To Care and to Create

“To care means

first of all to empty our own cup and to allow the other to come close to us. It means to take away the many barriers which prevent us from entering into communion with the other.” —Henri Nouwen

Something I loved about our time in Italy was how our profs made an effort to emphasize compassion, empathy, and open eyes while creating art. Art can definitely be therapeutic, as it should be! However, what we sometimes do forget is that art can also be a conversation and a gift to others. Something I long for and deeply appreciate about art is how it can connect people and speak to the soul regardless of language or worldview barriers.

I wanted to take the opportunity to share some writers and poets who I have found incredibly wonderful in how they encourage others to pay attention, love intentionally, and stay empathetic and compassionate.

• Henri Nouwen

• Mary Oliver

• John O’Donohue

• Annie Dillard

• Madeline l’Engle

This is most definitely not an exhaustive list, and I may do book reviews on this blog later. However, as connected to art, I think these writers are also creatives and create with such intention and love. This intention and love is both seen and felt in their work, and I want to strive to this end in my art as well.