Many of us will have very fond memories of books we read in childhood, and what probably sticks in the mind as vividly as the story is the pictures that went along with it. These wondrous drawings bring the words to life and serve as a tangible link to the imagination of storytelling.
Later this week sees National Illustration Day (29th November), which exists to highlight the joy of illustrating, and celebrates the creativity to be found in these images. Art can evoke feelings of nostalgia, empathy, or simply being uplifted and inspired. It can also challenge us and show us things from a different view.
The power of illustrations, or any kind of art – be it drawing, painting, sculpture, digital, music, video, any kind of creativity, goes far beyond the feeling we get when we view them.
Art allows us to tell a story, whether that’s our own story or someone else’s, which can be extremely therapeutic. To be able to express our emotions and experiences through different media is to feel heard and seen in a way that we may not have the confidence to do in any other way. This can help us process the things we’ve been through, allowing us to heal and grow without shame.
Creating something can also give us a huge sense of satisfaction and reward – knowing that the time and effort we have invested has resulted in something we are proud of boosts our self-esteem, giving us a sense of confidence and purpose that helps us feel positive about ourselves and our abilities. This can all help reduce stress and anxiety and make us more resilient.
Art can also help improve isolation, loneliness and a sense of disconnection from the world. On a practical level, it may mean that we join an art class that brings us together with others who share similar interests and help us feel more engaged with a like-minded community. It can also mean that we feel connected to others on a spiritual level – by creating something, we leave a footprint, a legacy that shows who we are. This connects us to both past and future generations as we share stories, creative techniques and emotions that are common to us all.
Art is also very good at strengthening our connection to the world around us – by taking the time to observe in order to recreate, we notice things we might otherwise miss. We pay attention to movement and sound, to texture and colour. We engage with others and with nature by the act of being creative. If we draw people, we spend long periods of time studying human behaviour and form. Those who paint landscapes immerse themselves into the environment to truly appreciate and understand the changing nature of their subject. Filming can bring you into contact with people outside of your usual social circle which can open your eyes to alternative experiences to your own.
All of this helps bring perspective, which allows us to put our own anxieties into context, while also developing a coping mechanism to soothe us. The mindful nature of being creative gives us an escape, a place to slow down and focus our mind, and better connect with ourselves.
It doesn’t matter if you’re not the next Picasso – it’s not about the end result, but the process. Pick up a pencil and give it a go!
Photo by Andrey Novik on Unsplash
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