Painting My Happy Place
Creating to stop thinking
I've been spending a lot of time on Instagram, and a quote keeps catching my eye in artists' videos: "I paint to stop thinking." Every time I see it, a sense of discomfort washes over me. I disagree with it. Why should we paint to stop thinking? Painting should be about experiencing flow, being real, and embracing authenticity. Art encompasses a full spectrum of emotions, including pain. If we paint to avoid our thoughts, how can we access and express those painful emotions?
I've tried to rationalize and intellectualize my feelings about this quote, but the truth is, it unsettles me because it reflects my own reality. My therapist encourages me to sit with my feelings, yet I often feel guilty for not doing so. Instead, I escape into my art, running away when it all becomes too much, losing myself in the depths of my brushstrokes.
Lately, anxiety has been a constant companion. The pressures of making a living from my art, the weight of responsibilities, and the whirlwind of life have all been overwhelming. I don't even feel like talking to anyone about it. Usually, I sit with my emotions and try to process them, but recently, it's been more than I can handle.
So, I paint. I paint to stop thinking. When I'm immersed in my art, I'm free from reality. In my artistic world, I find happiness and relief. I'm grateful that I'm not experiencing an art block right now, especially when I need my art the most. Art has saved me before from the depths of my own emotions, and the current overwhelm makes me crave the escape my creative world offers—a world filled with flowers, animals, butterflies, and fairies, where nothing bad ever happens and happily ever afters are real.
Recently, I took a whimsical journey with my paintbrush, creating pieces that feel incredibly special to me – a magical forest that radiates joy and wonder. As I dipped my brush into newly bought paints and began to apply them to the paper, I felt like a child. It was like tapping into the boundless energy and curiosity of my younger self, where every stroke felt like magic.
The scenes I painted are more than just a collection of colors and shapes; they’re my happy places brought to life. The lush greens and playful splashes of pinks, yellows, reds, purples, and whites come together to create a vibrant oasis. Each flower, painted with a slightly abstract touch, carries its own story, inviting the viewer to imagine the wonders that lie within this enchanted forest.
There’s freedom in trying something new, in not knowing exactly how the colors will blend or what textures will emerge. This sense of exploration added excitement and spontaneity to the process, reminding me that art is not just about the final product but about the journey and discoveries made along the way.
In these pieces, I found my happy place. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of anxiety and overwhelm, there’s a sanctuary within my art where I can find peace and joy.
Happy Creating.