5 Reasons to Appreciate Art (Even if You’re “Not an Art Person”)
Because attention is the rarest resource we have.
I’ve always been a creative. My childhood dream job? A Spice Girl. My dad’s dream for me was a bit more classical—he wanted a concert pianist, hence my name: Rhapsody in Blue. I danced for 16 years, did drama club, and walked fashion shows. But for a long time, I viewed "Art" with a capital A as something other people did. I grew up with a best friend who had a full art studio in her house; she sold pieces and showed in galleries.
Fast-forward to life in Miami—a city where art is the unofficial middle name. For the last five years, I haven't missed an Art Basel.
I used to be nervous to gush about my artistic obsession. It felt too whimsical, not "executive" enough.
But Miami taught me a lesson in habitus: Art is a gateway to the elevated life we seek.
Whether it’s a masterpiece or a banana taped to a wall (looking at you, Maurizio Cattelan), here is why cultivating an eye for art is a requirement for a well-lived, high-impact life.
1. Art is a Quiet Historian
Every piece carries a narrative—a culture, a warning, or a dream. Look at the walls of any major university or boardroom and you will see exactly what that institution values. Art tells us who and what mattered in a specific moment in time. When we study art, we aren't just looking at paint; we are witnessing the preservation of history.
2. The Ultimate Emotional Intelligence Workshop
Art puts us back in touch with the emotions we’ve muted to survive the "hustle." Whether a Jeff Koons balloon dog makes your inner child squeal or a somber portrait unsettles you—that reaction is the work. * The Practice: I try to pause in front of anything that grabs me and name the feeling: Why does this move me? What is this bringing up? This isn't just "looking"; it's training your EQ.
3. A Lesson in Stewardship and Community
Behind every artist is a crew: patrons, advocates, and connectors. Supporting art is an act of stewardship. Buying a piece isn't just a transaction; it’s a relationship with the artist’s legacy. It’s about championing a vision and bringing others into the story. That is how communities are built.
4. Cross-Training Your Creativity
Your medium might not be oil on canvas—maybe it’s strategy, coding, motherhood, or community-building. But creativity is universal. Appreciating art is really about appreciating what humans are capable of imagining and making real. It reminds us of the spark and possibility within our own work.
5. Developing the Power of "Deep Seeing."
This is the ultimate leadership skill. Art teaches us to see not just what’s in front of us, but what’s behind it: the intention, the layers, and the risk.
Leaders who see deeply lead differently.
Mothers who see deeply nurture differently. Art trains us to pay attention—and in 2026, attention is the most valuable currency we have.
Rhapsodi in Art Basel Miami 2025
How to Start
If you’ve ever felt intimidated by a gallery, try the 60-Second Rule: Stand in front of one piece for one full minute. Don’t read the plaque. Just look. Let yourself feel something, imagine something, and see something new.
Join Us at Art & Soul 2026
If you are ready to move from the sidelines into the heart of the movement, I invite you to join HerKind on Saturday, February 7th for the 13th Annual Art & Soul Celebration at PAMM.
It's the party of the season—it is the engine that powers the PAMM Fund for Black Art. Your presence helps the museum acquire historic works, ensuring that Black stories are not just told, but preserved in the permanent canon of art history.
As a special gift to our HerKind community, use the code below for a special discount on your tickets. Let’s practice the "art of deep seeing" together under the Miami stars.
Event: PAMM Art & Soul Celebration 2026
When: Saturday, February 7, 2026
Where: Pérez Art Museum Miami
Ticket Link: Purchase Tickets Here
Exclusive Discount: Use code HERKIND2026 for $25 off your ticket.
