Why do people paint? How does it help them in a theapeutic way?

Answer 1

Visual artists find that expressing their ideas visually is the best way for them to communicate what is inside their head and their heart. Writers do this verbally, dancers, actors and athletes do it physically, musicians express themselves through music, scientists investigate things, mathematicians wrap their brains around patterns... it's all about understanding where you fit in the world around you.

Have you ever heard a piece of music or seen a piece of art that makes you think "Ahhhh... that touches me!" Well, now you know what the artist was thinking... and it's a gift for them to be able to communicate that to others - whether it's joy, sorrow, anger, or indifference.

Expressing your ideas is indeed therapeutic. When I paint, I take a little trip inside myself and see what's going on in there... I don't always like what I see, but that's an important part of growing and learning. I feel rather sorry for anyone who doesn't have a healthy outlet for expressing their joy, sorrow, anger or indifference.

Answer 2

It doesn't have to be painting, although the act of creating can give a feeling of "accomplishment" or satisfaction, too. The main thing that's going on is a sharp focus on something "other." You can achieve the same sort of thing through focusing in meditation on the breath and everytime you get distracted (amazing the things that come up when trying to focus on the breath, alone!), just return to the breath.

If you were painting, say, it's harder to become distracted by things like "to do lists" or the angry encounter you had with a customer earlier in the day because you're engaging other senses, not just the mind and sensation of breath.

Think of Zen gardens (the sand or pebbles that are raked into patterns). The person doing the raking is focusing on the raking/ shapes alone. It's a heightened attention on a "single" thing that takes you "out of yourself."

I work as an artist and I'm a meditator; this is from what I take the comparison.

Answer 3

I believe people paint to express themselves. Usually what people choose to paint has to do with what they're feeling at the time, even if they don't recognize it as such.
A lot of places such as prisons and psychiatric institutions have art therapists to help people express their issues through constructive things such as art. Art is also used a lot to help abused children or children who have experienced some sort of trauma.

Answer 4

I don't know about people in general. For a lot of people maybe it's a therapeutic hobby. I paint because that's who I am. If I don't do it then the rest of my life is screwed up.

Answer 5

Usually it's just because the bedroom or kitchen needs it.

Answer 6

Speaking for myself-I am creative & enjoy it.It is very therapeutic for me.

Answer 7

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