Art and finding Happiness Plays Together
How can art find you happiness? Happiness are three parts, enjoyment, satisfaction and meaning. All three parts play a part in how art can bring you happiness.
The most important piece is “enjoyment”. Of course, we can look at this word and just say “I enjoy this piece of art, so I am happy”. But recently I have been looking at it a bit more deeply- In fact the question I keep asking myself is “why”. Why does this particular painting create more of a feeling of joy, or enjoyment?
Stories of Connection
There are two pieces to this; the connection to others, and pleasure. When creating the stories I create, at the root of the pieces is love. As in the piece “Springtime Love”, to love others is at the core of these visual stories. This may seem like a trite premise, maybe a bit over sentimental- but in reality every piece is the celebration of this concept. To be with others, to share in a moment, to tell the story of this sharing is at the core.
Layered over these stories, is fun. The ability to enjoy pleasure, or “how to have fun”, is part of every piece I create. This would mean going for bike ride, walking in the rain and singing, or being in the garden. Every moment to be connected to a moment of light and joy. Every moment shared with others or being mindful of its beauty. The satisfaction you feel when you realize that life is more than the routine. It is the being in the moment and being mindful.
Mindfulness is looking at life with an awareness. Absorbing the light, the sounds, and the colour of the moment. Revelling this this moment and feeling alive. If anything, looking at a piece of art that strives to bring happiness to the forefront is key.
Finding the Fun
If anything, these pieces reminds you that we should have balance in our life. Fun, or that moment of being satisfied that life is good, is a mindset we have to keep working at. It just doesn’t come. We need to stop, stare and look at it. To absorb the incredible moment. To dream about going on a trip, to share in a celebration with family and friends, to be in the simple moments of connection with your partner, your children, or being with yourself creating a piece of art. These are ways of being engaged with life. These are ways you can find your “fun”.
If anything, art and finding happiness, goes hand in hand.
To see the latest collection of my Happiness Series click here.