Art Lives in the Heart

“Art lives in the heart, and we all have one.” -Julia Cameron, Vein of Gold.

Webster dictionary definition:

Art - the quality, production, expression, or realm of what 

is beautiful or of more than ordinary significance.

When I teach my Healing Knots class I always start by reading the definition of “art.”   

Then I ask everyone if they have any art that they do in their lives…many times people just stare back at me. Sometimes one person might raise their hand and say that they needle point or paint. Then I start opening up the possibilities to include anything that we create…cooking, gardening, decorating.  

"The part of the human imagination producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power."

 I love the fact that we create things for emotional power!!

This takes me to sharing my story about Healing Knots and how having my heart completely broken made me find my art; the miracle that pain can be eased by creating something. Colors, placement, movement…so many ways to heal the heart.  

The quote from Julia Cameron – "Art lives in the heart and we all have one"..is the most wonderful way to share what art is for anyone. What is in our heart? Is there something you can do to express it with the outside world? Does seeing certain colors make you happy? Being outside?  

What do you do in your life that might feel simple to you, but could be shared with others as a form of art?  

In 1998, my friend Rebecca’s mother, Marge Whitehead, gave me this book Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach. A couple of  years later, another friend that is a photographer in town gave me the same book. When these things happen you know THIS book was meant for you to read… I continue to enjoy this book and the lessons it has to offer. Reading the daily quotes and stories are pure joy!! Her words were so simple and forgiving. They gave you permission to do simple things in your life and make them feel like art. One of the pages was so powerful I even made a copy of it so I could read it often and share it with others that I felt were starting to uncover their “art.”  

I love this one from February 8^th  because every year at this time, it comes back into my world and I read it with new gusto!!!

The page begins:

“You Are an Artist”

Inside you there’s an artist you don’t know about… Say yes quickly, if you know, if you’ve known it from before the beginning of the universe.  – Jalai ud-Din Rumi

She continues to share more about being an artist, "….each of us is an artist.  An artist is merely someone with good listening skills who accesses the creative energy of the Universe to bring forth something on the material plane that wasn’t here before...So it is with creating an authentic life. With every choice, every day, you are creating a unique work of art. Something that only you can do. Something beautiful and ephemeral. The reason you were born was to leave your own indelible mark on your personal world."

In closing she states – “Each time you experience the new, you become receptive to inspiration. Each time you try something different, you let the Universe know you are listening. Trust your instincts.  Believe your yearnings are blessings.”

Take some time to see what might be your art. It is in your heart waiting to be shared. Know that it will lift your soul to bring this special piece of you to life…go play, paint rocks, plant something, let your heart be free to express what might be inside….anything you do can be art!!!

The world is waiting for you to bring your art to life!