Why Do We Need Art

 

Featured work: Why Do We Have Art

There are many ways to be creative. The beauty of creativity is that there is no right and wrong way. Creativity begins with abstractions that need to become – to become visible, to become an idea – just to become to become.   Creativity is unique to the one who is creating – defined by spirit, the heart, and the soul of that individual.   

Scientists are creative. Da Vinci knew that. 

“To develop a complete mind: Study the science of art; Study the art of science. Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.“

Artists are creative. Da Vinci knew that too.

“Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art.”

“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.”

It takes a creative mind to see a concept from an abstraction – to understand what it is. As children, we all begin with a creative mind. Creativity stops when we put limitations on that creative spirit – we teach them to color in the lines, teach how to find the one “right” answer. Whether the creative mind is nourished or stifled happens along the path to adulthood. We stop playing. We stop imagining. We stop exploring other pathways of “what” and “way” and questioning why certain truths have come to be.  

Imagine a child’s endless creative spirit – and then imagine limiting that spirit. Limit how they color. Limit how they see the world. Tell them what they see, how they are expressing it, is wrong. Choosing to color outside the lines at that age takes a powerful creative spirit that cannot be squashed. Is your creative spirit like that? I'm excited to share a preview of my second 3D sculpture from my new studio! My first sculpture won't be revealed just yet, as it's headed to the Manito Art League's Art Show, and their guidelines prevent any prior public display. I encourage you to attend the 60th Annual Art Show from July 17-20, 2025, at the Manitowish Waters Community Center.

This new piece is tentatively titled "Why Do We Have Art?" It was created to emphasize the pivotal role of "idea" in artistic expression and the indispensable nature of freedom, without which the generation of ideas would be impossible. You can view this piece at the Campanile Center for the Susan B. Smith Art Gallery.

The sculpture is constructed from repurposed and found objects that I have meticulously assembled, objects that would typically have been used for different purposes and conveyed different messages.