Growth Palette: Nurturing Personal Development Through Art
Artwork by: Ragini Ashok Art, 2022
Title of Art: Beginning of healing
Growth Palette: Nurturing Personal Development Through Art
Introduction: This article takes you on a brief but impactful journey to explore how art can be a tool for personal growth, well-being, and transformation. We delve into the deeper meaning of art, not just as an aesthetic experience but as a representation of human creativity and a powerful influence on the mind, body, and spirit. Through scientific insights and personal reflections, Ragini Ashok highlights art's potential to enhance emotional states, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being. We'll also touch on how art is increasingly recognized in healthcare systems, offering solutions for mental health and beyond.
The Power of Artistic Expression for Well-being
Aesthetic experiences and the arts are ingrained in human nature and crucial for health, well-being, and learning. Art is more than just a piece of aesthetic adoration or personal pride and an object of pleasure. In order to realize the power of art and its effects on mind, body and spirit, let us begin with understanding what art truly means.
Art is a representation of the act of creation or creative process. Fundamentally, It is a reflection of the creativity that exists in everyone, not just professional artists. Every person is inherently a creator, continuously expressing themselves in various ways—whether through crafting a business plan, cooking for family, or engaging in daily problem-solving. Art, in its purest sense, is a result of this outburst of creative energy. So as an artist, I choose to represent that form of meditative state through art
"An artist represents the act of creativity, the essence of existentialism through creative expression. Creativity is the act of bringing something into reality, and we are all creators."
-Ragini Ashok
The Meditative State of Art
Art is also a living eternal object, a perspective that has been lived by the artist, that which is being lived on by any perceiver at any particular moment. The most amazing truth about art is that it is the thought that makes you imagine, think and trembles you to look deeper at yourself. Precisely “art is a reflection of yourself”. Furthermore, it keeps changing with the viewer. A unique expression is formed by every perceiver, changing constantly with whatever boundaries of time, generation, or era. Like a meditative state “art remains boundless, by existing in itself”, as a thought form or an idea, that truly makes a mark on you. This is also the reason why you and I, and everyone should be creating art that inspires us to contemplate and provide direction to delve deeper into our lives, to understand relationships, emotions, thought patterns and complex situations that we sometimes find ourselves in. With this awareness comes transformation, contributing to improved casual and emotional states that guide individuals toward living a more fulfilled life through artistic expression.
Finding Your Inner Artist
You don’t have to be an artist to create art. Yes, it is true if you do it for enough time, attaining a certain level of mastery, like most professional artists do through their education and experience, can bring even the most mundane things into life through art expression. But I want to impart something else here, that is to encourage each one of you to find your inner artist, the one full of exuberant creative energy that sparks inspiration, curiosity, contemplation and a desire to understand the depths of your being or personal development.
Consider art as a tool for well-being rather than a thing of beauty and adoration. I began to see art as a tool of expansion for overall well-being (mental, physical and spiritual). I have seen for myself what art does to an individual and I have conducted a scientific literature survey to understand the effect of art on an individual’s emotions, brain activity, stress management, cognition and overall physical health.
The Importance of Art in Human Health and Well-Being
Shared Characteristics of Art
In essence, art, with its diverse forms and subjective interpretations, holds shared characteristics such as cherishing objects or experiences beyond practical utility. Fancourt and Finn (2019) highlight these fundamental features, emphasizing the imaginative and emotionally evocative nature of art across cultures. Simultaneously, art activities, as noted by Davies et al. (2015), offer a combination of creativity and cognitive engagement that can enhance well-being, particularly in older adults. Despite the proven benefits, such activities are often undervalued and underutilized currently in promoting health and well-being.
Therapeutic Impact of Art
Initiatives like the Arts in Medicine and Creative Forces demonstrate the therapeutic impact of the arts on health, from stress reduction to aiding trauma recovery (Magsamen, 2019). There is a growing global interest in leveraging the arts for health benefits, supported by a thorough review of over 3,000 publications by the World Health Organization. In countries like the UK, arts activities are part of social prescribing programs, showing positive outcomes such as improved well-being, mental health, and cost reduction in healthcare. Although state and regional pilots are ongoing in the US, there is currently no national social prescribing structure established (Pesata et al., 2022). The arts emerge as a superpower, with the potential to address chronic stress, mental health, pain management, learning differences, and more, transcending societal boundaries (Magsamen, 2019).
Art's Influence on Brain Function
Evidence from rehabilitation medicine and neuroscience suggests that art positively impacts brain function by influencing brain wave patterns, emotions, and the nervous system. Creating and experiencing art can raise serotonin levels and stimulate the development of new neural pathways. A study by Professor Semir Zeki found that viewing art deemed most beautiful increased blood flow to the brain's pleasure-associated region by up to 10%. Art engages advanced processes like intuitive analysis, expressivity, and embodied cognition, potentially contributing to enhanced observation skills and memory in artists through its impact on brain plasticity (Ishizu T and Zeki S, 2011; Lebwohl B, 2012).
Neuroaesthetics and Quality of Life
Neuroaesthetics, a growing research field at the crossroads of psychological aesthetics, biological mechanisms, and human evolution, explores the therapeutic potential of music, art, theater, dance, literature, landscape, and media to treat disorders and enhance the quality of life (Magsamen, 2019). Neuroaesthetics explores how the brain responds to art, revealing the intricate connections between sensory, cognitive, and emotional functions.
