For art's sake!

Many of us remember drawing, colouring, using sidewalk chalk, making doodles during class and other small arts and crafts we did as children. Growing up, my Mom was always doing one type of craft or another, and I'm still fortunate to retain many of her teachings. That being said, life will get busy and I'll forgo the lovely arts and crafts for easier, simpler activities that don't provide much benefit to my overall wellbeing (ex. Doom scrolling anyone!). But, for art's sake, it truly is enriching!

But where to begin and why?

First off, what types of arts or crafts have you enjoyed in the past? Can you see if there are still some materials lingering around you can pull out and play with? Or, is there a medium you've been wanting to try? In that case, check out your local recreation and activity guide to see about signing up for an introductory course. When we're engaged in art, our brains have time to focus on what we're doing, and in many cases, we may find ourselves also processing certain events or even thinking about them differently.

If our activity involves others, it can be another way to build community. We know the harmful effects of isolation, so if we're connecting and learning with others, we have a chance to build our social networks while learning a new skill.

If we prefer to take up an art or craft on our own, that is still a great endeavor! We may make something for another, or choose to place our created item lovingly in our home. Another thought, anything we make doesn't have to be especially meaningful! We can paint whatever we want on a canvas, and if we don't like it, we can paint it white and start over when it dries. Although, an artist friend once shared that if you make something and you don't like it, then give it a day before deciding to start over. Sometimes those eyes, the ones you're looking at it with a day later, may be kinder and see something to appreciate about it.

Another positive aspect of art is that it opens your eyes to the objects in your surroundings. Once an art teacher gave us a homework task of noticing different colour contrasts in our neighbourhood. I walked up and down the streets and actually saw the colours of the doors and door knobs, something I wouldn't have noticed before. I began to see texture and design, which was awe inspiring!

I suppose that while there is great benefit to including art in our lives, it can also be summed up as another way to play. As adults, how often do we play?? Sometimes we miss life because we don't stop to mess around with objects, build something, create something, get messy and just have some fun. Don't look past the small versions of this... There are numerous beginner craft kits at the stores and why not give it a go? If we don't like it, that's ok! And if we do, then we've developed another hobby, which is a win!

Happy crafting,

Danielle