The Relationship of Art

Art is a relationship. It is a relationship of many things. It is a relationship of self. A relationship of self and the subject matter or study at hand and it's a relationship of the environment, its existence and co-existence of it. And while, some relationships seem to be self sustaining, so rhythmically symbiotic that the existence of 2 is vaguely noticed, in need of little attention or maintenance, most relationships are not. Most relationships require attention. They require time, commitment, effort and a level of discipline . Of course, the amount you are willing to contribute or give to a relationship will vary depending on the type or seriousness of it.

​As I think about the many different types of relationships I have had and currently have in my life, I continue to find myself asking the same questions when it comes to this relationship of art. How does this relationship with art stand apart from all the others? What does it truly need in order for growth and progression to happen? As I rummage through some philosophical quotes about relationships, in general, I have found 2 that speak to me the most.

​1.) from author, Donald Miller, " When you stop expecting people to be perfect, you can like them for who they are." and 2.) from the poet and essayist, Edna St. Vincent, "I know I am but summer to your heart, and not the full four seasons of the year."

​While there are so many thoughts and ideas about relationships, the quotes above, reflect an understanding in me, of what I have experienced over the course of my life, from an intimate and not so intimate perspective. From my experience, these quotes when truly understood and lived out in day to day to life, actually build a foundation for a relationship, that is rooted in overall acceptance. Acceptance of each other for who and what you are and what you are able to bring to each other, at that moment. Acceptance. Yes. As I write, the word acceptance is simply so freeing. Yet, its probably one of the harder things to do in a relationship. Accept what is right in front of you. Without anger, lament or remorse. Without judgement, without question, just pure simple acceptance. When you accept something for what it is you actually free yourself. You free yourself up, inwardly, so that you can continue to build a foundation rooted in all things joyous, strong, honest and perhaps, courageous. You free yourself so that you can continue to grow.

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Paradoxically, the relationship of art, for me, is not about acceptance. It is anything but acceptance. If I simply accepted my situation for what it is , my lack of ...:whatever" for what I am, or what I have or do not have, from resources to skills, I would never progress nor grow. I would stare at my canvas and accept the fact that the line I am trying to draw was too challenging, the face too obscure, the hands not rendered quite the right way, the layout, composition, color. The possibilities of what challenges can arise when working, from the inception of thought to the final layout, are daunting. How about we start with time? The actual time it takes to render a thought then a sketch , then an image, onto a board or canvas. Simply put, the word, "acceptance", in my relationship with art, is simply "not-accepted." I believe I have answered the first question.

To answer the second question, " What does art truly need in order for growth and progression to happen? ", I believe, I would say, focus. Great focus and while, there is a connection between the artist and their subject or surrounding, there is a high level of self absorption that is needed in order for progression to happen. A travelling, inward self absorption that must happen. Years ago, I wrote, "my greatest journey has been the one I have travelled inward." I believe, no matter where my physical journeys will take me, my spiritual ones will always be the directive ones. That quote will always remain relevant. From a higher place, a more spiritual directive, I am grounded and will always move from. I suppose, from a limited perspective, self absorption and inward travelling may seem selfish and perhaps, at times, it is. But, only with that inward movement, focus, absorption and ability to move yourself out of the day to day responsibilities and duties, can we truly grow.

​As an artist, a mother , a messenger and servant of God, as a person who constantly toggles between both the human and spiritual realm, it is my job to exhaust, to push through, to achieve and overcome, to not accept, but, to fulfill my greatest potential in this relationship with art. Perhaps, in doing so, I will have selfishly contributed to the unselfish positive, loving growth of a humanity, near and far, that is clearly struggling, and move it, even just a little bit closer, in the direction of that growth.
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