Art with Ms. F

    Daily Dose of Art

      Negative or challenging life experiences are not always all bad.  In fact, they often present passageways for learning.  For me, my recent divorce has presented me with a huge opportunity to learn about myself, divorce, art, and life in general.  At first, however, I did not perceive my situation in this light.  In fact, I was living in complete darkness, overcome with feelings of loneliness, sadness, depression, and loss.  Thankfully, from my personal experience, I have found both making artwork and researching and writing about art to be helpful in facing one of the most difficult times in my life.  Through these activities, I have come to realize that rather than simply being a hurtful, negative event, divorce is actually a dichotomy composed of many positive factors and outcomes, as well.  Most importantly, though, I have discovered that art can promote one’s physical, cognitive, emotional, psychological, and social well-being.  Considering the large number of past and present artists that have turned to art in times of personal emotional turmoil and heartbreak, as illustrated in Auguste Rodin’s The Kiss, Frida Kahlo’s The Two Fridas, and Sophie Calle’s Take Care of Yourself, Rob Montgomery’s The People You Love Become Ghosts Inside of You and Like this You Keep Them Alive (Gotthardt, 2019, para. 3), I was determined to investigate the connection between art and well-being further. 

       Prior to understanding how art can benefit a person’s well-being, it is necessary to identify what constitutes well-being.  However, the definition and criteria for well-being differ depending on the theory being examined.  Three different perspectives on well-being will be briefly introduced.  To start, in the Well-Being Theory, well-being is dependent on individualized and often subjective characteristics, such as the person’s ability to engage in enjoyable experiences, as opposed to objective criteria like economic factors, as had been believed in studies predating the 1970s (Melchionne, 2017, p. 190).  In fact, in Richard Easterline’s paradox, provided that basic life essentials are met, wealth has little influence on subjective well-being (SWB) and happiness (Melchionne, p. 190).  Rather, the amount of “flow” stimulated in the individual as a result of an activity can contribute positively to one’s well-being.  The term “flow,” coined by the psychologist Mahaly Csikszentmihalyi, refers to a level of connection or concentration with an activity in which the individual feels empowered, satisfied, present in the moment, and forgets about self and time while also being challenged, but not to the point of exasperation (Melchionne, p. 192).  Within a state of “flow,” the activity maintains its “freshness” or level of interest for the individual by being structured, but flexible, so as to vary and change as needed (Melchionne, pp. 192-193).  Art is often characterized as having “flow” (Melchionne, p. 192).  In the Well-Being theory, the four specific criteria for determining well-being include large amounts of positive experiences, small amounts of negative experiences, satisfaction from a specific topic or event of choice, as well as the overall level of personal satisfaction (Melchionne, p. 197).  Additionally, there are three primary influences on subjective well-being (SWB): temperament, circumstances, and intentional thoughts and activities (Melchionne, p. 199).  The first influence, temperament refers to the person’s psychobiological disposition or personality traits, moods, and reactions to which one is predisposed (Melchionne, p. 199).  The second influence, circumstances, denotes aspects of a person’s life that generally have little change over time, including his or her work, relationships, living arrangements, health, marital status, and wealth (Melchionne, p. 199).  The third influence, intentional thoughts and activities, concerns people’s self-made goals and intentional, intrinsically motivated actions that reflect their interests (Melchionne, pp. 200-201).  Compared to the first two influences, the individual has the most control over the third influence.  These influences on well-being, however, are not cut and dry.  For example, people with a high amount of subjective well-being may lack happiness at times but work diligently to find activities that bring them joy so that they can maintain their stance at the high end of their hedonic or emotional range (Melchionne, p. 198).  Within subjective well-being, the value of hedonic conceptions, or positive emotions, is compared with eudaemonic conceptions, or meaning and purpose for self-fulfillment (Melchionne, p. 198).  At present, both conceptions are considered “intertwined” within the well-being theory (Melchionne, p. 199). 

