From as far back as I can remember I was coming armed with a tub of glue and plan in my head to create. Torturing my mother for all the empty washing up bottles and cardboard boxes to make my next masterpiece.
The love for designing and creating never really left me, but I had stopped making and creating for fun when adult life took over, and especially having a job where I was designing all day, it just didn't appeal as a hobby anymore.
A combination of events led me to finding my way back to art again and I realised this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my career and for my own mental health. In the words of Mark Twain:
'Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.'
Typically, when we were children we were encouraged to be creative,
why should that change when we are adults. Real life is stressful, we need to take some 'me time' to self-care and look after our mental health.
Whether you're a first-time artist, or an expert, there are endless benefits to continually pursuing your inner artist. Creativity shouldn't just be for professional artists or those with free time, creativity is for everyone, but more importantly, it's essential!
Some people feel that in order to consider yourself a real artist, you have to create something magnificent such as a sculpture or painting. Others believe that you either are born with artistic talent or you’re not. However, every one of us is born with the ability to express ourselves. Art is a wonderful way to achieve this, especially in terms of our mental health. You don’t have to produce a masterpiece, it’s all about the experience and process of making which helps promote positive mental health on the brain.
Here are just some of the mental health benefits of art.
Art Relieves Stress
Taking part in an art activity provides a distraction that will give your brain a much needed break from all of your usual ways of thinking, helping to focus on one thing.
Art Helps To Encourage Creative Thinking
Art doesn’t require a correct answer, you come up with your own type of solution and further stimulate your brain with this type of creative thinking. This is a great way to inspire creative thinking in children and adults alike.
Art Helps To Boost Self-Esteem and Offer a Sense of Accomplishment
Displaying a child’s artwork can boost their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment, doing the same with your own artwork can create the same type of effect, no matter what our age!
Art Encourages Brain Activity
Whenever you engage in any kind of a new activity, your brain begins working to
create connections between all of your different brain cells. In terms of creating art, this helps to stimulate all sorts of connections between various portions of your brain, it’s like exercise for your mind. Art has been shown to enhance factors such as memory
and cognitive abilities, especially in those who suffer from cognitive decline
in conditions such as dementia.
Doodle with Drinks is a sip and paint experience, all about unleashing your inner artist, drink in one hand brushes in another. An ideal team building experience, hen party activity, big birthday celebration or just making memories with your friends for a few hours of 'me time'.
A standard session will include:
No experience necessary, full written instruction given and guidance through the session. Each workshop has a specific image, everyone paints from the same sample, but everyone will have their own unique creation!
Prices begin at £20 and will range depending on the venue & the type of session, bespoke packages can be discussed. A small deposit required to secure your place on booking.
See FB & Instagram for current classes
MAKE MEMORIES ART CLUB
For anyone aged 10 year old upwards, we meet in The Painted Pig, Dock Street Strabane. £5 per session all materials are provided each with with a snack and drink included.
At the age of 10, most kids are making the transition to post primary school making new friends and experiencing new challenges. Some can cope well with this, others may find it more difficult to adjust. Not all children like or are good at sports, dance or drama, so I decided to start an art club for those that have an artistic talent and need an outlet.
Hobbies allow children to tap into their inner passions and talents while allowing them to understand all that they enjoy and are good at. This helps them build confidence and self-esteem, apart from giving their mind and body the much-needed stimulation away from screens.
See FB & Instagram for current classes
Make & Mingle is a s monthly craft class, covering different art techniques over a cuppa and have a chat.
The main purpose of this group is to give people the opportunity to try a new skill, meet new people and find confidence in themselves again.
COVID changed a lot of peoples lives and routines. Other factors such as an illness, recovery, parenthood or moving to a new area has meant a lot of people are feeling alone and would love a chance to socialise in a relaxed setting, with no pressure or judgement about coming by yourself.
No experience necessary, there will be guidance through the session. Pre-booking required and a fee at the session to cover materials and refreshments
See FB & Instagram for current classes
Recipe chopping board, preserve old handwritten notes or recipes before they are forgotten
Parent decision coin, an ideal quirky baby shower gift
Personalised Worry Box, design can be left blank to colour yourself. Place your written worries or a drawing in before you sleep to send them away from your thoughts. Ideal for children experiencing fears.
Worry Box (Blank)
Framed quilled designs can be made to your specification
New home gifts, can be made in different designs
My little box of self care: comes with 4 discs with positive affirmations. Place small items that help you in your bad times in the box.
My little box of self care: can be personalised on the top. Ideal for a scented candle, favourite lippy or whatever small thing that can lift your mood.
Teacher Gifts, coaster can be personalised with teacher or assistants names
Teacher Gifts: coaster can be personalised with teachers or assistants name
King rings with positive affirmations can be personalised
Memory Frames: to remember a loved one, names can be added to the heart
Sometimes you need to practice what you preach! Trying to follow my own advice to maintain positive mental health, behind the scenes I design, create and experiment. I use this as a self-care technique, it's important to stay aware of your own mental health, especially in today's crazy times! I mainly work in wood burning and quilling.
I create items to help with self care and personalised gifts, I try to make each commission unique, so no two people will ever own the same piece of art. If you have an idea just get in touch to discuss.
Thank you for getting in touch, I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Leona