Everyone has something that they enjoy so much that time doesn't exist. What seems like minutes are actually hours and the world is somewhere out there. Stress seems to take a backseat to the masterpiece currently in progress. Does any of this sound familiar to you? Maybe it should. The benefits of creative expression, whether it is painting, sculpting, sewing, writing, or dancing allows our mind, body and soul to connect as one, and it feels good.
In the winter of 2022 I decided to learn something new. I wanted to learn to paint with watercolor. I'd tried other mediums over the years but each time abandoned it due to chemical sensitivities, lack of time or feelings of doubt, thoughts that I wasn't "good enough" to be an artist. I never thought about how it made me feel just to create, whether it sold or not. To create for me, for the sheer pleasure of doing so. The satisfaction of accomplishing something, the serotonin my body experienced from the creative expression of me, it was exhilarating and released some kind of endorphins, like a "runner's high".
For me it fit right in with other modalities of stress reduction that my health coach recommended, things like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. Finding a creative outlet allows you to focus on the moment and forget about everything else. I'm not the only person who's noticed this, take it from one of my watercolor teachers, Louise de Masi. A link to the study she references in the video, Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants' Responses Following Art Making
[Participants]...referred to it as relaxing, a stress reliever during a busy work day; others referred to it as being fun and enjoyable, a form of distraction, and a reminder of childhood. Several participants reflected on the absence of art in their adult lives and how the experience reminded them of a time when they had last made art as a child.
Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants' Responses Following Art Making
6 Benefits of Painting
Watch Louise paint this beautiful parrot while she explains some very good reasons to learn to paint or find some creative passion that you can enjoy and reduce your stress levels. The key to healing is to relax and let your body heal. The less stress (cortisol) your body has the faster your body can repair the damage and restore good health.
Build a Portfolio
I online with various teachers for a month with each of them to learn different techniques and styles for painting watercolor. My focus on subject matter were always floral and wildlife, I've always loved nature.
I also enjoy photography and more recently learned a lot of new skills while making videos. Taking the next step allowed me to build on my existing skills and learn new cameras, lens, and editing skills which included different software programs and in my case, a new operating system. I was determined to accomplish this new art and make it work. I learned patience and overcame a lot of obstacles to get to where I am now. I feel like a caterpillar that has morphed into a butterfly.
You CAN do it. Find your passion and create!
Today's feature photo for the blog post is a photo by Peter Fogden on Unsplash