Melchionne points out several important observations concerning the role of art in the Well-Being Theory.  To start, art is often more beneficial for the artist’s well-being than the that of the audience, given that it is the intentional action, such as art-making, that is of most worth (Melchionne, p. 201).  Also, making art can benefit a person’s well-being regardless of his or her artistic abilities, as the action, not the product, is of high value (Melchionne, p. 202).  The quality of the activity or action, however, is what really matters (Melchionne, p. 205).  For instance, if one rushes through an art-making activity in order to simply have completed the task, one will not experience the same benefit as one that is more invested and engaged in the action.  Determining what is meaningful and engaging about an activity is dependent on the individual and, thus, requires a level of introspection and self-discipline to evaluate if the activity sparks joy or happiness (Melchionne, p. 202).  Compared with only periodic engagement in an activity, regular engagement, such as on a daily basis, proves more beneficial towards one’s well-being, as well (Melchionne, p. 202).  Furthermore, higher levels of both one’s autonomy within the activity as well as the amount of “flow” induced by the activity within the individual generally result in greater amounts of fulfillment and well-being, as opposed to activities involving low levels of autonomy and “flow” (Melchionne, pp. 202, 203, & 208).     

        In addition to the Well-Being Theory, the Ecological Perspective also sheds light on well-being.  In the Ecological Perspective on well-being, a person’s level of well-being depends on his or her ability to reflect on the current situation and environment, while being resilient and taking action as necessary to obtain resources (McKay, 2018, p. 357).  Such action can include problem-solving, communicating, and setting goals (McKay, pp. 357-358).  According to McKay, as reflection is a key to well-being, activities that bring people to deeper levels of comprehension, emotional expression, and significant and sometimes unforeseen insights, as a result of reflection, can lead people to greater well-being (McKay, pp. 358 & 364). 

       A further perspective one should examine when considering well-being is from a mental health stand-point.  When evaluating well-being based on a person’s mental health, those of higher levels of well-being are generally considered to be those with good mental health, as opposed to those with poor mental health (Davies, 2016, p. 2).  In this perspective, being of good mental health and well-being should equip one with the ability to contribute positively to society, to be productive, to effectively handle stress and to, ultimately, reach one’s highest level of ability (Davies, p. 2).

        Not only does the wide range of perspectives and differing criteria make it difficult to determine the impact of art on a person’s well-being, but this topic it is further complicated by the limited amounts and types of data currently available (Cann, 2017, p. 93).  Of the many potential reasons for this lack of data, one such theory is that art is already very popular and established in the fine arts world and is, therefore, often overlooked when it comes to medicine and treatment, especially when compared to pills (Scott, 2015).  The majority of data available on the benefits of art on a person’s well-being comes in the form of qualitative data (Cann, p. 93).  To gather qualitative data, such means as questionnaires, telephone conversations, written responses, and journal entries are frequently used (Pearce, 2017, p. 43).  Unfortunately, this type of data is generally considered subjective or a reflection of a correlation rather than a cause-and-effect relationship, as participants are asked to respond to questions related to their mood or feeling of “closeness” with other group members (Pearce, p. 42).  Luckily, with advancements in technology and increasing knowledge of the power and potential of art, new strides are being made to increase data in support of art’s benefits on well-being, especially in the form of objective and quantitative data (Melchionne, p. 189).  For instance, in one study, the number of hours that participants were actively engaged in art-making was recorded and compared with other time increments (Davies, p. 2).  Findings revealed that the necessary “art dose,” or the ideal minimum weekly time commitment to art’s creation, was two hours, with participants who achieved this minimum being of better mental health than those with fewer art-making hours (Davies, p. 8).  Newer forms of technology, including heart rate monitors, neuroimaging devices such as mobile electroencephalograms (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and actigraphs, are also being applied to the study of art’s benefits on well-being (Mastandrea, Fagioli, & Biasi, 2019, p. 3; Huotilainen, Rankanen, Groth, Seitamaa-Hakkarainen, & Mäkelä, 2018, pp. 2 & 10).  Results gathered through both qualitative and quantitative studies reveal a tremendous amount of potential positive influences which art can have on a person’s well-being.

