Art and The Self

Ah Thursday… the week is drawing to a close and our thoughts are beginning to drift to our plans for the weekend.  Are you doing something exciting, a vacation or an outing?  Are you busy with chores and errands, not getting to enjoy your weekend at all?  Or are you, like this writer, planning on doing absolutely nothing?  Regardless of your plans (and especially if you’re like me and don’t have big plans), it’s always good to try to do something positive for your health, right?  That could be taking the time to cook a delicious, healthy dinner, going for a nice long walk, or maybe doing some art.  Yes, you did read that right, ART!  Spending a couple of hours a week engaging in the creative process can have more benefits for your personal health than many of the other “healthy” activities we partake in daily.  This news to you? Here are the facts!

The mental health benefits of art are numerous, and have been supported by study after study.  The creative process is a joyful one for most people, as the freedom that creativity allows promotes mindfulness and a sense of peace and satisfaction.  While many artists and art lovers can attest to the feelings of joy they experience while engaging in their creative hobby, this happiness can be backed up by science.  Not only does creating art relieve stress, focus your mind, and boost self-esteem, it can improve the physical chemistry of your brain!

As modern science tells us, human beings are basically controlled by the chemicals in our brains.  The presence of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and the balance of the three determines how motivated, how alert, how obsessive, how anxious, how happy or sad we are; they dictate the essence of our being.  It has been proven that creating or viewing art increases dopamine in the brain, creating feelings similar to that of romantic love.  Everyone loves a dopamine rush, but in individuals experiencing emotional disabilities, this can be especially effective.  Both depression and anxiety are caused by a lack of dopamine in the brain, so that extra boost of dopamine that art can provide can make a tremendous difference in the life of someone experiencing one of these diseases. 

A study at the University of Erlangen Hospital in Germany explored the effects of visual art production on brain function in which they studied two groups, one of which who was enrolled in a weekly drawing and painting class, the other in an art history class.  After the ten week testing period had concluded, the drawing and painting group showed significantly improved psychological resistance, meaning they experienced increased self-awareness and improved memory and thought processes.  While this all may sound very scientific, the results are simple; art is good for your brain! It helps you to see the world in a different way, to be more aware of what is happening around you and helps you to respond to it in a more thoughtful way.  Art literally helps you clean out the cobwebs in your brain.

Additionally, the improved psychological resistance helps foster healthier brain tissue, which is very important for us as we age.  Consistent exposure to creativity can help us stay sharp into our eighties and nineties, and who wouldn’t want that?

Here at We Care Arts, we believe in harnessing the healing powers of art.  Through a variety of creative outlets, our artists improve their physical and cognitive functions, gain confidence in their creative abilities, and enjoy the positive mental benefits of collaborating on creative projects. 
Our artists are also able to improve their communication skills and express themselves in ways they might not otherwise be able to.  Any kind of art, be it photography, crafting, painting, or simple doodling, stimulates different parts of the brain. 

Helping people increase confidence and independence through art is the root of the mission at We Care, but as research continues to roll in, we are learning that our mission has far more perks than just helping people fall in love with the creative process and having tons of fun.  We are helping people improve their brains, and we love that!  The best part is, anyone can do this!  So if you’re having a bad day, are in a slump, or are just looking to make a change in your life, start a project!  It doesn’t have to be too ambitious, even a simple doodle can do the trick. 

Happy creating! 

If you think this is as interesting as we do, follow some of the links below and feed that healthy brain of yours!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/08/how-art-changes-your-brain_n_5567050.html

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/arts-and-health/201109/art-and-happiness

http://www.cerebromente.org.br/n12/opiniao/criatividade2_i.html

http://bebrainfit.com/the-health-benefits-of-art-are-for-everyone/

Students are Falling into Space Self Portrait

Here is a fun project that the Beavercreek High School students created to make themselves look like they are falling in space. 

 

First they traced their shoe at the bottom of the paper and added the shoe sole pattern. Then we traced their hands on each side. 

An oval was drawn for their head and the students drew in their personal hairstyle and face.

Then the clothes were drawn in smaller to look further away and were filled in with the clothes they were wearing.

This is such a fun project to make a self portrait!

