Joanna James
Art is the creative expression of the soul. Making art and admiring works of art others created can help you look deep into your mind to and see the depth of the pain, happiness and help you heal.
Simply playing with paint like a kid, sculpting like a wannabe Michelangelo or sketching a beautiful landscape can help you let go of your daily stresses and feel rejuvenated. Art gives your brain a break and a chance to escape the never-ending thought patterns. With the increasing popularity of colouring books for adults, the world is ready to acknowledge this fact including Sri Lanka. Art is the essence of not confining and hence you are free to explore deep within yourself to find ways of expressing yourself and forgetting all about your daily stress.
There are no ready answers in art. It is as free as the wide ocean. This stimulates brain cells into a creative way of being as they make connections. Art stimulates a wide range of connections between parts of your brain. As such, when you dabble in art, you will be able to use the two hemispheres of your brain.
As your brain makes new connections and grow through art, so will you. Plasticity of the brain is this ability to change and make new pathways and it automatically happens when you start creating. Once your brain finds a way out of being stuck in old thought patterns, you will be able to let go of negative past experiences and turn a fresh leaf. This is how art helps people suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and those who suffer from addiction. In a nutshell, building new thought patterns is part of the solutions.
Creative power is a gift that we all possess. Once you unleash it and look at your own creation, your self-esteem too will rise with a sense of accomplishment. This is no different to hanging your child's art work on the fridge to appreciate his or her creativity. If you keep at it and persevere, you may even be able to see your own work of art displayed on the walls of places such as Sri Lankan Art Gallery where are is openly appreciated. But that is beside the point. The true purpose of art is to discover yourself and feel a sense of appreciation for your own uniqueness.
Admiring art or creating your own art helps you dig deep into emotions instead of repressing them. Brain chemicals and neuroscience works in such a way as to let you feel other people's emotions and empathize which in turn will help you improve your connections with them. Once you learn to empathize and see the root cause behind their words and actions you will cease taking things personally. This will help you enjoy your relationships with friends and family without causing additional stress. You will be able to revel in your own creativity and sense of wellbeing.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
