In Defense of Fantasy
“Edge of Becoming” acrylic & oil on canvas
Playing With Reality Through Imaginative Works
I remember being at the movies with my ex-husband and his dad. As we waited in line to purchase tickets, we stood by a ginormous advertisement for the upcoming Hobbit movie.
“The Hobbit! The movie I want to see most ….. said no one ever.”, my father-in-law said.
This joke felt a bit confusing and deflating for me because that WAS one of the most widely anticipated releases of that season. Instead of shrinking down, I confessed shamelessly that at the very least, it was the movie I was most interested in seeing.
While my family loved all things fantasy, my ex-husband’s family just weren’t into it. And that’s just fine, I have never taken it to heart. They were, however, vocal about how they deemed it frivolous. Childish.
Another anecdote:
Recently, I had a conversation with a respected friend while we listened to some highly imaginative music. The Gorillaz, I believe. I revealed that I love music with highly imaginative lyrics. They set off vivid images and stories in my mind. He told me that he used to like this kind of music, too. Until he worked through some of his issues and became more settled in his real life. He no longer needed music like this to escape into. I respect that, and I also find it a bit limiting.
Even though I believe to my core that fantasy is powerful, I still catch my mind telling me sometimes that I shouldn’t paint fantasy images because people won’t take me seriously or spend money on it. It’s strange how sometimes things stick with us… regardless of whether we agree.
Because even though I LOVE fantasy and find it incredibly valuable, there certainly is a part of me that cares about whether it’s worth my time if it’s not going to be valued by others.
So I want to take a few minutes to write in defense of fantasy. To tell you why I don’t ever see myself abandoning fantasy stories and illustrations.
A Safe Lense to Examine Reality
The human imagination is an amazingly powerful tool. What we experience in our imaginations is often also experienced physically in our bodies. Engaging in fantasy provides a measure of distance so we can engage with topics inside our imagination, whether they can be excruciatingly difficult or wonderfully joyful. We can try on emotions and consequences as though we are experiencing them in real life. And then look away and return to our real lives armed with that new understanding.
Of course this is particularly useful for teaching children about the world without exposing them to danger. But it can also be used for adults to help shape perception, increase empathy, connect to self, and elevate understanding of the world.
Mold Your Own Our Reality
I utilize fantasy in the form of guided meditations on a regular basis. I have been on journeys through the cosmos to consult gigantic stars, tended a lush and every-changing inner garden, fallen off cliffs without getting hurt, and more. And I’ve opened my eyes at the end with surprising new insights.
Top athletes and performers use visualization as a way to practice techniques and prepare their body for success. Studies have shown this to be quite effective and predictive of success (in tandem with actual physical practice, of course).
Some of my digital work
A System of Universal Symbols to Converse About
When it comes to fantasy specifically, we are provided with highly recognizable symbols, tropes, and archetypes. We can understand them at an unconscious, deep level, explore their form and function, and recognize them in our real lives. Think of your ex-lover who felt like a seductive vampire draining you of all energy. Dragons can be either tremendous challenges we face like a cancer diagnosis OR fierce guardians of that which we hold sacred.
And this makes the work flexible and approachable, too. You never really know exactly what meaning another person might take out of a fantasy story or which elements they will be most attracted to. It will most likely be the meaning that they specifically need right then in that moment.
Let’s take A Court of Thorns and Roses, as an example. Fairy smut. That sounds VERY frivolous and entertaining, doesn’t it? But it also might teach a reader about what a bad relationship looks like vs. what they want to look for in a partner. And the reader didn’t need to go through (another) abusive and controlling partner IRL to come to that realization.
Coping With Reality
My imagination gifted me with an image of a sky witch and her raven friends riding a magical storm cloud. As I painted it, I felt strengthened to endure some of the challenges I had been going through at the time. And when I look at that image now, I remember my strength.
And of course, YES, fantasy is fun!
Our imagination allows us to play with reality. And learn about life in a container of safety. And that sounds extremely valuable to me.
If you agree with me, why don’t you check out some of my imaginative paintings here? I run shop updates from time to time, so feel free to send me a message if any pieces particularly strike you.
