American Muslima Writer -Daring to Work Towards Jannah

The talent to make art and to use what Allah has given us to beautify the world is in no way limited by a field of study. I believe all studies of interest not just "hobbies" do have art in them and an appreciation of aesthetic values.
We like a clean home because the orderliness of a perfectly arranged house is calming to the inner artist. (all people not just "artists") The perfectly matched decor, lighting, furniture, accents all inspire us to the higher self.
Suzie said in a comment that what do people do who don't have a hobby and I really tried to think about a job or a task that doesn't have the quality of art in it. Even Language is an art unto itself though we normally don't see it this way as some of us curse the moron who cut us off in traffic.... Every job has it's orders to improve and promote the product/company. Even the task of stamping "accepted/denied" on claims has art. Where to stamp to have the greatest effect on the page. Plus the act of stamping is an art.... I always wish i had my father's job so I could use his "official" stamps.
Even taking care of our children we incorporate art... dressing children=fashion design; hair brushing= coiffure; food preparation=culinary art etc....
So even in the smallest task there has the chance for artistry to be expressed. Though sometimes we don't feel like we are expressing. It's all about changing your point of view though. If you think I have 15 minutes to whip up something everyone's gonna eat you're not realizing the potential of your time. In 15 minutes you can arrange a beautiful plate of multi-colored food (which is healthier anyways) that will have your family sighing or you can mush it all together and slap it on a plate. My younger sister-in-law taught me in Lebanon how to make a radish into a rose and from then on I really looked at food differently. The possibilities are amazing.
So perhaps we should all take the chance and stop rushing through everyday tasks and try to realize we are making art. You're not vacuuming, you are re-arranging carpet fibers. You are not driving the 9-5, you are moving harmoniously in the flow of life, meshing with the ebb and flow of Allah's Will. and His Artistry.

Surah27,ayah88 "Thou seest the mountains and thinkest them firmly fixed:(3318*) but they shall pass away as the clouds pass away: (Such is) the artistry of Allah, who disposes of all things (3319*) in perfect order: for He is well acquainted with all that ye do."
*Footnote3319: Atqana: to arrange or dispose of things with art, or so as to obtain the most perfect results. The present phenomenal world and the Future that is to be, all have a different object and purpose in the Plan of Allah, Who knows perfectly what we are, what we do, what we think, and what we need. Who can praise His Artistry enough?

Surah35,ayah27-28 "27: Seest thou not that Allah sends down rain from the sky? With it we then bring out produce of various colors. (3910*) And in the mountains are tracts white and red, (3911*) of various shades of color, and black intense in hue. 28: And so amongst men and crawling creatures and cattle, are they of various colors. (3912*) Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have knowledge: (3913*) for Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving."
*Footnote3910: Everyone can see how Allah's artistry produces from rain the wonderful variety of crops and fruits--golden, green, red, yellow, and showing all the most beautiful tints we can think of. And each undergoes in nature the gradual shading off in its transformation from the raw stage to the stage of maturity.
*Footnote3913: In outer nature we can, though colors, understand and appreciate the finest shades and gradations. But in the spiritual world that variation or gradation is even more subtle and more comprehensive. Who can truly understand it? Only Allah's servants, who know, i.e., who have the inner knowledge which comes through their acquaintance with the spiritual world --it is such people who truly appreciate the inner world, and it is they who know that the fear of Allah is the beginning of wisdom. For such fear is akin to appreciation and love --appreciation of all that marvellous beauties of Allah's outer and inner world ("Allah is Exalted in Might") and love because of his Grace and Kindness ("Oft-Forgiving"). But Allah's forgiveness extends to many who do not truly understand Him.

Those who have garden surely know the life cycle of plants and flowers and fruits. I eagerly go to my garden everyday to see if the tomatoes have gone from dark green, to pale green, yellowish, orange opaque, orange-red, and finally to that juicy tomato red that screams PICK ME! EAT ME! Such a long wait for a minute of satisfaction but it is worth it. It's a marvel to watch flowers slowly unfurl their colors not knowing the final result until they are in full bloom. Everyone knows the beauty of the rain and how it turns shades of green darker and tree bark deeper. Allah gives us beauty in everything He made. At the end footnote we learn the meaning under all of these messages is the spiritual message. That only Allah knows our shades of spirituality and can Judge us with His Mercy. If we seek the knowledge through fear and love of Allah then insha'Allah our eyes will be bestowed upon with the greatest beauties of artistry: Allah's Artistry.