The Concept of Art: Fulfilment, Peace and Enjoyment

This post is from my previous website - they are written differently from my other posts, so if you don't like it, save yourself and go look at a different post!

What is it in life that gives you the feeling that you did well at the end of the day? What is it that makes you get out of bed early because you feel energised? Some might answer coffee, others will answer family and others might, possibly, have no answer at all.

It doesn’t really matter what makes you tick, as long as you find whatever that is. Art is special, as it has so many different branches where it is used or needed. In a previous post, art was above “rules” that might restrict its full potential, and in this post we are looking at, well, exactly what the title says.

Fulfilment

Sometimes we can’t help but feel that life is missing that something spectacular, that something that will make you feel a little more awake and happy. Some people find that creating something from something else is where they find that missing piece.

God creates from nothing, but we are given the ability to create from things around us. Sometimes our imagination creates better than our hands could, as many of us often have something amazing planned, only to see it look more than half of what we envisioned. Yet, we should never let that hamper our talents, but rather appreciate what we created for what it is: an artwork that will allow us to take a deep breath in and say “I am done”.

We all chase after something, whether it is money, happiness or love. When you have finished a project you have worked on for a few days, weeks or months, you can be proud that you pushed yourself to finish something that you have chased after. With other words, you keep challenging yourself, keeping you fulfilled and driven to reach some type of purpose.

Peace

Yoga is an art to find your inner peace, but sometimes writing or drawing can be just as helpful. It allows you to think only about what your hands are doing and enter your depths as you work. Sometimes you get glimpses of yourself while you work, realising why you are using that particular word or colour.

Art is not just writing or drawing, but also dancing and acting. Whenever you practice your own art, you are able to lose yourself in it, if you give it a chance. Even in hard times, you are able to work through your emotions so much easier when you put your emotions into your work.

Enjoyment

What is a hobby or a job without enjoyment? If you are not enjoying the art form you are currently doing, move on to another; it is the only way you can truly find peace and fulfilment.

These three things stand together to form a trinity of happiness. Find your happiness in the art around you, whether you made it or not. It can often be hard to find happiness when you go through hard times, but focus on the flower that is in bloom or on the little moth that is sitting next to the light, and if you feel like it, do something creative. May everyone find their peace, fulfilment and enjoyment.

If you have something to add to this discussion, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment.

The Concept of Art: Rules

This post is from my previous website - they are written differently from my other posts, so if you don't like it, save yourself and go look at a different post!

The concept of art is something that could and should be explored by any person, whether he/she is and artist (or even wants to be one) or not. It is something that can be very personal to each and every person, and, as such, the concept of art has many different branches within WillowSeed too. Today, however, we want to write about a particular branch, namely “rules”.

Are Rules Useful?

Rules can be useful if used as some type of guideline. Yet, WillowSeed personally believe that where some rules can be useful, other rules can hamper creativity. WillowSeed is against two particular rules that have been brought to our attention: writing in certain ways and sticking to one signature technique for your artwork. Both these rules can hamper the artist in exploring and growing their talents.

Art is not something that can be contained, oh no, for it is about being free – free to express yourself and hopefully find someone who understands the deeper meaning within the artwork (and perhaps even your own soul). It will be hard for people to see who you are if you hide behind the rules others put down for you (this is no reason for you to shun all rules, just certain ones set down for creating art).

The Personal Aspect

Is art part of our souls? Yes! Art is part of everything we are, for we create from what we are inside, do we not? We put a little bit of ourselves in whatever we create, which makes it such a personal, open project.

Artists show themselves, and therefore they often show their own vulnerabilities to the people willing to take notice. Others show their passion, their strengths and their talent. Each and every artist is unique and so each and every artist will have his/her own technique and signature. It is very personal and so is art. We choose our favourite artists because we like their particular technique. They create these techniques through events that make them the unique people they are and from talent bound to their own personality.

So, No Rules?

That’s not what we mean at all. Rules can be good, but some are but guidelines. Some people say their way of doing things is the right way only because it makes money for them. Others will try the exact same techniques and it will not work for them. Some artists will always live the “artist’s life” where there are struggles, lack of food and little understanding, but at least they are doing what they love. Just make sure you can pay the bills first.

Perhaps it is about finding the balance between what we want as artists and what people want from us as people. While you try to find that balance, try not to forget who you are and who you would like to be. Remember that art is not meant to be perfect, but its imperfections should be admired.

The next post will be a rant on the Concept of Art again, but this time we will explore a different branch. The Willow tree has many branches!