My daughter, Alissa, is multi-talented. She created these two necklaces and pairs of earrings for me. I have several other creations she made over the years including other expressions of her artistry. Both my son and daughter are writers as well. These are truly ‘my people’:)
When is Art Not Art?
We experience, observe, decide, discern
as we grow, evolve and learn.
When ‘Art’ is Abuse, Sadistic, Masochistic,
without Conscience, Caring, Compassion,
it is clearly Not Art to me I see,
only abilities and powers misused,
sure signs of Hearts and Minds confused-
Life’s respect and dignity denied, refused.
What does this ‘Not Art’ plainly state
beyond personal preference and taste,
beyond collective judgments, agreements
of religious and social morality
swiftly or slowly changing, or not,
through intelligent questions and revelations
about Humanity, Nature, Evolution, Creation…
It states our ‘World Views’, perceptions of God,
of Life Itself, of who we are and choose to be
as we co-create our World, our ‘Destiny’.
‘Not Art’ is Not Art’s ‘Shadow’ of Duality
or ‘Negative Space’ of Formless Grace.
This ‘Not Art’ is a degradation of mentality,
a sickness of Heart and Mind and Soul-
though some may choose to call it ‘Art’.
I choose the Beauty and Joy of Life in Art,
finding meaning, purpose, peace, delight
in its power both magical and divine.
I, truly, do love Art…
August 14, 2025
(This poem pairs with my previous poem- Art and Artists. )
Shelley A. Wilson
Haileybury, Ontario
Art is the Bridge, the Gate, the Door to seeing, hearing, feeling Life as ‘So Much More’.
Artists are Creators, ReCreators, Transformers-
selves expressing the Self in many varied ways-
lives expressing Life in the sublime and mundane.
Artists are bridges, gates and doors,
revealers, inspirers, motivators, communicators
of the wonders and true magic of Life.
Art is Life expressing Itself in us-
we who open to Art as Life Itself in us.
Only Closed Minds and Hearts and Souls
limit, restrict, confine, deny Art as Life in us-
God’s own glory flowing through us,
measured and filtered though it be.
August 14, 2025
Shelley A. Wilson
Haileybury, Ontario
Creating something New from something Old
is an art, a skill, a pragmatic passion that fills my heart and mind with joy.
Here, I employ cuts to rearrange change
so nothing is lost and there’s gain in transforming what I still value
from what others may toss as loss-
an acrylic painting becomes a mosaic in process.
Each piece is different, not the same, like snowflakes and people, even ‘look alikes’,
so when I really look, examine, I realize what (like who) looks the same, isn’t.
Life is full of differences and similarities
even in global commonalities and ambitions,
even in local structures and systems,
even in neighbouring nations and cultures.
My humble mosaic inspires my thoughts as I playfully create my art.
Love of Life guides me, inspires me with more Love
to bring out the best in me and so, I Do,
by creating and recreating myself anew.
(February 14, 2025- Shelley A. Wilson)
Flowerpoet 
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