Art Really Does Matter

I’ve written before about the importance of art, about its value not only in my life but in the lives of others. About two years ago — November, 2018 — I wrote the following after assisting at a student art show:

Art does matter. I’m grateful that I’ve become a part of our local art community, and I now want to do all that I can to promote art — not only as an individual experience, but as an activity that can be appreciated, enjoyed, and shared by groups, classes, families, and organizations.

Yes, art does matter.

Today I’m here to say it once again. Yes. Art does matter, and I’m seeing that truth in a new way. Art matters not only to those of us who create it, but to those who receive it, as well.

As you know, I’m currently exploring mixed media art and putting together a personal art journal. As part of that project, I’ve subscribed to a “subscription service” with Let’s Make Art, an art company here in Missouri. Each month I’ll receive a box with lots of fun art goodies — this month it was black ink, a gorgeous watercolor, and a lovely liquid acrylic — along with information on different journal ideas. Each week a new tutorial is posted at the website. I’ve shared this before when I showed one of my recent journal pages: Round and Round She Goes.

There’s something more that comes in each box. It’s a postcard, already pre-addressed, complete with a stamp. It’s part of a special program called “Let’s Make Art Matter”. Each month members from the art community take part by creating a postcard and sending it to a special, deserving recipient. A tutorial is provided for those who want to follow along, but artists can create anything they want for the postcard they send.

Here is my “Art Matters” postcard, created with the website tutorial and supplies included in the subscription box.

Here’s the story behind “Let’s Make Art Matter” and this month’s recipient:

“Every month we come together as a community to create small acts of kindness through art. This month we are sending encouragement to Nikki and Cullen. Nikki’s husband, Matt Moore, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at the age of 32 while Nikki was 7 months pregnant with their first child. 

Together they founded Live Moore Co. to raise awareness for colon cancer and encourage others to pay it forward with random acts of kindness to friends, family, and complete strangers.

Though he passed away in April 2017, Nikki has continued to keep her husband’s legacy going. The current pandemic our world faces only adds an extra layer of hardship as Nikki tries to explain to her son why his daddy is ‘in the stars’ and why he can’t hug his grandmother in light of current events.

Matt always believed in small acts of kindness as we never know what positive impact they will have on others, so let’s join together and send some encouragement Nikki’s way.”

What a beautiful way to share love and kindness! Of course, you don’t have to be a customer or subscriber at Let’s Make Art to take part in this month’s project. All artists are invited to follow along with the tutorial or create their own creative expression. You can then contact the company at hello@letsmakeart.com for address information.

In addition to the mixed media project, there is also a watercolor postcard for another deserving recipient. You’ll find it — and tutorials from previous projects — here: Let’s Make Art Matter.

It may seem like a small thing, a simple thing, and maybe it is. For me, this project had special meaning. My younger sister died from colon cancer at the age of 50. Sending a word of encouragement to someone whose life has been affected by this horrible disease is one act of kindness I can do, and I know through the Let’s Make Art community that others are sending cards, as well.

Maybe you’d like to take part, too. Maybe you have a moment or two to spare to show a little compassion, to brighten someone’s day, and to share a few words of encouragement. Thank you for caring. Thank you for sharing.