I grew up with two parents who are artists, perhaps not in the classic terms of "artist", but nonetheless, artists.
Both of my parents worked in Hollywood, my father designed & built commercial sets, meanwhile, my mother worked in graphic design, curating movie posters.
Growing up I was always subjected to art. My mother had this idea that I was going to be an artist someday and she really wanted to see this idea come to fruition. I was enrolled in summer art programs, colored fairy dresses in my spare time, started oil painting lessons in sixth grade, and submitted and passed my AP Art portfolio by the time high school rolled around.
But either way, I never really enjoyed doing art, in fact, I found it sort of stressful. Make one mistake with a colored pencil and then you have to go to great extents to make the issue seem nonexistent. Perhaps my resentment stemmed from my accessibility to art, or maybe I just didn’t find it relaxing.
But if I look back at my childhood now, I’ve come to realize that I actually took to “art” more then I think I did because of art’s manifestation in untraditional conduits. What I am trying to say is that art takes form in more ways that we recognize and it is actually quite critical, so it’s about time the stigmas are removed and the attitudes are replaced concerning art creation:
1. Pastry Curation
Remember that beautiful cake you got for your birthday? Or the cute cupcake you gave your sister for graduation? Those are both forms of art. To pip and decorate a cake is no easy task, but the results are beautiful and very creative.
2. Landscaping
Have you ever looked at your neighbor's yard and thought, “wow, that looks a lot better than mine?” Well, maybe your neighbor has a better artist doing their landscaping then you. Landscaping a beautiful manifestation of art; a blend of color, shape, and design put together to make an eye-catching landscape.
3. Residential Construction/ Architecture
Think of all the detail that goes into building a house! Foundation, support, pipes, wires, drywall, and more. But what about the design? The layout? The build? The is all a form of art. It is really a marriage of function and creative creation to make artistic functionality.
4. Cinematic Creations
That movie you saw last week? The funny commercial you watched last night? The whole creation is an act of art. From the dynamic of the actual commercial or movie itself to every detail within it: make-up artists, designers, directors, etc. It really is a work of art.
5. Interior Design
Have you ever considered how much thought is put into where a couch should be placed in regards to a lamp, and what color carpet will complement the throw-pillows? The entire compilation of interior design is an intricate mesh of design and functionality.
6. Stylist
Some people are said to have a better sense of style then others. This means some people are more artistic than others. Fashion, whether the creation or the layout, is an act of art in itself.
7. Window Displays
All those stores that you walk past downtown have put an excessive amount of thought, design, and consideration into how to make window displays that are eye-catching to those on the outside, but also representative of what a store carries.
8. Floral Arrangements
There is a difference between throwing some flowers in a jar and sitting down and putting 30 minutes into intricate floral arrangement. Those who make floral arrangements, corsages, or boutonnieres are excellent artists of their own kind.