So obviously I don’t suspect you of using your considerable art superpowers for evil lately.
But sometimes it’s really helpful to be reminded of why we are not only allowed to flex the old art muscles on a regular basis, but also that there is the extra incentive of how it benefits the world at large when we do.
Not to mention that if you need some kind of justification or motivation, making something for a purpose beyond yourself is a pretty good one.
That said, I still believe that art is done for ourselves first; we don’t do the art in order to serve, we do the art because we must, and often we find that service evolves from the process.
{And sometimes it doesn’t – at least not in any immediately obvious way – and that’s fine too.}
Thus, eight ways to use your art for good, should you need such a reminder or catalyst.
gifts
I’ve given a lot of my art as gifts over the years.
I’ve also been given a lot of art.
It’s a wonderful way to give something personal, unique, and unusual, and makes a great gift for big occasions – weddings {paintings of wedding bouquets are popular}, births, anniversaries, birthdays, to commemorate a beloved pet who has moved on – and smaller ones.
{See also ‘cards’ below.}
Even better if it’s something specific and relevant to the receiver.
Do they love a certain colour? Do they adore having flowers in their home that you could immortalise in paint?
You can create something specific to them – a painting of their home, their kids, their favourite dress or shoes even – within your own personal artistic style. Just maybe make sure your style is to their taste if you’re doing a big one. 😉
cards
Art cards are a win on so many fronts.
Create a quick and easy set of greeting cards ready for any occasion by cutting up a painting that went awry, or using a big old joyful mess you make for that exact purpose!
{Click here for an example shared before I knew how to take decent photos.}
I make hand painted cards for my father every year on his birthday and Father’s Day and he loves them so much it’s worth the extra time and effort.
auction for charity
I know there’s a lot of dispute about whether it’s a reasonable way to spend your painting hours, but there’s a difference between being offered the ‘opportunity for exposure’, and choosing to do it because you want to.
I was invited to participate in an art auction to support the preservation of a tide pool used extensively by the local community.
It aligned with my values, so I was happy to do it.
{And it was very well organised – all I had to do was paint the small board they sent me and post it back.}
And it doesn’t have to be anything formal.
You could auction off a painting of your own on Instagram and donate the proceeds, or a percentage of them, to charity.
I did a version of this when I used to run my annual Secret Sale.
A percentage always goes Kiva, because I like to support other women running their own businesses.
giveaways
This year I decided to give away an original painting on Instagram on the 21st of every month, my birthdate.
It’s been a fun monthly project for me {sometimes having a specific ‘outside’ purpose for painting is the best way to actually do some!}, and so far six people have been happy to receive an original painting as a gift.
Plus, because let’s be transparent about this; it’s an easy way – for both me and my Instagram friends {I ask them to tag a friend as a condition of entry which takes about two seconds} – to spread the word about my work.
Using your art for good is allowed to benefit you too! 😊
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art with a message or story
Some things are hard to express in words, but art offers a means to tell a story or make a point in a way that can create instant impact.
Murals and street art are a great example of this, but it can be something much smaller and closer to home.
What story could you tell with your art? What comfort or empowering message could you share?
This would also work in combination with giving art as a gift.
one for one
I just made this up because I was thinking about Toms shoes, {they donate a pair of shoes to someone in need every time you buy a pair of theirs,} but I’m liking it as an idea!
For example, you could do some kind of offer whereby for each painting sold you give one away.
Maybe you’d make a set of quick and easy paintings – you don’t have to give away a twelve week masterpiece – just for that purpose.
Something to ponder.
guerilla stones
I went through a phase of making these.
I called them guerilla stones because I’d go on stealth missions and leave them tucked away in public places for people to find and keep. I have no idea what became of them, but that’s the point.
It wasn’t about deciding outcomes, or recognition; it was about a fun little creative game for me and a potential anonymous pick-me-up for someone else.Â
There was always the possibility that one of my little messages cheered someone up at just the right moment.
There are plenty of other ways to do this too, like placing ATCs, or hand painted bookmarks, in library books.
painted postcards
It’s so easy to whip up a quick little painting, and such a lovely personal way to say ‘thinking of you’. In fact I created a fun little workshop to do this very thing! Click here to find out more.
Also great for travelling and sending original and unique postcards from the road.
for your own pleasure in process
Because the art is never truly made in isolation.
The beauty is you can ‘indulge’ in what makes you feel good, in what feels meaningful and necessary, and because of the effect that has on you, even if you don’t show anyone the actual result, it ripples out to the world around you.
I for one am much nicer to be around when I’m honouring my creative urges.😊
These ideas all show that giving and receiving are inextricably linked; there truly is no selfishness in following your heart and giving to yourself, whatever society might have us believe.
And it’s not always about receiving money – there are so many ways to be rich, and so many ways to give that don’t cost us.
I can’t have exhausted the possibilities. What other ways can you use your art for good? Share your ideas and stories in the comments!
