My Expressive Art

Self-expression is the manifestation of one's own personality; it is the assertion of one's individual traits. We want to teach independence, self esteem and creativity...but we want creativity to be led by rules. I love quotes because I use the creativity of others to express what I want to say, and for this I will quote:

Fay Weldon, "The desire for self-expression afflicts people when they feel there is something of themselves which is not getting through to the outside world."

Speech that wasn't meant to be spoken

I have these periods of time where I just want to express by taking photos and showing them, or I take them just for my own delight. I find in the eyes of people conversation not to be heard but to be seen. Nature is amazing; the palette of God talks to us every time and everywhere. Ansel Adams quoted:

"When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence."

If you have a camera there is a spot for your expression, some may be:

1. Aerial
2. Artistic
3. Black and white
4. Commercial
5. Documentary
6. Modeling
7. Nature
8. Night
9. Panoramic
10. People
11. Scenic
12. Scientific
13. Sports
14. Travel
15. Generic...

I also paint and draw, but for this I need my own space...silence or my music and I need to go inside my innards. The pictures below were painted by me when I was in a stage of life that it was better to not talk. I thank God for giving us diverse ways to get out other than the ugliness that sometimes is hidden. Ernst Ludwig Kirchner said:

"A painter paints the appearance of things, not their objective correctness, in fact he creates new appearances of things."

Everybody has the potential to paint. Hands do not make painters, there are great paintings by holding a paintbrush with the mouth or toes. Look around, there is always something interesting that is inspiring. There are three main types of paints, with different methods and different techniques for your creation.

1. Watercolor
2. Acrylics
3. Oils

I also go through moments when "This Muse" visits my thoughts surrounding me with rhymes and verses. People think that to write a poem it has to be perfect. I recommend that you just write, draw or play music...let that inner artist get away with creativity.

I wrote the poems below in moments that I stayed out of the reach of Internet and just went by my picture albums. Words that were meant to be read many times express our feelings much deeper; this is what happened in these poems.

C. Day Lewis, said:

"No good poem, however confessional it may be, is just a self-expression. Who on earth would claim that the pearl expresses the oyster?"

Expressing yourself by writing what really matters is your desire to let go of your thoughts, emotions and ideas. Some writers use guidelines to fit their writing purpose with their own style, be it a poem, drama, essay, history, story, etc. The thing is that what you want to express is:

1. Descriptive
2. Compares and contrasts
3. Expository
4. Narrative
5. Persuasive

I love you dearly and words will never express what not even my acts for you have done. The moment I knew that I was a woman I wanted to be a mother. The three of you are my gifts from God. I will not always be around physically, but you will always be in my heart.

I studied and worked hard to give you what society says I had to give. I know time and perhaps care was stolen from you for this same reason. Now you are adults and understand that parents have much to do to keep you guys in shape. I thank God that I could write and this message will reach your eyes.

Dare to write, spell, read, paint, draw, photograph, sing and play music...be yourself and express what it is in you. If somebody likes it or another doesn't it does not evaluate your talents. Your talent is valued by your own self-esteem.

God bless your expressions!

© Maria Magdalena Ruiz O'Farrill