http://www.artandabout.com Engaging with the creative force in everyday life Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:00:57 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en At my last posting, I was agonizing over the definition of art and my own hypocrisy regarding that definition. In my cliff hanger ending to my column, I was staring at two blank canvases thinking that my art, or any art created by my family, wouldn’t be good enough to ... http://www.artandabout.com/2008/10/27/art-crisis-resolved/ I haven’t posted in 5 months. At the last posting, I told you that I was involved in some personal artsy projects that were taking me away from my writing. This is true, but not a full disclosure. We had some much-deferred maintenance in our backyard and pool area that couldn’t ... http://www.artandabout.com/2008/08/22/my-personal-art-crisis/ The thing about living an artful life is that sometimes, living in the arts occludes writing about it. I've been sidetracked by some personal projects lately, but have also encountered some Art and About supporting material to share. A terrific documentary aired on PBS called "Freeway Philharmonic." It's about the folks ... http://www.artandabout.com/2008/02/22/art-and-about-themes-in-other-resources/ I keep notes on my computer when my kids say something about the arts that I find poignant. Many times, these thoughts turn into Art and About columns. Sometimes, I compile them, print them out and paste them into their scrapbooks. One day, I hope they will read their quotes ... http://www.artandabout.com/2008/02/03/making-up-a-song-a-day/ I am captivated by the newest art statement in my house. When I’m in the room with it, I’m mesmerized by it. When I’m out of the room, I contemplate its color, composition and form. It is my new kitchen soap dispenser. Most everything that goes in public view around our ... http://www.artandabout.com/2008/01/27/dispensation-at-the-kitchen-sink/ My son came to the breakfast table with a pencil and paper and asked, “What’s your favorite drawing utensil, Mommy?” The question caught me off guard. It was an unusual topic to start the day’s communication. I also didn’t have an immediate answer. I only draw when I have to. ... http://www.artandabout.com/2008/01/20/drawing-courage-from-our-children/ “Imagination is intelligence having fun” is an anonymous quote that is one of my favorite sentiments. It helps me keep in perspective the inherent intelligence of children, all children, who are born with magnificent imaginations and gravitate toward imaginative play. Anyone who has watched their privilege child opt for playing ... http://www.artandabout.com/2008/01/13/imagination-is-intelligence-having-fun/ I ended 2007 by doing something I’ve never done before. I’ve never even had the impulse to do it before. I gave money to a street performer in San Francisco. Calling this woman a street performer sounds somehow degrading and demeaning. She fits the definition since she was performing on the ... http://www.artandabout.com/2008/01/06/missing-the-forest-for-the-trees/ My husband and I love the performing arts — both as participants and as audience members. Our children are now 4 1/2 and 7, and in the last year, we have aggressively started taking them to live performances of theater, dance, music and various other performance arts. They are ready ... http://www.artandabout.com/2007/12/30/too-much-of-a-good-thing-during-the-holidays/ My daughter’s preschool shares a building with an adult day care facility. The children get together with the “grandmas and grandpas” across the hall for holidays and special occasions. The children usually sing songs and the adults usually applaud appreciatively. One of the reasons we chose this preschool is for ... http://www.artandabout.com/2007/12/23/14/