Commentary by Sariah M. Reeser

Many of us enjoy and appreciate art, whether we realize it or not. We see the creativity, and we like the composition or the color of the piece, but to many that work of art is simply that, a piece, an object to be looked upon and admired, but art is so much more. Art is a doorway into the soul for both the artist and those who appreciate the work.

For the artist, it is not an ability or a talent. It is not an exercise or a science. It is not the career. It is not the color, contrast, use of medium or space. It’s not even the composition. For the artist, art is one thing and one thing alone. It is a means of self expression.

The finished piece is not the paint or paper, canvas or clay. It is a visual emotional and spiritual connection to the depths of feel-ing within the artist and a means of connecting the artist with those who feel something when they look upon the piece. Experiencing art isn’t dependant on understand-ing history or technique; it is the act of thinking and feeling. Does it make you happy? Does it make you sad or angry? Does it bring you comfort?

As a young child I remember composing the most colorful and beautifully magnificent work of crayon scribble. The lines were swirled in green and orange, red and purple, layered with blues and yellows in a visual display which nearly brought tears to my eyes. And then I showed it to my mother’s friend, who said, “Is that a butterfly? What’s it supposed to be?” I responded, “It’s Art! It’s

sposed to be beautiful!” But in my heart, even at such a young age, I was thinking I had colored JOY! It was pure joy in crayon on paper.

Over the years of creating art, I have become increasingly con-fused by those who not only expect art to be practicle, but those who don’t seem to feel emotion-ally the expressions portrayed by it. Some see leaves, and flowers; like my mother’s friend they look for the butterfly, but art is not the just the form; it’s the feeling. This is the point of art, and the meaning of creating and experiencing it.

“The Rose” healed my heart-break after mother’s death. To me it im-bibes the solitude I felt in my pain and the strength it took to con-tinue to grow as a person. It is the flower the blooms in adversity.

“The Leaves” imbibe the absolute beauty that exists in all phases of life, and the hope to see each phase again in season.

Experiencing Art

“Stop thinking about art works as objects, and start thinking about them as triggers for experiences.”

If you’re interested in an adventure in artistic expression and self exploration visit, intothedifference.net for information on Drawing the Inside Out. Call Lisa Kaplan at (707) 809-5398 or email liskaplan@gmail.com

Courtesy of Drawing the Inside Out

For the enjoyment of the creative process, check out the Hillcrest Studio in Clearlake. Contact Peter Shandera at (707) 994-1588 regard-ing the Second Sunday Salon or “Like” the Studio on facebook at: www.facebook.com/hillscrest.

Courtesty of Bonnie Allison Studios

Courtesy of Hillcrest Studio

-Brian Eno