Are You Afraid of Art?

This is the Artist Statement portion of my proposal for the Ingenuity Festival.

Many people are afraid of art. Some feel inadequate to comment on the artworks of others. Others fear taking brush in hand because they judge too harshly the results. Some are afraid that friends, family, colleagues or classmates will be the harsh judges. Some have memories of a long-ago criticism lurking in their spirits to dampen their enthusiasm for art.

I have always made art. My images are of nature, because I feel at peace in nature and want to share that with others. By presenting beautiful spiritual images of nature unspoiled by man, I sought to instill respect for and appreciation of nature, our resources, and the planet.

I found that such visual imagery only spoke to those who were already in that frame of mind. I wanted to speak to everyone. Art Experiences and Imagination Arts grew from this desire to involve all people everywhere.

The only way to involve so many people was to find non-threatening ways to stimulate the creative process. Imagination Arts bypasses the fears people have about drawing because the games incorporate the elements of chance, fun, and non-responsibility for the resulting images.

The experience of making art opens people to be receptive to other experiences involving the right side of the brain, such as appreciation for the intricacies in music and nature sounds, compassion, acceptance of the differences in people, visual and emotional joy, inner peace, and respect of oneself apart from all the roles in life.

Adding the art process to peoples’ lives changes all parts of their lives through stress reduction, greater intuitive abilities, increased brain activity, feelings of accomplishment and potential, and a greater sense of community.

My inspiration was two years study in psychology, human interactions, and spirituality. A few of the books read are: “Boundaries”, by Anne Katherine; “Emotional Blackmail” and “Toxic Parents” by Dr. Susan Forward; “Why is it Always About You”, by Sandy Hotchkiss; “The Highly Sensitive Person”, by Elaine Aron; “Gifted Grownups” by Marylou Kelly Streznewski, “The Prophet’s Way” and “Beyond ADD”, by Thom Hartmann, and “The Ancestral Mind” by Gregg D. Jacobs, PhD. One work of fiction was especially important: “The Blue Bottle Club”, by Penelpoe J. Stokes.

Art Experiences was the direct result of the study of these books and many others. My perceptions of the role that art has in our world cultures, spirituality and everyday life were widened. Imagination Arts shares this with others.

©2006 Kristen S. Boyesen