We Need Art
3.31.26
Yesterday I typed and posted on Substack. Didn’t podcast my thoughts. Just wrote. I have been doing this lately because of time constraints. Writing has always helped me feel better. The act of animating those words, so they become surround sound, is really the ultimate cathartic practice for me. But I will never take for granted how writing has been one of my many therapies or dare I say, one of my artforms.
In life you have the things we need done. We need our oil change. We need our medications filled. We need our teeth cleaning by a professional. These are basic things we need to maintain our lives.
As humans, we are complex. We get bored easily. Our brains search for pleasure and rewards. We desire more than just the “basic things”. We crave things that make us wonder. Curiosity drives us. Attraction drives us. Creating ignites us.
This is where the arts come in. I am not talking about every one of us becoming Picasso or Monet. The arts can come in many forms. Painting obviously can be an art for some to express feelings onto canvas. Art is not just what someone can build or sculpt. It can be the words we write or say. It can be the way we move our bodies during song. It can be the songs we sing. When all of these acts of expression come together, it could even be a play on stage. Or even the movie you choose to Netflix & Chill to.
Without the arts and our ability to play and express ourselves, the world begins to feel like a cardboard box to me. No color. Nothing new. Same walls day after day.
Trapped, caged, bored, unfulfilled. Rinse-Repeat. We are not built for this kind of life. We are meant to explore. To see what is on top of that mountain overlooking serene waters. We are meant to smell the wildflowers. To feel the soft blades of grass on our skin. To taste the sweat that drips from our forehead as we exert ourselves on a hot summer day. We are meant to dance in this field, with our arms outstretched, giving thanks for this beautiful world. After all of this inspiration, we can tell the tale. We paint it, write about it, edit the photos of it, bring a friend to experience it next time, we can dream of it...
So, backing up I will again talk about the power of writing. See what I did above? This was not planned. This was literally what my subconscious. This is my artform today as I sip my coffee before work. During a work week I may not have time to paint a canvas or knit a sweater. But I do have time to take 10 minutes and write my thoughts. I cannot express it enough; how medicinal this act has been for me. Art is therapy. Art can be the medicine you need. Give it a try!
If you want to write, just write. Don’t plan anything. Just start typing or use a pen on paper. Find your special way to express those buried treasures in your mind. My preferred way is typing because I have big brain and it works pretty fast. My fingers move very fast. Thank you to my 8th grade typing class.
I have had many sessions in handwritten journals; however my thoughts move so fast and my writing hand can’t keep up. Sooner or later my writing becomes illegible. I typically write in cursive.
Did you know they are not teaching cursive in some schools? Funny how our cursive writing could be unreadable to some. I worked with a 20 something guy who told me he never learned how to write or read cursive. So I wrote something out for him to decipher, and he could only make a few words out. Perfect writing for your private diary people LOL. If Gen Z finds your diary, they may not be able to know your secrets.
My tattoo consultation is this Friday! I am going to honor this special practice of mine by discussing ideas for an Ink Flower pen on my forearm. Probably the back of my forearm if my artist thinks it would be feasible. Finally, an artist got back to me. She is very talented and obviously has good customer service.
Wish me luck!
Have a great Tuesday. What is your artform?
Love, Alimoon