Last week, I got my Kemper Art Challenge package in the mail and dumped out all the random contents on the dining room table: pipe cleaners, fabric, paper, scissors, and glue— just to name a few. On the postcard of instructions it contained a loose theme, of which was something to the extent of animals. Listen, I don’t pretend to be an artist or a person who cares much for details! “Easy enough,” I thought. I asked my teenage son to make me an origami head of any animal of his choosing. He said it was a horse, but I thought it looked like a dog, so I went with that.
As I constructed the piece, molding pipe cleaners for the body, I kept thinking, “What am I even making? This is going to look stupid.” But I kept trusting the process, and would pick up something interesting and think, “Oh, that looks like a shield, and this looks like a saddle...hmmm, what can I do with this cotton fluff?”
My husband walked by with a confused look, “What in the world are you working on?”
And I replied with a French accent, “Do not disturb the artist!”
But here’s what surprised me; as I created my animal, a story line started to form in my brain. Ok this shield. What is the dog protecting?
I responded to me, “Well, she’s on a cotton fluff, so that could be a cloud. And maybe she’s protecting a dream?”
Yes, that’s the story. I would go on to name her Destiny the Dog, Defender of Dreams. I set the dog aside knowing I would go live with the museum the next day and discuss why I made this and the thought behind it. It gave me one full day to surprise myself.
They say art is therapy, and I know that to be true with children. It is very helpful in traumatic times to be able to communicate what they can’t say through sketches and crayons. I didn’t think it would be as helpful for me, as I am too grown up and too “mature”. But what happened was some self awareness: I am currently knee deep in the process of writing a book and it is difficult. Every day, It feels too big and too hard to accomplish. And I tell myself I can’t do it and no one wants to hear stories about my life—How dumb I am to think I could do this.
As I created my creature, and the story, I realized I was expressing my own battle within. Art was indeed imitating life. Destiny the Dog appeared and was the encouragement I needed to get through that day. I think we all need someone or something telling us it’s worth the battle.
Likewise, this art program, the arts in general — they’re struggling too. When we engage with our local art museum, when we honor them with our time, and perhaps our funds, it’s like we’re their Destiny the Dog showing up to say this work is important. “KEEP GOING,” we cheer!
So jump in! This is a fun quarantine shake up to do for yourself or with the kiddos at home through the fall and winter. I can’t recommend this project enough! But, they fill up really fast, so you’ll want to think ahead and jump on it now. You can sign up here.
