Meditation through Art

Can art serve to help the world?

 

Pablo Picasso once said, "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." It's no surprise, then, that many people around the world use art as a means to deal with stress, trauma and unhappiness – or to just find greater peace and meaning in their lives.

 

Engaging in Art Creates a Space Likened to Meditation 

I feel that art is my therapy. It shows me a visual reflection of what happens inside my mind. I am able to sort out my thoughts and feelings through symbols and colors. My goal is for these symbols and colors to somehow touch and inspire the lives of people who are drawn to my paintings. I believe that art, like music has the ability to heal through vibration of colors rather than sounds. I hope to bring healing into this world in any way that I can. 

Below are some ways that art can help us.  When we meditate we are staying in the present.  Art allows us to focus on the present, giving space to our mind to enjoy each second that passes. 

Emotions

Deal with emotions like anger and sadness through these helpful artistic exercises.

  1. Draw or paint your emotions. In this exercise, you'll focus entirely on painting what you're feeling.
  2. Create an emotion wheel. Using color, this activity will have you thinking critically about your emotions.
  3. Make a stress painting. Choose colors that represent your stress and jab, scribble and paint your problems away.
  4. Put together a journal. Journals don't have to just be based around words. You can make an art journal as well, that lets you visually express your emotions
  5. Use line art. Line is one of the simplest and most basic aspects of art, but it can also contain a lot of emotion. Use simple line art to demonstrate visually how you're feeling.
  6. Design a postcard you will never send. Are you still angry or upset with someone in your life? Create a postcard that expresses this, though you don't have to ever send it.
  7. Create a sculpture of your anger. For this activity, you'll make a physical manifestation of the anger in your life.
  8. Paint a mountain and a valley. The mountain can represent a time where you were happy, the valley, when you were sad. Add elements that reflect specific events as well.

Happiness

Art can not only help you deal with the bad stuff, but also help you appreciate and focus on the good. Check out these activities all about reflecting on your personal happiness.

  1. Draw your vision of a perfect day. Think about what constitutes a perfect day to you and draw or paint it. What about this drawing can you make happen today?
  2. Take photographs of things you think are beautiful. No one else has to like them but you. Print and frame them to have constant reminders of the beautiful things in life.
  3. Make a drawing related to a quote you like. Take the words of wisdom from someone else and turn them into something visually inspiring.
  4. Create a drawing that represents freedom. This activity has you think about the concept of freedom and what it means to you, creating a work of art that showcases just what it means to you as an individual.

Relaxation

Art  can be a great way to relax. Consider these exercises if you're looking to feel a little more laid back.

  1. Paint to music. Letting your creativity flow in response to music is a great way to let out feelings and just relax.
  2. Make a scribble drawing. With this activity, you'll turn a simple scribble into something beautiful, using line, color and your creativity.
  3. Finger paint. Finger painting isn't just fun for kids– adults can enjoy it as well. Get your hands messy and really have fun spreading paint around.
  4. Make a mandala. Whether you use the traditional sand or draw one on your own, this meditative symbol can easily help you to loosen up.
  5. Draw in the dark. Not being able to judge what you're drawing or having to worry about whether or not it's "right" can be very liberating.
  6. Draw something HUGE. Then something very small. Getting your body involved and moving around can help release stress as you're drawing.
  7. Use color blocks. Colors often come with a lot of emotions attached. Choose several paint chips to work with and collage, paint and glue until you've created a colorful masterpiece.
  8. Let yourself be free. Don't allow yourself to judge your work. After all, there's no way to fail and no right way to make art. Just draw, paint or sculpt until your heart's content.