Art is a Tool for Resillience
Last year I did an experiment.
I started painting art pieces for each of my coworkers in the office. I took requests of what people wanted and then I would spend my evenings and weekends time making work they found meaningful. I made 20+ art pieces and am still working through more.
Why did I do this?
Because I wanted to use art as a way of connecting with people. I didn’t want my art to just be a beautiful item that hung on a wall. I wanted it to be something that touched people’s hearts and brought me closer to them. Here are pictures of some of the items I created, and three key takeaway lessons I learned from this experience.
1. People derive meaning and value from different things in life.
Some of my coworkers and friends valued experiences, while others valued relationships, inspiring leaders, and others valued animals. By creating art that visually represented something they valued, I was able to understand them and support them on a deeper level.
2. I felt less stress and anxiety about my life.
Instead of anxiety, I felt more rejuvenated through the act of drawing and painting on a regular basis. This isn’t just true for me though, a 2016 research paper in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association found that 45 minutes of creating art in a studio setting significantly lowered cortisol levels.
3. Through consistent practice, I was able to see the world differently.
I was able to exercise a new mental muscle and skill that allowed me to see more beauty, love, and meaning in my own life as well as the lives of others. I became more human.
If you want to learn more about the positive impacts art can have on your brain, check out this NPR article. If you are already using art as a creative hobby, read my other post about developing a style. To check out more of my recent art, follow me on Instagram
