get together to do murals. That is really cool. I have an appreciation for gigantic murals - I always wonder how artists are able to get to the very top. You ARE bringing beauty to the world, please don't stop. ;-) xo Thanks, Desiree! It's amazing how much I struggled with those beliefs, but now I am grateful to see that who I am and what I have to offer is important to the world. Getting to the top can challenge ones fear of heights ; ) That was about 22 feet high. We use extension ladders, regular ladders, and sometimes scaffolding or those lift buckets that are really nice (if you get lucky!). I love this! My art is helping people see possibilities in their life after loss. I believe beauty is possible even when we are grieving. And it is especially important because we are surrounded by darkness when we are going through a loss. I love coming to visit your website every week. Today's post is inspiring me to schedule an afternoon for some painting over the holiday!
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