Returning to the Joy and Power of Art
As children, we understand the ease with which art flows from us. It’s in our nature to create, so why does art-making so often fade as we enter adulthood? Or, if it doesn’t disappear entirely, it often becomes a more mental, analytical process. We begin to believe that art must be either “good” or “bad,” and we learn to be endlessly critical of our creations rather than intuitive, forgetting the simple joy and release that art can offer.
Art is powerful. It connects us to realms of pleasure, imagination, and joy. It brings feeling to the forefront, and when we lean into feeling, into bodily presence, we’re brought back to our intuition and truth. Art is so powerful, in fact, that it can reconnect us to ourselves. And that is dangerous to oppressive systems that depend on our disconnection. When we are attuned to ourselves, we become more discerning, less eager to consume, and more trusting of our inner authority.
So how do we return to the joy and wonder that art once evoked in us as children?
We create with intuition and the body leading the way. We embrace the ugly, the messy, the imperfect, and honor the release, the presence, and the dance of creation. In short, we create for our own pleasure, first and foremost. In art school, we may have learned that external validation is the ultimate goal, that the viewer’s opinion is what matters most. But in order to reclaim the joy of creation, we must return to ourselves. That is the key. And it’s how I’ve personally found my way back to a more joyful, inspired art-making process, something that wasn’t always easy for me.
“Uzume” a digital art piece by Kara olson
The artwork I create today is born through intuition. It’s within this flow state that I connect with the greater creative muses that bring each piece to life. In this present-moment state, I’ve learned to set aside judgment in order to truly find myself. I encourage you to do the same: release your judgments and trust that your body can guide your creation into its highest expression. Let yourself sink into the pleasure of being present with your body and the moment at hand. There’s no need to overthink—just flow, play, and enjoy.
I chose to share the particular piece above because it carries the energy of Uzume, a goddess of laughter, dance, and joyful mischief. Her spirit reminds us that when we let ourselves flow freely and trust what wants to emerge, when we follow our curiosities and take creative risks, what comes through us can be delightfully surprising. Not just to ourselves, but to those who witness it. And in doing so, we offer something the world deeply needs: joy, truth, and wonder.
You can explore more artwork here. I’m wishing you a future filled with fruitful creation, color, and play.
P.S. You can hear more of my thoughts on this topic in my podcast episode, available on YouTube and Apple Podcasts.
❤️
Kara
karaolsonart.com