I get strength from my art - all the paintings I own are

Hear the words of Madonna Ciccone, spoken with the fire of one who has lived boldly: “I get strength from my art – all the paintings I own are powerful.” These words remind us that art is no idle decoration, no mere play of colors upon canvas. It is a living force, a mirror of the soul, a vessel of human passion and suffering, of triumph and transcendence. To gather art is not to hoard objects, but to gather fragments of spirit, to surround oneself with voices that speak across centuries, whispering courage, urging strength, igniting the heart.

For in every true work of art lies the struggle of its maker. The brushstrokes of a painter are the scars of battle fought within the soul; the pigments are the distilled essence of joy and anguish. To gaze upon such work is to drink from a well that never runs dry. Madonna’s words remind us that strength is not always found in armies, in gold, or in power, but in the quiet presence of art that uplifts and renews. For art, when true, carries within it the immortal flame of its creator, a flame that can pass into those who behold it.

Consider the story of Winston Churchill during the darkest hours of the Second World War. Surrounded by ruin and threat, he turned not only to speeches and strategy, but to painting. With brush in hand, he found calm, renewal, and a strange invincible strength. The canvas became his refuge, his fortress against despair. In this we see the truth of Madonna’s declaration: art itself can be a weapon against weakness, a source of power when the soul is weary.

So too, history is filled with men and women who found their salvation in art. Van Gogh, though consumed by turmoil, poured the fury of his spirit into his paintings, and today they radiate an energy that lifts countless hearts. Frida Kahlo, bound in pain, transformed her suffering into visions of haunting power, leaving behind works that grant courage to generations. Each canvas is more than paint—it is powerful, because it speaks to the deepest places of the human spirit.

Madonna’s words teach us that to live with art is to live among companions who never falter. Each painting upon her walls is a sentinel, a guardian of her spirit, reminding her of beauty, resilience, and the endless capacity of the soul to create. In her confession we see a universal truth: when surrounded by art, the heart is fortified; when nourished by creativity, the spirit cannot easily be broken.

Let this be the lesson for you, O seeker. You need not own priceless paintings to draw strength from art. You may create with your own hands—sketch a line, write a verse, sing a song—or you may visit the galleries, walk among statues, or simply pause to watch the colors of the sky. To welcome art into your life is to welcome renewal, for it reminds you that you are part of a story larger than yourself, one where beauty rises even from sorrow.

Therefore, take action today. Surround yourself with art that speaks to your soul, not because it is costly, but because it is powerful. Create, if only for yourself, and honor the creations of others. Let art be your armor when despair comes, your torch when the night is long, your wellspring of courage when strength runs low. For as Madonna declared, art is not lifeless—it is living, breathing, and powerful.

Thus is the teaching: seek your strength not only in the world of flesh and stone, but in the world of spirit and creation. For art, when embraced, becomes more than image—it becomes strength, it becomes power, it becomes the voice of eternity echoing within you.