Once upon a time, my parents told me I should pursue art. Well, not once upon a time: many, many times throughout my life. I'm one of those lucky ones whose parents see the value in art and want more of it in their lives.
In fact, my brother and I grew up going to every museum in each town we visited, perusing art markets, "enjoying" opera. (Ok, to be clear, I do enjoy opera, but I didn't always from ages 0-18.)
Alas, I continually rejected my parents' encouragements of my artistic abilities. I wanted to be a professional soccer player. I wanted to be the POTUS. I wanted to be a political theorist. And, eventually, I became a teacher.
While teaching 9th and 8th grade history isn't the stereotypical path back to the arts, I knew its importance to sociopolitical change - not necessarily as a "bringer" of change, but as a marker of it, a historical artifact that represents the age in which it was made. I taught my students to look at art and reflect on what it meant for the "times." We did class art projects and used visual stimuli to help RE-present what we learned.
What's more, I would sit at my desk during tests or breaks and paint - my beloved students would sit with me and doodle, gossiping about their friends, classmates, parents, etc. Together, we found joy in our art.
To be clear, I make no pretense to being an artist who "represents her times." In fact, I still struggle with calling myself an artist...many of us do. If we aren't in museums or written about in academic essays, then do we count? If our art doesn't make social commentary or portray politically-important messages, what do we contribute to the arts? If it's not your full-time job, is it who you are?
When I was teaching, I definitely thought of myself as an "Educator." But I left teaching in 2022 and now help raise money for the Memphis Public Libraries - am I now a "Fundraiser"? No, as cliche tells us, we are so much more than what we do.
But here's what I will say: I'm now in my 3rd year of my "art business," painting things for people to buy. I paint murals in my house, in other people's houses, on walls all around town. I co-own a maker's market with my artist friend, Booth. I have found a community of people who make art for people to purchase and enjoy.
But if all "this" were was the production of something for monetary gain, I know I wouldn't spend hours upon hours upon hours doing it... I'm too "lazy" for that - I'm a work smarter, not harder kind of girl.
What I get out of my art is not only a cathartic release for myself; from it I feel joy when watching people delight in my work. It's been truly remarkable to see that people beyond my family and friends love what I produce and want to hang it in their own homes. Who woulda thunk?!
So, because I choose joy and emotional expression of all kinds over just "doing it for money," I'll claim the title of artist - someone who makes art to be seen, felt, and experienced by others. If my time with my students taught me nothing else, it's that making art is a chance to communicate.
If anyone reads this, I hope that you now know "what" my art is for: joy, expression, self-fulfillment.
With sincerest affection,
Aunt K