Did you know... YOU were ALREADY an ARTIST?
What quiet observation really means
As the summer season slips away, we feel a shift in temperature yes, but we may also observe the subtle changes in colour and texture in the world around us with our Artist’s Eye, even if you don’t consider yourself an artist.
Neurologists and psychologists agree that creativity is one of the best ways to counteract anxiety and stress, but when creativity is thought of as limited to an elite few, we miss out on a powerful opportunity to exercise our natural right to be an artist. How often I hear those limiting words “Oh I’m no artist - I couldn’t draw a stick man to save my life”. I would be remiss in not taking this opportunity to share something with those who feel they have missed out on such an elusive gift. Do you WANT TO KNOW the BIG SECRET?
You are already an artist
You are already an artist…
when you step under the glorious canopy of an old willow tree and feel embraced by it’s slow, swaying fringe and then, in what feels like forever, you exhale every last worry without knowing why.
You are already an artist…
when you observe in the first rays of morning light, the sparkle of particles that sprinkle down upon your face and for a moment you don’t think about the “shoulds” of dusting but rather imagine fairies dancing all around you and you smile.
You are already an artist…
when you stop to pet the moss at your feet to greet it on an afternoon hike or let your fingers run through the tall grasses as you cycle along a dirt road.
You are already an artist…
when you notice the little things.
You’ve felt the shift of the seasons. The clouds seem larger and more looming, the sky more brilliant, the sunsets more frequent. The leaves are changing on the tree outside your house and the palette of colour is duller, warmer. The greens have lost their citrus zing and have been replaced by an olive hue that will in time, give way to an amber glow. The edges will begin to furl and the resilient shine will become tissue paper like and lacy. In these observations alone, even without lifting a paintbrush, we are noticing. We are taking a photo in our mind. We are sharing and appreciating.
All of these loving acts are a form of art.
The late professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi ( Co-Director, Quality of Life Research Center) stated:
"When we are involved in (creativity), we feel that we are living more fully than during the rest of life. You know that what you need to do is possible to do, even though difficult, and sense of time disappears. You forget yourself. You feel part of something larger."
This is the FLOW state I chatted about in my previous post:
Making art of any kind (without judgement or pressure on the end result) affects the pleasure centre part of the brain and releases dopamine. It has been shown to to combat depression, increase memory function as well as help stave off cognitive decline. Even simply LOOKING at something beautiful increases your sense of awe. That sense of AWE leads ultimately to gratitude; and appreciating the beauty that is all around us in the every day, primes the brain to not only recognize but to cultivate more positivity in our life. This is an incredible life giving system called the RAS system (Reticular Activation System). You can activate it anytime. This is how we begin to feel more, heal more and love more.
Every time you feel that sense of wonder and awe (the muse that drives us so called artists to create) you’ve already engaged in the world artistically. You’re doing it.
… You are already an artist.
Warmly,
Crystal Beshara
If you ARE inclined to try your hand at painting I invite you to take a look at my YouTube Channel for more inspiration and tips or try your hand at one of my online, STEP-By-STEP video Tutorials (yours to keep and unlimited viewing from my website). My Painting Fall Trees in Watercolour is on sale for the month of September.
For more inspiration, have a peek at my online videos,
Coming up in my next newsletter… painting a FALL LEAF in watercolour!