Living Artfully in your Own Town

Concetta Antico of Mission Hills encourages everyone to live life to its fullest.

When morning breaks forth through the azure blue at the end of a frayed cloak of night, are you awake? Do you leap forth from your sleepy self eager to hear the sweet song a bird will serenade to you, or bust a dance to the beat of a full melodic neighborhood chorus? Contrary, can you hear the silence and see the glitter of a late, late night while watching the planets at play inside a tranquil mind?

How you begin each artful day supports either your fresh newfound joy, or coddles your mundane melancholy. Living artfully in your own town takes creativity. Allowing yourself to see the budding beginnings and opportunities of a new 24-hour canvas, the limitless day and night designs that are there awaiting your creative desires, is a marvel, a renewed ritual masterpiece.

Every town has its treasures, all requiring no passport! To begin, many historic places exist that are often considered just “for those passing through.” They are never adventured. Too often these cultural jewels and heritage havens exist right under the noses of natives who never venture to see them. What knowledge and abundant interest awaits those who make the intention to visit the “visitor” spots. Too often I meet folks in my hometown San Diego who have not enjoyed the majestic gardens of the historic Marston House, have never picnicked in Tecolote Canyon, or who have only seen the sublime Cabrillo Monument from afar. What a shame!

When in my true hometown of Sydney, Australia, I rejoice in playing “tourist” and fall in love all over again with its sandy shores and sunlit seas. While reliving my childhood days, I take pleasure in enjoying the unbelievable brilliance of The Opera House designs, disappearing into the heavenly Royal Botanical Gardens which hugs Lady Macquarie’s Chair and feeding ducks at Centennial Park. By revisiting the places of our youth we flood the spring of our eternal youth and awaken the child within us yet again. In these places, as in any place of beauty on this great earth, we are born again.

Have you camped in your own backyard lately, s’mores and all? Gazed the stars with your family? Fished from a local watering hole, or meandered down a canyon trail collecting native flowers along the way, delighting in a nature walk of wonder? Do you know where the inspiring public art is in your town? Have you studied the precious prizes in your museums and galleries? Have you mused with a good book in a private spot in a park near your home and crunched a crisp seasonal apple while you soak up the sun?

I urge you to explore your town artfully today. To peek-a-boo in places less found and amble down dusty roads on walkabouts of surprise. You will find that your hometown habitats are far less mundane than your usual rush and ruts allowed. You will find your Artful Spirit and become alive again when your days and nights become travel opportunities just a stone throw away from your own front door.

Concetta welcomes your creative thoughts and ideas at Muse@ConcettaAntico.com. Her Salon & Gallery are located at 1920 Fort Stockton Drive, Mission Hills, San Diego and are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and by appointment.

Concetta writes a monthly column for the Presidio Sentinel, Serving the Heart of San Diego. The paper is a Publication of Presidio Communications.