Where Your Treasure Is

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Photo Dec 08, 9 45 36 PMWhat is your goal? What are you looking for? What is the motivation for what you are doing? What is the most important thing for you to obtain? Why am I asking all these questions?

It is healthy to perform an evaluation of our motives in the things we do and what we want to accomplish. Humans have the capacity to align their behaviors based on their goals and behave accordingly. Our goals are informed by our values and how we measure success in our lives. Those same goals will determine our view in life and how we conduct ourselves with others.

Our society sadly measures a successful life based on money. It only takes one quick look at all those wealthy celebrities who are suffering illnesses, depression, depending on medications and illegal drugs, and even taking their own lives. I might sound like a credit card commercial but indeed there are many things money can’t buy.

I personally believe that relationships are more important than things. I believe that touching other people with my art and when I teach is more important than getting paid (that doesn’t mean I work for free or give away my art). Making  a difference in someone’s life is more important to me than money or recognition. Connections with people are more important to me than selling many pieces of art. Yes, selling art is nice. It is my job, as it is teaching, but money can’t be the focus of what I do.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21

Rise Above the Daily News

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A while back I received a large frame as a gift and placed it in the living room. Every time I came upstairs I saw the frame almost asking me to do something with it, something different. I took the frame into my studio, covered the board with newspaper and painted on it. I don’t consider myself a painter but I paint a little. I don’t like to make social/political statements in my art, but this time I did. Not criticizing or supporting any causes or movements, but motivating people to hold on and thrive in the midst of today’s overwhelming news. That’s how “Daily News” was born.

Last week I decided to bring to fruition some company to the painting. Two more pieces were born that day: “The Life we Live” and “Rise Above”. Again, linear figures painted on newspaper. I’ve been working on a clever way to put them together in one sentence to make sense of the set and its message:

The life we live must rise above our daily news.

 

The fact is that more than just a title or explanation of the set this is the soul of a society calling for a chance to live not just exist. The almost asphyxiating images and reports of the news are suffocating our lives and hopes. We need to rise above the constant negativity of every day. Moreover, we can become an oasis of hope. Our behavior, our work, our daily interactions should be refreshing to people. This is applicable online as well. The last thing people need to encounter is another self-centered, self-loving, know-it-all, contemptibly obnoxious person. A smile, a kind word, a gesture of humanity, someone to listen, time given… all this things can make a great difference in the life of a person who might be drowning in the fierce waves of the life they are living each day. Rise Above!

A Tale of Two Sculptures

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Last year during one of my shows, I observed a lady coming in to look at the artwork as I was talking to someone else. After looking at all the sculptures, she came back to Abased. She stood there for a while. Then she moved towards Freedom and stood there for a while. She went back to Abased, then back to Freedom. I observed while this continued for several minutes.

abased freedom

Abased & Freedom

Done with my conversation I approached the lady and introduced myself. I mentioned I was observing her going back and forth between the two sculptures. She mentioned how the sculptures were almost talking to her in a way she could not understand or articulate. I told the lady the definition of Abased (belittled or degraded). Instantly the conversation took an interesting turn. She said:

“That explains a lot. This is how my husband makes me feel (pointing at Abased) but I want to feel like that (turning and pointing at Freedom).”

Without saying another word, she turned away and left. I was stunned and honestly wished she stayed around longer. I was curious to find out more about what the sculptures were saying (figuratively speaking). Still, three things were clear during this short interaction. First, art has the power to speak to people. People can find a connection in art that generates a silent conversation with the soul, the logic, and the senses. No words are necessary for this connection.

On the other hand, some people need some help when they try to articulate that connection; when they try to understand what they see, what they feel, and what they perceive. While it is not necessary to explain some people seek for a deeper understanding, a hint, a spark that provides and explanation they can ponder. Again, it would be better for art never to be explained. Nevertheless, some people want to express their connection. That cannot be denied. Otherwise, we might be shutting down their interest and a great opportunity to provoke consciousness.

[Read also: How to Explain your Art & Artists are Communicators]

That takes me to the third point: expressing the connection could be the first step towards healing. Too bad the encounter was cut short. When someone understands their internal situation (and sometimes external) through art, and consciously expresses that revelation, healing is possible. Articulating what no words can explain (which not necessarily is a contradiction) could transform a life, and that is one of the most rewarding achievements of art.

[Read also: Art Changing Lives]