ART AND MENTAL HEALTH

Art and mental health are more intertwined than you think. In the current times, mental health is being communicated openly and there is more focus on its awareness. We all are in some way working to heal and grow ourselves, mentally, emotionally, and physically better, but does art help in doing that? The answer is yes!

How does art help in mental health? Art is a form of self-expression in itself, it helps us to vent out without the usage of words. Art, therefore, plays a role or is a factor to impact mental health in a way.

Participating in the arts can enable people to deal with a wide range of mental illnesses and emotional distress. Art has also been linked to improved memory, reasoning, and resilience in aging adults. Studies have shown that expression through art can help people with depression, anxiety, and stress.

When we do art, we catch ourselves slowing down, and being more patient, Art helps us in slowing down our mind, to get out of other distractions and focus more on the work . This slowing down process creates a sense of calmness in one and also connects with oneself more, provides grounding more , and less anxious.

Creativity Flow

Art encourages creativity, it helps creativity flow through us more, thereby welcoming more ideas and problem-resolving skills, which makes us more resilient. It helps us be with our senses, more consciously and be in the present moment.

Art lets us explore, exploring with art to explore and find out more about ourselves, helps in finding us. Neuroaesthetic researchers are also studying the activation of reward systems and the default mode network when viewing or creating art. The reward system releases feel-good brain chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin that trigger sensations of pleasure and positive emotions.

Art therapy is a tool therapists use to help patients interpret, express, and resolve their emotions and thoughts. Patients work with an art therapist to explore their emotions, understand conflicts or feelings that are causing them distress, and use art to help them find resolutions to those issues.

Therapies involving Art and Mental Health?

Art as a therapy aims to reduce distress and improve social, emotional, and mental health by promoting insight, self-compassion, and a sense of agency and self-worth. During art therapy, you are supported by an art therapist to use art to express and articulate often complex thoughts and feelings through art making.

Other creative pursuits, such as music, writing, dance, and play-acting, have also demonstrated emotional and mental health benefits. Whether you are struggling with a mental health concern or just looking to cope with everyday stresses, consider adding some creative art into your day, it has its impact.

It is believed to be particularly helpful for those who feel out of touch with their emotions or feelings. Individuals experiencing difficulty discussing or remembering painful experiences may also find art therapy especially beneficial.

“Art therapy can help us process a traumatic experience and find ways to move forward.” – Rachel Kaufman.

Painting can support an individual in developing coping skills and learning how to self-soothe. Sensory experiences, like the touch, feel and fluidity of paint allow the individual to discover, validate, and express their inner sensations. It can also help to increase tolerance for internal and external sensations.

Plus it helps in socializing and connecting more if we take up an art class or workshop or interact about art in a platform, it helps us connect with others.

Art and mental health therefore go hand in hand as though solving a jigsaw puzzle of our distorted selves. When we open ourselves to art, we open ourselves to various parts of ourselves with curiosity, inspiration, and ideas flowing, we feel so alive and good, and practicing art is a great way to explore life.

Our structured art courses specifically cater to art and mental health healing prospects as a sense of self-expression and the creation of enhanced self-identity. We believe in allowing art to redefine our focus and clarity on our cumulative thoughts and gain a better understanding of our perspectives. To read more about art, culture, and forms of self-expression click the links below

THE 9 COLORS OF NAVRATRI

Navratri being the 9 – 11 day festival according to the pace that it is celebrated is for the worship of goddess DURGA, is very colorfully celebrated across the country, the various incarnations and victories over demons of the goddess are celebrated and worshipped. It portrays ‘good over evil ‘ folklore. This divine feminine festival is celebrated with dances, feasting, fasting, display of dolls, etc, therefore we witness a lot of art, culture, and colors.

The 9-day festival also has 9 colors, that depict and symbolize certain things. They are Orange, White, Red, Royal Blue, Yellow, Green, Grey, Purple, and Peacock Green. To wear or use which color on which day depends on the day it starts. It is considered a blessing to decorate the house and wear clothes in these colors. Although there is no rule that you cannot wear black, it is avoided during such auspicious occasions due to its association with sorrow and negative things.

Following the color code for the nine festive days is not mandatory but using them during this time is considered auspicious. When incorporated according to the days they are said to bring peace and positivity in the household.

During the festival, there are numerous forms of arts performed, like dance, music, and decorative art celebrating the festive and lively atmosphere with the main objective being to lift up people’s spirits and spread a sense of belonging and joy.

Dandiya-raas is one such dance form performed in Gujarat, where men and women wear colorful costumes and dance together to the beats of traditional folk instruments Dhol, and Tabla shedding light on the importance of arts in our lives.

Meanwhile, in Mysore, the grand occasion of Dusara is celebrated with an extravagant display of “Jumboo Savari” where a pack of elegantly adorned elephants marches from the Royal palace in Mysore.

