Unleash Your Creativity, Cultivate Calm: Simple Art Techniques for Mindfulness
October 25, 2024
In the month of World Mental Health Day ( October 10th) Our artist Ashima Kumar
(contemporary Mixed Media artist, Creative Mindfulness Coach and Educator) presents her latest blog focussing on simple art techniques to encourage mindfulness and Mental Health.
Art transcends its traditional role as a form of self-expression. In recent years, art has emerged as a powerful tool for nurturing mental well-being. Forget about artistic perfection – engaging in creative activities is an inward journey. It allows you to tap into your inner world, reduce stress, and cultivate a sense of calm and balance. Studies show that creating art, regardless of skill level, lowers stress hormones*! *(https://nationalartsprogram.org/news/any-skill-level-making-art-reduces-stress-hormones)
Imagine art as a mental spa day, washing away the daily anxieties as Pablo Picasso so eloquently phrased it: "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
Here we will explore various art techniques that you can incorporate into your daily or weekly routine to promote mindfulness and enhance your mental health. "Art opens the closets, airs out the cellars and attics. It brings healing," as Julia Cameron once said. Remember, there are no mistakes in art, only discoveries waiting to be made. So, embrace the process, unleash your inner artist, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and mental well-being.
"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time,"Thomas Merton wisely noted. Let's explore how art can lead you on this transformative journey.
Here are a few simple art techniques that you can incorporate into your daily or weekly routine to promote mindfulness and enhance your mental health.
Technique 1: Watercolour Doodles
Watercolours are known for their unpredictable nature, as they often blend and bleed into the paper unexpectedly. This quality can be seen as a metaphor for life itself, which is full of twists and turns that we cannot always control. By embracing the unpredictability of watercolours, we can learn to accept the unexpected in our own lives and manage challenges with greater resilience.
Materials:
Watercolour paints
Watercolour paper
Brushes
A cup of water
Instructions:
Start with a blank page: Begin by choosing a piece of watercolour paper and setting up your workspace.
Experiment with colours: Use your watercolour paints to explore different colours and shades. Don't worry about creating perfect shapes or lines, just see what happens.
Doodle freely: Let your imagination run wild as you doodle various motifs and patterns. You can draw simple shapes, lines, or abstract forms.
Embrace imperfections: Remember, the goal is to relax and enjoy the process. There are no mistakes, just discoveries which can add unique character to your artwork.
The images above are some of my recent watercolour doodles. Have a go and see what you create.
This image was created by wetting the paper first, then letting the colours bleed on the wet paper. You might like to try this.
Technique 2: Basic Shapes and Patterns
When doodling with shapes, we are often tapping into our subconscious minds and drawing upon memories and experiences from our past. The familiarity and comfort we feel when connecting with these shapes can have a calming effect. By focusing on these familiar elements, we can find solace and grounding in the midst of uncertainty and stress.
Materials:
Pencils or markers
Paper
A ruler (optional)
Instructions:
Choose your shapes: Start by selecting a few basic shapes, such as circles, squares, and lines.
Create patterns: Combine these shapes in different ways to form patterns. You can experiment with size, orientation, and spacing.
Repeat and refine: Once you've developed a pattern you like, repeat it across the page. Feel free to add details or variations as you go.
The line drawings above are some of my recent line doodles. Have a go and see what shapes emerge on your paper.
Key Tips for Mindfulness:
Embrace the unexpected: In both watercolour doodling and shape-based patterns, allow yourself to embrace the unpredictable and unexpected elements that emerge.
Connect with your subconscious: Pay attention to the shapes and patterns that naturally appear in your doodles. They may reveal insights into your thoughts and feelings.
Find comfort in familiarity: The familiarity of shapes and patterns can provide a sense of comfort and grounding.
Practice regularly: Make art a consistent part of your routine to reap the full benefits of mindfulness.
By incorporating these techniques into your daily or weekly practice, you can cultivate a deeper connection to yourself and the world around you. Remember, the goal is not to create perfect works of art, but to use the creative process as a tool for self-discovery and mental wellbeing.
To know more or if you have any questions, please write to me at Email: ashimaart@gmx.com
The Art of PR - first exhibition to collectively show work of est and emerging UK artists from PR and communications. At The Coningsby Gallery, London,18–23Nov 2024, it will feature the work of Skylark Stella Tooth,
In the month of World Mental Health Day ( October 10th) Our artist Ashima Kumar
