The View of Your World

6/26/2021 2:26:34 PM
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A friend and I were talking not long ago about how artists see the world differently than non-artists. As we were discussing this she said that as a visual artist, her world is wonderful but that her job as a graphic artist was more of a curse. That took me by surprise. She explained that in her world, there are billboards, signs, etc. everywhere, therefore she is constantly thinking about the type face, the images, the layout. I remembered while out with her one day as we drove past a sign, she commented that every first year student knows not to put white text on a yellow background. I was amused. I think she was not.

I started wondering how other people see the world in the context of what they do as a living. Do they feel their world is richer because of what they do or do they wish they could leave it all at work after hours. Here are just a few of the responses I got.

I asked a musician if he hears subtle nuances in music that others don't hear. He didn't know how to respond but his wife replied that when he practices the piano the music sounds wonderful to her but he will be upset and complain that he didn't play well. He is a perfectionist so his music can be a blessing and a curse.

A teacher told me that everywhere she goes she sees teaching opportunities. As an example, she told how recently while driving through a canyon, she saw a rock formation and thought about how that formation came to be, then wondered if she could get some good rock samples for her class. I asked her if she got tired of seeing the world in the terms of a lesson in the making. She says she loves it, it makes her world richer.

A personal trainer told me she constantly views other people in terms of their health. When her husband and kids complain about a headache or something else she immediately starts asking them about health basics such as, did you drink enough water or are you dehydrated. Her family finds it annoying at times but she loves helping others feel well.

As an artist, my world is visual smorgasbord. I feel blessed. Every time I open my eyes, my world is full color, texture, patterns, and light.