Creativity and Self-Expression
Why we need art during challenging times
When we feel overwhelmed and can’t seem to stop our ruminating thoughts, moving them from our head through our body and onto paper, can be a hugely liberating form of self-expression. Putting our states of being into words during challenging times like these can seem impossible and often feeble compared to the immensity of our feelings.
In the blog https://www.artworkarchive.com/blog/why-we-need-arts-in-times-of-crisis “Art-making and viewing art allows us to process our experiences. Art helps us to express and to understand the world around us.” “We are seeing an increased turn to the arts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, we have turned to art engagement as a source of comfort and strength. Participating in and viewing art makes us connect to a more universal human experience. Be it art-making at home, public murals, watching and listening to plays and music, or new-found interests in culinary arts, art is an expression of what it means to be human.” In an attempt to engage and connect with our fellow humans on a deeper level, people are turning to the arts more and more as means of self-expression.
Do I have to be an artist to feel the benefits of self-expression?
NO NO NO!!! Art making is a universal right, not one relegated to the few “born” artists. The cave painters from earliest times instinctively found themselves making marks on the walls of the cave. Children from a young age are creating with their hands…no one taught them or told them. Before children can form words, they intuitively express themselves through creativity. Have you ever watched a child finger painting? It is a free fluid creative process. They have no goal in mind, just the pure joy of human self-expression!
In an article in Smart Recovery Publication: Life Beyond Addiction, entitled “Self-Expression and Creativity: Managing Feelings” the author says: “Now that I’m living a life in recovery, I still deal with impulsive thoughts and overwhelming feelings, but I find a way to manage them by expressing them. Self-expression sounded like a lot of “Dear Diary” nonsense to me, but the creative arts are an amazing outlet for our recovery.”
In my previous BLOG on Where does Creativity come from? I pose the question: Is it nature or nurture? This is a fascinating subject and is well worth thinking about.
If you would like to learn more about how I encourage self-expression in my students, please check out www.theart-process.com
OR SCHEDULE A FREE 15 minutes to discuss how I can help you to move towards creative self-expression in your art and life!