The Magic of Artmaking and Mindfulness

Many artists describe painting or drawing as relaxing, peaceful, and invigorating, which is exactly why artmaking can go hand in hand with mindfulness. Creating or observing art encourages us to examine details, feelings, reactions, and most importantly, focus on what is directly in front of us. When we do this, it actually mirrors what we experience when practicing mindfulness or meditation.

Connecting to the Senses Through Art

When creating or observing art, we can dive into the senses and experience the present moment, in the same way we do while meditating. You can this by letting your curiosity and intuition guide you. Do any details of the art catch your eye? What emotions are you channeling when you’re painting or drawing? There is no wrong answer – whatever connects you to your senses is what you should embrace. Engaging mindfully with art can help you gain some of the broader benefits of mindfulness.

Mindfulness and Artmaking

Sometimes, finding the time to practice mindfulness is difficult. Our schedules are packed and our inboxes feel impossible to manage. For some, sitting quietly and meditating can be daunting.Artmaking is a wonderful way to practice mindfulness that also provides you with an opportunity to keep your body occupied. It is a great option for those who may suffer with anxieties – much like mindful exercise can be beneficial as well. Through the active expression of art - including paint, collage, sketch or other methodology – we can bring attention to our work, the strokes of the paintbrush, the combinations of colors, and our thoughts in the moment. Our minds can wander more easily and fluidly at times when we are making art. It can even prove to have a calming effect enabling a practitioner to focus more on the present moment and sensations rather than being weighed down with the pressures and anxieties of life. We can reconnect with what we are doing with each new addition to our art, and truly focus on the moment.