For many people, art is considered just a hobby. Painting is something you do on a lazy Sunday afternoon while drinking a delicious cup of espresso and calmly looking back on your workweek (which is almost a myth in itself, as very few people have ever had the time to do this). The fact is though, art is so much more than previously thought, and here are just a few examples why:

1.) Art facilitates communication. Art is not a math problem, meaning there is no right or wrong answer. No one argues with you if you prefer one painting to another. Sure, they may ask why, and then voice their own opinion, but yours is not discounted in the process. Because of this, people are naturally more apt to openly communicate in an artistic forum.

What’s more, the act of communicating itself is like a flood gate, meaning open communication about one thing often leads to open communication about another.

2.) Art facilitates self-expression. Ever heard the phrase, “A picture is worth 1,000 words,”? Of course you have, and for good reason. Some things are just too difficult to explain, but a picture can make it all seem clear. Here’s a great example:

If you’ve ever seen the music video for Foo Fighter’s song “Best of You”, you can see there is an incredible mashup of emotion. The video shows pictures and words symbolizing such emotions and concepts as fear, anger, hopelessness, sorrow, innocence, regret and beauty. What you might not know, however, is that the director, Mark Pellington, was allowed complete creative freedom by the band as a way of coping with his wife’s death. The resulting video is basically a blueprint of his grief, set to the soundtrack of the band’s song “Best of You.” It’s riveting, and you can see it here.

3.) Art encourages tolerance. It is impossible to judge in a roomful of art. You may not like a particular sculpture, but you have no idea as to who made it. A beautiful painting can be made by anyone, whether they are black, white, gay, straight, developmentally impaired, old, young, republican, or democrat. In the world of art, we are all equals.

4.) Art facilitates team building. Working on a group project at work can often be deceptive. If each member of the group breaks off into individual jobs, they may not actually feel like they are part of a collaborative effort. A group painting, however, is instantly collaborative. Just by looking at it, you can see the individual brush strokes, and if the people in the group had been changed, the brush strokes (and the entire painting itself) would be a different final result. Collaborative art projects team members to work together in an environment where their contribution is noticeable and immediate.

5.) Art is fun. Not often enough are we able to do something that we actually enjoy, and especially something that is crucial to the development of specific skill sets. Add a little art in your life and see how it will most certainly change you for the better.

I am imaging you right now, sitting on the edge of your seat, and watching the players all around you while wondering what the next few minutes, the next few months and the ensuing years will bring. Will it be opportunity and wealth? Will it be the loss of a lifestyle you never truly valued until it was threatened? Will you be part of the action or will you be wondering what exactly happened?

Some say the Bakken is a boom, some say it can never bust and if it can’t bust, it is not a boom, but simply a fact; a very fast growing fact. I argue that energy, by nature of the beast, booms. It also busts, it maintains, it sustains, it frightens and it excites people and cities. Whatever your stance, fear or possibility, these are crazy times. Opportunity, pitfalls, excitement and fear may swirl around you and if the one constant in this game of life is change, well here you are, smack dab in the middle of it. So, what are you going to do? Cower or pounce?

I hope you will look around, take stock of those beside you, behind you and in front of you and say ‘these are my people.’ And when you say ‘these are my people’, I hope you will hear the depth of commitment and feeling that comes with that statement. You are in this together, somewhat like marriage and the vow of for better or worse, here you are, moving forward…together. All you have is each other and this thing called possibility.

In this blog I will talk to you about taking care of each other. About working together, embracing the best of each person and blessing them with your skills and knowledge. I will ask you to be your best and in being your best to help others to be their best. It does not matter if they are competitors, partners, neighbors or family. When you work together there is an opportunity for real growth, for real satisfaction and for the boom you hear to be the best kind of boom, the boom of fireworks and closed doors being blown open.

Adjust your stance and let’s move forward by working together.

Copyright 2011 Karen Grosz for Canvas Creek Team Building