WHAT DO THESE COLORS DEPICT?

Each of the 9 specific colors symbolizes a distinct quality of the Devi.

White: The color symbolizes peace, purity, and prayer in devotees’ hearts when they worship the Devi.
Red: Red symbolizes action and vigor. It symbolizes the fierce form of the Goddess.
Royal Blue: Royal blue symbolizes tranquility and the depth of the dark blue sky. It is a representation of the depth of wisdom the Devi holds.
Yellow: Yellow is the color of brightness, happiness, and cheer – traits of the Devi.
Green: Green symbolizes the growth and fertility required for success in every field.
Grey: Grey represents balance.
Orange: Orange symbolizes radiance and energy.
Peacock Green: Peacock green represents uniqueness and individuality.
Purple: Pink symbolizes love, affection, and harmony.

The first three days of Navaratri are dedicated to Durga or Kali, the next three to Lakshmi, and remaining three to Saraswati.

This festive season, we could get a little more creative if we wish to and paint our fabrics ourselves with traditional folk arts or whichever design or artwork we prefer, we could get colorful by painting walls, dolls, diyas, and whatnot. The possibilities are endless, we are all so limitless, and the goddess always guides us with everything we do, everything happens through us through her, all we have to do is welcome it within us.

Enrol in our classes and celebrate the joy of colors, our art courses are sure to invoke interest in you with the spirit of creative enhancement that might transform your perspective and overall outlook on art and life. Come and join us in the divine atmosphere of our classroom and get artsy adding a bit of color and imagination every day.

More about colors and its relation to psychology

Color psychology is the study of hues as a determinant of human behavior. Color influences perceptions that are not obvious, such as the taste of food possessing qualities that can cause certain emotions in people. How color influences individuals may differ depending on age, gender, and culture.

They play an integral part in art and are known to evoke non-verbal emotions synchronizing in full swing with the various elements used in art. It can no doubt help one bend the limitations of reality playing with the tones and shades fostering an intense flow of undescribable sentiments in the perceiver of the art.

How do they affect your mood?

Bright, warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) stimulate energy and happiness while cool, subdued colors (blues, greens, purples) are soothing and calming. Bright, warm tones are best in rooms for entertaining like dining rooms or kitchens, while cool tones work best in relaxing spaces like bedrooms or even bathrooms that’s why usually.

Certain color shades have been associated with physiological changes, including increased blood pressure, increased metabolism, and eyestrain.

There’s a lot more to experience with colors in our daily lives, if we give a little more observation to details of daily life, we would be able to discover endless things.

ART TO IMPACT THE WORLD

HOW TO IMPACT THE WORLD WITH YOUR ART ?

We all talk about perspectives in art but we don’t talk enough about how , as artists , we are also able to shift perspectives of the world with our art . Artists have the power to change the world. We are all conditioned by the stories we have heard growing up , but now we can tell stories through our art . We can utilize this power to channel our art in the right path and make the world a better place of living.

Most ART SCHOOLS offer for subjects like ART HISTORY in their curriculum for this reason as to learn other humanities and to relate happenings in the past to that of the present , thereby giving a vast insight even into cultural history and traditions of the past and the reason behind it.

How art works are often perceived differently by different people teaches us how we are not in this world but this world is in us , and most of the things we see in others are a reflection of understanding of ourselves , we find ourselves in art , it is all fascinating how the artist’s life and art are associated and how it gets so deep as people thrive in their artistic journey.

To have a good impact on the world , creates so much purpose and adds so much meaning to one ‘s life , when our lives get meaningful , we feel so content , don’t we? Not only does it act as therapy for the artist but also the ones who take a moment to appreciate and understand their art .

It affects all the political , societal , philosophical ideas of the society , the artist could portray the change the artist wants to bring , it carries the emotions of the artist , since it is non-verbal , it’s visually captured by us to remember the message of it. It is very receiving.

SOME INDIAN ARTWORKS AND HOW THEY IMPACT

1.RAJA RAVI VARMA

RAJA RAVI VARMA paintings reflect the inspiration he drew from Indian literature, art, and tradition. His art revolves around a lot of Indian Mythological stories (the puranas – Mahabharata and Ramayana). He depicted a lot of women in his paintings , he often modelled Hindu Goddesses on South Indian women. Raja Varma paintings challenged caste and class hierarchies and brought depiction of social realities.

2.THE TAGORES

One of the most important artists representing India on the world stage, RABINDRANATH TAGORE became the first Indian and Asian to receive a Nobel Prize for his extraordinary anthology titled Geetanjali. A multifaceted personality, his contribution to art was diverse with poems, novels, essays, as well as paintings.

Abanindranath Tagore emerged as a proponent of “Swadeshi” value in Indian art.

