Pause, smile, and WHAT?
Fine Art Friday #30
THAT is what you wanted to say?!
»Here’s how it started…
He pauses and smiles at me.
My sweet seven year old looks up at me with the most loving eyes and says…
(I’m prepared for a very sweet and loving statement to come out of his mouth seeing the sweet look he has in his eyes at me)
“How come you have your nose ring?”
Nothing could’ve prepared me for that question. 😂
And my answer?
Well son, because I wanted it!
And to be frank with you, it wasn’t a spur of the moment decision like many of my *I’m gonna cut my hair off* decisions have been in my life.
In college like 2537 times…
After college in my first year teaching…
Basically whenever my hair got too overwhelming for me to manage (or life did), I chopped it off thinking it would save me time (it did not) or energy (also, it did not).
But I do like it short, so maybe I’ll do it again soon? Still thinking on it TBH… and not that you asked but I’ve reached a good length and have been using a mix of Virtue and Prose haircare and my curls are looking FAB — haven’t straightened my hair in 2 years — and I’m super excited about it. So cutting it? We shall see. Currently loving the middle part w/ a bun trend as a millennial who previously said you’d pry my side part out of my cold dead hands… and that’s hard to do with super short hair…
Things change, gotta roll with the punches…
Here’s the thing:
»I turned 30 during 2020, which was the WORST time to turn 30, might I add, and I’d wanted a nose ring for like, a very long time.
I know, I know, *some* (I know, clearly not YOU) might consider it a *weird* thing to want in your 30s but here we are, and since the story is too long to tell — I learned from my engagement story I am long-winded and must break it up — I’ll save that for next week.
»You don’t want to miss it — the one in which I pierce my nose myself… I’ve been waiting 4 years to tell this story, and everytime I tell it in person to friends they’re say “OMG!”
TBH — I’d had 3 babies already, so pain *really* doesn’t scare me, and it was Covid after all — almost like the wild west if the wild west were quarantined at their homes for months on end. I might still feel a little salty about that…)
So back to my son asking me, “How come you have your nose ring?”
BECAUSE I WANTED IT!
And it got me thinking about a few reasons to choose art, but there’s one reason that’s the MOST IMPORTANT.
For me, ART has always been a *powerful* form of self-expression, a way to understand the world and share a unique perspective. When we engage with art, whether it's through painting, music, writing, or even something as simple as a nose ring, we are embracing our own creativity and individuality. Choosing art is about making choices that reflect who we are and what we value.
With that in mind, and without even meaning to, my son made me think of WHY we choose art? Why is it so important and dear to us? *OTHER THAN it being good for our brain, thanks science.*
»It really is — you can read more here for part I and here for part II...
So, without further ado, here are my top 5 reasons to choose art, and let me tell you, the MOST IMPORTANT one is gonna blow your mind (okay, maybe not, but it's still pretty darn important):
5: It's a rebellion against the ordinary 🤘
Sometimes you gotta stick it to the man, you know? And by "the man," I mean boring, cookie-cutter expectations, like box store art... Art says, "Hey world, I'm here, I'm unique, and I've got a nose ring because I wanted one!"
4: It makes life A WHOLE LOT less boring 🎭
Let's face it, adulting is hard enough. And it CAN be a snooze fest sometimes — and by snooze fest, I mean we’re so dang tired we can hardly keep our eyes open AMIRIGHT?! Art adds that splash of color and JOY to your day-to-day routine. It's like having a nose ring in your 30s – unexpected and fun!
3: It's cheaper than therapy (sometimes) 💆♀️
Okay, maybe not always cheaper, but it's definitely therapeutic. Like when life gets overwhelming, and instead of chopping off my hair, I can paint whatever floats my boat.
2: It's your personal megaphone 📢
Art lets you shout your thoughts to the world without actually shouting (unless that's your art, then by all means, shout away). It's like my hair – sometimes I need a change, and BOOM, scissors time!
1: Because you freakin' LOVE it! 🎨
Seriously, this is THE reason. If you love it, do it. End of story. It's like me and my nose ring – I wanted it, so I got it. Simple as that.
If you want it? Get it. Your future self will thank you.
So there you have it, folks. Choose art because you love it, because it's YOU, and because life's too short to not have that metaphorical (or literal, in my case) nose ring.
Next week I'll tell you about how I became my own piercing artist during Covid. Stay tuned!
And BC I 🫶🏻YOU — here’s a little preview of one piece from this year’s holiday collection…
xoxo, courtney
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The nose piercing story is my favorite! And yes, totally agree that art should be what you love!