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

Ingenuity Arts and Technology Festival Proposal

A brainstorming session on Saturday with the movers and shakers of the Ingenuity Cleveland Festival of Arts and Technology, has resulted in my working on a proposal to be included in the presentations for 2007, and it is pretty exciting.

Prior to the brainstorming session, we toured the site, this year the theater district of Cleveland. All of the theaters will be open for programs. Additionally, there will be stages, productions, music and art tucked into every nook and cranny in the surrounding blocks. It will be a transformation and a 'happening' of major proportions with artists, performers and musicians from all over the world. The different areas were pointed out so we, the local artists, could envision our projects in the various locations prior to submitting our projects for review.

So, in addition to being immersed in a plumbing project with contractors for the last few days, I have been writing my proposal for Art Experiences digital style, with brain scans to show how brain activity changes during the creative process.

Stay tuned!

©2006 Kristen S. Boyesen

Art Experiences for Team Building

Team Building is an ever-growing activity. There are retreats, cruises, presentations and workshops with games, cooking, comedy, and theme-based escapes; all with the purpose of stimulating the thought processes of individuals while building a sense of loyalty to and excitement about the company, workplace, or organization.

Art Experiences is different. It does not require a retreat. The materials are readily available. A program led by a facilitator from Art Experiences can become an ongoing activity within the company, led by different team members as a group activity, or done by individuals for fun and relaxation.

What happens at an Art Experiences Team Building session? Participants will hear short readings to stimulate their imaginations. Music will set the mood for the activity. Many of the various drawing exercises will be done without looking at the paper, because it does not matter what the drawing looks like. Participants share their drawings and feelings about the experience with each other. Longer sessions may include a group activity to create a single image composed of many parts.

None of us can draw! That is fine. It is not necessary. “Mistakes” in drawing are not possible, as it is the process and the experience that are beneficial. Silly-looking drawings are for shared fun, and can be stamped with different sayings such as “Don’t blame me, My teacher made me do it!”

To book an Art Experiences presentation: Contact Kristen S. Boyesen through the email link on the homepage in profile.

©2006 Kristen S. Boyesen