Monday, October 10, 2022

The Outlet For Creativity- Article by Bhavini Patel

Article by  Bhavini Patel


The Outlet For Creativity


Pablo Picasso once famously proclaimed, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of

everyday life.” Art has been an outlet for many to turn to when they want to create work. Art has

been a part of our daily lives for as long as man has existed. It has given people the practice of

observing, producing, and appreciating the different forms of expression. Art has always been an

integral part of our culture that provides us with a deeper understanding of emotions, self-

awareness, and more. Artistic creations have bridged the gaps between cultures, and encouraged

critical thinking as well as better communication.

Creating art, using different techniques, and using color can allow one to experience their

full range of emotions. Skill builds feelings within us and helps us explore and interpret our

thoughts and values. When Dr. Mitchell B. Reiss, the President of Washington College is asked

about the impact of art on individuals in an interview with the Huffington Post, he responds,

“Even those of us who can’t put oil to canvas, hold a note or write a sonnet can appreciate and

learn from the artist’s interpretation of the human experience. At their best, the arts strike a

universal chord that suggests that we are not alone in our experience of joy, or grief, or courage”

(Huffington Post). By allowing our emotions to rise within our art pieces, it helps us heal, grow,

reflect, and improve our well beings. The self-awareness that shines through art can lead to

success both personally and professionally.

Art has also been proven to be a coping mechanism for stress. Art Therapy has been

known to relieve pressure in several ways. Girija Kaimal, assistant professor of creative art

therapies at Drexel University conducted a study examining the effects of making art on stress-

related hormones in one’s body. The results found that 45 minutes of creative activity

significantly lessons stress in the body, whether or not one has artistic experience. Any form of

art like drawing or painting can take one’s mind off life’s ruminating problems when they are

focused merely on creating. Many incorporate their issues into their pieces displaying raw

emotion and vulnerability. Additionally, as many experts call it, there is a particular “flow” in

art work that is very beneficial for mental health. It refers to a state of being so engaged in

something to the point where one can be in a meditative state. Furthermore, even just having art

as a hobby whether one is great at it or not, can help maintain balance in one's lifestyle. With the

many obstacles of life and the responsibilities everyone faces on the daily, people sometimes

forget that they need self-care.

Throughout the creative process, artists are continually making decisions to display their

work to the best of their abilities. Artists make essential decisions on how to interpret what they

see through the flow, rhythm, and unity of their piece. They use logic and reasoning to attribute

meaning and value to what they are creating. Due to the massive emotional connection that art

has with us, these choices that are made are deeply passionate to artists and what the piece

personally means to them. David Souza, the author of How the Brain Learns once said, “The arts

are not just expressive and effective, they are deeply cognitive . . . They develop essential

thinking tools — pattern recognition and development; mental representations of what is

observed or imagined; symbolic, allegorical and metaphorical representations; careful

observation of the world; and abstraction from complexity ” (AASA). These aspects of art not

only helps build up our critical thinking skills, but it also strengthens the way we communicate

and share our thoughts and emotions with the world.

Art gives us insight into various cultures. In art there is no barrier between culture or

language, it is simply universal. Art allows us to share our perceptions and in exchange learn


more about other cultures as well. It makes communities more beautiful and makes the spaces we

work in or look at more interesting. It enhances our ability to unleash our inner artist with the

incorporation of any principle of art or element of design. It has given many a coping mechanism

to deal with the obstacles of life and mental health. Art has become a natural part of our world

that has created raw emotion, self-health, and opened the doors for creativity and imagination.


Bibliography


Frank, Priscilla. “Study Says Making Art Reduces Stress, Even If You Kind Of Suck At It.” The


Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 16 June 2016,

www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/study-says-making-art-reduces-

stress_us_576183ece4b09c926cfdccac.


Prey, Barbara Ernst. “The Value and Importance of the Arts and the Humanities in Education

and Life.” The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 9 Nov. 2014,

www.huffingtonpost.com/barbara-ernst-prey/the-value-and-importance-_b_5788116.html.


“How the Arts Develop the Young Brain.” AASA | Equity,

www.aasa.org/SchoolAdministratorArticle.aspx?id=7378.

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Oil Painting Show by Aryaa Chanchani

As I walked in the room, the first oil painting that caught my eye was a portrait of a woman in a sari. She stood with a graceful posture, holding a vase-like object in one hand while pinching the ends of her sari, which was draped over her head, with the other. When admiring her grace, I could not help but feel as though I had seen the woman somewhere. Her eyes seemed to form a connection with anyone who looked into them. Several times, I found myself unable to focus on anything but the woman’s face, which stood out from the rest of the painting.  Her lower body seemed to dissolve in the golden background, making her out to be thought of as a celestial being rather than an ordinary woman. 
The level of detail I had absorbed from just the first painting I saw had already left a mesmerized impression on me. I walked around the room, and as I stood in front of each of the portrait paintings,I could not help but notice the eyes. Painting eyes to evoke a sense of emotion from viewers truly takes an accomplished and experienced artist, and one who has devoted much patience and dedication to the anatomy of each work. 
It was not only the portrait paintings of the art show that caught my attention, but the quick ink sketches done on paper. Each one represented the blur of a moment, as if the artist had stopped all of time for a few moments to complete a drawing. The simple sketches of the trees and pathways served to convey the peacefulness of simple day-to-day sceneries we tend to overlook in the hassle of the modern world. 
The extraordinary artist of all these works, Lakshmi Shankarreddy, made sure that the people who came to view her works understood the details of each of the paintings, including her meticulous use of the impasto technique on several oil paintings on display.  She warmly asked everyone for their opinions on the paintings and sketches, including her students. This made even those who were not art critics feel as though their critiques mattered, and it was enjoyable to see her students actively engage in an educational conversation with their teacher. As a student of hers myself, I felt a new wave of inspiration wash over me. Each painting took months to do, and the detailing Ms. Lakshmi incorporated was, in my eyes, adding to the perfection of the work overall. It convinced me that I too have to concentrate on each aspect of an artwork with a lot of patience, something which I previously struggled to do. In addition, as Ms. Lakshmi explained that each ink sketch only took her a few minutes to complete, I realized that dedicating more time to my art education would only benefit me in the future. Doing similar sketches for a few minutes each day i needed to improve my skills. 
This art show was an incredible experience for not only me, but the rest of the attendees and students. Each piece, whether it be an elaborate oil painting or a simple ink sketch, has its own individuality. Art is a form of expression that allows people to tell a story, displaying meaning behind each work. This is emphasized in all of Ms. Lakshmi's works, as she paints and draws to cultivate a feeling of enjoyment and connection to the outside world. Besides portraying advanced art talent, this showcase served to motivate me to continue to pursue my passion for art.
For more details on the showcase and art classes at Lakshmis Art Workshop, please visit: