Not many turn to a few buckets of paint and a large canvas board as a means to cope with the death of a loved one, or a divorce, or even the past memory of a dog dying when you were a kid. More standardized therapy tends to be the norm. Not to mention some consider their ‘skills’ to be less than admirable. You have to be ‘born’ a painter, a sculptor, a drawer, or whatever. Patience becomes a serious consideration, too. No, you don’t want to spend a few hours trying to paint a tree! Why, anyway? It’s just a ‘tree’. Seriously, why paint? Why draw? Why do any of that?
Well, the truth is some enjoy it and then become truly skilled and gifted in it. Perhaps they had the gift since they were born and only just learned how to harness it. Whatever the reason may be, their works of art touch us in ways we can only imagine if the roles were switched. Know something remarkable, though, about art….
It’s therapy. That’s not just a casual assertion either. In therapeutic theory, “art therapy” is a recognized form of work especially for mental health counseling and marriage counseling. The form of self-expression is actually a very healthy way to get feelings out and create a dialogue that benefits mental health and communication regarding any issues that need resolution.
Does this mean you can pick up a paintbrush and start letting go with your imagination, expecting better mental health? Maybe. If you feel you need an escape of some kind, art has that effect. It takes you to a world you’ve created, and that can be extremely healthy for your mind; but if your therapist sees that it might benefit you on some more serious issues, then it’s not just a getaway, it’s a method of reconstruction and benefit to your mental state. Yes, art can heal you.