Why adults should make time for meditative art
I’ve been allowing myself time to play. Play? Yes. Play.
I’m a serial craft addict, and I do fall in love hard and fast for new creative outlets. I’ve done photography, which led to scrapbooking and even better photography, tie-dye art, mixed media canvases, jewelry making, yarn weavings… the list is long.
As a child, I learned to occupy myself through various craft projects, making art out of seemingly nothing. I built an entire mini house out of balsa wood and decorator’s sample books. I routinely made sculptures from a material of my own creation: dried Elmer’s glue with crayon shavings mixed in for color.
In recent years, crafting has taken a backseat to running and writing, both of which have their meditative benefits.
One of the problems with modern society, especially in the U.S., is this shift to hustle culture. We are so trained to be productive that any time spent on non-work endeavors should still have a purpose, and if it’s art, we should make money from it.
The pressure to make money sucks the joy from most creative endeavors. What happened to making art just for fun, just like when we were kids?
My time in PTSD rehab included art classes. Not art for technique, but meditative art. Art for fun. This was definitely a new concept for me. It’s not that I haven’t known art to be relaxing, but making art just to create for yourself and as a means of reflection is novel.
Our art therapist encouraged us to keep an art journal. You can use it to doodle or experiment with various mediums and techniques. It can become another adjunct to formal therapy. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. I picked up a nice one at 5 Below. Keeping a journal allows space for imperfect art; a place to practice new mediums and techniques without the pressure.
My latest art obsessions? Gel printing, photo transfers, and watercolor. I could watch videos about these for hours!
The gel printing is my current favorite. You can transfer magazine images or laser print copies of your own photos to the gel plate and add paint. It’s also fun to experiment with different stamps and textures. As a recovering scrapbook addict, I have so many tools to use.
In my research of techniques for gel printing, I also fell down the rabbit hole of photo transfers using inkjet photos. I have a treasure trove of photos from London I’m working with right now, lending a fun edge to these memories.
Getting lost in artwork when I’m stressed seems to help me relax, which is the point of the endeavor entirely.
For those of us whose minds stay so busy that the thought of sitting on a fancy pillow, legs crossed, and faced with immense quiet is unsettling. This is why I choose more active meditative practices like running and art, both of which serve as a distraction and also a way to magically gain clarity in my thoughts. I often come up with the best ideas for writing while running or painting!
Meditative art is meant to clear your mind. It’s not meant to be another source of perfectionism. It can be as simple as doodling or as complex as a painting. The point is to get lost in the process, let the work flow, and have fun.
All you really need to get started on this journey is some paper, pens, or pencils, and some form of color, whether it’s markers, colored pencils, or paint. Color isn’t necessary, but plain black and white can be boring. Color makes me happy.
Don’t get bogged down with “making art.” Let your mind just go, as if you are letting your tools express what’s on your mind. The process can feel weird at first, but it gets easier as you learn to forgive your imperfections and just have fun.
But don’t just take my word for how fun and relaxing tapping into your creativity can feel. Very Well, Mindful Art Studio, and The Art of Mental Health all have good information about the hows and whys of this practice.
Life is stressful. We must give ourselves permission, time, and space to play and be creative as an outlet for our emotions. In a world of pressure to conform, be a rebel and unlock your inner child!
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Lead photo is a drawing/painting I created in therapy. It is a manifestation of an image I imagined during trauma processing work.
Do you like to meditate or make art? Have you ever practiced mindfulness while creating? I’d love to hear about it!
As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.
Anne the Vegan 