What is art?

Some will look at this painting & think, "This is art?", "I could've done that", or "I guess scribbles are an art form now".

I used to discredit abstract artwork, as well, based on my expectation of what art should be. The word art is a broad & undefinable concept by nature. I can only share my experience. When I started going to gallery exhibits & art museums, I liked the realistic pieces. The one's where you could make out faces & see ancient stories in action before your eyes. The sky was always blue. The grass was always green.

The formless shapes & eclectic hues of abstract pieces frustrated me because there wasn't a logical sequence. No gods & goddesses, no historical tale, confusing titles, or no titles at all. I was so focused on seeing the literal that I couldn't feel the metaphysical.

Recently, logic in my life has made no sense at all (green sky, blue grass kind of stuff). I'm overwhelmed most of the time & uncertain for the rest of it. So a few nights ago, I turned this book on & turned my thoughts off. I was exhausted from my incessant mind chatter. I began to paint.

 When I look at it, I don't see scribbles. I see intention. I don't hear a story. I listen to the present moment. I don't wonder "why?". I feel the brush in my hand, my eyes closed, relinquishing control like a current of electricity running through me. What is art? I do not know. But I know how good creating makes me feel.

Go with the good. xo, Emily