Japanese print, artist unknown
February is the month of love or the month of proving you love someone by spending a ton of money on one particular day on the calendar. Fancy dinners, boxes of chocolate, beautiful flowers, all these are wonderful…for a little while. By the end of the day, week or month all of those are usually gone and possibly forgotten.
I encourage you to show some love through art. Yes, money may still be involved but it will last a little longer than dinner or flowers.
Here are 5 ways to share some artsy love
1. Buy the one you love some art.
This is a no-brainer. It doesn’t have to be big or expensive (although it’s ok if it is!) but just something that reminds of the one you love or something you think they would love. Even though I am an artist and can create about anything I’d like, I still enjoy buying other art. I bought my husband a print on a wood block of blue jellyfish for his birthday. He loves jellyfish displays at aquariums and it made me think of him. When he used to travel to Japan for work, he would bring me a small print as a souvenir.
2. Commission an art piece of the one you love OR of something they love.
Most of my commissions have been gifts for other people. I’ve had several wives and children commission pet portraits for their spouse or parent. I even had someone commission a flower painting for her grandmother!
3. Give an art print card.
This is almost the same as buying art but with dual purpose. You can express your love in the card and your loved one gets a print that they can frame Yes, us artists know you do it and it’s ok. Even a few dollars buys more paint!
4. Make some art yourself.
Ok, sound hokey but hear me out. Every year for Mother’s Day my husband used to have each of the kids do a handprint and then he’d write either a simple poem or draw a simple line drawing. Now my husband is in telecom and is SOOO not an artist (sorry, dear, I know you’ll read this) but he’s creative and sweet. Do a doodle or rope the kids into helping. Your love will appreciate it! If creating solo makes you nervous then see #5.
5. Experience some art
Couples painting together at a Paint ‘n Sip
Either go see an exhibit or festival with that your love wants to see AND be patient when they want to stop and see every little thing (husband…hint, hint). OR go sign up to take a creative class together. DIY classes have now grown from the Wine and Paints to creating pottery, jewelry and everything in between. You get the experience of creating together and a physical reminder at the end of the class.
Have an Artsy Happy Valentine’s Day!