“Life imitates art far more than art imitates life.” – Oscar Wilde

Art is the way we look at the world around us. The forms vary from poetry, singing, dancing, drawing, athletics, acting, miming, photography, writing, fashion and so on.

Oscar Wilde’s quote reminds me that these art forms affect us in different ways, but the most important one to me is that it gives us permission to express ourselves, our own thoughts, in one of the countless ways available.

To hear and to be heard enables us to discover who we are. It creates a better understanding of humanity through individual expressiveness. Sometimes it reaches deep into our being and makes us come alive in unexpected ways.

Once my son encouraged me to buy a piece of wall art I was contemplating (stalling over the cost of the work). He just said “buy some art and change your life.” I thought for a moment how this would change my life. I envisioned where I would put the pieces in the house. I could see how the colors would complement the room and how the shapes would be a conversation starter. I also thought about the artist as they might have been while using their brush to create the strokes, and what were they thinking when they chose the colors to convey their message. Whatever they did spoke to others (as it spoke to me) when they looked at the canvas, seeing a bit of themselves being expressed or mirrored by someone they never even met. Yes! This could change my life in a small but powerful way.

Connecting with others in an indirect way, on a meaningful level without even knowing them—that is what I call art! We are all united at one time or another with many who share our thoughts or ideals. That is why we are moved by a song whose lyrics we can feel, or we experience exciting emotions watching a dance, movie or play.

“Sometimes words are not needed, and the simplicity of expressing yourself through an art form is one of the best ways of communication.” – Emmanual Jal

One of my friends and I often send snapshot photos of ourselves without saying any words. It is an entire conversation with just pictures that reflect our feelings at the time. This is another great example of how you don’t have to speak to communicate. You could literally do a collage of pictures like this and others would be able to relate instantly to the expressions.

I remember when I hosted a “house concert” with a husband-and-wife duo. It was a small, intimate group they performed for that day. I remember one of their songs moved me to tears. After the performance they both thanked my profusely for being there noting that my reaction to their art, their song, their gift reminded them of why they do this. It’s not easy working in any capacity to “show up” and give of yourself in such a personal way. You never know if your audience will appreciate your work and what it takes to perform. How we reach others through ourselves in this authentic way is the reason. It may not be the masses; it may be only a select few. The gift is a mutual reward when meaning is exchanged.

“You don’t need to have a message for your creation to be art, so just express yourself.” – wordpress.com

It’s been said that creation for creation’s sake is art in and of itself. The fact that you are taking something from your mind and putting it in a form (writing, movement, stillness, or other medium) makes it art. We are constantly taking information in. It is important to sift, sort, compartmentalize and also exform—or let go, let it out. Expression of thoughts enables us to not bottle things up inside, thereby risking creative flow. So find a way to free up all the incoming information by exforming some of it through an art form. If you haven’t found the best way to express yourself, look around at all the styles, fashion, wall art, articles and music and pay close attention. You will see what resonates with you. If you feel shy or timid about fear of ridicule or being watched, practice first in private, then with just a few friends. Think about all we would be missing out on if people were too intimidated to express themselves. There would be little to relate to, move us or get excited about. The world has need of being witness to your creative expression.

“You are the universe expressing itself as a human for a little while.” – Eckhart Tolle