“You don’t have to make something that people call art. Living is an artistic activity, there is an art to getting through the day.”
~Viggo Mortensen (1958-), actor
Friday is always a look-back-over-my-shoulder kind of day for me.
The week has finally run into the weekend — hooray! — and I mentally shift gears from “weekday” life to “weekend” life.
I like how today’s quote allows me to glance back at this past week through the lens of “art.”
For the longest time I called myself a writer — but not an artist. An artist was someone who used a paintbrush. Or a pottery wheel. Or a jeweler’s tool.
Me? I just took the thoughts in my head and poured them out onto paper as words. Vowels. Consonants. Sentences. Paragraphs. Chapters … would you look at that? It all added up to a novel.
Today’s quote expands the definition of art even more to include all of life: who I am, what I do, what I say. I’m looking back at Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday … and I’m looking for the artistic moments that didn’t involve paint or pastels or clay or cloth. Where was art created between me and others in my world?
In Your Words: What art did you create this week as your lived your life?
Comments 21
Ooh, nice quote! I guess I feel most artistic when writing (since my home-decorating skills are nil). I truly felt “lively” when interviewing my guest blogger today, Bethany MacManus. I love the interplay of questions and answers between two writers. It’s just exciting! And Beth, you’re welcome to be my guest blogger anytime, too!
Will be visiting your blog later today … and would love to be a guest blogger, Heather. Thanks for the invite!
With God as the Artist of creation, it makes perfect sense that all of life can be filtered through an artist’s eye. That creative expression He gave us along with our unique gifts translates in countless ways. In Houston, we have the annual Car Art parade where people have turned cars into moving art pieces. The imaginations played out are amazing! Your words display His beautiful artistry, Beth. Highlighting, blending, and painting mental masterpieces that stir the soul. As for me, this week I finally weeded a VERY neglected flower bed to frame the flower art God already painted. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!
Would love to see that flower bed, Donna. Flowers are such a glimpse of our Creator.
You have a wonderful weekend too, friend!
Driving to a writing conf. in Duluth I had the fun of a whole new novel popping fully-formed into my brain and presenter and attendees loving it, so I’m grateful and running forward, writing fast, w/ a smile on my face.
Delores, I’ve seen your name on other blogs, but didn’t know you were from Minnesota! I’ve heard from others who were at the Great Lakes Get Away with Colleen Coble – I wish I could have gone, but hopefully next year! I live in Little Falls and I’m always excited to find other writer neighbors in my “backyard.” We have so many gifted writers in this state, I’m happy to discover another one!
Gabrielle, let me introduce you to “Dee,” one of my favorite of favorite people that I’ve met along the writing road. She’s a blessing — and she lives life out loud like no one else!
Can’t wait to hear more about this story, Dee.
At first I thought, hmm, do I have an answer for this? But I do! Last night I worked on notes to my mom as part of her 50th birthday gift. I’m giving her a really cool decorative box with the words “Home Sweet Home” on it (because I’m famous in our family for once drawing her a picture as a kid with the caption “Home Sweat Home” – yup, spelling makes a difference) and then I’m putting 50 letters inside with encouragement verses, things I love about her, etc. Getting to put my love for my mom into words does feel artistic.
Cool quote!
Oh, what a treasure you’ve created for your mom, Melissa — and you recreated a precious memory from your past, woven with a bit of a humor. So trademark you!
I picked berries & it was beautiful.
~ Wendy
Berries … now I’m wondering what kind … blueberries? Strawberries?
😉
Words and hugs=children’s smiles. Equals beautiful art in my eyes.
Ah, yes, Jeanne. Beautiful.
🙂
I’m like Delores, as I drove home from Chattanooga, God gave me a great idea for a romance novel. A-ma-zing–no murder in this one. I even created a 1-sheet for it. And then there was the opportunity to encourage a fellow Genesis finalist yesterday…it’s been a great week!
Yes, it has been a great week for you, Pat — you won two writing contests! Celebrate!!
I love to look at life like a tapestry – each string (or day or exerpience) on its own is one color, but when it’s put together with thousands of other colors it weaves together into a beautiful picture. Some days the thread I have to offer may look bland and boring, but when it’s added to the others, I realize it’s exactly the right color. This week had some bland moments, but it also had some vibrant, colorful moments, as well!
Thanks for adding the tapestry analogy, Gabrielle. Perfect for today’s conversation.
The art I made this week may have been a bit Picasso-ish…it was chaotic! But I’m making progress–forward motion–and that’s all part of it, right?
Right, Lindsay, right! And a lot of people love Picasso!
The picture, quote and your words – all an inspirational way to start my day. You are an artist, my friend!