Art Improves Brain Function & Well-Being

There is enough scientific evidence that proves art improves brain functioning. It has an impact on brain emotions, wave patterns, nervous system, and can actually increase serotonin levels. Besides, art can change any person's outlook and the way they experience the world. 

Years of research have provided a sufficient amount of data to prove that arts education influences everything from overall academic achievement to social and emotional development and so much more. Besides, research has proven the arts enhance neural systems that produce a wide spectrum of benefits ranging from numerous skills to creativity and improved emotional balance. Simply put, the arts are invaluable to our proper functioning individually and as a society as well. This article highlights how arts can improve brain functioning and well-being

1)    Growth Mindset

Through arts, people develop skills like grit, resilience, and a growth mindset which can help them master their craft, do well professionally and personally. Building a growth mindset with the help of arts and self-assessment can help succeed in life. Besides, setting realistic expectations and goals for people in general and then correlating the work done and results, people can begin to shift their motivation, resulting in a much healthier and more sustainable learning process.

For students to truly grow and progress, they must have a balanced view of internal motivation and external motivation. In the early stages of learning art forms, students will participate in this activity because it is fun (intrinsic motivation). However, this motivation will only make them move forward until now, and then their development will start to slow down or even stop. At this point, rely on external motivation to continue student growth. This may take the form of auditions, tests or other assessments

2)    Communication

Someone might say that communication might be the most important aspect of existence. Our world is built through communication. People learn a variety of communication skills through the study of art. Throughout the whole musical ensemble process, they must learn to communicate verbally, physically and emotionally with their peers, conductor and audience. Likewise, actors must not only convey spoken words to the audience but also express more intangible inner emotions to the script. Art is a way of expression that can transform thoughts and feelings into a unique form of communication-art itself.

3)    Improved Cognition

Research links music learning with "language memory, second language pronunciation accuracy, reading ability, and executive function" in youth (Frontiers in Neuroscience). By immersing students in art education, you can attract them to a highly complex and multifaceted job that combines many subjects (such as mathematics, history, language and science) and at the same time as having a unique connection culture.

In conclusion, art is an effective way to stimulate the mind, and anyone can learn it. It's a process of learning to create ourselves and experience the world with a new lens. Also, it supports the bigger view of life: symbols, beauty, storytelling, and allows us to be present at the moment and keeps the magic alive.

How Artists Find Peace In The Art

How do you respond to frustrations or setbacks with your work? For people who belong to the art industry, this question is especially important. Many artists work alone, and they keep creating new work. Making new work creates pressure, especially when this involves personal expectations.

The Two Extremes

Every artist tries to produce their best work and to reach different levels of skill. If it's done reasonably, then it's fine. But problems occur when artists attach their well-being to the outcome. It creates a desire for reward or recognition of some sort. And such artists put their work into the world for authentication from someone or some other entity. 

On the other side are artists who are too dreadful to show their artwork. They are not trying to get reward or recognition and doing everything they can to escape anyone judging their work. Whether it's sensible or not is beside the point.

Perhaps some of them secretly desire recognition. But such artists do not have the confidence. Besides, they can always find an excuse to avoid portraying their work in front of the public. They have this fear that people will laugh at their art or that their work is not good enough.

The Power Game

Those artists who take negative feedback personally are going to suffer from it. Perhaps, they blame themselves and lose confidence. They think that they are not ready to put their work out there in public and give up. Rather than becoming stronger from experience, it weakens them.

The artists are disempowering themselves when they give control of their self-esteem and well-being to a third-party. They need to understand that judges are people who have their own feelings and responses to somebody's work. Also, in almost every instance, there is no personal involvement. They are making a judgement on the basis of their own reasons, and they don't mean to attack an artist personally.

For artists to remain empowered and in control of their well-being, they have to disconnect themselves from the result. Also, this attachment to reward and recognition is not the only way to approach the creative process. Both of them are entirely diverse from each other.

Control What You Can

Every artist needs to distinguish between what he/she can control and what they can't. Once they distinguish, they make the correct decision. Besides, they should let go of what they can't control. It will bring more peace of mind and focus on the overall creative process. Also, it's about making the art that you can control. 

Conclusively, every artist has the power to improve their artwork, to work smart and to learn new things. However, the only way to relish competition is to take it as a learning experience. Remember, if you are successful and get the recognition that you were hoping for then you should be grateful and humble. Cherish it and let it go.

Challenges You May Face As An Artist

Sculpture Broken In Transit

Let’s look at an artist’s artwork that is gaining popularity every single day. Due to high competition, and the fact that most artists work alone, they may experience challenges, and at times, they may experience the feeling of loneliness. However, we as a society,  must learn to appreciate and support artists in all facets. Therefore, this article highlights some of the common challenges faced by artists worldwide.