          To start, art can increase a person’s physical well-being.  At the most basic level, art provides a visual mode for illustrating a traumatic event through symbols and metaphors (Argyle & Winship, 2018, p. 387).  This artwork can become a “living legacy” or lasting memory of the experience (Brownett, 2018, p. 76).  At the same time, art can provide a calm and safe environment that is free of judgement and stress in which the individual feels free to practice, reflect, and learn from failure (Argyle & Winship, pp. 389-390; Huotilainen et al., p. 8).  For instance, changing the color or decoration of a room can improve one’s mood and increase one’s information processing and decision-making abilities, following a painful or significant life event (“Tips to Decorate Your Home After a Divorce,” 2018).  Upon realizing that children were fearful of doctors, hospitals even began displaying artwork to make the environment more aesthetically pleasing and, thus, more welcoming for patients (Scott, 2018).  Interestingly, artwork with a sad content can still be aesthetically pleasing and beneficial to one’s physical well-being (Mastandrea et al., pp. 4 & 5).  It is as if art functions as a mode of “prevention” against physical ails (Cann, p. 90).  For example, researchers discovered that those who engaged in making art in a community setting were less likely to require medical visits and medication than those who were not engaged in this form of activity (Cann, p. 91).  Additionally, the use of one’s hands, as in the creation of art, is believed to open the mind while also improving motor skills and hand-eye coordination (Argyle & Winship, p. 391; Huotilainen et al., p. 12).  Somatosensory stimulation or the application of the sense of touch through art-making, whether holding a pencil or modeling with clay, can engage the motor and emotional areas of the brain and promote brain development, in general (Huotilainen et al., pp. 4-5).  According to research conducted with the aid of heart rate monitors, actigraphs, and mobile EEGs, art can reduce stress and blood pressure and promote relaxation (Huotilainen et al., p. 2).  Decreased cortisol levels in saliva samples taken in participants after art-making experiences, further confirmed the finding on art as a de-stressor (Mastandrea et al., p . 2).  Not only can art decrease cortisol levels, but art can also encourage people to become less absorbed in the material world (Melchionne, p. 194).  Moreover, art can improve people’s sense of their overall health and possibly even improve their immune system (Huotilainen et al., p. 2).   

           In addition to benefitting a person’s physical well-being, art can also improve a person’s cognitive well-being.  To start, due to brain “plasticity,” it is possible for people to acquire new skills as a result of learning and experimenting about art, regardless of their age (Huotilainen et al., p. 6).  Also, depending on how a person uses their brain, the neuron pathway structure can change (Huotilainen et al., p. 6).  Therefore, if a person regularly spends much of their time worrying or stressing, the brain actually strengthens these pathways, predisposing the individual to continued negative thoughts.  However, if one incorporates a new stress-reducing activity, such as art-making, into their daily life, pathways in the brain in favor of positive thoughts and actions are strengthened instead.  As confirmed in recent studies on neuroimaging and physiological states, art and aesthetic experiences can infuse the brain with positive emotions and a sense of pleasure (Mastandrea et al., pp. 3-4).  It is important to note, though, that the amount of positive emotion and pleasure experienced is heightened when one can grasp the meaning and context of the image (Mastandrea et al., p. 3).  In addition, whether the content is positive or negative, when looking at artwork, the parts of the brain responsible for processing joy, pleasure, and rewards, known as the medial orbitofrontal cortex and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, are activated (Mastandrea et al., pp. 3-4).  In turn, feeling pleasure and reward can facilitate cognitive abilities necessary for learning (Mastandrea et al., p. 3).  Art can further promote cognition and memory, especially when compared with writing and speaking, as art often involves the use of one’s hands and the visualization of complex tasks, thus activating additional parts of the brain (Huotilainen et al., pp. 2, 4, 12, & 13; McKay & Barton, 2018, p. 358).        

