~From my Perspective, Art Can be Many Things~
Sometimes art creates order out of chaos. It can take the jumbles of our experience and package it into something more palatable.
Sometimes art creates an oasis for thought. It can soothe our eyes and senses, creating an environment that is conducive to reflection.
Sometimes art is an escape. It can channel the energy within that has trouble finding safe expression.
Sometimes art is a statement. It can capture a moment in time that represents a personal, historical or cultural experience.
It can be all of the above or none of the above— but it always is a dynamic between its creator and interpreter. For that reason, it is always alive.
~ • ~
In my younger years, I never thought of myself as an artist, even though I always drew, carved, painted, and studied. Why? Because I did it for all the above reasons — all too personal to want to add it to my professional identity. My professional life was involved in the public health field; studying, writing, teaching, and coaching people living with chronic health conditions. I didn't take on the mantle of Artist until I confessed to a friend of mine that my lifelong dream was to be an artist, to which she replied, "Are you kidding? Every molecule of you is an Artist. It's the way you think, experience the world, and desire to create that makes you one." A month later, I opened up my studio, changed jobs and became an Artist-in-Residence at a major medical center, and ended up developing new art forms so that others could have the same pleasure I have when working with shape and color.
My Fraglets™ Art emerged primarily as a problem-solving process. As an Artist-in-Residence, I work with adult patients in the hospital, and all too often (90% of the time), despite their interest in making art with me, they'd say, "Oh, I don't have an artistic bone in my body. Can't even draw a straight line." I needed something that they could interact with, without having to master a technique. They needed something they could do and undo until they got it the way they wanted. The hospital needed things that could be left with, or washed between patients, safe, and not create clutter and a mess at the bedside. Magnetic, movable art, painted in beautiful, vibrant colors, with a texture that was pleasing to view and hold. Since then, thousands of patients, nurses, doctors, artists, executives, and regular-old people have enjoyed playing with Fraglets™ Art, and are most pleased with their compositions. Art, where we all share in the art-making. What could be better? [
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