1)    Finding Aspirations

Many times artists find it hard to find their aspirations. They don’t have enough capacity to create everything perfectly all the time. Sometimes, they need aspiration to make perfect art. Therefore, it is recommended to stay as far as possible from any mental consumption to let the artwork take over your soul and transform you into a more profound person. 

2)    Keeping Up With The Talent

Keeping up with talent is the two-edged challenge every artist experiences. However, talent or skills never vanishes and never fades away, but it needs continuous practice. There can be different levels of your talent, and if you reached an advanced level and stopped practicing you might find yourself back to being a beginner all over again. Also, that would be a nightmare to any person, because of every single improvement counts, big time. So, keep on practicing, you amazing artists and believe that your talent has no limits.

3)    Self-trust

Being an artist, you may relate to the feeling that you are not creative enough. Also, the definition of creative can be different to different people. Therefore, it is essential to understand your definition of creativity. Many artists feel that they are not good enough after comparing their work with others or because they have been in the field for quite some time. Therefore, you must trust your artistic skills and show what you have to the whole world. 

4)    No Response

Exploring your target audience can be challenging; that’s for sure. We all sometimes fear not getting enough response we’re dreaming of, but that doesn’t mean we should be relying on it. We know, it can be hard sometimes as feedback plays an essential role, especially at the beginning, but that’s not the only indicator for your talent or success. So be ready for getting no response some times. 

5)    No Sale Plans

Adequate planning is the path to sales. Your plans can help you concentrate on the mission and allows you to attain objectives faster. However, without a plan, you may not sell enough. It is as well significant to check how others are selling their work. Today the galleries and malls are not the only sale points; there are other platforms such as social media where you can upload and sell your all your work.

In conclusion, the solution to such challenges is to realize that your work is perfect the way it is. Also, the key is not to perfect something all the time. The key is enjoying the journey. However, by spending some time on these challenges, any artist can overcome such challenges. 

How To Build Resilience During Tough Times

When it comes to art, resilience is the capability of the art to maintain aesthetics, specifically distinguishing it from other objects. In arts, resilience appears as a response to gradually setting aside of beauty throughout the twentieth century resulting today in incompetence to define the work of art.

Resilience is a term generally used to how well we can deal with and bounce back from the hardships of life. Besides, it's about recognizing the difference between handling pressure and losing our cool. Resilient people tend to maintain a positive outlook and cope with pressure more efficiently.

Research has proved that while some individuals seem to be naturally resilient, these behaviors can also be learned. So, if you're going through a challenging time and want to be prepared for the next one, here are some techniques you can learn to foster your own resilience.

These are some of the things I do and recommed to get you through the rough times.

1)    Finding The Purpose

In the face of tragedy or crisis, finding a purpose can play an imperative role in your recovery. Besides, this is about becoming involved in the community, cultivating spirituality, or contributing to activities that you find meaningful.

2)    Believe In Yourself

Having self-confidence in your ability to handle the stresses of life can play an essential part in resilience. Becoming self-confident in your abilities, to respond to and deal with a disaster, is a great way to build strength for the future. Besides, research has confirmed that your self-esteem plays an imperative role in coping with stress and recovering from difficult events of life. Remind yourself about your strengths and accomplishments to face everything with courage. 

3)    Maintain A Social Network 

It's vital to have people you can confide in. Having supportive, caring people around you serves as a protective factor in times of crisis. Whereas simply conversing about a situation with a friend or loved one doesn't make your troubles go away, it enables you to express your feelings, receives positive feedback, gets support, and come up with possible solutions to all your problems.

4)    Stay Flexible

Flexibility is a central part of resilience. By learning how to be more flexible, you will be better equipped to deal when faced with a life crisis. Besides, resilient people utilize this crisis as an opportunity to find new directions. Although abrupt changes might crush some people, highly resilient people can adapt and thrive.

5)    Stay Optimistic

Maintaining a positive attitude during dark times can be difficult, but keeping a hopeful outlook is an essential part of resiliency. What you are facing may be difficult, but it's imperative to remain positive and optimistic for a brighter future.

Besides, positive thinking doesn't mean overlooking the problem to emphasize the positive outcomes. But, it's about understanding that these setbacks are temporary and believing that you have the skills to battle the challenges you face.

In conclusion, resilience might take time to build, so don't get disheartened if you still struggle to face problematic events. Remember that everyone can learn to stay resilient, and it doesn't require any specific set of action or behavior. Besides, resilience can vary intensely from one person to the next. Therefore, focus on practicing such skills, as well as the basic characteristics of resilient people, and remember to build on your existing strengths.

Is Hyperrealism an Art Or Skill?

