Healing Power of Art

The power of art to heal is well known, yet I think we forget it. It’s easy to let your art practice slide just like your exercise practice. Not all of us have the luxury of having a dedicated space to practice art. If you can carve out a spot at home to do art, do so. Even a desk that has a fold down worktop so you can hide your creative stuff when you are not using may work for you. For me, I need to have things in front of me so I remember to use them.

Get your art supplies out and be creative. Make nothing in particular, put color on paper. Pull out the Gel Plate and paint and go to town making printed paper. Now that you have made a pile of paper, collage it! Tear it up, cut it up, run it through the die cut machine if you have one. Cover blank cards, stamp on the paper to create focal points. You get the idea. You don’t have to like everything you make either, most of it you may toss or give away. The practice of art is the important part.

As most of you know, watercolor has become my go to medium because I can do something in ten minutes. Painting got me through chemo, telling the story of chemo, recording it with watercolor helped keep me centered.

What is centering for you? What art medium is your go to? What do you gravitate towards when you walk in to the art supply store or even the fabric or yarn shop? What ever it is, have it on hand so you are able to pick it up and do something with your hands quickly. That is the healing power of art and creativity.