Mode of Expression
Finding Creativity in Everyday Life…
Art isn’t reserved just for rectangular canvases, fancy matting and decadent frames. It stretches far beyond parallel lines, paint and brush strokes. Art has always imitated life itself. It shows up on plates, in carefully arranged fruit bowls, in simmering pots and pans and in freshly pressed and folded laundry. It is there in homes lovingly arranged with pieces that bring the joy in.
Art shows up all around us. It is both intricate and mundane, shouting loudly in bold colors at times and speaking in a sweet whisper in others. Art is without bounds. It shows up in the most unexpected places – in the person who never once considered themself an artist and in the one who came into the world ready to make masterpieces, alike. Whatever shape it takes, art comes to make life better. Join us on the journey to find art in everyday places.
ART IS IN THE KITCHEN:
They don’t call it culinary arts for nothing. People eat with their eyes first, so it is no wonder that chefs worldwide go the extra mile not only to prepare a praise-worthy meal, but to carefully arrange its contents on a plate. There are specific techniques for plating that include using the food to create dimension, playing with texture, the use of contrasting colors, choosing the right plate and incorporating edible garnishes for flair. These same considerations are part of what any artist would hope to accomplish in a painting, sculpture or photograph.
Charcuterie boards, an appetizing arrangement of meats, cheeses, crackers and fruit, have gone from what some playfully referred to as “a grown-up Lunchable” to a legitimate art form. These edible works of art incorporate intricate patterns, vibrant colors, symmetry and repetition that make them appealing to both the eyes and the taste buds. Rectangular or round, themed for breakfast or your favorite holiday, charcuterie boards are the “it” way to invite art into your kitchen.
There is artistry to be found in the setting of a table, a beautiful china pattern and in the careful selection of fresh ingredients to cook with. Art can be as simple as making sure each meal of the day is filled with an array of food in the colors of nature’s palate.
ART IS IN THE HOME:
Have you ever walked into a home or office so beautifully decorated, you couldn’t help but stop and take it all in – like a work of art in a museum? That is what a carefully curated aesthetic can do for a space.
Interior design has some specific guidelines that help to create a space that is functional and comfortable, but the true artistry of it all comes in the form of well-loved adornments and quirky elements that share a bit about the people that live or work there. Books carefully arranged on a shelf, a piece of art made by a creative soul in a small town or a bustling city far away, seashells collected on a recent trip to the coast displayed in a place of importance, the decadent texture of throw pillows, the bright infusion of color on a wall – these are the elements that come together to create a unique art piece that is home. Those who visit your home can see a bit of your heart in the things you choose to decorate with.
Art is also alive and well in the organization of things. It shows up in the uniformity of folded towels and bedding in a linen cabinet and in a pantry that is set up with the labels facing forward for easy navigation. Artistry is in a carefully arranged drawer or clothing hung uniformly in a closet. These small touches make a space both functional and beautiful.
ART IS IN THE GARDEN:
Landscape architecture is a thing. But perhaps it could just as easily be called landscape artistry. Choosing the right design aesthetic for an outdoor space requires considering what is both functional and what is beautiful. It comes down to planning a space that invites you to enjoy it while providing for your needs. Are you someone who needs a backyard filled with grass, or is a Zen rock and sand garden more your speed? At its core, this decision requires you to consider both function and feeling.
Art is deciding which wood to use to create your deck, whether to use brick or pavers for that meandering pathway, and which trees, bushes and plants should adorn your outdoor space. It is the process of training a trellis to grow in the direction you had in mind. It is the decision to incorporate a water feature or a windchime to fully engage the senses.
There is an art to planning out a garden, too. It is knowing how much space, depth and soil each type of plant will need to thrive and planning accordingly. It is taking the time to find the right pots. It is building a raised garden bed that meets your needs. It is taking time to prune bushes and snip dried leaves. It is the joy that comes from collecting the beautiful harvest that is sure to come.
ART IS IN FASHION:
If you have ever met an artist, chances are you got a sense of their creativity through their choice of clothing. Fashion is wearable art. It gives the wearer a sense of freedom to choose the colors, textures, fabrics and cuts that share a little about themselves with everyone around them.
The clothing we choose to wear every day can be our art. In selecting an awe-inspiring color combination, in layering pieces in a way that brings movement and texture to life, in the incorporation of playful accessories and fantastic footwear, we have a way of expressing ourselves without having to utter a word.
Artistic expression in the form of fashion gives people a way to be wholly and completely themselves. Just like painting on a canvas or molding that clay for a sculpture, the art of fashion is freedom personified.