A Future Vision: Art as a Preventive Force for Well-being Through Societal Integration of Art:
In recognizing the profound impact of arts and culture, it's evident that art should transcend its current status as merely an aesthetic or a therapeutic intervention for health related issues. Instead, it should evolve into a societal necessity, prompting the establishment of nationwide art expression programs. The concept of "social prescribing" in healthcare, directing individuals to nonclinical services like community arts, is a step in the right direction. However, the vision extends beyond therapeutic measures after illness; it calls for a paradigm shift where art becomes a proactive and preventive force for overall well-being. Social Prescribing USA's admirable goal to make social prescribing accessible to every American by 2035 aligns with the broader perspective of integrating the "arts on prescription" model nationwide (Bloomberg, 2023). This model not only underscores scalability and health equity but also advocates for the seamless incorporation of accessible, community-driven art resources into healthcare systems. However, there is a pressing need to shift focus, emphasizing art not merely as a response to disease but as a proactive cause of well-being.
To support this vision, it's essential to foster both artists creating mindful and affordable art, as well as programs that encourage self-expression and public engagement. Equally important are platforms that promote therapeutic and meditative art forms, providing accessible spaces for individuals to explore creativity and inner peace. These initiatives play a crucial role in making art a transformative and healing experience for all.
Conclusion: Art as a Lifelong Companion
In essence, this article passionately highlights the profound significance of arts in human nature while also delving into the immense potential of integrating art seamlessly into our daily lives. Beyond its role as a source of aesthetic pleasure, art is presented as a powerful manifestation of intrinsic creativity, emphasizing that everyone possesses and expresses their innate creative ability. Rather than solely celebrating the expertise of professional artists, the narrative encourages every person to discover their inner artist—a wellspring of vibrant creative energy capable of inspiring, sparking curiosity, fostering contemplation, and nurturing personal development.
As we navigate the intricate tapestry of the human experience, the article compellingly argues for the pervasive integration of art into our daily routines, offering a holistic approach to well-being and personal growth. The prospects are exhilarating, envisioning a future where creativity becomes a constant companion, stress finds an antidote in artistic expression, cognitive abilities are heightened, and our collective existence is enriched in profound ways through art. In this era of heightened awareness regarding the therapeutic potential of art, the article issues an impassioned call to action, urging individuals, communities, and societies to embrace the transformative power of art for a more vibrant, resilient, and harmonious way of life.
The canvas of our existence awaits the strokes of creativity, poised to paint a future where art is not a fleeting encounter but an integral part of our everyday narrative—an ever-present source of inspiration, introspection, and unparalleled joy.
-Ragini Ashok
About the Author
Ragini Ashok, a pioneer in meditative art, offers a transformative approach that blends mindfulness, art, and healing through her brand, Ragini Ashok Meditative Art (RAMA). Her visually captivating pieces serve as tools for reflection, inner peace, and personal transformation, designed to evoke calm and deeper connection. Whether in homes, offices, or wellness spaces, RAMA art provides more than decoration—it's a gateway to mindfulness and well-being.
Whether you're looking to enhance your space or collaborate on a personalized creation, RAMA invites you to experience art that goes beyond aesthetics and nurtures your well-being.
References
Bloomberg (2023) Arts on Prescription: Embracing a New Culture of Health with “Social Prescribing”. Bloomberg Professional. [Accessed 12 January 2024]. https://www.bloomberg.org/blog/arts-on-prescription-embracing-a-new-culture-of-health-with-social-prescribing/
Davies, C., Knuiman, M., & Rosenberg, M. (2016). The art of being mentally healthy: a study to quantify the relationship between recreational arts engagement and mental well-being in the general population. BMC public health, 16, 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-2672-7
Fancourt, D., & Finn, S. (2019). What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being?: A scoping review. WHO Regional Office for Europe. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32091683/
Ishizu T, Zeki S (2011). Toward A Brain-Based Theory of Beauty. PLoS ONE 6(7): e21852. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0021852
Pesata, V., Colverson, A., Sonke, J., Morgan-Daniel, J., Schaefer, N., Sams, K., Carrion, F. M., & Hanson, S. (2022). Engaging the Arts for Wellbeing in the United States of America: A Scoping Review. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 791773. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.791773
Lebwohl B, (2012). Semir Zeki: Beauty is in the brain of the beholder. Retrieved from https://earthsky.org/human-world/semir-zeki-beauty-is-in-the-brain-of-the-beholder/
Magsamen S. Your Brain on Art: The Case for Neuroaesthetics. Cerebrum. (2019) Jul 1;2019:cer-07-19. PMID: 32206171; PMCID: PMC7075503. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7075503/
Pesata, V., Colverson, A., Sonke, J., Morgan-Daniel, J., Schaefer, N., Sams, K., Carrion, F. M., & Hanson, S. (2022). Engaging the Arts for Wellbeing in the United States of America: A Scoping Review. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 791773. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.791773
Parry, J. (2015, September 28). The Culture of Scientific Research: where next? [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://ukrio.org/the-culture-of-scientific-research-where-next/
