Why Creating Art Is Good For Us

Engaging in art is more than just creating a pretty something. Engaging in art is actually good for us.

Making art requires problem solving and experimenting when we are trying to work out how we are going to get to the end result that we desire. How we fix that part that didn’t go quite as planned. How we mix the colours that we need. How to get the texture the way we want it. How we get these two materials to bond together. So much of creating involves problem solving and experimenting. This also sees us being creative as we think outside of the box on ways to achieve what we are trying to achieve. In turn, this develops patience as we wait for certain parts to dry or cure, or bake, etc. and this in turn develops perseverance as we don’t give up at each little challenge or delay. These are all skills that translate across other areas of our lives and help us to live life more peacefully and successfully.

Creating art helps in developing our fine motor skills. This is vitally important for our children as they learn to write at school, but it also assists in everyday life tasks. Our fine motor skills can improve at any stage of our life, so if you feel that your control over a pencil to draw detailed sketches, or with a paint brush to paint fine details, isn’t great, then just keep persisting, as like any other skill, the more we use it the better we get at it.

Making art in an environment with others sees participants connecting with each other as they share and encourage one another, as well as showing respect for others. Creating with others gives opportunities to give, and receive, constructive feedback. This not only allows us to improve our artworks (which boosts our confidence and makes us feel good), but it gives us the chance to learn from others, to share with and assist others, to consider the feelings of others, to have conversations with, and build relationships with others around a shared interest. Feeling part of a group is important and good for our wellbeing, and art with others can provide this.

Creating art is a great stress buster! This is why adult colouring-in books have become so popular (especially in this crazy Covid year). So many people have discovered how relaxing it is to get lost in something as simple as colouring-in. Making art uses the right side of our brain, and allows the left side (the language side) of our brain to have a break. Have you ever noticed that when you are fully engaged in some sort of creative activity that you lose all track of time and before you know it an hour or two has slipped by, but at the same time you are feeling really relaxed? Bingo! That wonderful relaxed feeling, that is so good for our wellbeing, can be achieved by spending some time creating art. I teach art once a week at a rehab/wellness centre as part of the house guests’ recovery programs. The centre also engages the services of an art therapist each week too for the guests, and that’s because the benefits of art on people’s mental health and on their physical and emotional health is being recognised as greatly beneficial. What better reasons can there be to put aside a little time each day or two to do something creative? If you don’t do so already, why not give it a try?

I’ll end with a quote from Henri Matisse,
“Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play.”
If you wish you had those creative qualities, you can develop them - just spend some regular time creating art. If you would like to join in on an art class, or an art workshop, for yourself or for your children, then please contact me via the “Contact Us” button at the top of the page and I can help you out.