You define what art is to you

Much like birds, humans have always used nature to make their homes beautiful. A touch of color, soft fabric, and string. Bits and bobs that bring a spark of delight when your eyes land on them.

For me, that's my collection of salt and pepper shakers, baseball hats, and large canvases with thick, colorful splashes of paint. For my sisters, it's denim, cow print, and black and white photos or a highly curated 80's bohemian grandmother aesthetic, complete with blue ribbon geese. 

Making and buying art is an intimate act. One that can feel like you're inviting speculation. Perhaps it does. I view it as an opportunity to tell the stories that move me. Some of my favorite pieces of art come from artists who created a tiny miracle while going through  dark times. Surrounding myself with these mini acts of defiance against their darknesses, reminds me there can be beauty found in the midst of uncertainty. 

No one can define what is meaningful art to you. Only you can choose that. Some pieces will stay with you the rest of your lifetime. Others may come along only for the season, until you pass it along to its next owner. Some will make sense to only you, and that's that best part. 

Perhaps you're taking a most dreary walk on an unfortunately dreary day filled with miserable thoughts, and now it has begun to rain. You're cold, wet, and rightfully grumbling when you suddenly come upon an acorn. Not any acorn, one that has the same golden brown tones you loved as a child, playing on the playground, placing them in your pocket to show your favorite people. In that moment, you bend down, and pluck this beautiful acorn out of a small puddle. You feel a small sense of joy, an appreciation for not so rainy days spent outside, and a wry sense of "well, this day is certainly putting me through it".  A chuckle becomes a laugh. The rain still pours, there's four miles to go, but your head and your walk is no longer filled with miserable thoughts. After all, you have a lucky acorn in your pocket.

From that day on, the acorn sits on your shelf, from home to home, to remind you that even on a cold, dreary day, a beautiful brown acorn with all of its imperfect tones and textures has its day to shine, and you will too.  Maybe only your most very best friend, yourself, knows the true meaning. To everyone else, it's only an acorn. To you, it's a spark of hope against the darkest of days.

Only we can define what is meaningful art for ourselves, Our homes serve as a museum to the things we find beautiful about life. When we invite people into our spaces, we allow ourselves a way to share the stories that move us. As you walk through life, I hope you give yourself permission to make your home a place to tell the stories that mean so much to you. Even if the only person who hears it, is yourself.