The Real Brooke Posing With Her Sculpture in Monumental Size

Art is generally perceived as a way of detachment from the real-life, a key to revealing some invisible meaning in the world that surrounds us. Besides, it is not entirely true for all the genres of art like Hyperrealism, where the thin line between reality and art is virtually erased in sculptures and paintings these artists create. Numerous branches of realism are focused on producing artwork that resembles a real-life image; some out of them even go further and beyond.

Labelled as a significant advancement of Photorealism, the newly established style still contains some elusive differences from its predecessor. Also, the photorealists aimed to reproduce photographs as precisely as possible so the human eye could not differentiate between the original and the painting. At the same time, the Hyperrealists took the technique even further. They have developed ways of including charm narrative and emotion into the image. As the saying goes “Hyperrealism may create the atmosphere of surrealism as no one sees the world in such detail.”

Concisely known as Superrealism, the term Hyperrealism stood on the bases of the US photorealistic work of the late 1960s. Still, to create Hyperrealism, you must go over and above, past the current level, which is precisely what Hyperrealism artists did. So, how did it go? Did they stray beyond the line of art, where their work became a just an example of superb skill, or did they, blur the lines between art and reality, making way for a new hyper-artistic expression?

Difference Between Hyperrealism & Photorealism

The origin of the word Hyperrealism could be traced back to 1973 when the person named Isy Brachot fabricated for the first time as the title of a catalogue and exhibition at his gallery in Brussels. Besides, the exhibition involved influential artists like Richte, Gnoli and Delcol, but it was ruled by the American Photorealists such as Chuck Close, Ralph Goings, Don Eddy and Robert Bechtle. After the event, the term Hyperrealism was used by painters influenced by the Photorealists. Following the roots of Photorealism, the newly developed branch of realism managed to portray the images in an ultra-realistic manner. Besides, it was in contrast with the approach used in the traditional paintings of the late 20thcentury. 

Also, Hyperrealism artists relied comprehensively on photographic pictures as a reference source. Still, they took it one step ahead, pointing to create a more detailed and definitive rendering, often containing a certain amount of narrative and emotion. Whereas Photorealists inclined to imitate the photograph, Hyperrealistic artists struggled to achieve a different pictorial design altogether. They achieve it by integrating an element that may not be there in reality. Besides, they intentionally entailed a softer and much more complex focus on the portrayed subject, creating an impression of a new reality not seen in the original photograph. Still far from being surreal, the portrayed illusions were captivating representations of reality, finely enhanced with a fresh layer of vision.

Conclusively, Hyperrealism offers an extremely effective means of exploring how we, as individual interact with ourselves, and with others from our everyday lives. For this specific reason, artists have the freedom to use Hyperrealism in portraying humans through an array of lenses ranging from the social, political to the psychological, aesthetical, external workings of the human mind and body.  

Appreciating Art - Why Does it Matter?

By Alex Chaban

Appreciating art is important because it can discuss an idea, an expression or even an imagination. Art can help to identify, define, and discuss images with certain principles. Such images and designs are used in way to inspire the viewer through visual communication. When an artist creates art, he or she can work with either traditional or modern mediums. Such mediums can include paintings, pictures, materials, blocks or even visual strategies. An artist must follow the basic principles of design and learn different types of representation of art. Remember, art always matters when it is appreciated by its viewer. 

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 The Importance of Art

Art matters in terms of visual effects. For example, let us study the Picasso Guernica’s painting, which was completed in 1937. Any viewer at the first glance will know how incredible, challenging and complex work it appears to be. It would easily convey a composition and understanding of art itself. If anyone needs to make an interpretation of art, he needs to understand that art in a way can easily:

 -        Inspire or motivate the viewer

-        It can identify and describe the difference between the form and content used in the art

-        It can identify the five elements of design

-        It can identify and distinguish how design principles can connect visually

-        It can differentiate between different representations of art such as realistic, abstract or non-representative art forms

 Art is the best way to visualize or analyze any content. It can define different elements and principles of a subject. When we look at any piece of art in an exhibition, museum, or forum; we can certainly decipher its expression, idea, or even learn through a lifetime or culture of the era that the piece was created. Therefore, art is formed through a lifetime of knowing about a culture or the times in which people have lived. You can easily select the piece of art which inspires you most and even take mental notes while analyzing its conceptualization. 

 Art and its Elements of Design

 Art is a combination of various elements such as color, shape, texture, line, shade, mass and space. Certain design principles are kept in mind to combine or intermix such elements while creating a piece of art and making it unique and captivating. The artwork and its content are made by linking the elements together to make a deeper meaning. 

