So, Why Paint?
Or Should We Ask, "Why NOT Paint"?
Neuroscience tells us that "right-brained" creative endeavors bring us back to ourselves. And that is always a good thing. We know that painting is fun and entertaining, but also that it's not always about the paint or the project or the people. This is SO much more going on than a colorfully messy activity.
Painting is grounding and therapeutic in so many ways. Here is why' WE paint:
- FUN: It's just fun! Fun is defined as: "an experience of liberating engagement" and painting is exactly that! Fun leads to happiness. Fun creates a temporary release from professional & social obligations by immersing us in an activity for pure enjoyment. The research shows that it's important to just have fun especially as we get older. Painting doesn't fix our struggles, but it helps process and balance them - keeping us mentally and emotionally well.
- Self-Care: The creative process is an act of Self-Care that supports emotional and mental well-being and connects us with our sense of self. Art can be used to process and express stressful or joyful feelings, ideas and memories: the good, the bad and the "meh".
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- Refuge: Painting and creating art gives us a temporary escape of respite and refuge. It's a welcoming, nourishing sanctuary away from the noisy, chaotic and sometimes disturbing world.
- Accessible: It is a novel, and accessible, solitary OR social experience for adults and kids of varied ages, abilities and skill levels.
- Sensory: It's a multi-sensory experience that strengthens our visual and fine motor skills as it builds the neural connections in both sides of our brains, reducing stress and anxiety and helping us to feel more grounded, focused and at peace. (And we could ALL use more of that!)
- Emotional: Dopamine baby! The creative process gives us the dopamine rush that our brains crave, causing us to feel happier, more motivated and satisfied. (More so than scrolling on social feeds, posting pictures of your lunch. Or your new shoes. Or of you eating lunch in your new shoes...)
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- Cognitive: Creating with color, texture and shape, helps us in making new neural pathways that keep our brains healthy and functioning well, especially during illness, recovery, times of stress, and as we get older.
- Stress Reduction: Playing with paint at a messy table of friends, family and kindred spirits is calming, reassuring and engaging. While we're focused on the process we're not thinking of our stress. This break, even if only for a few hours every month, is a MUST-have for our minds, bodies, and emotions.
- Perceptual: Painting helps us tap into our sense of wonder and joy, see things from different perspectives, make sense out of those things we don't understand and helps give new meaning to our sometimes suckish lives.
- Social: It brings people together to connect on common ground, and builds friendships in a warm and welcoming, bully, bitchy and "Mean-Girl"-free environment.
- Psycho-Spiritual: It provides mental, emotional and spiritual nourishment, inspiration, imagination, entertainment and enjoyment. The creative process helps us connect to ourselves, others, our dreams and desires in order to express who we are and who we want to become.
Social Celebrations for any reason or season!
Here's Some Research:
The Science Behind Creativity
Where does creativity come from? How can it be nurtured? What are the benefits and psychological/neurological aspects of creativity? American Psychological Association
Making Art is a Uniquely Human Act
Creating art is "exercise for the brain" and integral to physical and mental health. It also discusses the evolutionary and historical significance of art. The Conversation
Brain Research Shows the Arts Promote Mental Health
Research shows how practicing art helps manage mental and emotional well-being. It gives evidence of the positive effects of the arts on mental health. The Conversation
How Making Art Helps Improve Mental Health
How making art can activate reward pathways in the brain, reduce stress, lower anxiety levels, and improve mood. Smithsonian
The Healing Power of Art
Creative & artistic expression can help people with depression, anxiety & cancer; has been linked to improved memory, reasoning, and resilience in healthy older people. Harvard Health
Get in Touch with Your Colorful Side!
Are You Ready?
Do you need help in planning and booking your Paint Party?
Get in touch! There is never a charge for a consultation!
We're waiting for your call! 267-245-5938 or e-mail: create@theartoasis.net
We can't wait to Paint, Create & Celebrate with you!
~Barbara & Lauren