Side Questing - Artistic Creativity as Therapy (Issue 192)
No, not AI slop—the actual process of making real art
I grew up watching Bob Ross on PBS. Seeing him paint and listening to his soothing voice always put me into a calm, meditative state.
There is something about watching an artist physically create work that always does this to me, which is why I follow several artists, sculptors, artisans, and other craftspeople on Instagram now. I enjoy seeing real talent in action!
So, one of my new side quests is all about bringing art back into my life.
I dabbled in art as a child, and I used to sketch and paint quite often. However, back then (70s and 80s), no one encouraged you to follow the path of becoming an artist. I was told there was no money in it. Later in life, my “real career” didn’t give me much free time to keep doing it. So, I stopped creating art for decades.
Well, I recently dusted off a sketchbook and started doodling again while I drink my morning coffee on the deck. For example, this big ol’ tree was in my line of sight one day.
It feels so good to create again! The physical act of sketching calms me. It quiets my mind and brings me joy. Note: You do not have to be talented to enjoy the benefits of busy hands. The process itself is the reward.
According to a 2016 study published in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, less than an hour of creative activity can reduce your stress and have a positive effect on your mental health, regardless of artistic experience or talent. (source)
Art therapy combines psychotherapy with the creation of art to enhance mental health and well-being. The techniques used can include doodling, sketching, painting, coloring, sculpting, etc. It’s really about using your creativity, hands, and a medium to express yourself, explore emotions, and regulate your mood. A pretty astounding array of issues and conditions can be treated through art therapy.
The more serious version requires a trained professional/licensed therapist. But I am simply exploring how creating art helps me feel more centered, relaxed, and happy every day. Even though it is still a challenge for me, I try not to focus on the outcome (i.e., I am never satisfied with my current level of talent). Instead, I enjoy the moment and the physical act of creation.
The feeling of the pencil moving across the paper as I sketch lines and shade.
The visual delight of stippling and watching something form beneath my pen.
The colors emerging from the brush as I glide it across the paper.
I’m no Bob Ross, but I do feel my heart rate slow, my breathing deepen, and my mind slipping into a meditative state every morning as I sit outside with my sketch pad. I have no intention of becoming a professional artist who sells work (my daughter does though!).
I just create for myself. I enjoy this act of creation because it is clearly good for me.
So, I encourage you to side quest a little and see if making art does something for you too. You might discover that it reduces anxiety, lifts your spirits, and brings something new out of you that you hadn’t realized was buried inside!
It should be obvious, but “creating art” using generative AI is not the same. There is no meditative physical process (e.g., sketching, painting, and shaping something with your hands). There is no delightful creativity and visual processing. Typing and modifying prompts does not count. So, if you want the benefits of using art creation as a therapeutic method, you have to actually make the art yourself!
I experience a similar delight when my wife and I make a nice dinner together. We chop vegetables, measure ingredients, and fry, cook, bake, and prepare the meal. The sensory experience is part of the reward—visuals, sounds, scents, and tastes. The process is part of the joy. Yes, eating the meal is wonderful, too. But it means so much more when it results from our direct efforts.
Having a pizza delivered instead is like using AI.
Yes, we specified the ingredients, quantity, and size. But we did not prepare or bake the pizza. Sure, it’s nice to eat a hot pizza. But you get none of the sensory, meditative, and bonding benefits that you would have enjoyed if you had actually made a pizza with your friend or loved one (e.g., like we did just last night by making our own sourdough crust!).
I would love to hear from you if you decide to start exploring art, too! Please don’t be shy.
Larry Cornett, Ph.D. | Empowerment coach, psychologist, nature lover, and fitness freak. I help you escape the “hustle trap” to create an empowered life that fits who you are and what you want most. From Silicon Valley exec to self-employed entrepreneur, I’ve also followed this path to freedom, so now I can help others find their way.
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