"Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life." – Pablo Picasso.
If you're like me, the dust of everyday life can sneak into the cracks and crevices, sometimes making it hard to breathe or function as productively as we want. One only has to turn on the TV or pick up their phone to see news of world strife, financial concerns, or a divisive election. Add these to the personal struggles and ups and downs we all contend with, and the fallout can be anxiety, depression, anger, helplessness, or a toxic combination of any of the above.
Mental health issues were large and in charge during the pandemic as people grappled with isolation and fear of the unknown. This resulted in a boom of online options for therapy as well as an increase in creative virtual meetups. Traditional counseling isn't always accessible or affordable these days, and a well-earned mental health break at a remote beach may be even less practical.
But what if the ability to 'wash the dust from our soul' was as close as a box of crayons or the neglected cupboard of craft supplies that needs sorting? What if the solution necessary to cope with stress or express our grief could be squeezed from a tube of Prussian blue paint?
Fortunately, it's not hypothetical because, oh yes, art heals.
The Science of Art Therapy
According to Shaun McNiff, an art therapist and author of Art Heals: How Creativity Cures the Soul, the professional practice of art therapy has come a long way since its beginning. In the mid-20th century, art therapy was designed to give people a new way to express themselves when verbal therapy wasn't effective, particularly with soldiers suffering from PTSD and children with developmental issues.
Founded in 1969, the American Art Therapy Association defines the practice as "a mental health profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship."
Art therapy has long since been shown to help all types of people process trauma, improve fine motor skills, stimulate cognitive functioning, and build self-esteem.
While you need a Master's to become a professional art therapist, there are zero degrees or skill levels required to benefit from the healing power of art. The simple act of creating can provide a chemical reaction that will lead to emotional healing. Some great therapeutic approaches you can do on your own include:
- Freehand drawing or painting to release emotions.
- Coloring books – children's or adult versions – with markers, crayons, or colored pencils.
- Creating or coloring a mandala for mindfulness and focus.
- Collages and printmaking are used to process narratives with images and words.
- Working with clay or other materials for sensory engagement.
- Simply look at art in a gallery or museum to calm and center oneself.
In addition to relieving stress, making art can lead to self-discovery. It may bring up feelings from your subconscious that demand to be put on paper or canvas. Art can provide an outlet for releasing fears and negative thoughts in a safe, expressive way. And this applies whether you've been painting for years or just picked up your first colored pencil.
A Big Creative Toolbox
'Art' is a small but powerful word that contains multitudes. While we may reflexively think of the visual arts as the natural form of expression, many other instruments in the creative toolbox are good for the mind, body, and soul.
The healing power of music has existed for eons, with many cultures and traditions incorporating it to provide calm, ease suffering, or elevate moods. In the excellent book, I Heard There Was a Secret Chord, neuroscientist, musician, and author Daniel J. Levitin explores music as medicine through numerous case studies and inspiring new research.
We already know how the right song can instantly lift our spirits, but music can also have a profound physiological effect on heart rate, blood pressure, and even pain management.
Much like making art, putting words down on paper can offer much-needed release when there's nowhere for those emotions to go. Whether scribbling down stream-of-consciousness pages for your eyes only, integrating special words into your art, or writing poetry, remember there are no rules.
"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." – Thomas Merton.
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| "Bring It" - mixed media therapy by Susan Richards |
Art is Therapy
It's nice to have science back us up on the healing power of art, but anyone who has lost themselves for hours with a sketchbook or danced with abandon in their living room understands how rejuvenating simple creativity can be. People with chronic illnesses today want to be involved in their health, and enlightened doctors are prescribing art, music, laughter, and more.
Isn't it wonderful how participation can take so many different forms? Expensive art supplies aren't required, strolling through galleries is free, and local Meetup groups offer community and encouragement. For those who desire a little guidance, Art Verve offers a wide variety of classes that not only promise distraction from the world's woes but may even substitute everyday dust with some brilliant, soft pastels.
Hang in there – and go make something!
