"Art is not a Luxury"

As a little reminder to the universe, the phrase "Art is not a luxury" is taped onto the mailbox of a very inspirational woman I know. I met this woman the summer before last when I spent a week volunteering at the Maya Angelou art camp. This woman created the free camp four years ago for the neighborhood children who live in a low income housing development in North Portland. Every summer the same kids enthusiastically look forward to returning to camp, this year bringing new neighbors, cousins, and friends with them. The woman I know welcomes them all, giving them a free week full of art projects, poetry, and songs. Working at the camp was the highlight of my summer in 2007 and it was equally delightful to return to help out this summer.

"Art is not a Luxury" carries several meanings for me. On one level, I think of my own need to create art. It is not something to be saved for a free moment, but something that is essential to my own wellbeing and that therefore needs to be given a similar priority to keeping my house clean or my cat fed. On another level, I think it also speaks to how sharing and owning art can enrich a person's life, and that one should allow themselves to spend money on artwork that they really love.

I recently came across the artist Geninne, whose art and life have also inspired me immensely recently. Here is some of her artwork which I am enamored with:


9/20 Limited Edition Print

Geninne created a series of twenty small bird prints which she is selling in her Etsy shop. I absolutely love how she illustrated old postcards with birds and plants inspired by botanical prints to create twenty mini pieces of art.

8/20 Limited Edition Print

Geninne also has an amazing blog. The past few nights when I have gotten home from work at 11:30 after working ten hour shifts with no breaks I have curled up in bed and unwound by clicking through some of her old blog posts.

6/20 Limited Edition Print

Geninne lives in Mexico with her family where she has created a life for herself that I fantasize about. Her house is art filled and very personal and she encourages her children to think creatively and openly.


10/20 Limited Edition Print

Thank you,
Laura