You are a gem!
Tara.. I love this post largely because I have been pondering ways to share my art beyond just selling! Im in the works of setting up some sort of monthly giveaway, I have gifted art to family and friends, donated pieces for charity. I love your idea about ATC cards etc and leaving them somewhere to be discovered. I’ve also thought about the Tom idea. Great post Tara thanks for sharing
Love a bit of synchronicity. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it Marianne, and thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
I love these suggestions Tara. I’m not currently selling my art (as a relative newcomer, it feels a bit of a stretch) – but I think giving away some of my art could help to build my confidence, as long as I don’t use it as an excuse to chicken out completely!
Hi Julia – I think there’s something to be said for NOT trying to sell your work before you’ve spent some time building your relationship with it. I hadn’t thought of these as a way to start getting used to the idea of putting your work out there – great point!
Love your ideas Tara, thank you for sharing. One of my artist friend came across your blogs and passed it on. I am grateful to her too.
I do few of those already but never tried the Instagram one. i will give it a go.
All the best with your work too
Belgin
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Hi Belgin – thank you for the kind words! Happy you found something you like here. 🙂
Strangely enough I’ve just read your post while waiting for a painting to dry 🙂 As you probably know I have not been brave enough to put any of my art “out there” yet, but I really agree with your last point. Thank you for including it. Pleasure in the process is so important. The days when I make art I am calmer, happier, more settled in myself, and so much more alive. I’m sure these vibrations get passed on to others. Love your other ideas too xx
So happy to hear you’re still painting Elizabeth! Lovely to hear from you. Are you still in the same place in France?
Yes, still painting but currently trying watercolours – this is a whole new ballgame for me! I am travelling light right now so wanted some supplies that were easy to pack and watercolours came up as a good option. Spending the summer in Copenhagen (amazing housesit opportunity) so all change at the moment. Will be sharing more on my blog soon xx
Wow sounds exciting! Look forward to hearing more! Also, I used to use the watercolour = logical for travelling thinking, until I realised I hate watercolour, lol. Now I like Intense blocks {water soluble}, waterbrushes, baby wipes, charcoal and a little pot of gesso.
Oh, I like your travelling kit! I might get some of those blocks. My experiments with watercolour are interesting so far……
Sometimes I use materials that otherwise would go into the trash to create a piece of art. Not sure if this exactly fits the topic but collaborating together on a piece of art, and even painting in a group builds relationships and fellowship with other artists. Like in person in an art class or outdoors. I also consider participating in an online group class like Abstractify, a daily themed art hashtag exercises (some call them challenges) something that spreads our creative sparks and uplifts.
Andy I love this – such a great point! Thank you for adding it – so so true that collaborations can be ‘for good’ too, in terms of relationship building and fellowship, as you say.
All my friends have been inundated with my art for years! They’re too polite to ask me to cease and desist. A lot of them are my bible study friends –from our Been There Done That bible study where we discuss how we’re just as bad as they were back then. So that led me to my “art with a message or story” — trying to make old hackneyed religious images look new and alive. I have just recently begun to be confident about this– thanks to all the encouraging and inspiring Tara online art courses I’ve taken, and also my fellow online artists. I love your Guerilla stones idea. I have given away lots of sets of painted stones with phrases like “Lion of Judah” and “Lily of the Valley” painted on them. Maybe I’ll start hiding them in public places. Love your fantastic influence on so many of us, Tara!
Always such a pleasure to read your comments Linda – absolutely love the story about your bible study group and how it led to your art with a story. Happy to hear too that my work has helped contribute to your artist journey!
Hi Tara thanks for your newsletter once again with wonderful ideas. I like the ideas of the cards. I have over the years had prints of some paintings made, would these be accepted on Instagram do you think?
So glad you enjoyed it Beryl! Yes you can absolutely share photos of your prints on Instagram.
Just discovered your blog….I’ve been too sick(stomach & back problems ) to do my art on the easel and on my computer for the last year and 3 mos. …. I’m getting well & trying to get back into it now.
Enjoyed reading a couple of your blogs so far
…on the “What to Bring While Traveling” one…
What do you bring pot if gesso for? And what are the 2 pens in the pic ?
This “light weight & consolidation” may help me get back into it (I like design, color, and thickness of medium on canvas )
P.S. – Any other tips for me ?
Glad you’ve been enjoying the blog Jeanne! I bring the pot of gesso because I like to use gesso instead of white, as well as to block out areas or knock them back. Not sure which photo you’re referring to with the pens, but I usually use pens by Uni or Faber Castell Pitt pens. Hope that helps!
Thanks for the advice to make art for gifts. I am hoping to give personalized gifts to friends and family for Christmas and I would like to do this. I will need to get some new supplies but it could be a great way to spend my time over the next couple of months.
Yes that’s one of the things I love about it too – in making gifts we get to receive as much as to give! Win win. 🙂