Story amplifies art.

When a piece of art has a story behind it, we can relate to it more deeply.

After all, stories are the language of the mind.

Change your stories, and you can change your life.

I've been experimenting with sharing preambles and stories before each piece of music I play. I notice more audience engagement every time. More people come up afterward with something to share.

The stories we share are bridges to one another.

I am visiting Carmel, a wealthy seaside town in California saturated with art galleries. Each visit to a gallery is a sensory fun. But beyond the aesthetics, how can I truly connect with a piece of art?

Knowing the artist's story and concept is a gateway to that connection. When I see a painting of apples reflecting on tinfoil, I can appreciate the craft.

But what's the story? Why did the artist take the time to paint this?

Let’s be clear: the story doesn’t need to be fancy or compelling. Authenticity is enough.

If those apples were purely a technical exercise on the artist's path. Amazing. It represents the artist's priorities and philosophy.

Consider Picasso, creating painting after painting for the craft itself, even without a gripping narrative. Knowing that still helps us connect to the artist and their context.

Devil's advocacy before I close: what if the absence of a story leaves a vacuum? Is that so bad? Perhaps it gives us an opportunity to fill the void with our own story.

Either way, translating art into story is a powerful mechanism for connection—to ourselves, to each other, and to meaning.

Next time you interact with art, ask yourself: What’s the story? You might find a whole new level of connection with the work.