On Our Travels – Art at home with friends
In the series of sharing our shared activities for Art for Wellness with Debbie & Heather, let’s look at creating art together at home.
This is especially practical in the winter months or poor weather days when you cannot venture outside.
Also, it’s about the joy of creating art together in the same room and sharing the fun and ideas.
Creativity and Friendships
Our friendship works so well because we understand each other and take time to listen and just be there.
We have found our commonality and shared passion for creativity, understanding, and learning from each other along the way.
Creativity takes a certain amount of emotional rawness, as we both tend to be in tune with our surroundings and deeply feel things.
No matter how confident a creative person may seem on the outside, they are their own worst critic and those voices are deeply ingrained in their heads as a friend be a positive influence.
A time for being creative and a time to rest, take a balanced lifestyle approach. Remember to give each other space; sometimes other things in life get priority; just knowing that you are there when they need you is key (an open mind and a warm heart)
Keeping life in perspective is key, remind your friend they need times of rest too and that dry spells of creativity are healthy and nothing to be ashamed of.
Mindfulness Drawing Afternoon
What you need:
Drawing paper, pens or coloured pencils, watercolour paints or whatever you have available.
Positive affirmations
Maybe think of a positive affirmation or something you would like to do or enjoy while you are drawing.
Here are some examples
My opportunities to create come to me effortlessly and easily
I am worthy and deserving of love
I trust my intuition to guide the way for me
I am brave and bold
I believe in myself
I can feel the direction I would like to travel towards
- Repeat them over and over again to help you overcome doubts, fears and negative self talk.
- Make them specific, clear and meaningful to you
Gentle music
Perhaps you can tune into some gentle background music or one of your favourite tracks.
At the start, take a few long, slow, deep breaths to relax and centre yourself.
Imagine you are watching a movie and can see full colour, surround sound see where it takes you.
Benefits
Mindfulness drawing can make you feel like you are in a trance and totally absorbed in the moment.
Reduces anxiety and general stress levels.
You are immersed in a state of energised focus.
Help you to become kinder with yourself and others.
In focusing on the future gives you strength and a way forward.
At the end of the drawing session, we celebrated with some Pink Lemonade and Turkish Delight.
Heather & Debbie’s Gallery
Interested to find out more about how to draw for mindfulness?
Mindfulness Art combines neurographic drawing, easy art and being in the moment.
The best way for looking to relax and unwind, think and absorb affirmations and positive vibes, or a fun way to set any goals and objectives.
Let’s take a look at a simple way to learn how to be mindful of your drawing experience.
Mindfulness Art / Art Therapy / Neuro Art
There are many different titles used to describe relaxing with art that uses the creative process to explore emotions, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem.
All have similar meanings – Art-making helps us to explore what we experience and discover a way to express ourselves.
It encourages us to be in our present moment experiences by noticing the sensations we are experiencing and letting them flow onto the paper.
How does the brain interpret art?
Each time you look at a piece of art, your brain is working to make sense of the visual information it’s receiving.
Art can take us on a journey or conjure strong emotions and deep thoughts, or simply dazzle us with its visual brilliance.
Everyone’s reaction to art may be different, but its ability to impact us is unquestioned.
What is art?
One modern definition is “something that is created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful.”
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
Look / See / Think
- Art evokes emotions, whether they are happy or sad, disturbing or exciting.
- Art makes you feel
- Art makes you think
- Pieces of art can make you question not only the artist’s interpretation or message but also your own feelings.
- Art can predict the future, and art can showcase the past.
Let’s take a look at a simple way to learn how to be mindful of your drawing experience.
“We started out calling it ‘mindful art,’ but as we dug deeper into its power, we realised it’s so much more than just mindfulness.
It’s about healing, growth, and self-expression.
So we rebranded to ‘Start Therapeutic Art’ because we wanted to emphasise the beginning of a personal journey—where art becomes a tool for wellness, transformation, and emotional healing. It’s not just about creating; it’s about connecting with yourself meaningfully. Every piece we make is a step forward in the process.”
Copyright © 2025, Art for Wellness
Debbie Crouch & Heather Roundell – originally published in 2022
Creative art for all ages and abilities. – Let’s share the beauty of creativity