I spent much of yesterday in an art class.
I made a “mosaic” with found objects. It was a wonderful experience from several perspectives.
First, I rarely spend a day using the artistically creative side of my brain, making something myself. While I am very creative in my work and I have a very high aesthetic value (I am always enhancing the visual aspect of my environment and love being around art), I rarely make things myself. I loved the opportunity to bring my own objects and materials brought by the instructor and actually creating pieces of artwork. The day went quickly and I was fully engaged in the physical creative process.
Secondly, the first piece I made used objects that were assembled from my life as well as others’ lives. There were single earrings (where the match had been lost) that had been my mom’s or mine. Broken items that could no longer be used for their original purpose (a pin or necklace, for example). Or gifts that I like having around, but never used for their original intent. As I put these objects to use in my new photo frame, a sense of honor came over me. I was honoring my mother, my friends, my past and pieces of life that seemingly had no further purpose by incorporating them into a new role.
Finally, I have works of art that are functional that I get to use and see and enjoy!
While these may not be “masterpieces,” they are pretty good for a beginner. My husband saw them and said “Yep, these look like you!” I guess I left my mark.
As I reflected on the day, several thoughts came to me:
1. Using all sides of ourselves is important to reducing stress: a biological fact! It also brings new ideas and opportunities to us that we might not have considered,otherwise. Ideas that can be useful in our current work as well as directions we may take later in life. For example, many people who are consumed by work, can not conceive of finding satisfaction in anything other than work. Diverse experiences, while we are still engaged in our work lives, help us know that it is, indeed possible.
2. Many people feel that their original roles in life or work define who they are: if I always thought my life’s purpose was to be a mother and my kids leave the nest, who am I now? If I have built a business and am considering succession and retirement, who would I be if not for my identity as a business owner? As I looked at each object I “recycled” into artwork, I thought about how we must find ways to recycle our talents, competencies, interests, contacts and energy into new arenas as we move into new stages of life.
3. Finally, as we watch others make these transitions, it is important that we let them know how we honor them and cherish what they have taught us or shared with us at points throughout our lives. My mother was a sculptor and potter and her love for making art was instilled in me at a very early age. Sadly, she died fairly young, so I can’t show her how her passions have influenced me at this point in my life. But I do think my resurrecting my interest in making art, along with the pieces of her jewelry, would make her smile. I know that I am honoring her now.
I plan to make more and more time for these “balancing diversions” and continue to cultivate all sides of my life.
