10 Ways That ‘Doing Art’ Helps Us
Deciding to take myself to task and visit my website through the eyes of someone visiting for the very first time, I think I might like to see this post.
I would like to see the simple Whys listed out.
Why is drawing/creative art good for us? What does it offer, and what might it deliver, and in short, why might it be good for me?
I’d also like to see that Sam (me) really does have the chops to help me find my way into drawing and art.
So here goes - in no particular order.
Making Creatively Slows Time Down & Brings Calm.
When our hands are leading the way, our minds follow suit. When we think about completing a crossword puzzle while making an omelet, we can see that it would be hard to think of the answers - whilst making sure that we don’t burn our eggs!
Making art is the same thing. Whilst our hands are actively engaged in drawing, painting, collaging or cutting, our brains and minds don’t have time to overthink and rule the roost. By allowing our hands to lead the way, our brains and minds settle down and climb into the backseat - cue relaxation.
Drawing, Painting & Making Encourages New Learning
We learn by doing. Making any sort of art is a doing activity, we can’t think a piece of art into being. I once had a beautiful art studio next to the home of two world-class violinists. I would hear them practising daily.
Art, drawing, making, and painting are the same. I could no more ask you to play Beethoven’s Fifth the first time you picked up the violin than I could speak flemish myself without having spent any time learning the language!
Time spent doing is the key here, as you do, you learn. Your confidence grows, and learning, well, that takes care of itself ❤️
Making Art Reduces Our Negative Chatter
A little like my first why, actively engaged hands lead the way in turning our minds down, especially that negative chatter, which can have us on our knees.
Other words for this negative chatter are: Inner Critic or Fear.
Both, surprisingly, are our friends. They exist to ‘keep us safe’ and stop us from doing things we might not usually do. They are mechanisms we need, if I wanted to jump off a cliff, or run down the High Street in my spotty bikini, my fear and inner critic would be leading the way in my not actually doing so.
The problem comes, though when our Inner Critic/Fear/Negative Chatter becomes so loud that it stops us from doing much other than the everyday essentials.
Our worlds can become very small when we stop trying new things. We know (logically) that life is a smorgasbord of both good and bad experiences, it’s important to recognise that by trying new things, we get to find golden eggs that have not yet been found.
Drawing, Painting, Making Art Encourages Connection
By engaging with the world of art - by making, doing, buying, appreciating, learning- we become part of something bigger than ourselves and our own little worlds.
We might go into an art shop to buy some materials, we might join an online course (recorded of live, it doesn’t matter) we might find ourselves having a conversation with someone at the bus stop about watercolour painting, we may join a local in-person art class, or a one day workshop - art connects us in with other humans.
This happens naturally. We don’t need to push it; connections occur, conversations happen, and friendships are made. The first step is ALWAYS the hardest. Stepping over the threshold of the art class, actually purchasing the online art class that you’ve been watching for a while (and no it’ really doesn’t matter if you don’t finish it completely) that first step is always the most difficult.
Over time, your confidence grows, and first steps become easier. I’ve been it myself many times when clients book returning events with me, it’s magical to witness.
Making Art Improves The Flow of Blood Around Our Brains - Improving Cognitive Function
I am no scientist, but I have read articles which tell us that when we make art, the circulation of blood increases in certain regions of our brains, most noticeably the pre-frontal cortex, which is also known as the ‘reward centre’.
Also elevated are our Dopamine levels. (We love Dopamine!) Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that delivers feelings of pleasure, achievement, motivation, and attention. Dopamine is made in our brains and is released during rewarding activities (like making art).
Increased blood flow to our reward centres, mixed with a release of Dopamine elevates our moods, and reduces stress.
Cognitive Functions are the internal mechanisms we need to live and understand life.
Cognitions are mental processes that we use individually to understand everyday life.
Everything from memory, how we read body language, how we know when someone is trying to hide a surprise from us - are all learned-on-the-job experiences we have gathered since childhood form our mental processes. As I say, I am no scientist and feel way out of my depth writing this (it’s definitely NOT at AI), but my main point here is that we each individually have systems that are common to us all.
As we age, or perhaps through trauma, our Cognitive Functions can decline. Practising art and experiencing art (by way of a concert, exhibition or theatre) can improve our brains (remember the improved flow of blood to our reward centres?) It can also lead to the formation of new neural pathways.
There are some wonderful academic studies to lose yourself in around this subject. The new (and welcoming) term Neuroaesthetics is so interesting.
I encourage you to take yourself on a little trip with Dr Google - you may find what he/she has to say is as fascinating as I do.
Making Art Brings Us a Sense Of Purpose.
