When I asked my dear friend Ruby Shang ’28 if I could interview her for an article about the artists in my life, she laughed. She replied simply, “I don’t think I’m talented enough for that, Melody.” Regardless of her love for singing and appreciation for crochet, Shang was still holding on to a notion that many of us have: art and technical skill must go hand in hand. I hope you will read along with me as I untangle this notion, attempting to convince you not to begin making art but to instead recognize and appreciate the art you and your loved ones have already been making.
When we hear the word “art,” oftentimes, a certain image can come to mind. It is easy to imagine a dedicated artist meticulously measuring ratios and learning color theory to perfectly capture an image. And indeed, this is one way to be an artist. Mason Wilkins-Lanier ’28 draws and paints realistic faces and objects. His work is sometimes eerie, often whimsical and always as visually accurate as possible. “I like seeing the result look like the reference,” he told me. While his pursuit of proficiency is certainly one valid approach to making art, many other artists have different priorities when they create.
Songwriter Jessie Cai ’28 is less concerned with the technical intricacy of her music than she is with the emotional effect of her lyrics. Cai started writing songs in middle school as a way to work through difficult feelings. She often writes for acoustic guitar, layering her cozy harmonies over carefully curated lyrics in GarageBand. Cai explained to me that her songs are very personal, so she rarely shares her work. Instead, she takes pride in making art that feels right for herself. “As a songwriter, of course, I focus on the melodies and the lyrics,” she prefaced, “but the [songs] I felt most satisfied when writing were the ones where the words were most genuine.”
There is no doubt that art has the ability to capture human emotions. Once these emotions are caught, however, the artist can make decisions about what to do with them. While artists like Cai gain quiet, independent fulfillment from their craft, others, like poet Sophia Rubin ’28, find that art’s joy also lies in the connections that are made by sharing it. Rubin’s poems, like Cai’s songs, are often a medium to process complicated emotions. But for Rubin, the emotional discovery does not end when the poem is finished. Instead, they find further satisfaction when someone else relates to their poem. “I love when I can share the same specific feeling with someone, and sometimes, the only way to get that across is through art,” they explained. “I love when I write something and someone goes, ‘That is how it feels!’”
What we decorate says a lot about what we love. An empty Google Doc, the walls of a dorm room or the end of a curvy hallway are all perfect venues for a shrine. And just as places can be shrines, so can people. This truth is exemplified by my beloved roommate Claire Blisard ’28. Blisard has a magically colorful way of decorating: this sense of style exudes from her walls, out of her closet and onto her being every day when she gets dressed. The bright colors, interesting textures and funky earrings that are essential to Blisard’s outfits convey the essence of her whimsical personality. In taking a few moments to check in with herself before she starts her day, Blisard’s dress-up time is a profound act of self-love which I am grateful to join her in each morning.
Still, I know self-love like this can be a terrifying endeavor for many. To break down this fear in others, Phoebe Bergan ’28 makes pins and friendship bracelets which she distributes regularly to her loved ones. If you are not yet ready to take the time to adorn yourself, it is such an honor to be adorned by a friend instead. When I received a handmade bracelet from Bergan, it was such a simple yet special gesture that meant the world to me. Accepting a piece of Bergan’s art told me, “I think you’re worth decorating.”
The aforementioned Shang may not regularly “do art” in any physical medium. Yet upon a bit of reflection, I recalled her wonderful knack for telling stories. Whenever we meet to catch up over lunch, I know I am about to experience a theatrical production specially curated for an audience of one. So, it made perfect sense to learn that she intentionally structures her stories to maximize suspense and humor. “I think it’s magical to turn an experience into a fun thing, or a humorous thing,” she explained. “Telling and retelling events really connects people.” And this, I believe, is the true essence of art: It does not need to be about skill and discipline but instead about what we say and how we say it.
So, despite her hesitations, it seems that Shang is an artist after all—one who works in spoken words. Still, words are one of many ways to get a point across. So, as I have asked her, I am asking you: How do you tell your stories from day to day? I promise, there is a tale to be told in the ways you decorate your space, your self or the margins of your notebook. And once you have gone looking for the artist in yourself, I implore you to find the artists that surround you every day. Get curious about their craft. What is their medium, and why do they love it? Ask them nicely to tell you their stories, and offer some of your own—this is what it is to be human. Thank goodness you are!