“I love your art work…it is truly an expression of your soul at this time.” My friend Donna’s words expressed one of the many reasons why I create art.
When the soul rumbles so deeply inside that I can’t express feelings with mere words, I disappear into my art room and make something. Sometimes I have an inkling of what I want to do, but more often I don’t overthink what I choose to put into a mixed media piece.
If something moves me in the moment, I add the item. Sometimes I like the result and sometimes I don’t, but it doesn’t matter because I always feel better after an artistic binge. In fact, the very act of creating provides the release I so desperately need.
Here are a few other reasons why I make art:
- Reflection: Art helps me to reflect upon the state of my emotions and thoughts and to discover my deeper desires. When I craft my reflections into art, they become clearer to me. I made this mixed media after a disappointing experience I needed to process.
- Healing: The act of creating something is therapeutic. It’s like breaking open a bottled up soul and releasing the flow. In this piece, the bird in the bottle represents my trapped soul.
- Worship: My art is often an expression of those faint faith whispers, the subtle impressions I hope are messages from my Creator. I try to craft them into art in hopes of capturing their essence so I can remember to thank the Lord for all of His goodness and blessings.
- Comfort: Art comforts me and helps me to comfort others. Sometimes I find myself praying for a person and then think of making something to express my concern.
- Giving: I enjoy giving my art to people who seem to match certain pieces. My online friend, Cheryl Smith, writes a blog about abiding, so I made this piece with her in mind.
- Teaching: I make art to teach others. When I was a classroom teacher, I had a dough sculpture day with my struggling literacy students. My intent was to recreate what I grew up enjoying around our family’s table.
- This day is always a favorite. While students are sculpturing, I share more than the needed supplies and skills for the craft; I touch upon the secrets of developing a creative life. Their creations warm my heart.
- I also teach others how to make and decorate masquerade masks through posts. These are viewers’ favorites:
- How to Make a Masquerade Mask Part I
- How to Make a Plaster Mask
- How to Decorate a Masquerade Mask with Mixed Media
- Often readers ask questions about art techniques, and I enjoy answering them through comments. You can find all of my arts and crafts lessons by selecting the link on the home page titled “Creative Projects.”
Would I enjoy making lots of money from my artwork one day? Sure I would, if I could part with the pieces. But often they are connected with a particular struggle or experience so dear to me that I have a hard time letting them go.
Recently, I’ve decided to make some mixed media pieces based on my favorite themes to sell on my Etsy store. I figured this would be a way I could develop my creativity business and share my art with others. I sold a vintage mask that a customer bought because the message really hit her, “Freedom to Be.” She was at a turning point in her life and the message empowered her to choose the path she really wanted.
JoDee Luna Art 
Your work is magnificent!
The texture, colors, and medium are so diverse, yet so pure.
LOVE IT!