The Gift of Art

This holiday season, I am reflecting on the importance of art, our freedom to create, and the gift of art in our lives.

Art is a means of communicating ideas, feelings, and solutions in a creative way other than written or verbal. Throughout history, every culture has developed some form of art just as it has developed language. Art and cultured societies are inseparable.
Yet today art is often regarded as a luxury item, a non-essential. When times get tough and financial belts get tightened, art is considered a frill. But I believe the worse things get, the more indispensable art becomes!
Art has helped me through life’s challenging times. Art has been my best friend when I was lonely or unhappy. In fact, science has proven the simple act of drawing and creating can help relieve stress. Art also improves personal, intellectual, and social development in people of all ages. Art keeps our minds vigorous, and is one of the very few activities that we can improve upon as we grow older.
According to ChildDevelopmentInfo.com, young budding artists who are involved in highly effective non-school arts-based community programs possess some qualities that many of their peers do not have.

• They usually read and write better than their peers.
• Four times more likely to win an academic award, such as being on the honor roll.
• Eight times more likely to receive a community service award.
• Three times more likely to win a school attendance award.
• Four times more likely to participate in a math or science fair.
• Likely to score higher on their SAT college admission test scores if they have been involved for more than four years of after-school arts study.

Art is the keystone of human development, both individual and social. So whether you are creating or collecting art, art truly is a gift.

Here are a few ideas for sharing The Gift of Art with yourself or a loved one:

• Join me on February 20-22, 2015 at the Artist Materials Expo in Atlanta, Georgia. I’m happy to announce that I’ll be teaching four special workshops – 1 social media, and 3 oil painting workshops! Learn more or sign up here.

• Find my beautiful fine art prints and notecards here on FineArtAmerica.com. 

Wherever you are and whatever you do this holiday, I hope it’s filled with love, laughter and kindness. ~Lori