         Not only can art benefit one’s physical and cognitive well-being, but art can also improve one’s emotional well-being.  As alluded to in the previous paragraph, cognitive abilities, such as memory, perception, and attention, can be influenced and increased by positive emotions (Huotilainen et al., p. 8; Melchionne, p. 198).  Participants, from studies which examined the benefits of art-making, expressed how art improved their mood and self-esteem, increased their level of personal pride, and instilled a greater sense of success and achievement (Cann, p. 90; Argyle & Winship, p. 387).  For instance, a participant remarked, “I feel happier and much more confident” (Pearce, p. 48).  This increased confidence about one’s abilities and skill level, attributed to art activities, can positively influence one’s sense of accomplishment, purpose, and control over his or her life (Pearce, p. 53).  Moreover, as art can increase levels of joy, satisfaction, vitality, calmness, relaxation, and optimism, art proves to be an important outlet for coping with anxiety and worries surrounding difficult life events (Titus & Sinacore, 2013, pp. 29-30, 34).  The benefits of art on one’s emotional well-being can sometimes even be two-fold: first with the positive art event initially sparking happiness and, second, the positive art experience later influencing one’s emotional pathway towards an “upward spiral” in which the individual believes the future has potential for continued happiness (Melchionne, p. 198).  Women who have recently experienced divorce, for example, explained that art assisted them in “letting go” of negative emotions while also helping to make them feel more hopeful and “centered” (Syder, 2018, p. 2).  Closely related to feeling centered, art is noted for also being able to increase one’s level of “flow,” thus fitting into the criteria necessary for promoting well-being according to the Well-Being Theory (Melchionne, p. 192).  Those who experience high levels of “flow” through aesthetic experiences reported recollecting positive memories and feeling such positive emotions as pleasure, greater happiness, reduced anxiety, (Mastandrea et al., p. 2; Melchionne, p. 189, 194).  Whether engaging in art appreciation or art-making, habitual or more regular engagement in the activity promotes greater well-being than when only performed on a periodic basis (Melchionne, p. 197).  Furthermore, art has been found to help regulate mental states (Huotilainen et al., p. 1).  For example, art can help people to organize their thoughts and feelings; redirect people away from their emotional stress; and assist them with handling grief, distress, depression, and anxiety (Huotilainen et al., pp. 1-2; Cann, p. 90).  This finding is echoed by contemporary Cinematographer, Roger Grange, who explained, “…once you start creating, you get liberated and all of you is poured down on that paper.” (Syder, p. 2).  Other potential positive emotions that can be experienced as a result of art include reduced boredom and increased imagination and creativity (Scott, 2015; Huotilainen et al., pp. 2 & 12). 

      From deeper examination, art proves the potential for increasing a person’s psychological well-being.  To begin with, art can fill people with a sense of security (Huotilainen, p. 12).  When this happens, art replaces the “fight-or-flight” response, which one would normally engage in when feeling threatened or stressed, with a state of “flow,” in which people feel more in control, become fully engaged, and are filled with a sense of greater ability and possibility (Huotilainen et al., pp. 10-11). Art can also empower people and strengthen their mental or psychological health (Brownett, p. 72).  For example, art can provide people with a sense of agency, self-efficacy, purpose, and fulfillment (Huotilainen et al., p. 2; Cann, p. 90; Brownett, p. 73).  Even when faced with challenges or when one experiences failures, art can teach people to be more resilient and to adapt a growth mindset (Huotilainen et al., p. 8).  In this way, people are more likely to be able to adapt, rise above, and learn from their experiences (Brownett, p. 72).  Compared with a fixed mindset, with a growth mindset, one has a more positive outlook on life so that their perception of mistakes and “failures” transforms into learning opportunities and avenues to personal growth (Huotilainen et al., p. 9).  Therefore, those of a growth mindset are more apt to engage in cognitive risk-taking and to take initiative in tasks (Pearce. p. 53). 

       In addition to improving one’s psychological well-being by encouraging a growth-mindset, art can also assist in the development of one’s identity and in realizing one’s self-worth (Cann, p. 91).  Many scholars believe that expressing one’s self through art is the ideal method for discovering one’s identity and, by extension, a means of grasping people’s shared experiences as part of the human condition (Aitken, Dobson, Ezcurra, Mitchell, & Strong-Wilson, 2018, p. 2).  According to theorist, John Dewey, “When we express art, we come to know ourselves; when we come to know ourselves, we come to know our wholeness; when we come to know our wholeness, we come to know our humanity” (Aitken, pp. 2-3).  In creating and viewing art, one is often encouraged to reflect on one’s life, identity, and the surrounding environment (Brownett, p. 76).  By sparking this form of reflection, art can foster personal growth and feelings of greater self-worth (Mastandrea et al., p. 2).  For instance, by assisting people in both grasping their place in the world and realizing their shared experiences with others, art can imbue feelings of enlightenment, inspiration, being grounded, and having the ability to achieve one’s potential (Argyle & Winship, p. 393; Brownett, p. 72).  Moreover, creating art can improve a person’s self-image by providing them with a voice and encouraging them to become reacquainted with certain aspects of their identity, such as their interests, fear, emotions, memories, or goals (Pearce, pp. 47 & 53; Titus & Sinacore, p. 34). 

