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Define Art.

It is a question proposed to most art students on the first day of classes. Usually to scare them a little bit, but mostly to open their eyes. I propose that we ask this question of everyone, not just the artsy kids with their crisp-clean sketchbooks.

Define Art.

It's a puzzler, ain't it? There are so many different kinds of art, how do you possibly include them all? How could you possibly exclude what isn't art?

The reason I put this forth, is because I have the firm belief that everyone can be an artist. Everyone is an artist. It's so easy to create art! I created a guide, just for you.

How to Create Art: The Definitively Indefinite Guide
by Patria A. Ferragamo

Create art when you are sad.

(write a poem)

Create art when you are happy.

(write a song)

Create art when you are in love.

 (paint a portrait)

Create art when someone breaks your heart.

 (paint an abstract)

Create art when you can't feel anything at all.

 (listen to a song)

Create art when you are bored.

(make a diagram)

Create art when you are exhausted.

(compose a song)

Create art when you want to talk and there's no one about.

(make a flowchart)

Create art when everyone's about and you want to talk.

(sketch their faces)

Create art when everyone's around and you want to be left alone.

(embroider a design)

Create art by yourself.

(pace a labyrinth)

Create art with someone else.

(scratch their name in the sand)

Create art with your hands.

(spin a vase on a wheel)

Create art with your head.

(make a perfectly organized spreadsheet)

Create art with your heart.

(dance in your underwear to your favorite song).

Create art with your soul.

(deliver spoken word at an open mic night).

Create art for the community.

(stitch a curtain for a youth group performance).

Create art for yourself.

(write a journal entry about your day).

Create art for everyone.

(paint a mural).

And I mean everyone.

(run for a political office, on a campaign you really believe in).

Create art for a price.

(take yearbook headshots).

Create art for free.

(style your best friend's hair for her wedding).

Create art at cost to yourself.

(knit hats for the premies at the hospital).

Create art at great cost for yourself.

(perform in an agitprop piece, get arrested).

Create art that doesn't accept the popular definition of popular.

(write a blog).

Create art when you are young.

(color Mom's face with mushy carrots).

Create art until you "can't create art anymore".

(glue pictures into a scrapbook).

Create art until you are six feet under.

(have flowers planted over your grave).

Create art even when there are bills to pay.

(write a book).

Create art even when there's Netflix to watch.

(learn to juggle).

Create art.

(make a promise).

I promise you that I can't promise everything. But create art - it's undefinable. Its liminal and fluid, impossible to grasp like water, but like water, we can't live without it. Art makes our time on earth, if nothing else, a little more interesting.

You know what else is undefinable?

The meaning of life.

Odd how two unquantifiable concepts seem to go hand-in-hand.