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 Art and its Meaning

 Art may be described as a process that allows us to reflect and consider the meaning of different things and concepts around us. It can be a representation of ideas, imagination, expression or even culture. The deeper your analysis is, the better you can connect with the experience and knowledge of the artist.  You can even take inspiration from Carole Feuerman and her book, ‘My Hyperrealist Life and Legacy’. In her book, she describes her life experiences, how she fell in love with art and what inspired her to become an artist. This book is a must-read for all those who are inspired or motivate to become an artist, those who have a deeper connection with art and its elements.

Learning about Sculpture Art

By Alex Caban

 Sculpture has not really received the attention it deserves compared to painting, photography, and modern Even intellectuals and philosophers of art do not recognize how difficult it is to make a sculpture art. Sculptural art stands out in its own classical and contemporary forms. Those who make it, know how difficult and delicate it is to make figurative sculpture art of a person. People over the years have raised questions about its ontology, representation, and person character. Thus they should truly appreciate the painstaking process it takes to make a truly remarkable sculpture art worth admiration.

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 The History of Sculpture Art

 Before the 20th century, sculpture art was widely received and admired by people, especially in the Vatican City of Rome, where different sculptures portrayed angels and demons for the representation of religion. It became more than a tradition as all sculptures in the western world where the representation of celebrities. More and more sculptures began to be made as freestanding objects. As its progression grew, sculptures were made on famous old buildings and altarpieces. Sculptures are mostly made out of durable materials such as stone, bronze, plaster, and wood. 

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 Much Deserved Recognition

 As modern forms of art began to make their mark in digital, photography, materialism, sculpture making practices began to slow down over the years. Many sculpture statues and abstract works of Barbara Hepworth and Louise Nevelson are still appreciated but represented imaginary objects. The most intriguing thing about sculpture art is that they represent a world of its own. A single sculpture can define a whole story, whether it is an imaginary object, a historical figure, or a celebrity. 

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 They are even famous for describing an environment, as we explore the meaning through them. Some sculptures can even tell secret coded messages or mysteriously point at something of importance, as shown in famous movies like National treasure andAngels and Demons. However, the treatment and the making of a sculpture is exceptionally delicate and expensive. Many people aim to distinguish the traditional divisions and importance of sculptures from paintings and architecture. Some have even discredited it as performance art. However, sculptures more than just figurative statues or three-dimensional non-art objects. They define a whole new meaning of art by its complex contours and should be held in high regard regarding its admiration and appreciation.

How to Learn to Discover Yourself

By Alex Chaban

Imagine waking up one morning and then realizing that you are sitting in your car while being all dressed up, showered, and drinking a hot cup of coffee. You may have no recollection of your conscious memory, about how any of this may have happened with you. We have evolved so many in the present era that we run into our day's complex routine procedures. It’s like that our mind is on autopilot mode, and our unconscious processes are so much faster, reliable, and more subtle than our conscious efforts, to comprehend and understand the world around us. As things revolve around us, we need to know much about ourselves to get through life as we know it.

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Life is not a Ride but a Journey

Life is not a ride where you can just jump on the driver’s seat and start your journey, deciding on where to go and where you need to be. It is a journey of unexpected turns and twists. You may never know where you might end up. Learning to discover yourself is essential because you would know who you want to be and what efforts you need to achieve by exploring yourself.

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Importance of Discovering and Exploring Yourself

When you truly learn to discover and explore yourself, you know about your passion, what you want to achieve in your life, what career choices to make, what you are good at, and what skills you have to accomplish your goals. It can also help you understand the people you are comfortable with to spend your time. You can tell them about the things which you prefer talking about and give information about yourself. Knowing yourself can help you drive your motivation levels about new things in life and be comfortable. You can incorporate new information or let it go.

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 You cannot change without knowing yourself, and you cannot live in a world of change without changing yourself for the better.

Taking on Life’s Challenges by Discovering Yourself

Life will throw all kinds of troubles and difficulties at you, but you need to maintain your resolve and focus. To know yourself can gain you better benefits in life. It can lead to the results which you want as you can make the choices which suit you best. You just need to make a bit of effort to know yourself better. You cannot guarantee that you are smart, strong, or good, no matter how much you peel off your personality layers. One thing is for sure. The more you know about yourself, the more you can explore the things you are good at, the more opportunities you can gain in life and make the best of them. Try to learn different parts of your personality and explore what you like to do that works out well. Therefore, you don’t have to know the stuff and put it on autopilot in your unconscious.

Try to learn more about yourself by reading the book ‘For my Legacy’ by Carole Feuerman. She knew from a young age about her strengths to be an artist. Her Grandfather helped her realize and identify her passion, and by learning herself and her skills as an artist, she became a well-known artist and got to be where she is today. In her book, she motivates people on how they can know about themselves, just as she did, and by utilizing her passion and skills, her artworks are famous and owned by 18 museums.