Furthermore, making artwork can promote a person’s psychological well-being by increasing their mindfulness (Huotilainen et al., p. 5).  Mindfulness refers to being fully aware and present within the current moment and is directly opposed to feelings of anxiety and depression in which the individual is focused solely on either the past or the future (Huotilainen et al., p. 5).  Art-making is an important mindfulness activity which can fill people’s lives with greater meaning, by leading the individual to new or unforeseen realizations as a result of meditation, relaxation, and later high-quality reflection (McKay & Barton, p. 364).  In this way, the mindfulness component of art-making can assist people in facing challenges and adapting as necessary, fitting with the Ecological Perspective’s requirement for well-being (McKay & Barton, p. 364).  Furthermore, as a mindfulness activity, art can instill greater meaning in life (Argyle & Winship. P. 385).  For example, through art, people can realize the creativity that is within them (Scott, 2015).  Additionally, art can encourage self-regulation as one can visualize and reflect on not only what troubles or upsets them, but also consider potential solutions and appropriate responses to those situations (McKay & Barton, p. 364).  Furthermore, reflecting on a painful experience through the creation of a related art piece can aid people in comprehending the meaning and implications of the experience on their lives (Vohs, Aaker, & Catapano, 2019, p. 11).  In some instances, negative experiencing can hold greater meaning and result in higher levels of learning than positive or everyday experiences since these kinds of experiences demand one’s immediate attention (Vohs et al., p. 13).  Therefore, creating artwork that reflects on times of pain and suffering has the tremendous potential of leading people to realize and, ultimately, to make changes necessary for a better future (McKay & Barton, p. 364; Syder, p. 2).  As happiness and positive experiences do not always breed meaning for one’s life, it is not necessary for the artwork one produces to portray a happy mood or subject (Vohs et al., p. 13).  However, art-making, which can encourage mindfulness and lead to greater meaning and understanding in life, can promote greater happiness, overall (Vohs et al., p. 13). 

         From a broader perspective, art can increase one’s social well-being.  On a literal level, art provides people with personal space, consisting of the dimensions of their artwork, in which to express themselves in the world (Huotilainen et al., p. 2). Making artwork can help one develop his or her identity, as well (Huotilainen et al., p. 1).  Also, creating, viewing, and talking about artwork, can provide opportunities for both increasing one’s understanding of one’s self and others and engaging in meaningful and personal dialogue, whether written, spoken, or visual (Huotilainen et al., p. 2).  Artwork, however, has the unique ability of being able to express concepts and ideas which are difficult to convey in other modalities (McKay & Barton, p. 361).  For example, a teacher found that she could express things in her collage, about her difficult transition into a leadership role, which she could not previously express in words by ripping and pasting together pieces of paper (McKay & Barton, p. 361). 

While art can be made in private, more benefits can be experienced, related to one’s social well-being, from engaging in group art-based activities or “mutual recovery,” such as community-based education classes held at a community center or library (Pearce, p. 42; Argyle & Winship, p. 385).  For instance, in a study on adult education classes, those who participated in the art classes were found to have greater well-being than those who did not participate (Pearce, p. 42).  To start, making art in a group setting with people of similar interests, can reduce loneliness and isolation, promote a sense of unity and belonging, and foster the development of strong relationships and friendships based on respect, mutual trust, and communal support (Cann, p. 90; Huotilainen et al, p. 1; Brownett, pp. 72-73).  As a result of positive, shared art experiences and mutual learning, people can feel supported, validated, and more connected (Argyle & Winship, p. 385; Pearce, p. 47; Brownett, p. 76).  In addition, social capital can be increased from the “reciprocal exchange” among people in art groups by encouraging greater activity and involvement in the community from individuals, increasing social networking, promoting the use of local resources, and demonstrating acceptance of people with diverse backgrounds and beliefs (Brownett, pp. 71 & 77; Argyle & Winship, p. 392; Pearce, pp. 47 & 53).  Furthermore, viewing artwork created by other people can increase empathy in the viewer (Mastandrea et al., p. 5).  Moreover, art is “an expression of the dignity of the human person” (Pless, Maak, & Harris, 2017, p. 224).  Thus, as every person is born with possessing human dignity and art is, in some fashion, an extension of the self, art is an important means of illustrating and preserving human dignity (Pless et al., p. 223).  On the whole, art can improve the overall health of the community (Brownett, p. 71). 

