When we think of great artists, we often envisage tortured yet talented souls painting in a Parisian garret. Suffering for one’s art is personified by famous artists like Vincent Van Gogh who cut off his own ear and just one glance at Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” is enough to tell you that he also had some issues!
Of course, the image of angst-ridden abstract artists is simplistic cliché. Artists, like everyone else are a mixed bag of talent, confidence and neurosis, with a handful of mavericks thrown in, like Damien Hirst, who is best known for his formaldehyde shark and spin paintings. His most recent work involves destroying his physical artworks after selling NFT (non-fungible tokens).
Art is not elitist
It is also important not to be intimidated by the idea of art or the upmarket galleries, as you don’t have to be an expert to appreciate art. It is not necessary to interpret the meaning of each piece, what is important is whether you like it. Similarly, when considering commissioning a piece of custom artwork, forget what everyone else thinks, the main purpose is to create a piece that will suit your space and style and you need to be able to live with it long term. Studio 2’s in-house artists can give you guidance about the type of bespoke paintings, wall treatments or sculptures that would best suit your unique décor.
Art as therapy
When you look at the bigger picture, art isn’t only for the collectors, experts or indeed interior designers, it is in fact an extremely sociable activity, which is also a highly beneficial form of therapy. Alain de Botton and John Armstrong have written a book called, Art as Therapy, which outlines how to use art as a form of therapy.
Since the 1940s, Art Therapy has been used to foster better mental health. Even if you aren’t on the same page as Botton and Armstrong, there are plenty of others who espouse the enhancing effects of art on mental health and wellness. The theory behind it is that expressing your creativity can encourage mental wellbeing and healing; this could be in the form of colouring, doodling, painting, photography, sculpting, pottery or even finger painting. Read more about it here.
Artistic fun with family or friends
How often have you thought that it would be fun to do something different with your family or friends. Learning to paint, draw or sculpt is the perfect solution. It is possible to take private classes or arrange for group sessions with art workshops like Studio 2 Art & Design in Puerto Banús. This recently opened studio is staffed by talented in-house artists who can create all types of arts to suit any interior, taste or budget. Even better, they offer classes to those who are interested in enjoying a relaxing day, learning the basics.
Five reasons to give art classes a go…
- Stress buster
This is the perfect opportunity to take some time for yourself to be creative. Regardless of your experience or artistic ability, you reduce stress levels. A study published in the Journal of American Art Therapy Association in 2016 entitled the “Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants’ Responses Following Art Making”, found that just 45 minutes of artistic activity can significantly reduce cortisol levels and therefore reduce stress in the body.
ㅤ - A new challenge
We’ve all been there from time to time, feeling that we’re stuck in a rut and that if only we could find a new and exciting outline for entertainment or relaxation. Art workshops, particularly if you have no previous experience, offer the perfect solution, allowing you to learn new skills and find out about new mediums, techniques and compositions.
ㅤ - Bespoke artwork
If you have been hankering after a piece of custom artwork, learning to paint or sculpt gives you the opportunity to try your hand at designing an original piece of art that could be used to decorate your own home. Imagine the satisfaction of knowing that you not only chose the style, genre and medium, but you actually created the artwork yourself. You are guaranteed that it will be one of a kind!
ㅤ - Restart your interest in art
Quite often hobbies fall by the wayside due to work and family commitments which take the lion’s share of your time. However, when children grow up and don’t need quite so much attention, you suddenly may find that you have time to fill. This is when you could rediscover your youthful creativity; whether you were a budding artist, dreamed of learning to paint or simply enjoyed the romantic idea of being an artist, now is the time to pick up a paint brush!
ㅤ - Meet new people
Have you heard the saying, “life is something that happens when you’re making plans”? We grow up, grow apart, change direction and crave new experiences. Meeting new people who share a passion for creativity or the same sense of fun, is one of the best experiences ever. Joining an art class or signing up for workshops gives you the opportunity to meet people that you would never have known otherwise. Art is a great leveller that appeals across all cultures and classes, so at the very least you gain new perspectives and discover new topics of conversation.
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If you would like information about the art workshops and other creative services offered by the Studio 2 Art & Design team, visit the website www.studio2artdesign.com or get in touch at welcome@studio2artdesign.com.