Why Make Art at a Time Like This?
Dear Wonderful, Creative You:
I’ve seen and heard a lot of artists questioning lately – Why make art at a time like this? They wonder whether it makes sense to make and share art when there is so much uncertainty and strife in the world.
I question this myself sometimes too: There are wars and hunger, people are under threat, and suffering. What is the purpose of sharing about drawing and painting from nature right now? Aren’t there much more important things to do and talk about?
I don’t know how to answer that question exactly, but my training as a therapist tells me that if we want to survive and thrive, we have to take care of ourselves.
If we want to help others, to take action and make a difference, we have to take care of ourselves.
Taking care of ourselves and taking care of others don’t have to be mutually exclusive, they can work in concert.
Today I thought I’d share about several artists who are using art to take care of themselves, and teaching others to do the same, even as the world feels so uncertain. I hope they inspire you to create today.
Kate Ward , The Power of Single Tasking for Grounding
Kate Ward practices and teaches mindful mending. She and I share a love of slow creative tasks, and recently she talked about the power of finding calm through single tasking…
“Stitching taught me the beauty of 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙩 𝙖 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚. When I focus on 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 stitch, my thoughts slow, my breathing steadies, and I feel grounded. Multitasking pulls us in too many directions. But stitching? It brings us back to ourselves. It’s a simple, meditative act that reminds us how powerful presence can be.” You’ll find Kate and her teaching at https://www.zenstitching.ca/
Koosje Koene, The Importance of Capturing Gratitude
Practicing gratitude is one of those trendy ideas lately – but that’s for a reason – it really does help us to feel more grounded and hopeful. Humans have a natural tendency to notice what isn’t right. But by focusing not only on what isn’t okay, but also on what is going well, we amplify our vision of what is good and beautiful in the world, and we feel a bit better for it. When we feel better, then we can take action for change.
“My backyard makes me feel so fortunate. I just have to capture it in my sketchbook – even if I don’t know how to capture all the abundance and magic. Just start and enjoy, that’s the answer.” – Koosje Koene. You’ll find Koosje’s beautiful art and drawing classes at https://www.koosjekoene.com/
Sam Clark, Art as a Way to Move Through Fear
Sam Clark writes and audio records a beautiful weekly newsletter that I find myself reading or listening to more often than any other lately. Her writing about nature and art inspire me to look deeper for the beauty around me – in the wind tickling my cheek, in the turn of a feather lazily making its way from the tree tops to the ground.
With her incredibly repetitive mark making that mimics patterns and movement in nature, you can see where our sensibilities align. In one of her recent newsletters, she talked about “painting as a way to practice moving through the fear.” I know this is a big part of what helps me when things feel worrisome for me. Sam Clark’s work and teaching live at https://www.samanthaclark.net/
Helen Wells, The Power of Repetition
Repetition is one of the tools that as an artist, I find most powerful. It connects you to what you love and helps you dwell more deeply with it. I find this in my repetitive nature-based patterns, but also in every art process that I dive deeply into – from painting multiple-layer watercolor paintings, to drawings of dogwood blossoms, and explorations of river foam in paper cuts. There’s a joy in getting to know something over and over again – knowing it each time more intimately – as you get to know it from new angles, and new layers. This is a way to be fully present in the moment – a mindful meditation through art.
I love how Helen puts it:
“Repetition isn’t always boring. Coming back to the same subject again and again can be illuminating. Repetition isn’t unoriginal, it’s a way of noticing. It builds muscle memory. With each return, you distill. You learn what you love most.
It becomes a framework for freedom, not a rut, more like a rhythm. A variation on a theme as old as art-making itself.
You don’t always need constant novelty. Sometimes you need to linger, to return. To stay with what delights you. That’s how you learn about yourself as an artist. Again and again. Over and over.” You will find Helen’s vibrant work and teaching at: https://helenwellsartist.com/
How I Use Art to Take Care of Myself – Finding and Sharing Moments of Delight
If I’m being honest, I try to take care of myself and others by doing all of the things these other artists do – that’s why I chose to highlight their work and insights – I feel aligned with their work. But I wanted to demonstrate other artist’s ways of finding peace through art besides my own because I think it helps to see something from multiple angles. But I will highlight another way that art making helps me to take care of myself- it helps me to find a sense of delight and joy in my day. Joy doesn’t have to be grand. It can be small things, like being pleased with how I’ve rendered some leaves and a tiny beetle, or the way my paper cuts and an eco-dyed page compliment each other. And I love sharing these kinds of insights with my students in my membership, and through weekly slow drawing workshops. It’s one of the ways I use my art to take care of others. If you haven’t already, I’d love to invite you to join me in a practice of drawing and painting slowly – it’s a grounding, playful practice, and you don’t need any art experience.
Jenna Castos, How Art Connects Us
Jenna articulates beautifully why making art matters in these times: “Art is so important in times like these—it connects us, brings us joy, gives us hope, and communicates the complexities of being a human during tough times. Don’t stop creating and don’t stop sharing.” Thanks for encapsulating it all, Jenna. You’ll find Jenna’s beautiful art and creations at Pen and Pine.
