Making space for art in your daily life has to be one of the most positive, creative and practical small things you can do to change your routine. When something is known to have so beneficial an impact on wellbeing, it makes sense to weave it in to your day to day living. And to do that, trying quick art ideas is the most realistic way to go.
More recently I’ve come to enjoy experimenting with quick art ideas myself. They might be less detailed – think outlines or silhouettes. They might simply be smaller. They might be more abstract in style, focusing on colour or pattern. Or sometimes I might work on a larger drawing or painting, but just add a little at a time. I now try to do some art every evening. I don’t always manage it, but it’s become a relaxing and uplifting way to end the day, clearing my mind as it all comes down to colour and line.
I have always enjoyed doing longer and more detailed art work – drawing animals and birds, trying to reproduce their poses and fur or feathers, or drawing buildings with some detail of stone or brickwork. I still find this style the most satisfying and fulfilling. But it just isn’t something you can do every single day.
With any form of creativity, motivation can be an issue, as too can concentration or attention span. When I was ill a few years ago, I struggled to concentrate for long on anything other than how I felt. That showed me that creativity needs to be very flexible, so that someone struggling to focus can try an art idea that’s quick to complete. Having enough time to spend regularly on art is another struggle for many people, and they can end up feeling frustrated or dissatisfied – the very opposite of boosting mood! Quick art activities, on the other hand, are more practicable and convenient, making the most of spare moments. Feeling productive and creative is known to release dopamine, the “happy” hormone, and a regular dopamine hit can motivate you to go on creating and to feel more content or positive. And if you’re a perfectionist, doing quicker, simpler art ideas can be liberating, because no one is likely to produce a flawless masterpiece in half an hour!
More and more people are setting themselves daily lifestyle challenges, like doing 100 press-ups or walking 3000 steps. These might become a pressure and a bore, but they can also become a precious routine, a highlight of the day, a little haven of time out in the day to just be you. And with daily art, you have something tangible to show for that time! Sometimes I call quick art ideas “beating the clock” – challenging yourself to finish in a set time can add a fun element. Or else simply forget about the time and just try a simple activity.
This April I’m running something new: Well Art, a daily art for wellbeing challenge from home in your own time. Each idea should take no more than 30 minutes to complete. It’s part of my Arts Council England-funded initiative, Paint Your Mind: Art As Tool. To sign up go to Well Art : An art for wellbeing challenge Tickets, Sat, Apr 6, 2024 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite