Friday, January 20, 2012

Art

I love this quote from Emily Freeman and it was a perfect choice to write on my big chalkboard one Saturday some crafting took place here.

Just thinking about art gets me excited and opens up that place inside that longs to feel alive. I've waxed on and on about my love of beauty and how it speaks to me.

A few nights before this, I watched a movie that I'd seen recommended in a recent magazine. Babette's Feast. I had no idea it was a foreign film, or that it was subtitled or what it was really about. I could only guess based on the title and with a moderate G rating, what did I have to lose?

Well, for the first long time of the movie - I wondered why I hadn't turned it off. Nothing was wrong with it - but there was no plot, and I could not really figure out exactly what was going on. Emily watched most of it with me and she was enjoying it - so we persevered.

The last part of the movie redeemed the whole thing for me and made it so worth watching. Babette {a French refugee} spends all of her money for one dinner. It is a work of art. It is sacrificial and beautiful and inspiring. The recipients of her art don't really appreciate it for what it is until later. And, I don't think that they get why she would do something so extravagant for them.

But, see - that is just it! She does create art for them {in her case, cooking} but she also does it for herself. You can just see how alive she is in the kitchen. What joy and care she is taking with each dish, each plate, each presentation and impression.

YES! This reaches that place in me that longs to be like her in the ways she was artistic and true to her art. My art is not someone else's art. I am an artist. Right or wrong, it is my art. My eye that sees the beauty. My heart that was created to create and beautify.

Valentine hoop art inspired by this.
Silver Chalkboard inspired by this.

12 comments:

Lisar said...

It is funny that you mention Babette's Feast as it is one of my most favourite movies of all time and I am waiting for it to arrive via QuickFlix....can't wait to see it again

LynnMarie said...

You do have an eye for beauty! Love is all around your home.

Mary Ann said...

I may need to watch that movie! I love the hoop art and the peek at some of your master bedroom decor. That room is the hardest to decorate for me, it seems!

I think I often over think art instead of just enjoying the moment and the creating of it all!

*carrie* said...

Monica, I've seen the movie 2 or 3 times, including during my time at L'Abri. Beautiful story!

More than Survival said...

I have never seen that movie, but I do LOVE To cook and creating in the kitchen does make me feel ALIVE! I have never thought of it as an art, and now I will. Also, it is true that others don't always appreciate my "art" the same way I do, but for me I have to focus on the joy it brings me... not get my total joy from others enjoying it.... Great post, Monica! And I do very much enjoy your art!!

peggy said...

I have never seen the movie but I keep the story at hand and re-read it again and again. Maybe today I will just one more time. I always pin something from your blog have you noticed? Happy Friday.

HeatherMavis said...

I saw it about 17 or 18 years ago I guess. I don't think I appreciated it then as I might now.
I Do appreciate the line from your quote "don't question it". Oh my ,how guilty I have been of that! Comparing my talents with others is how I think the questioning starts. It has held me back from doing anything at all sometimes.
I had a feeling that I had repeated myself yesterday. I thought I lost the first one so I did it over. Oh well.

Annie said...

I first saw Babette's Feast about 15 years ago. It is far and away one of my favorite movies. I love all of the themes that run through it. And, no matter how many times I've seen it, each time brings something new to appreciate.

Did you know it's based on the short story of the same name by Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixon), who also wrote Out of Africa? It's equally good, but the movie is a *very* good adaptation. So glad you enjoyed it!

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

Oh, I had to watch Babette's Feast in Scandinavian film class when I was in college ;) :) It's a good film, but very quiet, so it's hard to sit through. Yes, she created this dinner with her lottery winnings...and it was really neat :) :) It added some spark to the everyday livesof the villagers :) :) Everything is beautiful if you take the time ot make it that way :) :) Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather :)

Mom said...

I watched Babette's Feast with Carrie several years ago and remember especially the part where she prepares the elaborate meal and her enthusiasm about it -- and that is the same enthusiasm I see in you when you are creating something beautiful! :) Keep pursuing the beauty of the art you create and thanks for sharing some of it with the rest of us! Love you, Mom

Kendra Fletcher said...

A lot of spiritual metaphor in Babette's Feast. Beautiful, sacrificial.

Sarah Belle said...

I love that movie. Friends of mine think i am crazy :-), i think it is precious!!