Why I Art
People always seem to have interesting stories about how they got into art. I have met many people who have been artists all of their lives, and have traveled the path of an artist. Taking classes in school and majoring in art in college; working in artistic fields, and teaching art to others. Art has been a part of their entire lives. My path hasn’t been an artistic one until more recently in my 51 years of traveling.
My father was a cartoonist, and most of my paternal family are in the arts in some form or other. My father made sure art was in my life as a child. As I got older and life took some twists and twirls (as life likes to do), art became a back burner item for me. Five years ago life did a number on me in a variety of ways, but it gave me the opportunity to put art on the front burner.
Art discovered me when I was hurting and needed something just for me in my life. I played with watercolors for a bit, then acrylic painting, and finally fluid art. And let me not forget the most amazing tool for anyone finding art. . . Youtube! Anything you want to learn is on there. I have done many tutorials, for a variety of art techniques and styles. There is no way I would have discovered all the wonders of fluid art without Youtube.
Fluid art requires one thing from the artist, letting go. It’s difficult but this type of art allows the paint to be in control, we just guide and nudge it. Letting go, and giving up control was hard enough for me, but life slapped me across the face with the fact that I had no control. Fluid art is my painless and positive way for me to let go. Each painting is a new experience because I have no idea how the final piece will look.
Last spring and summer when everything was locked down I could physically feel my anxiety raising. I would go out to my back porch and start mixing paints, it was meditative and soothing for me. By the time I was done with a painting, I could notice a physical difference in myself because my anxiety was gone. Every moment of the process soothes and comforts me. From staring at a canvas picturing the colors I want to use and the effects I want to create, to the mixing of the paints. Once I have let the paints flow across the canvas my mind shuts down and allows me to be present in the moment. Nothing else quiets my mind like fluid art.
After several years of painting for myself, I had the confidence to contact the Prince William Art Society (PWAS), and to become a member immediately. I very quickly had the opportunity to display my art in the gallery, as well as participate in a couple of community art shows. I even sold a small painting at the first art show I was in!
Art began as therapy, but has become so much more to me. From therapy to hobby, to passion and sharing my art with others; I have come a long way in the last couple of years. Art has giving me the confidence in myself to put it out there in the world and let others have judgement of my work. Again with the giving up control! I feel successful already just by facing that fear.
Hopefully Staci's article will inspire other PWAS Members to pen their own "Why I Art" in future!
Local Art: Visit us at Clearbrook Center of the Arts at Tackett's Mill in Lake Ridge, VA on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 – it’s free to see the artwork! Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership
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An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Blog at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/.