If I were making a list of benefits of making art in order of what we gain from doing art, I would probably put this one at the very top. Numero Uno.
Purpose. My own secret sauce to life.
I think that sometimes people believe that we are born with a purpose. Some people have one, others don’t, rather like a talent. I refute this. I don’t think we are born with one; I think we have to pull one down and work towards it.
We get to choose our own purpose. It can change and it will change; this is entirely normal.
I often tell my children/young adults that when life gets unbearable (as we all know it can), pull down the emergency cord of doing something for someone else. This might be cooking an apple crumble for your flatmates, walking an elderly person’s dog, sorting shoes at a local charity shop - anything that gets you out of your head and helps other humans.
That, right there, is pulling down a purpose.
Of course, we don’t need to be in a pickle to pull down a purpose. Your purpose might be shiningly obvious. It’s very likely to be tied to something you believe strongly in. If your local church needs a new roof and you are a regular church attendee, your purpose might be tied to raising money for the new roof.
Purposes change. I like to call my purpose my ‘North Star’ and I follow it wherever it might take me.
As an artist and a human my North Star is inviting as many people as I can reach into making art for the joy and good doing so delivers. I get to encourage people into doing something enriching and feel-good - whilst also covering the planet in beautiful artworks.
Your purpose DOES NOT NEED TO BE BIG. Having one just helps us to find the spring in our step to when getting out of bed in the morning.
I watched the film below by Clark Kegly, and really enjoyed it. It’s brilliant.
You Do You. Art Fosters Individuality
The artwork I make is going to be VERY different from the artwork that you make. This is entirely natural and to be encouraged.
We might begin from the same place, perhaps a Still Life set up of some flowers and fish, but the way you paint it, arrange it on your paper or canvas, will be different from how I might.
One is never better than the other, just different.
Styles of artworks vary. Style is something that comes about naturally after the learning process of using the materials. Our own unique style isn’t necessarily something that you can see either. I have people telling me that they can see my style in all the different types of work I make, animal portrait paintings to landscapes. I can’t necessarily see it, but that’s ok.
When we bring ourselves to the canvas or paper, we only have ourselves to make the work! Individually happens all by itself.
Art Can Make Us Feel Better About Ourselves.
I once ran a workshop where I was told by an attendee, looking at the work he had made, that he realised he wasn’t the person he thought he was at the beginning of the day, he had learned that he was also a person who could make the artwork he had made.
Of course, my lip wobbled when he had left. What a moment for a tutor to have.
Regardless of the art talent you tell yourself that you have (or have not, in most cases), completing an art project, class, or piece of work brings about feelings of accomplishment and ‘I did that’.
Self-worth is something we don’t really discuss enough in society. Low self-esteem needs a little attention. Art can help, especially with the right tutor. I encourage you to do a little research, read some reviews of the art teachers/courses that appeal to you and do yourself a HUGE favour, as you meet or email them before you start your course - tell them that you are not confident.
By sharing this, you are looking after yourself.
Remember the rest is done on the job - or in the course. ❤️
Making Art Gives Us an Emotional Outlet
So I’m not necessarily talking here about screaming or weeping your way into your local art class!
This is more about what happens on its own, in the artworks you make. Sometimes we don’t have the words, but we do have the feelings - making art can give our emotions release and somewhere to direct and or see them.
Try it and see how it works for you.
When Making Art, We Move Our Bodies
Do you remember ‘Musical Movement’ at school? Acorns into trees in plimsols! Ok, so making art is not this. No colourful Zumba leggings are needed, and certainly no legwarmers. However, making art does need us to move.
A couple of years ago I was gifted a Fitbit for Christmas (I had asked for one I promise). I’ve worn it religiously since and it tells me daily by way of some beeps and vibrations when I have reached 10,000 steps a day. Daily my beeps arrive about 4pm, I arrive in my studio around 9.30am - thats how many steps I’m making here in my art studio - more than I thought by a country mile.
Although we may well be sitting down, we are still moving. Not only are the cogs in our brains clunking away using up precious calories, our upper bodies are moving too. Our hands and arms are in full swing and when you need to change your water for watercolour painting (you always need to change your water) you are getting up and moving around.
We may not see that as movement, but it absolutely is. Also if you have to catch the bus, walk up some steps to your class, that’s included too.
All movement is good movement; art moves us in more ways than we might think.
This has to go down as my most involved post ever. I wasn’t sure that I would complete it as fully as I had wanted to, but I have and my sense of achievement is palpable.
For years I have wanted to state out the case of why making art is good for us humans. I’ve hinted, suggested and known, but never completed the deep-dive it deserves.
Now I have, I’m happy.
Much love
Sam x
