Saba’s Ten Reasons to Create.
Saba and I met through the Toronto Art Therapy Institute in 2019. Saba continually brings awareness to the role of art therapy and mental health, providing a gentle voice and ongoing dialogue around very important issues. It is amazing to witness this advocacy as Saba has often shared her thoughts on social media to engage, guide, and provide resources. The universality of lived and witnessed experiences shared in this way can provide voice to so many who are feeling disconnected and stigmatized. I find the beautiful soothing colours of her abstract pieces, ‘Serenity’, ‘Mood’ and ‘Mirage’ particularly moving. Thank you Saba for sharing ‘Ten Reasons to Create’ alongside your expressive art pieces validating the benefits of therapeutic art making.
My Ten Reason’s To Create:
1. Neuroplasticity.
The process of creating artwork requires a high degree of problem solving. Depending on what I am creating, I need to be able to focus on form, placement, and colours. Sometimes it may take days or weeks to complete a piece as I slowly learn how to overcome my obstacles while creating. The process of overcoming obstacles and learning new techniques is a result of the brain functioning in new ways to create solutions and new pathways.
Second Life.
2. Happiness.
Creating art is a mood booster. I can release my emotions onto the canvas while creating a new piece of art. Similarly, viewing artwork can ignite a whole cascade of understanding and emotions. This can prove very cathartic whether or not it is immediately realized.
Repose.
3. Meditation.
Art is my form of meditation. I am able to release my worldly stresses and just focus on the task at hand. I can feel the weight of the world releasing off my shoulders the more I indulge in my art. Over time, I can feel my mind relaxing and the physical knots in my body loosening. In fact, creating art has been scientifically proven to help improve symptoms in mental health and chronic pain patients.
Serenity.
4. Understanding.
Creating art helps me speak through my artwork, helping me make sense of what is going on in my life and my mind. It helps me create a narrative and understand where I am in my life regarding any regressed thoughts, feelings and emotions I may be expressing in my artwork. Sometimes seeing finished artwork can elicit completely new understanding of self.
Mood.
5. Advocacy.
Advocacy: Themed artwork can help raise awareness regarding certain issues that are stigmatized, such as those pertaining to mental health. Artwork can help facilitate the dialogue for delicate topics, fostering understanding and compassion in others for others and themselves. This can be seen in my pieces titled, “Migraine”, “Scattered Connections”, and “Repose”.
Migraine.
6. Freedom.
The act of creating allows for a sense of freedom. The freedom to create what I want when I want, without restrictions and without the looming feeling of being graded or analyzed.
Scattered Connections.
7. Growth.
Creating art, being aware of the process, and observing the art upon completion are all different experiences. Each part of the overall process tells us something about our different selves. There is a growth that occurs within the artist from the beginning to the end of a painting.
Mirage.
8. Independence/Autonomy.
Being able to create artwork requires an individual to be at peace with his or her own company. For individuals who enjoy their time alone, it is a great activity. For those who have difficulty spending time alone, creating artwork can be a good catalyst. The process of creating art requires embracing solitude.
9. New Friends.
Something I did not realize once I started creating artwork was that it would lead to many new friends and a greater network. While an artist creates for themselves and in their own space, they eventually begin to socialize and network exponentially through exhibits and social media exchanges. Artwork is a great conversation starter.
Fireworks.
10. Drive/Passion.
Creating is cultivating your passion. Once you are able to put in your blood and sweat (hopefully not blood) into creating art, you realize you have the strength to be more passionate about other areas in your life. The drive spills into different aspects of your life.
Connect with Saba.
@sabarizviart
www.sabarizviart.com
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