ART AT 240

Keith and I believe each and every life is its own work of art. That’s why we’ve strived over the years to see the meaning and beauty in our life and in the world. We’re passionate about expressing our creativity in as many ways as we can. It might be in a bronze sculpture, a table-setting, an oil painting, or a simple gift tag. Seeing beauty and making art are practices that can be applied always and everywhere. Without exception, this way of living creates endless delight for us.

This is not to say we possess special talents or finely honed techniques. My hand stitching is laughably bad. My drawing is amateurish. My sense of design is provincial. And you know what? I don’t care.

I still embroider, I still draw, and I still fuss over a centerpiece. If I needed to be world-class to pursue art, I would never sing, never write poems, and never share my coolest dance moves (a loss for humanity).

Creative expression nourishes us and brings significance to the moments and ideas we choose to memorialize.
Making art helps us experience life more thoughtfully. This level of attention deepens our experience and fosters richer understanding and heartfelt gratitude.
Sharing your art with others is an act of courage because it’s risking judgment, ridicule, or rejection. That’s one of the reasons it’s so good for you. If we can practice courage in one area of our life, well, there’s no telling what benefits may manifest. Just know they will.
Sharing your art also creates tacit permission for other people to risk doing the same.
Best of all, your art is magical. It is there when you are not. Whether a letter, a doodle, or a grade school ornament on the Christmas tree, your art allows people to touch you when you’re beyond their reach. And for those moments, distance and death lose their power to separate us. Call me crazy, but I believe someday someone will cherish my embarrassing embroidery.