TRY SOME ARTISTIC WORK
I have heard many women whine about the absence of their husbands who are on weekly trips out of town, so I realized there were two things I could do when mine was out of sight; complain or adapt. I, of course, chose the latter and got through the month smoothly. How?
When my son was 3 months old and hubby left for a month’s trip around India, I survived picking, dropping, feeding, entertaining and taking care of two kids and a dog. It was then when I got introduced to different artworks that kept me busy, occupied and focused on the task at hand, rather than brood over negative thoughts. So, I thought of putting them all in one blog to help you deviate from the stresses of life and perhaps generate a new talent in the process. These are the artworks that help you stay positive during hard times. Tried and tested!
Doodle – Doodling refers to the miniature drawings we would do on the last page of our notebooks during a lecture. Today, doodling is not a sign of a distracted brain but an intelligent one. It helps keep your brain connected to and focussed. Doodling has evolved and now artists are sketching them in several ways. Check this link to start turning your doodles into beautiful artworks.
Zentangle – Zentangle is an easy self-help method that relaxes you while creating beautiful images in a fun way. When I got introduced to this art, I thought I could never do it as it required a lot of patience and intricate detailing. I had to research patterns in order to fill my own creations but I finally did it. You can see some of them here. A Zentangle is the combination of dots, lines, curves and circles. Tip: Think of an outline, if not a frame, and make irregular partitions. Then decide what design you want for each part or just go with your flow.  Make sure to focus on drawing the repeated patterns accurately like shown in this video. Zendoodles are a mix of Zentangles and Doodles in one piece of artwork. Check this OWL Zendoodle video to know more.
Mandala – Carl Jung described a mandala as the representation of the inner self. It is a process of creating round, symmetrical images that have repeated colours, shapes and patterns radiating from the center. Creating a mandala helps you relax, heal as well as focus on your thoughts and feelings positively. They are secret symbols used in meditation, prayer, healing and art therapy for all ages. In clinical studies, Mandalas are said to help boost your immune system, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, promote sleep and ease depression. Mandalas were prominent in countries that follow Buddhism; namely Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, China, Japan, Indonesia and parts of India. Here is how you can draw a mandala. Dot mandalas can also be really relaxing. I plan to try this soon – watch this dot mandala video here. Added to these, there are sand mandalas that are unique to their creation and destruction. Their creation transmits positive energies and is believed to help purification and healing while their destruction reminds us that life is not permanent.
Terracotta Painting – Terracotta (baked earth) is a type of porous clay that is versatile, cheap and durable. It is used to sculpt various things like pots, bowls and jewellery. Terracotta painting involves the colouring of such items with concentration and accuracy as most of the objects are carved with precision. For example, you would want to highlight the eyes with different colours in order to enhance and bring out the beauty of the sculpture’s facial features. Learn how to creatively paint your pots here.
Mixed Media – This is my favourite kind of art because it has no rules. Mixed media is a visual art form that involves a combination of different creative mediums in a single piece of art. For example, you can paint a background with crayons, stick flowers and then spray paint all over it and you have your mixed media artwork ready. You can also create mixed media art from waste items around your house. Check this interesting video for more ideas.
Of course, there are many other art forms in the creative world, but these are the ones I have tried, tested and benefited from. Trust me, if you’re a mom, you may take several days to complete one artwork but the end result will be so worth it, you will not regret your decision to give it a try.
What artworks are therapeutic to you? Let me know if you are benefiting from or good at some art forms that I could try as well as add on to my list. I would love to know.
37 Comments
That’s a great way to spend time and improve skills by feeling relaxed!
[…] we would usually sit on the dining table (which was covered with art and craft supplies) and create different artworks. I introduced my daughter to Mandalas, Zentangles, Mixed media and more. My son would colour the […]
This is super cute Cindy. I totally love the idea. I am doing a lot of doodling, mandala art, pastel colors and sketching these days. I want to get a canvas now and get back to painting for good. I used to do loads of painting when I was in school!
I have seen your artwork. You’re a professional! I’m just an amateur.
You are such an inspiration Cindy! I can’t imagine managing three littles without my parent’s help! Beautiful art forms. I would love to learn all of these.
Thanks dear.
Glad to have stumbled on your lovely post! I have been meaning to learn the art of creating simple artworks from a very long time. It is hard to stay positive when there is so much negative news floating around you; hopefully this activity shall keep us engaged and bring out our inner creativity.
Try it Rahul. Surely, you won’t regret it and also stay away from the news. 😄
Amazing artworks you have created. Doing something creative is a great stress buster. I love drawing but nowadays not getting enough time to do the same.
That’s a great way to spend time and improve skills by feeling relaxed!
I tried mandala art few days back and it was a great relaxing experience. Also doodling is a nice for freshers to learn and create amazing art work.
These are some amazing works of art. I agree keeping oneself busy with a positive hobby or interest can be pretty calming and relaxing during hard times
The doodle artworks are so beautiful. You are an artist I must say . This is the best way to spend the quarantine time .
These are some great ideas. Art is a great outlet for anything and everything that one is feeling. It’s the closest one can get to therapy even before seeing a therapist.
wow, Cindy, you are quite an artist yaaar.. loved your zetangle and terracotta work.. I am inspired to try my hands on Mandala
Do try it. You won’t regret it!!! The end result is so… Overwhelming!
Wow this is so inspiring to keep us engage in something productive during lockdown. I must say it’s a stress buster too. I love doing fabric colour painting on cloths and acrylic art. After reading your post I think I should start it again
That’s a good decision!!
Mandala is a large part of design as well and very therapeutic…my friend in Mumbai teaches it and its great that your exploring it. Wow. Such nice insights into all these ventures
I am always fascinated by different art forms. I loved the terracotta butterflies and pots they are so beautiful.
I love to make doodles.
Loved your post thanks for sharing.
Lovely ideas here buddy. I will surely like to try some feels like abandoned the art so long back
I absolutely love doodles and mandala, all these creative work have such a calming effect. I absolutely loved this post. Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks Kavita, do share it and spread the positive vibes!!
Wow. You are so talented. All the art work is impressive.
Am not at all good at this.
Thanks Jennifer!
Art in any form is a great way to express and let our creative juices flow. Your artwork is amazing. I used to love sketching back in school. Maybe I should try again.
Yes you should. Do start!
Indeed! Artwork is the best way to keep busy and positive in this pandemic time. I really love the above art work especially Zentangles.
I love zentangling too but I’m finding the mandalas more challenging so trying another one.
Loved this post of yours. I love doodling but other artworks were also an interesting one. Would try Terracota painting for sure it’s long there in my list.
Start. Surely you will not regret.
Cindy, you are surely an artist budding so well. I liked your complex mandala which hard to do. Recently learnt Zentangle art, shall try making some.
Wow so cool. Show me some when you do!
I think the artwork is the best way to keep self and children busy around, especially during the tiring times like these. I like the art work you have featured here, love the terracotta definitely.
Keeping it simple and positive is the need of the hour.
You are so good with art. My niece does amazing Zentangles. I can only wish to be good in art, I hardly manage kids project work.
I doodle so often, it helps me think and strategize. Glad to read people who doodle are intelligent. Your post was interesting from start to end.