Art- An Expression Of Life
While I can’t draw or paint, I am always amazed when I see beautiful pieces of art. One of my sons is an amazing artist, producing large scale paintings, which are breathtaking. One of my daughters produces illustrations for children’s books. Another daughter is very gifted in crafts and sewing, while another son is a gifted writer. Needless to say I am blessed!
There are many forms of art besides those I mentioned, and admittedly, it took me years to think of ‘writing’ as a form of art. For me, I just thought it was that: writing! Yet, acting, dancing creating sculptures and woodworking, and even communicating can be a form of art. Any creative activity can be considered an art. It has much to do with desire, and self expression.
That notion, then, begs the question, ‘Can anyone be an artist?’ The answer to that is a resounding ‘YES’! Consider the small child who presents you or someone they care about with a picture they have drawn. The lines may not be perfect, coloring not entirely in the lines, and not to scale. The person may be a stick figure, while the ball he has thrown in it, is bigger than a car might be.
Yet, this piece of artwork is a treasure because it was this child’s creation. And what makes it even more special is the heart it took to give it as a gift! It’s true, professional artist’s painting can cost thousands of dollars, yet this token of love created by a child can be priceless in the right person’s hands.
As mentioned, my gift of creating beautiful paintings or drawings is almost zero, but on occasion I like to paint by number or even watch a tutorial and create a ‘picture’ of sorts. Perhaps if I worked at it or took a class I could improve my skills. This is true of anyone.
Our society often looks upon the disability people group according to what they can not do, instead of what they can. I wonder if because they may not be able to communicate the same as we, or even have the ability of creating detailed, tiny strokes, we assume they are incapable of incredible expression on canvas or other creative endeavors.
While they may have difficulty in some areas, their abilities to sense the world around them can be profound and enables them to create incredible master pieces. It takes courage to put ‘yourself out there’ regardless of ability. Imagine the courage it must take to allow those in the non-disabled peer group to see your work—as a disabled artist, when stereotyping is high. Yet, it’s the perfect way to express ‘through’ their limitations, the joy of creating something beautiful!
Additionally the perspective of their life, lifestyle, limitations, expectations, and quality of life can be not only cathartic for the artist, but a means of sharing with the world what the disability world is like. It also provides an avenue for being part of ‘community’ and create a sense of belonging in a society, who often judges a person based largely on what the eye can see—and focus on the negative, instead of the positive!
Students come in all ages, shapes, sizes, abilities, talents, desires and differences. Embrace each person as a student growing in their gifts and enjoying art, in whatever form it comes, as an expression of, exquisite examples of life.
Photo Credit: https://www.freepik.com/search?format=search&last_filter=page&last_value=2&page=2&query=person+creating+art
Photo Credit: https://www.freepik.com/search?format=search&last_filter=page&last_value=3&page=3&query=child+creating+art