I Like It Because...

If you're my facebook friend, or if you live anywhere in West Michigan, then you know
ArtPrize
is the happenin' event of the moment. I've really been into it, not because I'm a big art fan and know a lot about art, and not because I like to be "in," but more because it's a happy thing that is bringing people into conversation about something other than our state unemployment rate. It was fun to see all the bazillion kinds of art. It was fun to meet the artists and talk with them. And it was fun to see so many people amazed and delighted. I can't remember the last time I saw that.

Tonight I was on this
blog
reading someone's short list of artists to see. At the end he gives his reasons for choosing those artists. It got me thinking about the artists I liked and why I liked them. It was only a few moments thought before I found my common denominator. I chuckled when I realized it because that's what I like in stories as well. I liked the pieces that surprised me, like
Georgia Donovan
and
John Hamelink
. I liked the pieces that made me laugh, like
Giovanni Arce
. I liked pieces that were warm and just beautiful to watch, like The
Beerhorst Family
and
Maggie Annerion's
piece.

I liked some pieces that challenge too. I liked
Fernando Ortiz
and
Denise Milito
/Josh Gormely. But I only like certain kinds of challenges. I like a challenge that is about redemption (see why I chuckled earlier?!) and hopefulness. I don't mind thinking about things differently, but I don't like it when it's angry and shoved down my throat. I saw pieces all over the place that made me reconsider how I saw everyday items, shapes or colors. I especially liked
Thomas Verstraete
for that.

I know sometimes life is hard, ugly and uncomfortable, but I guess don't need art to remind me of what is. It's what's possible that I forget about.