Hi Reader,

A few years ago, my son Mica and I were in my studio cleaning when I told him how stressed I was. He responded with something I should have known but had clearly put on the back burner:

"Mom," he said, "why don’t you paint if you're stressed?"

It was like a lightning bolt went off.

One of the things I love about making art is how it immediately relaxes me. The moment I start, I shift into right-brain mode, where the only things that matter are the colors and lines on the page.

Slowly, I feel happiness seep in, and before I know it, an hour has passed—and I’m fully relaxed.

Feeling stressed lately? Let me pass along Mica’s advice: Go make some art. Right now.

Keep it simple—don’t have time to pull out the paints? Grab a pencil and start doodling. Don’t feel very creative? Take some scissors, glue, magazines, and a piece of paper, and make a collage. Or just pick up a coloring book!

Do anything with your hands for 20 minutes, and your cortisol (stress hormone) levels will drop—this isn’t just my opinion; it’s backed by science!

I painted twice this past week, and it helped pull me right out of a funk. And the stress turned out to be the perfect catalyst.

I poured my feelings into my painting by journaling onto the canvas first, and then dry brushed and glazed over the words. Here’s the piece I finished just yesterday, Beneath It All Is Love.

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So next time you feel anxious or overwhelmed, reach for your art supplies. Play, vent, and transform your emotions into faith, joy, and peace.

May we all paint our way to peace!

Andrea

​​Ready to Grow Your Abstract Art Skills?
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