Art: What It Means To Me
Throughout history people have been captivated, inspired, and affected by art. Some artists use paint, ceramics, or wood. Others are sculptors, photographers, musicians, and dancers to show their version of art. Art comes in many shapes, sizes, and forms, and all are special and unique to the artist. Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Warhol, Monet, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt are famous artists that most people recognize.
As a young boy I watched my mother paint, she loved it. She painted animals, people, landscapes, cabins, mountains, and more. She took lessons, and although naturally gifted to paint, some areas were harder than others for her. She always told me that painting faces were the hardest to make look realistic, especially the eyes. A couple of my favorite pieces of work she completed were an eagle and a Native American woman.
Painting of eagle by my mother, Kay Kern.
She used her paint palette often, and after she passed away on April 8, 2013, it was the only item I wanted. I’ve never been artistically gifted but her palette draws me closer to my mom each time I look at it, perhaps that is why. It now is framed so everyone can view it, and I see it, as a piece of art itself. Some see flowers in the dried up paint, some have said they see something else. To me, it’s a piece of my mother, her history, her legacy, her memory, and I’m so thankful to have it which is a reminder of her spirit.
My moms paint palette
When writing my book, “Passion In Action - Pursue Your Passion to Create Your Success,” I hired Amy Larson to be my editor, and we met in my office to discuss the book project. In my office I had a couple of paintings that my mom did hanging on the wall. During our conversation she told me that she used to paint, but that she hadn’t done anything with it since high school. She was interested in the paintings on the wall during our conversation about my book.
Amy has published many books, contributed articles to many magazines, and is a highly talented and skilled at writing. During the course of editing my book, she read it from cover to cover at least 3-4 times. Maybe it was the timing, or perhaps something in the book, but shortly after it was published, Amy’s life changed. She started painting again, a lot. She posted them on social media and they began to sell.
She now paints full time and has painting parties allowing anyone to experience the joy of painting. Her life has 100% changed and she is doing what she loves, helping others, and is making money in the process. She has put her passion into action, which just makes my heart sing.
Fast forward to 8/31/17. Lisa and I decided to attend one of her paint parties, as I have had a yearning to paint for some time, pretty much out of the blue. I had never painted before and considering I can’t really draw a stick person very well, it’s odd I wanted to try it. My daughter Heather, my good friends Dave and Lisa Peterson, and my father also attended.
Amy, as you can imagine, was an excellent instructor. She would paint a portion and then we would do the same. This went on for about 2 hours and eventually we all completed our paintings. There weren’t any “you didn’t do this right” or “you can’t use that color” or “that doesn’t look good.” How can you truly judge art?
Starting with some paint, using the paintbrush as our tool, adding imagination and whatever you felt at the moment, it turned into something, it was exhilarating, freeing, and for the entire time I wasn’t thinking of anything else, just painting. My mind was focused, my heart was in it, and my mother was in fact with me. I brought her paint palette in case I needed a little extra motivation. For the first time I realized, at least a little bit, why my mom loved painting so much.
Before and After
Although everyone attending were painting the same picture, none were identical. Each one had its own personality, look, feel, and attitude. Some used vivid and brighter colors with sharp strokes, while others used smoother lines and calmer colors. I think there is something inherently special about painting, and I’ve only just begun, which is really exciting.
1/9
Aside from it being a special night in trying something new and experiencing something my mom loved to do, I believe it triggered something inside of me. I knew I wanted to do another one. I knew I wanted to paint more. I wanted to learn to become a better and versed artist. The next day my office was full of blank canvases, every color of paint, paint brushes and an easel. I also hired Amy for 10 hours of private lessons which I’m sure will be beneficial in a variety of ways.
Painting is now Amy’s focus, life, and business and getting others to experience it is her mission. Well, it seemed to work for me, as I’m hooked. My book helped Amy follow her passion of painting and a year later and in a roundabout way, now it is leading me to painting, something I never dreamed I would do as I’m not very good at it.
That is one of the things that I love about art. Unless you are trying to duplicate the Mona Lisa, art is very subjective. Whether someone likes your art or not, really isn’t that important. If someone doesn’t like your style, it’s okay. I don’t plan on comparing my art to anyone else, that’s the beauty of it. I define art as "Art is an expression of one's feelings and emotions at the time it’s made."
Webster's Dictionary definition of art is: “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.” Notice it didn’t say “...to be appreciated by others.” To me, art is an external way to express what is going on internally.
Me and Amy Larson with my first ever painting
Not having more than one painting under my belt, I can already see the value of art.
Art makes you think. There are some artists that I don’t get or even aesthetically like, but it still makes me think.
Art makes you feel something. Art brings out emotions such as joy, laughter, anger, connection, empathy, peace, and more. My time in Italy planted the seed that I am now watering with vigor. Looking up at the Sistine Chapel, after seeing it many times in magazines and on television, brought with it powerful emotions.
Art last longer than most things, it stands the test of time. Looking at the Statue of David in person was amazing. The sculpture brought with it many feelings, and considering it was made in 1501, clearly art isn’t lost as time goes by, quite the opposite usually.
Art could be considered the universal language. No matter where you are from or the what language you speak, a painting or a piece of art, doesn’t need words to tell you a story. A painting dating back 800 years ago of a sunset, or how a city looked, doesn’t need words to convey the meaning.
Sometimes, art just makes you feel good. Have you ever experienced that? You see a painting, sculpture, or dance that just makes you feel good inside, and you aren’t sure why. Although trying to find the answer might be an interesting prospect, the actual reason is inconsequential. Art can make you feel and to be honest, you don’t need to know why.
Perhaps my paintings will make people feel, think, and are enjoyed. However, I choose to paint for me, and only me, and the response whether good or bad, isn’t why I am choosing to paint, nor is it important to me.
I hope my future paintings will make me feel, think, and learn more about myself through painting.
Perhaps painting will be a new passion for me!
If you want to experience an incredible evening of painting with Amy, just click here.
Ronald Kern might be considered the epitome of an entrepreneur. He was the founder and CEO of a multimillion-dollar private investigation company, which started in the basement of his parents home and became one of the top five (5) investigation firms in the United States. It, as were his multitude of other businesses, were sold in late 2013 allowing him to "retire" at the age of 44.
Since retirement, he started Passion In Action International, which focuses on positive life transformation of individuals, which in turn, effects all areas of their life.
Happily married for 26 years, Ron and Lisa founded two non-profits, LIMBitless and Voices of the Rescued.
LIMBitless helps the adaptive community and wounded veterans.
Voices of the Rescued helps survivors of human trafficking.
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