Likeness: The Art of Gifting, The Gifting of Art

By Jesse Wolf Hardin

Those who even remotely know me, know of my love for art in all its forms, and especially my appreciation for and support of those in whom art is something integral and essential, erupting like Spring flowers in jewelry and on canvas, splashed into reality with wet ink or delved into with digital dexterity.  Most who attended the Traditions in Western Herbalism Conference made life and healing into art, but recognized too were the visual artists who came like Kristine and Linda. While they may hope for some income from their efforts, their drawings are essentially gifts to nature loving youth and heart centered, fairy tale believing adults.

Everything we make more beautiful or meaningful is a gift, whenever viewed by or affecting someone, a gift to the one doing the creating first of all, then a gift whenever opened to and received.  With that in mind, I try to make my every act – even my most painful mistakes or glaring omissions – into intentional, message filled art that can in any way enrich, inform, awaken or heal.

That said, there really is nothing like actually creating art work when it comes to soothing and sating this thinking beast.  More than my essays, poems, photographs or even the most transportive rhythms on my drum, the swirl of the pen, brush or stylus is what frees me from mechanical sensibility and reinserts me into the sense-full.  I will make use of any of a number of reasons to take a break for the lettered keyboard and wordlessly bring about form in carbon shadings, earth toned paints or digital bytes: illustrating the conference book and poster, illustrative business or school logos for herbalists and others that we care about… and at times, feeling drawn to surprise someone with a special sketch or portrait.  This gifting of art, is for me an aspect of the art of gifting… not only pleasing others with expressions of recognition, lessons or love, but also doing it when least expected and potentially most effective.

Today I drew a picture for a wild child named Isabelle, to surprise her with a mirror of herself that will hopefully remind her always of her connection to not only the natural world and to the vital state of wonder, but to her intrinsic value and the value of a heartful path.  As little affirmation and influence and as I have been able to be to my blood children, it is all the more valuable to me to be able to encourage the offspring of others.  These musings are written in honor of my once “little ones”, for my dear Rhiannon, and for my every reader.  But Isabelle, this portrait is for you…

(Forward and Post Freely….Anima Lifeways and Herbal School)

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Categories: Jesse Wolf Hardin – Essays & Tales, The Wild Child

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