3 ways painting has changed

3 Ways Painting Has Transformed Me The Most

Learning to paint has been one of the best decisions I made in the last few years. It’s brought me so much joy and peace, and offered me a new way to express myself. It constantly gives me a challenge and acts as a unique form of mindfulness. 

But there are a few ways I've seen painting impact me that I want to highlight. I hope it helps you understand a bit of my heart behind Desert's Blooming, and maybe encourage you to give an artistic practice a try. 

The 3 ways painting has changed me the most are:

It helped me notice the beauty around me…

When you're painting, you have to use your eyes in a whole new way. In order to capture what you see and paint it effectively you have to train your eyes to see different elements of a scene. Looking closely at the colors, lighting, and shapes, you decide which aspects to emphasize and which to minimize.

For someone who sometimes struggles to be present in my surroundings, painting has helped me hone this ability to focus on what's in front of me. I think this has extended beyond my art and into my life too. And in doing so, I’m starting to see a lot more of the little beautiful things in the world. 

 

3 ways painting has changed me

 

It’s allowed me to discover my artist voice…

When I started painting, I was inspired by amazing artists and wondered if I’d ever find a unique style. I think so many artists feel the same way. We all want to stand out and be known for something.

The more I’ve practiced painting, I’ve learned what techniques, mediums, colors and styles I like. This is an ever evolving process, and that's part of the fun. But I also discovered what I wanted to express through my art. Often there are strong feelings and thoughts flowing through me while I'm painting. I love the way all of this can be poured into visuals and how it contributes to a distinct style.

It’s drawn me closer to Jesus…

Above all, painting has connected me in a new way to the Creator. By tapping into my identity as a creative, I feel so much more confident about who God made me to be. As I’ve been able to share this part of my life with Jesus, it’s enriched our relationship.

I love to feel his joy when I’m painting. I also find that it's often when I'm painting that I sense clearest what he wants to say to me and others to encourage them through what I create.

If you’ve ever wanted to try a creative medium, my advice is cliche but true: Just go for it! At the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter what you create. It’s all about the experience.

 

If you're looking for a way to process your wilderness season experience, I created some free journal prompts to help you find clarity. Click here to download.

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