Gaganendranath Tagore executed cartoons and caricatures to comment on the hierarchical prejudice meted out to his countrymen during the colonial era at the hands of Englishmen and members of Indian aristocracy.

3.JAMINI ROY

Roy’s subjects in his mature phase are sometimes figures from mythology , such as Durga and Ganesh, Radha-Krishna, or Mary with Jesus. His works are a diverse representation of figures from Hindu to Christian religions shows Roy’s deeply syncretic idea of Indian culture.

As calls for independence became stronger during the 1930s and 1940s, Roy’s folk-based diverse style also proclaimed a new Indian identity: one which was proud of its roots and multicultural.

4.AMRITA SHER – GIL

Sher-Gil’s visual language introduced a host of new elements in modern Indian art. For one, her handling of the oil medium opened up new possibilities for a future generation of artists. Her distinctive vision left its mark on pre-Independence modern painting.

are some of the many famous artists of our country from the past , if we look into artists and their communities , there are many and more to come but it is significant we understand the impact art is able to create in our world .

Fine Arts Foundation

Experiencing art opens a lot of exploration in oneself . Fine arts foundation is a course that is providing an opportunity to understand the techniques and application in arts . It provides for structured sketching lessons in the beginner level. Indulge yourself in learning the basics of drawing to unlock and unleash finding new parts of yourself.

How long is thecourse for?

Fine Arts Foundation is a two months course of sixteen classes . There are eight classes each month providing for both weekdays and weekends batches , students enrolling can choose between either one of these batches (weekdays batch or weekends batch) . Students enrolling will have two classes per week in their respective batches.

What does the Fine Arts Foundation course offer ?

Fine Arts Foundation offers to teach sketching , introducing students to certain art techniques and it’s understanding . Fine Arts Foundation teaches the basics in drawing lines , angles , perspectives , light and shadow , contrast , composition and anatomy basics. This really opens up the artist in the students.

Who is eligible for the course?

In this course offered for adults (18 and above 18 years of age) who are interested in learning the basics of structured drawing , clearing this Fine Arts Foundation course provides for eligibility of the students to enroll in Diploma in Fine Arts (DFA) program if they are willing to pursue further on arts.

What are the time slots available?

Mornings in the weekday batch from 11 am to 1 pm and evenings in the weekday batch from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Weekend batches are fully allotted now , we open again from November 2023 for weekend batch.

What is to experience?

Fine Arts Foundation provides for art to be experienced , bringing in a basic clarity in sketching , to be able to perceive things in a new artistic perspective , to progress and evolve more with art .

What are the benefits of sketching?

Sketching is a great way to open creative skills , it opens up creativity in oneself and it helps to see the world from different perspective , it helps to understand art is all around us , and how life imitates art and art imitates life in our daily lives.
Sketching provides for bringing more focus and attention in everyone thereby improving patience in those who are practicing it regularly , it also develops hand eye coordination .
Sketching regularly is very therapeutic and has a good impact on the mental health of all , considering how significant it has become in the present world to bring awareness to it , art is one of the many ways to heal oneself regularly.
Sketching provides for self – expression , we could express ourselves through our art , we know how much artists are capable of changing the world , art has the power to impact , to tell stories , to shift perspectives.

We could always keep moving onto progress with every art work we make and the joy is immense when we open ourselves to bettering ourselves with every day , every passing moment in our lives , we all are deserving to be artists of our choice in this world , we indulge ourselves in art to realize we are not in the world , but the world is in us , art liberates us in every way possible.

Sketching provides as a great way to document our lives , we could always sketch down our memories , in a way journal our lives in drawing provides and adds a lot of reflection of how far we have come in our life.

Admissions are open for all to enroll themselves now , join the course to experience art in the ambience of our soulful classroom , evoke the patience , perseverance , focus and determination in you , because this class is to inspire the ARTIST in you.

I want to learn art, but what are the benefit of art education?

We all get mesmerized when we see a beautiful painting and get that boost of enthusiasm of making the same, but we all get the question of what are the benefit of art education? As art is not limited to a small extent, it’s a wide concept! Art is the creativity of one’s own mind. When we see the world through an artist’s eyes every small thing would seem as an art, in fact nature and environment is itself a type of art.

Art is all about creativity. Creativity in any sort of work which would lead you to express yourself to the world, like painting, crafting, content writing, digital visuals, etcetera. Creativity and art skills are the ones that all students should master to be successful in this competitive and complex world as art and creativity would lead them to think about new aspects and ideas. So, now the main question is what are the benefit of art education? Let’s go through those aspects!

Why one should learn art? What are the benefit of art education?

Art is the way one can express themselves to the world. It increases our insights to look at various things, our cognitive skills and power can reach their heights. Art helps people to develop flexibility, expression and the ability to shift direction.

