I’m not an artist. Words have always been my obsession; drawing even the most rudimentary object has long elicited peals of laughter from my more artistic children (they get it from their dad’s side). But my appreciation for art, and the lessons art can teach, has continued to grow over the years.
I recently had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the world’s most revered artistic treasures on a trip to Paris and Amsterdam, and I was able to watch my 18-year-old daughter take in works by Degas, Van Gogh, Renoir, and countless others. I saw her absorb their history and gain new inspiration for her own work.
Art builds connection, even across centuries, and expands the idea of what is possible. We touch on that topic and many others during a wide-ranging conversation with six talented locals in our first vive artists’ roundtable. Learn more about their biggest challenges and most exciting plans.
Our arts issue also takes us into the studio of woodworker Michael McDunn, on the hunt for buried treasures with Laura Mazzola, and on the stage with Greenville’s own Grammy winner Peabo Bryson. From sports to decor to the latest in electric vehicle design, there’s no shortage of inspiration to be found in our pages.
It’s taken a while, but I’m learning that it doesn’t matter if I view myself as an “artist.” The point is simply to keep creating.
