Eva Antonel
Bringing art into their life is the greatest
gift you can offer another human being. Not
only will it provide them with hours of
enjoyment, it has the potential to change their
life for the better and create a seismic shift in
the way they look at the world, the people in
it and their part in its unfolding.
A couple of years ago, I bought a piece
painted by a friend. I liked it the minute I saw
it. It's an image of a tree rendered on canvas
against a background of fiery reds, oranges,
bits of red, green and purple. The tree stands
proud and strong in the middle of this riot of
colour in plain white. Actually, when I look at
it closely, I realize that the tree is what resulted
where no colour was applied. Like a
tree-shaped peaceful island in a sea of crazy
colour, I found it comforting and familiar.
Every time I look at it, it reminds me of my
friend and everyone's ability to find peace in
the midst of chaos.
Learning to appreciate art in any of its
forms allows a person to notice subtle
nuances in their surroundings, the people
they come in contact with and the situations
they find themselves in. It enables them to see
more than the obvious and, as a result, be a
more sensitive human being. That quality is
something this world needs far more of.
In this giving season it's easy to join the
throng of shoppers lined up at the doors to
electronics megastores selling the latest
must-have gadget. Don't get me wrong, a lot
of these gizmos are a lot of fun, at least until
the next version comes along. All of a sudden,
the must-have of the year is relegated to the
back of the closet or put up for sale on eBay,
The gift of art
Mary Atkinson, 2012
Books
about
art
Above: You Are
Here by Chris
Hadfield
Right: One
Zentangle A Day by
Beckah Krahula
this year. At worst, you'll stand out as the gift
giver with a difference. At best, you'll have
opened someone's eyes to an alternative way
of being. I say that because once art is
introduced to a person, they not only see the
world in a different light, they become an
instrument of that ability.
Where do you start?
Babies: soothing classical music, songs
that can be sung to them, sturdy books with
bright, colourful pictures, rich environments
full of colour and texture
Young Children: a variety of music,
simple musical instruments, finger paint,
edible playdough, sheets of paper and
crayons, nursery rhymes, simple storybooks,
puzzles
School-Age Children: more music,
music lessons, tickets to musical experiences,
dance lessons, books, colourful pens, pencils,
paint brushes and paper, cameras, yarn and
knitting or crocheting implements, cooking
lessons, woodworking kits, trips to the art
gallery, museum or plays
Adults: Any of the above
While you're at it, treat yourself to some
of the above pleasures. What is good for those
on your