By: Judy Bruce
In the last You Gotta Have Art article, I discussed how art impacts local businesses. This time, I would like to share some of the many ways art impacts the lives of artists. I asked Sonoran Arts League members participating in the Desert Foothills Library Contemporary Art Show to comment on why they do art and if they agree that art can heal and save lives. I was blown away by the answers, a few of which I will share today, with many more to come later.
Ronnie Wainwright stated that art is her special “go-to and happy place.” “My landscapes take me to our beautiful Sonoran Desert, which I love to share with viewers. Art heals!”
Alyson Miller wrote, “Whether you make art, see or listen to it, art transports you to another space. Making art is a meditation for me. Making music saved my son’s life. Creating is a positive. Support for the arts is essential.”
Deborah Court responded, “Art helps to relieve stress. You can lose yourself in the process of creativity, producing a sense of calm.”
Michele Corsini replied, “The act of making art incites reflection. The very nature of being an artist helps you to be more observant, empathetic, and accepting. You are a more informed human being when you use your art skills! You can observe and convey something to another, which somehow heals the viewer.
Seeing and doing art can be like a breath of fresh air!”
Barbara Gray said, “Art heals! Yes, all ailments disappear when I am absorbed in creating art.”
As for myself, for over 60 years, art has been a major part of my life. I drew and painted to escape a lonely adolescence. In college, as a studio painting major, and later as an art teacher, I was immersed in art daily.
Here in my Cave Creek studio, I am so fortunate to explore my own art, a daily job providing purpose, excitement, and awe. After cancer and valley fever, preparing for Hidden in the Hills was instrumental in my recovery, both mentally and physically. We are so thankful to the Sonoran Arts League for providing us with artistic friends and the yearly studio tour, allowing us to show our procedures, processes, products, and influences. Art isn’t finished until it is shown.
And yes, selling art is exciting, but more importantly, opening our studios and showing our art is primarily about healing, communication, connection, education, creativity, and exposing others to visual pleasure and even joy! We are so fortunate to have the League in our community; we all need to support it!
I have more quotes from local artists that I will share later and will address “awe” in the next newsletter.
If you have any Why Art? additions, please send them to [email protected]. Thank you!
And, please remember — You Gotta Have Art