Art encourages our creativity and self expression which indirectly builds our confidence and sense of individual identity and helps to develop our critical thinking. Benefit of art education also includes increasing your collaboration and group learning. Learning art helps you develop yourself on mentally as well as spiritually because art just not help you develop your creativity but also in other areas even in the literary field.

Future possibilities after learning arts skills!

There are many possibilities of job when we see with a future perspective in art and design industries. Art related jobs are the ones that come in all shapes and sizes. Art industry jobs create original works, selling and promoting them and usually displaying them to the public in museums and galleries. Art is a job that helps people in expressing their views and thoughts taking any artistic thing as a medium. Art would help you build resilience, grit and patience. Art is everywhere around us and teaches us various aspects of life. You just have to take the benefit of art education even from nature!

Some of the benefit of art education through jobs that you might want to have a look!

Art therapist: The art therapist is the one who use art to heal people who are facing problems such as mental health, addiction, behaviour or communication issues, brain injury, etcetera. They use art as a medium to make people explore their feelings and make them move in life.

Art teacher: Art teacher is the one who teaches art in schools and colleges. But for a better understanding you would also need a teaching qualification or a degree in education.

Most of the time it is seen that children understand things in a much better way when explained through art. And small children can express their thoughts through drawing of painting. So it increases their cognitive skills and memory power.

Illustrator: Illustrator uses their painting or artistic skills to create images for different products such as books, greeting cards, clothing, etcetera. In this field your artistic skills would play a major role than your qualifications.

Fine artist: Fine artist creates the work of art that are original. They can do this through any medium, like paint, wood, etcetera. It is different from all other works because it is purely a work of art, rather than used for a fictional purpose.

So, get set go! With all your artistic skills make your impression and identity in this world. World is full of arts, take the benefit of art education and just you have to take the right action and there you go, having a life full of creativity and colours! Art will not only help you but the also the ones who would benefit mentally through your art jobs!

There are various benefit of art education just you have to enter in this amazing world of art and explore your skills and if you need help on choosing course then please find this page.

IMPORTANCE OF FINE ARTS EDUCATION

A world where people are linked with circuits all the time everywhere fail to build emotions and humanly connections. Similarly the education offered today is entirely status oriented, people impart confidence to those who is a medical, a engineering or a civil service student but art is never encouraged as a passionate profession but only a means to soothe and refresh minds.

But the tech-savvy world fails to realize the importance of art, studies have proven to enhance the intelligence and proficiency of students connected with art compared to the students lacking interest in art. Arts education partnership in 2002 reported that school children exposed to art are more proficient in reading, writing and math, similar reports have been revealed in the recent years.

Schools in this era are neglecting importance of fine arts education in order to grow financially forward. Fine arts education has been proven to increase the academic intelligence and achievements, skill development, civic engagement, social relationships and the opportunities of the children participating in it, which are the skills that a nation wishes to develop among its youth.

“When you think about the purposes of education, there are three,” Horne says. “We’re preparing kids for jobs. We’re preparing them to be citizens. And we’re teaching them to be human beings who can enjoy the deeper forms of beauty. The third is as important as the other two.” Fine arts education helps the children to embrace nature, observe their surrounding, builds emotions and confronts them with real life.

IMPORTANCE OF FINE ARTS EDUCATION: Changing Myths

Fine arts education is a composition of strong emotional beliefs and a bond with canvas pencil and colors. The schools today pressure on test score and fine arts is considered less important compared to the academic subjects. Fine arts education can shape an individuals’ passion towards art and can also motivate and encourage him to paint his world with his passion. The institutions today offering are few and these few lack the quality education, structured classes or enthusiasm to transform an art dreamer into an art believer and follower.

The era where importance of fine arts education faces a threat there still exist a ray of hope; few such hope is Pencil and Chai, Sampratishta & junior pencil and chai . A fine arts education hub entirely focused on building strong artistic passion within each art aspirant that reach out to them. Understanding the test score and responsibility pressures during the week days Pencil and Chai, Sampratishta & junior pencil and chai offers its art richness during the weekends and weekdays. They offer uniquely structured art classes in realistic environments leaving behind the concrete walls and hugging the nature atmosphere. Pencil and Chai is encompassed of fine artists who striving hard to keep the fine art education alive in this competitive world.

The love for colors and pencils are so strong and passionate that it is capable of healing any sorrow, strengths a human emotionally and create wonders. Leonardo Da Vinci, the name flashes a million colors and the masterpieces that connects with every human uniquely, that moment has made art victorious. Fine art education is a means to uplift, nurture and guide the young passionate art aspirants the right way , Pencil and Chai leads them to the road less travelled , the road travelled by the unique and the creative , a road which is full of successful milestone without any failure ends.