Delaney

 

 

Scrambler

 

 

 

Spring Flowers with Pastels

These beautiful flower pictures were drawn with pastels by the Centerville High School students who come to We Care Arts each Thursday morning for their art class. They were created on mat board scraps that were donated to us from a frame shop. The pictures can easily be propped up by a wall for display!

 

 

 

 

Easy Animal Drawings

 

 

Do you have a hard time drawing animals? Many of Diane's students do and she came up with a solution. She found large pictures of dogs from a book on dog breeds. Using heavy vellum paper, the photo was taped to the underside of the vellum.

 

 The students then drew an outline of the dog's features with a black Sharpie.  The rest of the picture was filled in with water soluble markers as Crayola.

 

 

 

 The students were encouraged to have fun with the colors and to put in an environment so the viewer would know where the dog was - inside or outside. Some students named their dogs and added their favorite dog dish and bone.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                      The finished art work can be displayed in a window since it is translucent or on a wall with white paper behind it.

Supplies needed:

 

        Heavy translucent vellum paper

Tape

   Black Sharpie

   Crayola markers

 Animal book or calendar



Our Intern Mallory Paints with a Brush Visor!

One of the We Care Arts interns, Mallory from Wright State, painted with the use of a brush taped to a visor. She brought joy to herself, her staff and all of us at We Care Arts! Way to go Mallory!

 

 

 

 

 

Visit Our We Care Arts Gift Shop!

Did you know that we have a wonderful gift shop full of unique one-of-a-kind handmade gifts at We Care Arts
created by our clients?

 

 

Here are a few items that are in our Gift Shop now - our inventory changes frequently, so stop by often!

 

Here are some of Sam Carpenter's beautiful silk paintings, many outlined with metallic gold.

We have several adult clothing protectors to keep you or your love one's clothes clean sewn by Ruth.

Here are some of our necklaces in the popular larger sizes.

 

 

Our fused glass blocks with lights will brighten up a dark table or shelf.

 

 

These hand painted wood puzzles would be a fun addition to any child's room as a toy or decoration.

 

These unique, large and colorful hand built clay bowls by Kathleen would be a perfect artsy centerpiece for your table.

 

In our gallery you will find fine art and fine crafts such as the mosaic sun above and the tiger painting below. 

 

 

This just a small selection of artwork and gifts from the We Care Arts Gift Shop. Plan to stop by soon to shop for a gift for

yourself or others.  

 

Our location is at 3035 Wilmington Pike, just south of Dorothy Lane with a huge parking lot behind the building. Go through the left hand door under the awning to enter the Gallery and Gift Shop.

 

We are open Monday - Friday from 9 am to 4 pm, Tuesday until 8 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm.

Happy Valentine's Day from We Care Arts!

 

Many of our artists have been making art work with the heart theme for Valentine's Day. Here are some cut paper heart bouquets from Dynamic Senior Solutions in Beavercreek.

 

 

The artists used scrapbooking paper and heart templates from Fiskars. The care partners worked in tandem with the artists to help cutout and glue the shapes.

 

 

We Care Arts sends out Valentine's Day greetings to everyone!

Simple Weaving for Special Needs

This is a simple weaving project for special needs students, seniors or anyone who wants to experience the technique of weaving. Several of the art instructors at We Care Arts have used cardboard looms with their students to create a weaving.

 
Diane recently led a class of Independent Living and Assisted Living residents at 10 Wilmington place in a weaving project.. She used mat board for the loom.  Many frame shops have a few scraps that they may let you have. Cardboard from a cereal box or a packing box can also be used.
 
The pictures are from the ladies at 10 Wilmington Place. Diane had the warp thread all wound so the residents just started weaving with the yarn. They had worked an hour and 15 minutes when the pictures were taken.
 
1. For the looms, Diane used a 12x9" piece of mat board. Especially for kids, the card board loom can be smaller. Mat Board is easily cut on a paper cutter.
 
2. On each end, Diane cut a one inch slit with scissors around every inch. Make an even number of slits. She said that she would cut the slits every 1/2 - 2/3" next time for a denser warp. She used Aunt Lydia's crochet string. Any non stretch string will work.
 

3. The string is started on the back and taped down. It will be straight on the front and look diagonal across the back. Tape down the end of the string on the back. For the seniors, she use medium to dark board for contrast to the white string.
 
