Washing Off the Dust: Why Art Is My Escape
Lately, I’ve become obsessed with art. Looking at it, reading about it, buying it…
It all started last year during a trip to Atlanta. I stepped into the High Museum of Art to see the Georgia O’Keeffe exhibit, “My New Yorks,” and I was shocked. While most people immediately picture her iconic, enlarged flowers or the rugged landscapes of the American Southwest, I found myself absolutely captivated by her urban side. Her paintings of towering skyscrapers and the misty East River were such a pleasant surprise. There is something about patterns, geometric structures, and clean lines in two-dimensional art that speaks to me. I so appreciated seeing O’Keeffe’s precision in those cityscapes since I was only familiar with her flower and desert landscapes. My love for art doesn't stop at straight lines.
I’ve found that same appreciation for structure—but with a softer, more ethereal edge—in the work of Rachelle Kearns. I first discovered her on Instagram, and her pieces stop my scroll every single time. I’m particularly captivated by her ability to capture light; it’s like watching pixelated sunbeams dancing across the water in her Mercyscape - Many Waters series, or filtering through a quiet forest in Lost & Found. I recently bought a signed print of Bloom - Ps 23:2-3, and I couldn’t resist picking up some of her notecards.
By contrast, I am deeply moved by the fluid, emotional world of sculpture. One of my "happy places" is the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia. If you haven't been, it’s a must—seeing the works of Auguste Rodin alongside those of his collaborator (and lover), Camille Claudel, is a breathtaking experience. I was even lucky enough to stumble upon a few of his pieces in Atlanta, too!
For me, art isn't just something to look at; it’s a way to exercise my appreciation for beauty and life. You can feel the solitude in the street of O’Keeffe’s City Night (1926). Progress, purpose, and productivity is captured in her East River from the 30th Story of the Shelton Hotel (1928). The soft light and breeze in the trees of Kearns' Lost & Found links us to nature. The connection to people is personified in the gentle, divine touch in Rodin’s The Cathedral, and the passionate emotion of Eternal Spring.
I feel so fortunate that art, music, opera, and dance were woven into the fabric of my upbringing. That value hasn't faded over time; if anything, it’s become more vital. In a world full of endless tasks and obligations, appreciating art is an important outlet for me. Picasso said it best, "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
We all need a way to rinse off that dust. Whether it’s a painting, a melody, or a sculpture, I encourage you to seek out what moves you. Find your art. Find your perfect pause.
Because you deserve more than just a break.
Trip to High Museum of Art in Atlanta last year
O’Keeffe City Night, 1926
O’Keeffe East River from the 30th Story of the Shelton Hotel, 1928
Rodin Eternal Spring