Many years ago, my friend, De, responded to my regret at not being an artist with, "Your life is your art." Whether she was just filling up space in the conversation or imparting a pithy comment, I’m not sure. I took it to heart, though, and have often remembered it.
If it’s true that our life is our art, then it’s very liberating, isn’t it? Being an artist means creating your inner self on some sort of canvas. You can paint your canvas with whatever floats your boat: you don’t have to live by anyone else’s expectations.
If it’s true that our life is our art, then it’s very liberating, isn’t it? Being an artist means creating your inner self on some sort of canvas. You can paint your canvas with whatever floats your boat: you don’t have to live by anyone else’s expectations.
Unless you are a commercial artist working for a client, you can create your own version of what is pleasing. Consider even small tasks artful: arranging food on a plate for dinner; planting your vegetable garden to please the eye and the palette; hand writing a thank you note; or putting some fresh flowers in a vase. Actually, just taking the time to enjoy what you are doing and being glad that you are able to do it. |
This past May, we had to replace - in this order - the stove; the kitchen counter; the washing machine; the hot water heater; the de-humidifier; and last but not least, the refrigerator. Whew! When the drier started leaving scorch marks on the clothes in July, we realized that we couldn’t replace it until September.
My solution for replacing the clothes drier is primitive but I couldn’t be happier. I bought one of those circular clothes lines and put it in a granite patio umbrella holder.
My solution for replacing the clothes drier is primitive but I couldn’t be happier. I bought one of those circular clothes lines and put it in a granite patio umbrella holder.
We live in the city and have no yard to speak of, but we do have an upstairs back porch where we grow some vegetables. There are also two apple trees we can reach from the porch so we affectionately call it "the farm". Here’s a picture of our urban farm. The clothes line is cheaper than running a drier; the clothes smell great; it’s better for the environment; and, yes, there certainly is an art to hanging the clothes on the line. Many people who do it regularly, will tell you they have a pattern for hanging and that they enjoy doing it. |
I guess my point is that instead of looking at everything as a chore, view it as part of your art. I feel like I’ve created a masterpiece every time I see those sheets blowing in the breeze.