4. To make the whole weaving process easier, Diane used tongue depressor with a hole drilled in one end. The yarn goes into the hole and is knotted. The wide tongue depressor is easy to move through the warp strings.
 
5. On the front, the weaving is started at the bottom. tie on the string to the first warp thread.
 
6. The tongue depressor then goes over a string and under the next string then over the next repeating until the row is done.
 
7. All the thread is pulled through, then the next row is started with the opposite motion. If the last string went over the last thread, the next row is started by going under the same thread, over the next thread and so on.  If the last string went under the last thread, it will go over the same thread, then under the next following the pattern of over, under, over, under.
 
8. To make it easier for your students, when wrapping the warp ( up and down string) you can wrap a light thread on every other slit, then a dark thread on the remaining slits. then the students could be told to put the tongue depressor under all the dark threads on one row, then over the dark threads on the next row.
 
9. To prevent the warp threads from binding in, the yarn can be pulled through at an angle, then brought down to the next row using the fingers. This concept is usually hard for specials needs so the weaving will most likely be drawn in at the sides which is fine.
 
10. Be sure at the end of the row, the student use their fingers to bring the rows of yarn together.
 
11. Diane used yarn to weave through the warp. The weaving is made interesting with different colors and thicknesses of yarn. Be sure the hole in the tongue depressor is big enough to easily put the yarn through.
 
12. When a different color or more yarn is needed, tie the end of the old yarn to the new yarn. Cut the old yarn from the tongue depressor and replace it with the new yarn.  Diane usually cuts around 1 yard lengths.

13. Have the students keep weaving until the top of the loom is reached. Remember that thicker yarn will make the weaving go much faster! The weaving can be continued in other class periods or extra yarn can be given to the student to work on their own.

 
14. To finish the weaving cut the warp strings on the back of the cardboard across the middle.  Carefully take the strings off the weaving in twos.  The first two strings are tied together next to the weaving, then strings 3 and 4, 5 and 6, and so on till the end is reached. The loom is then turned around for the other side.
 
15. If you want to put a twig or dowel rod through the top to hold it, leave some room when you tie the strings. Or the twig can be placed next to weaving when you are in the process of tying it.

16. Realize that mistakes will be made and many times will not be seen when all the rows are done. Instead of tearing out rows, it is better to just have the student continue weaving.
 


 
 
 

Mod Podge Bottles

Do you have bottles left over from the holidays? A easy craft for snow days is to cover the bottles with paper and Mod Podge. Any glass bottle or container can be used.

 

Diane, one of We Care Art's instructors, created this craft with a memory group and special needs artists.

 

1. First, the label needs to be taken off. Soak your bottles in a sink of warm water with vinegar and baking powder added.

 

2. When the labels have softened - peel or scrape off the paper. The glue residue can be scrubbed off or left on.  It really will not show under the papers.

The top label of the bottle can be left on for color, or taken off with scissors. (It can be metal, so watch for sharp edges)

 

 

3. Using a foam brush, cover an area of the bottle with watered down Elmer's glue or Mod Podge. This will dry clear - The bottles in the pictures were still wet.

 

Your first layer can be tissue paper or decorative napkins (peel so the napkin is one ply). Repeat this step until the whole bottle is covered. Put a layer of the glue carefully over the first layer. If the tissue starts tearing, let it dry some.

 

4. Cut out some images that you like. These images were glossy and taken from a Victorian clip art book. It is nice to pick out a theme such as the flowers shown above or the animals shown below.

 

5. To add the pictures, brush a layer of the glue on the back of the picture and place it on the bottle. Place a layer of the glue on top of the pictures. You may have to hold the edges of the pictures flat for a few minutes to stick.

 

6. Keep adding the pictures until it is finished.

 

7. On the top neck, you can wrap ribbon, small pearls, raffia, yarn, sequins or anything that will stick. As in the first picture, a bow can be made for decoration.

 

8. Lights can be added to the inside of the bottle for a beautiful light. There are many examples on Pinterest.

 

9. When making this project with special needs, it is easier to use pieces of napkins or tissue around 3 - 4". This helps the artist to handle the tissue easier and allows the paper to be put on without the glue drying out.

 

10. This project can done within an hour if the labels are taken off ahead of time. Be sure to cover the tables and let the students wash their hands during the project if needed