            As a result of both researching about the benefits of art on well-being and creating a personally meaningful piece of artwork to express a very difficult time in my life, I have reached several important realizations about art, myself, and life, in general.  First, I now believe that art is sometimes an essential human need.  Although art is typically placed in the higher levels of the pyramid in Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs, I believe that this pyramid is not a “one size fits all” scenario and should be individualized to ensure that people can obtain a high quality of life (Cann, p. 89).  For instance, when my now ex-husband would find me drawing or realize that I had spent hours on an artwork, even if spread out over many weeks, he would comment about how I had my priorities out of order or that I was “wasting my time.”  These words wrap around my wedding ring in my digital collage, Breaking the Cycle.  As a result of my ex-husband’s hurtful remarks and the negative energy he would add to our house, I eventually stopped making art at home, altogether.  It was not that I felt that I could not make art, but I had no inspiration or “energy” to express myself in what I felt was an intimate and, thus, vulnerable manner.  I retreated deeper inside myself as a means of protecting my heart, but I reached a point at which I seriously felt like I was dying inside.  While creating my digital collage, I experienced moments of liberation from my depression, stress, and worries due to the freedom I felt in expressing my thoughts and emotions through my art.  This feeling is illustrated in the horse drawing which appears to emerge out of my eye.  My happiness and well-being are enough of a reason for pursuing art on a regular basis.  In this way, art-making and art research has prompted an increase in my self-worth. 

          Second, I now know that, even though art-making can benefit one’s well-being and that activities done on a regular basis can assist people in reaching even greater levels of well-being, it is the level of quality and autonomy of the activity that proves to have the most significance (Melchionne, pp. 202 & 205).  Even though I would sometimes make art at home while I was married, during the activity I would not feel engaged and, afterwards, I would not feel refreshed as I was preoccupied with concerns about what my husband would think if he were to walk in and see me or if he would criticize me for the time that I could have spent cleaning instead.  In this way, my time making art was of a low quality and so did not increase my subjective well-being.  In addition, while making artwork in our apartment, I lacked autonomy over my environment as I had little control over the general mood in the room and limited control over the time and focus I could invest in my art. 

Third, as a result of examining the many benefits of art on well-being and having experienced, first-hand, many of these benefits at a critical time in my life while creating my most recent digital collage, I feel that I have a responsibility to share my knowledge and story with other people so that they, too, can find healing and increased well-being in art.  For instance, I would ideally like to find and join a community art group or a divorce support group and lead the group in creating an emotionally driven piece of art to reflect on a difficult life experience, as I did in my digital collage.  While I feel that I have achieved a greater sense of clarity and inner peace through this project, I would not say that I have reached a state of happiness yet.  I have learned, however, that happiness and contentment in life are life-long goals which I need to continue actively pursuing by embracing my role as a life-long learner. 

            Of the many forms of activity in which people can engage, getting a “daily dose” of art, especially when in a group setting, such as a community art meet-up group or a women’s shelter, proves to be a wonderful option considering the numerous benefits it can expound upon a person’s physical, cognitive, emotional, psychological, and social well-being, including a visual platform to express their thoughts and emotions, a safe place to engage in cognitive risk-taking, opportunities to develop friendship and become more accepting of diversity, and a vehicle to express and preserve one’s human dignity, to name just a few.  I feel very thankful to be an artist and art teacher and to have reached out to art as my method of coping in the midst of my divorce.  I believe that art can be a very powerful, and even an essential, outlet for comprehending and working through pain and suffering.  Whether through art or not, people, need to discover the key or the action that enables them to reach their sweet spot, which I now know as “flow” and at which point being totally engaged and awake in the present moment becomes inevitable.  Moreover, I have discovered that it is okay to be without all the answers, to ask questions, to express my thoughts and feelings, and to ask for help.  In fact, it is through these very means that people, myself included as exemplified in this text and in my digital collage, have and can achieve greater truth, grow, and more closely reach their potential. 

 

 

 

 

References

 

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