Art for Wellness – My Creative Journey

My journey with art has been transformative, and I’m excited to share how creativity has played a key role in my life.”

For much of my early life, I was discouraged from pursuing art. I was told it wasn’t a “real” path, and so I set it aside. But creativity has a way of calling you back. As an adult, I rediscovered art—not as a professional pursuit but as a way to heal, express myself, and find joy.

How I Found Art as an Adult

Discouraged from art in school, I believed creativity wasn’t for me.
Years later, I turned to art for wellness, using creativity as a form of self-care.
I started small—doodling, painting, exploring different materials.
I realised art wasn’t about perfection but about expression.
Over time, I built confidence, embraced mistakes, and found my style.
This journey led me to create Art For Wellness CIC, where I now help others use creativity for healing and self-discovery.

Drawing: The First Steps

One of the first things I learned was the importance of relaxing my wrist and letting the pencil glide across the paper. At first, I held the pencil so tightly, afraid of making mistakes. But as I practised, I learned:

A loose grip allows smoother movement.
Sketching a rough outline provides a guide—it doesn’t have to be perfect.
Mistakes are part of the process—rub it out, try again, and keep going.
Daily doodling for five minutes helps improve control and confidence.
Everything around you can be an inspiration—a cup of tea, a plant, a chair.

Looking back at my early sketches from 2019 to now, I see growth, not just in skill but in mindset.

Painting: Letting Go of Perfection

When I first started painting, I found fine details challenging. My hands felt unsteady, and I worried my work wouldn’t be “good enough.” But I soon realised:

Art isn’t about comparison. Everyone has their own style.
Unrealistic expectations kill creativity. Allow yourself to be a beginner.
Painting is about feeling, not just technique. Let the brush guide you.
Mixing colours is an experiment. Sometimes, happy accidents lead to the best results.
A colour wheel helps. It makes colour mixing less overwhelming.
Acrylic paint on paper plates is an easy, mess-free way to explore colour combinations.

I now look at my paintings from 2019, 2020, and 2021 and see a journey of self-discovery, growth, and confidence.

Finding Your Creative Safe Space

Art isn’t just about creating—it’s about connecting. That’s why I built a community where people can:

Share their work without fear of judgment.
Ask questions and receive encouragement.
Upload their artwork (or send it anonymously).

Join us in embracing creativity, whether you’re just starting or have been on this journey for years.

Would You Like To…

🎨 Discover your splash of colour?
🖊️ Find a way to move pencil on paper?
💛 Channel your hands to open your heart?
🌿 Experience something positive and creative?

Your creative journey starts now—embrace it!

For anyone considering learning a new hobby to be creative with art.

Here are some of my hints and tips learned over the last few years

Drawing

One of the first things I learned was the need to relax my wrist and let the lead flow across the paper. At first, I used to hold the pencil so tight like it was going to run away if I loosened my grip.

Then, starting with a rough outline sketch in pencil as a guide helped provide a basic shape and size for what I am looking to draw.  Also to remember you can rub it out along the way.

I learned to relax my wrist and let it flow.

If you find yourself holding the pencil tightly and pressing down hard it will ease over time in learning to relax and flow with your hand across the paper.  Practising drawing random patterns and shapes in a notepad 5 minutes a day really helped.

When you begin to create a shape and the lines seem to go astray or you don’t like it, just rub out, amend as many times as you need.   That  way you learn and accept this is a normal and part of drawing.

Spend time practicing doodling, making shapes and patterns. You can draw things that are around you and can be anything from your cup of coffee / tea, a chair, table, vase of flowers, ornament, or book ……practice shapes and perspectives, shadows and structures.

The first art class was looking at finding my creative drawing skills and in keeping my pictures can look back and see how far I have come from my early drawings to now.

Appreciate your journey and be proud of your achievements however small keep celebrating each step along the way.

Painting 

For me I have learned so many things in the years.

Don’t compare yourself to others
Not to give yourself unrealistic expectations. 
All new hobbies start at the beginning with practice and time you get better.
Be kind to yourself allow time to learn and enjoy your journey along the way

My personal story thoughts and learning
In the beginning, I found fine detail painting a little daunting, knowing my hands can be unsteady. As a new painter, I have not had many lessons as yet, and this is something I am determined to learn more about.

In honesty, I paint for wellness and let my mind flow to whatever I think looks best for me.

Thinking about what I have understood so far in art classes about perspective, contrast and colour.
It’s about finding my own style, not copying anyone else’s or trying to be perfect.
Learning to enjoy the experience of each painting is more rewarding.

I use what I see as inspiration and adapt my own style.

That’s the best advice I can give just have a go…… 

Learning to mix paint colours

Looking at a colour wheel helps to understand the colour

When I first started mixing paint many times found made a sludgy grey or brown colour. 

Remember this is an experiment and without practice you wouldn’t learn how to mix.  

Sometimes you discover colours you like by accident.

Tip I use paper plates to mix acrylics as you can through them away after use and saves washing up.

Originally created in 2021

Posted in Drawing, Health and wellness, Lifestyle & Selfcare, Painting, Public Blog