Your Brain on Art- Day 30

 I recently came across an art form that I’d never heard of before. It’s called slow drawing and is defined as, “A mindful art practice that emphasizes the process over the final product, using slow, precise movements.”

It allows you to pay closer attention to what you are drawing without the distractions that often come along. Because the focus is not on the end result you can enjoy the moment more without your inner critic weighing in. 

The process is slow and deliberate. Moving your pen or pencil more slowly makes each mark more precise. It doesn’t require anything more than a piece of paper and your favorite writing instrument. 

The most important thing to remember is not to overthink the process. Just enjoy the moment without judgment.

The benefits of slow drawing are reduced stress, mindfulness, and improved focus. 

A good resource for slow drawing is mindfulartstudio.com. Search Creating Slow Drawing Patterns for ideas. Of course, you can certainly draw from memory or copy something that has caught your eye. 

The idea is to explore another form of drawing that might not feel so intimidating.

Have you ever heard of slow drawing?

Your Brain on Art- Day 29

 Sometimes we think that in order for our brain to benefit from the arts we must be actually creating art. However, just viewing art has a benefit of its own. 

In an article from Medium, A Visit to the Art Museum Makes You Healthier, and We Can Prove It! , “Even a short visit to a museum to spend time in the galleries looking at works of art and letting your mind engage with the artists’ ideas and stories or the colors and textures in the artworks can have a healing effect on your brain.”

We are fortunate to have the Kimbell Art Museum in our own backyard in Fort Worth. I’ve visited several times over the years and have enjoyed each visit. I’ve viewed Egyptian art, Renoir, and Monet to name a few. 

A print of the Two Sisters by Renoir hung in my home as a child. When I was fortunate enough to view it in person at the Kimbell, I was overwhelmed by its beauty. The colors were so vibrant they almost took my breath away. 

Sometimes you can find art displayed in the most unexpected places. When I lived in Frisco they displayed art inside city hall. Chuck used to participate in an On My Own art competition at his work. They displayed  the art at North Park Mall. 

We used to love visiting the Cottonwood Art Festival in Richardson every spring. My daughter started collecting pieces from one particular artist each year we visited. 

One cognitive benefit to viewing art, includes analysis. This requires you to, “interpret complex visuals, challenge your perceptions, and construct meaning,” which improve critical thinking and problem-solving. 

Interestingly, looking at colorful art pieces can boost our well-being. I can certainly attest to that with my reaction to Renoir’s vibrant colors. 

According to Dr. Shivani Khetan, a certified expressive arts therapist, “Colorful artwork can trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, leading to feelings of happiness and well-being.”

Believe it or not, viewing art online provides the same benefit as viewing it in a gallery. In fact, you can take virtual tours of famous art museums from around the world. 

Just setting aside  a few moments to viewing art can reduce stress and calm anxiety. 

Khetan teaches, “Engaging with art should be part of a balanced approach to well-being that includes other aspects like physical health, social connections, and emotional well-being.”

Where have you observed art?

Your Brain on Art- Day 28

 A popular trend today is Paint and Sip Parties. This is an opportunity to meet with a group and paint following the directions of the artist leading the event. 

It’s a wonderful way to socialize with friends and it’s a less pressured way to end up with a finished product you are proud of. 

According to Sip and Paint DC, The Health Benefits of Paint and Sip Events, “Participating…provides a relaxing and social setting to unwind and tap into your creativity.”

The beauty of these events is that the art materials are provided. You pay a small fee and don’t have to worry about collecting what you need. 

“By providing a stress-free atmosphere, participants can let go of inhibitions and tap into their artistic flow.”

If you can’t make it to one of these get-togethers you can always do a directed drawing on YouTube. These are actually favorites of my grandsons and a great way to improve your drawing skills. 

It is a step-by-step process that is relatively easy to follow. You can pretty much search for whatever type of drawing you are interested in. 

What are your thoughts about this type of art?

Your Brain on Art- Day 27

 Have you ever heard of Zentangles? If not, it’s the perfect art for anyone feeling insecure about their drawing ability. If you can draw a straight line, a curved line, and a dot then you are on your way. 

