![]() Just this weekend, I was gifted a weekend to myself. Hubby headed off to a blokes weekend in the country and I had the house to myself. As our little fluffy mate passed away over three months ago, there was no one relying on me or waiting for me. I was as free as a bird to do as I pleased. The monthly paint-out had been postponed due to inclement weather. This had been my only commitment over the weekend. After heading out for some extra art supplies I headed back to my studio with the heater blasting and started on a project I had not had time to do for months. The panels I had purchased had sat there on my shelving teasing me every time I went into the art shed. They would look at me and I at them, wishing I had the time to take them off the shelf, unwrap them and then cover them with creamy delicious acrylic paint. I started slowly on my idea using paper and working on my idea for the eight panels. Suddenly two hours had slipped by as I worked on a small 20cm x 20cm piece. I was happy with the outcome. Finally, the next day I set up in the garden room with panels, paint, water, brushes, palettes and paper towels, I was ready. I could now start on my project giving it my full attention. Throughout the process, I mixed an array of colours, used a variety of mark-making tools and skimmed books for the right words to jump out at me for the collage. It was exhilarating, to say the least. I didn't stop for a coffee or a break, I was so focused and in my zone. After many hours, I was finished, it was time to sit back and let them dry so they could be varnished. The gift of a weekend to enjoy creating was invigorating, peaceful and filled with what I love to do. I think you need one of these weekends once and a while. How would you spend the gift of a weekend to yourself? Leave your comment below. Featured artwork: Unscaled Peaks and Uncharted Waters
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![]() In the past, I have written about how creating art can have a positive impact on your mindset and overall emotional vitality. Art can evoke emotions in the creative with every mark made on the paper. We can get lost in the mood, and get carried away in our thoughts and the feelings behind every stroke of the brush, pen, or pencil. I remember with the loss of a family member in 2023, I locked myself in my studio and painted, remembering last words, lost memories and feeling bewildered and alone. The paintbrush and colours played on the panel as the tears streamed down my face. The emotions were raw, and the painting was just what I needed to do at the time. Sight, smell, sound and touch are senses that can trigger memories both good and challenging. I am sure you have heard a song on the radio, and it has transported you back to a time far, far away. A smell has taken you back to a family holiday by the beach, or the scent of a fragrance reminds you of your Mum. Art can evoke emotions as we view the finished piece, it can transport us back to a time once forgotten, a missed opportunity, a true love, or a person. Art can bring about tears of joy, tears of triumph or tears of loss. A friend of mine is an incredibly talented artist who, amongst other things immortalises on paper animals for those that have lost their pets. I am sure those artworks would spark emotions for the owner. Next time you are engaging with a piece of art, feel the emotion and enjoy the process. It truly is a blessing. Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below. Featured Artwork: Down by the River ![]() Can creativity positively effect your mental wellbeing? Well, in my humble opinion, yes it can. I have talked about this before in classes and on the socials, how returning to creativity helped me through the COVID lockdowns. For those in Melbourne, you would understand what it was like to live through the lockdowns, as one of the most lockdown cities in the world. I rediscovered art during this time and found I lent on it to relax me and take my mind off what was going on. In the art classes I run, often there are comments such as, "where did that 2 hours go?", "I got lost in the painting.", or "This is my happy place, I forget what is happening in my life." "This is my me time to relax and enjoy some quiet time." Just 40 minutes of art can help to reduce the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone in your body. There is a fabulous book, Your Brain on Art; How the Arts Transform Us by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross which goes into great depth. It is well worth a read. You can check out the link under my favourite tools. Art therapy is now found more in mainstream mental health services as the benefits of art and creativity on wellbeing is being highlighted more and more. I have found when I run an evening art class, I sleep better that night, participants of the night programs have also commented they have the same restful night's sleep. If I have had a particularly busy day or really have been under the pump, I take some time out for 20 minutes to half an hour to sketch or dip into some watercolour, it can have a profound effect on my mind, mood and wellbeing. Sometimes, taking a short amount of time can be all you need to shift your mood with a simple sketchbook or a simple watercolour palette, a few brushes and an art book. Have you found art has helped your wellbeing in anyway? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. ![]() I often wonder is it important to have your art fit into a style or a label. My work flits between expressionism and impressionism and sometimes slides into abstract. Expressionism art uses vivid colour to convey the emotional response to the subject where impressionism art captures the essence of the scene relying on the use of light. Abstract however, is non-representational and left to the interpretation of the artist and the viewer. I do enjoy abstract; however, I keep finding my way back to vibrant florals. For this reason, I call myself a mixed media artist, as I use multiple media in my work and I can't really put a style or label to it. Should we label our style or should we be able to create to our passion as opposed to a label. There are differing opinions in the art world as to the benefits or attributes of labelling an artist to a genre or movement. For me, I don't want to limit myself as I continue to experiment, play and develop my artistic skills. What is your favourite stye, genre or art movement? |
AuthorLee Cummins is a mixed media artist, workshop and art class facilitator. Archives
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