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. 

Your Brain on Art- Day 23

 Have you ever heard of junk journaling? It is a “creative and eco-friendly style of journaling that uses repurposed materials like old magazines, tickets, fabric scraps, and receipts to create a personal and eclectic journal.”

If you want to give it a try you need to start by collecting everyday found materials which you may have considered throwing away. Along with this include ephemera such as any printed pieces of memorabilia that you’d like to hold onto. 

I also use scrapbooking paper, greeting cards, candy wrappers, and pretty much anything else that catches my eye and can be easily glued down onto paper. 

Half the fun of creating a junk journal is collecting the materials. If you go to YouTube you can find lots of ideas for how to make your own journals out of old books or even cereal box covers.

There is no real right or wrong here and it’s fun to experiment with color, texture, and design. No drawing required! 

As with all art activities the benefits are relaxation and self-expression. A woman in my community makes simple junk journals which she sells at our local Market Day. They are beautifully done and can be used as a personal writing journal. 

Your journals can be used to document important events in your life. Think about scrapbooking, but with a lot less effort. 

It’s also a way to reuse things that would probably just end up in a landfill. Once you start collecting you will begin to notice the beauty in so many everyday things that come your way.

Of course, this is a great way for self-expression at a budget-friendly cost, because you probably already have these materials at home. 

The other day I was about to throw out an empty movie-size box of Skittles when the color red caught my eye. I cut off one panel and am going to add it to a collection of other red materials I’ve saved. I think it will make a perfect page for my junk journal. 

Does this sound like anything you’d be interested in trying?

Your Brain on Art- Day 22

 “Art is any form of creative expression that allows us to communicate, reflect, and connect with the world.”  Diya Jaiswal

According to Diya Jaiswal in her posting Art and the Aging Brain, “Research shows that engaging with art can help keep the brain sharp, improve emotional well-being, and enhance overall quality of life.”

Jaiswal points out that just because we are aging doesn’t mean we are declining in our ability to be creative. If anything it’s a time to pursue new artistic passions. 

The following are some of the benefits art provides for the aging brain:

Enhanced Cognitive Function:

Because participation in the arts engages several areas of the brain it results in improved memory, problem solving, and attention span. 

Reduces Stress and Promotes Emotional Well-being:

Art is not just about skill, rather it has to do with self-expression. Creative activities can reduce stress and anxiety by allowing for healthy ways to process emotions.

Encourages Social Connections:

Participating in the arts provides opportunities to connect with others and build friendships. Social engagements improve overall well-being and may even reduce the risk of dementia according to some studies. 

Improve Motor Skills and Coordination:

Art forms like pottery, knitting, and playing an instrument involve fine motor skills and help with eye-hand coordination. Dance can help with coordination and balance. 

Provide a Sense of Purpose and Identity:

As we age we sometimes struggle to remain relevant. Participation in the arts can strengthen our identity. Taking on new artistic pursuits is even better. The brain wants the challenge of learning something new. 

It looks like anything that has to do with the arts is a win-win for the aging brain.