Share Your Thoughts Too!
How does your art help you take care of yourself? Or others? How do you find grounding, joy, or connection through art?
Creatively Yours,
Amy
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I had been troubling about these questions just today. Art making can seem like such a luxury, especially when so many people are suffering. Going out this morning to weed part of my garden helped me, nurturing the plants I chose to put in that place. There is plenty of space for all the wild plants to grow elsewhere in our large yard. I realized that dwelling in a dark place does not help anyone, others or myself. To see the darkness is important, to see mistreatment and deceit, yes, but to not let myself feel that these negatives are “winning” my interior space. This is why all that is said here about self-care, joy, noticing the beauty and growth around us, all feel so valuable. Thank you to all of you who keep on going through the hard times and who encourage others to do so as well.
Hi Carol – Your thoughts are so eloquent – “dwelling in a dark place does not help anyone” these are succinct words to remember. I agree, yes we have to confront the difficulties and challenges, whether interior or exterior, and also we need tools in order to do that. I’m so glad you are planting these seeds in your garden, Carol. xo
This was precisely what I needed today! The world feels so discombobulated and not in a good way. Doodling is what I do to keep myself somewhat grounded. I work with high-acuity kids (6-8-year-olds). We do a lot of art in individual and group therapy. Neurographic drawing is one of their favorite techniques. When I’m on the phone (with social workers and parents) I sit and draw; it helps keep me calm. I need to keep drawing to maintain my sanity in the current state of the world. Thank you for that timely reminder!
Hi Teena: First, thanks for your work with kids, it’s so important. It sounds like you use drawing to your advantage both independently and with the kids you work with. I love to hear this. I’m so glad that this post is singing the tune you needed to hear. (Me too!) xo – Amy
Even during the holocaust, Jewish women made art https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/art-during-holocaust. Surely, we can do the same.
Wow Robin, thank you so much for sharing this. I had never seen any of this art before. I’m thrilled that you featured this here. And indeed, surely we can create too. Thank you.
My father was a soldier in Europe during WWII. He painted big (about 2’X3’) in oils. The subjects were his army buddies. I guess if he can paint in the middle of a war, I can paint in my busy life.
yes, that’s well put, Linda. Thank you for your father’s story. It’s moving.
Thank you Amy for this timely post. I think you addressed a question many of us artists ask themselves in this turbulent world. I personally find that mindfully making art -starting with my “daily doodles”- grounds me and allows me a quiet space to not only focus on the beauty that still surrounds us, but also calms my mind to translate concern into compassionate action where I am able to do that. I am not in control of the big things that are happening in the world, but I can try to use my creativity to make a positive impact in my small world. That’s why I volunteer in our local care home where I run an art group for elderly , and as a tapestry weaver I run a Weaving for Wellness class in our community centre. What strikes me most in both groups is the power of the slow creative process to bring people in a positive, restful mindset which opens them up to share their stories within a safe environment. Creating and connecting together becomes so much more than “just” making art. It also gives us a platform to talk about difficult subjects, whether it’s in our personal lives or on a larger scale.
Thank you for so generously sending your slow drawing prompts,
Betty
Hi Betty: Wow – I love reading about our shared mindset and all the ways that you are extending your care to others in the community. Thank you for your work and your words here. xo
Thank you so much for including my work in this beautiful and heartfelt post. It’s such a powerful reminder of how making and sharing art can help us process, connect, and care for ourselves and each other, and how important community is.
I feel genuinely honoured to be featured alongside such thoughtful and inspiring creatives. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts about why art matters and for creating space for reflection and beauty.
Hi Kate: I completely agree, community is incredibly important in general, and more so when life feels challenging. And your words are so lovely, thank you for taking the time to add your voice here. Big hugs, xo
Thank you, Amy, for this very heartening post on a morning that our Senate votes on crucial legislation that is causing so much stress. Grounded people can keep moving forward and art keeps us grounded.
Elizabeth: I’m so happy that this post spoke to you. We all need some grounding these days! xo
Hi Amy
Art in all its guises, without a shadow of a doubt, is like a comfort blanket for me. Not only does it bring me joy but it provides a buffer to the unpleasantness in the world and the turbulence in my own life. I call myself a sketchbook artist as I don’t seem to work in any other format and that’s ok. My sketchbooks are like old friends who listen, keep counsel and above all do not judge. I can also travel back in time when I open up an old page.
Your slow drawing and Kate Ward’s slow stitching were my go to during the terrible years of Covid and today, I am still turning to you both when I find that I need grounding and security.
Thanks for all your hard work and weekly slow drawing sessions.
Hi Laila: This is so beautiful – and the fact that Kate and I can help you find grounding and security is such a balm.
All the best,
Amy
Thank you for providing the validation needed to engage in art when at times it seems frivolous and extravagant. I’ve felt torn lately between completing important tasks for others or spending time on my art which is just for me. I truly feel lost when I neglect my art practice, these words above remind me to make it a priority.
Colleen, your comment means so much to me. Thank you for taking the time to spell out why it matters. xo