It is the tangles, the lines, curves, and dots that form Zentangles. Put these in a structured format and you have a piece of art. 

Like many art pursuits, Zentangles are a relaxing and mindful activity. The beauty of them, though, is that any perceived mistake can be instantly turned into a new pattern. 

Zentangles are typically created using a small square of paper, known as a tile. Beyond this, there really aren’t any rules. 

The repetition patterns of Zentangles increase theta, alpha, beta, and gamma waves of the brain. This results in calmness and concentration. 

Because it’s basically mistake-proof, it helps build confidence in your ability to create without too much pressure. 

If you would like to learn more about Zentangles, check out Pinterest and YouTube. 

Tell me what you think?

Your Brain on Art- Day 26

 If you are hesitant to create art because of your drawing skills or lack of, I highly recommend trying collage. It’s a fun way to create without the pressure involved in other mediums. 

Collage involves cutting, selecting, and arranging material in an eye-pleasing way. This contributes to eye-hand coordination and is a non-verbal way of self-expression. It also stimulates the central nervous system. 

It includes things like planning which materials to use, making decisions about where to place materials, and critical thinking.

It combines elements of art like line, color, texture, shape, and composition. The brain is challenged to problem solve as you design your collage. 

As with all art there is definitely a degree of relaxation and stress relief. Especially since there really is no way to fail at this. It’s a safe way to express emotions and has a therapeutic effect. 

It’s a fun way to meet with friends and spend time creating together. This social interaction is especially important for seniors and healthier aging. 

Another benefit is the sense of accomplishment in the finished product. Often we talk about process over product, but in the case of collage it’s hard to go wrong with either. 

According to Artful Aging: 6 Ways Collage Art Benefits Senior Living Communities, “Collage art offers a unique blend of creativity and relaxation, making it an ideal activity for senior living communities.”

I started a collage book back in 2011. I used a spiral bound sketch book and have been creating collages over the year. It’s been fun to look back at past creations, and having them in a bound notebook makes it easy to store them. 

If you’ve been hesitant to start an art practice, you can’t go wrong with collage. If you’ve got an old magazine, you can start today.

  

Your Brain on Art- Day 25

 

One of my favorite crafts is rock painting. When Chuck and I lived in the apartment, we enjoyed painting smooth rocks, which we would leave around the lake or drop off at coworkers' desks. 

As you’ve probably already figured out, pretty much all of these art activities contribute to a more relaxed state of mind. 

Painting activates the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain responsible for creating memories and learning. We always enjoyed sharing the rocks in hopes that they might boost someone’s mood when they discovered them. 

We’ve also put them in flower beds and have painted rocks with our grandsons. 

Rock painting is a fun way to express your creativity. You can find all kinds of different ideas on the internet and many of them are quite simple. 

We have used craft paint, and special paint markers to make our designs. We finish them off with a coat of Mod Podge. 

Increased empathy is one unique benefit to rock painting. In sharing your creations you can bring joy to others. 

Have you ever painted rocks?

Your Brain on Art- Day 24

 I’m getting ready to start a new craft that caught my eye on Instagram. It seems that air-dry clay is all the rage now. 

I’ve gathered my supplies and basically need to find an open block of time to try it out. If you are interested in working with this medium you need the following supplies:

Air dry clay (available at Walmart or Hobby Lobby)

Something to cut your clay with ( cookie cutter, biscuit cutter, or a butter knife)

Paint

Paintbrushes

Decorative napkins

Mod Podge or Acrylic Sealer

Cookie press for design making(optional)

The tactile nature of clay benefits the brain. The act of kneading, squeezing, or pounding can actually be cathartic. 

It helps with mood, mindfulness, motor skills, and cognition. 

Considering this is the first time for me to work with this type of clay, the neuroplasticity of my brain will come in handy. I’ll be making new neural pathways.

My focus and concentration will be enhanced, problem-solving will improve, blood flow to the brain will increase, and it will be a creative outlet for me. 

If you are interested in learning more, check out Pinterest for ideas. YouTube can show you how it’s done, and Instagram is a fun place to watch others create.