One lazy summer afternoon while relaxing at the seashore, my best friend told me that she was taking art lessons. "Art lessons!!" I exclaimed, "I didn't know you had the talent." "It's not about talent, it's more about self-expression and getting in touch with your creative side. And for me, it's about healing."
Given the many years my friend had dealt with serious chronic illness, the art lessons made sense. "So how about if we paint together?" my friend asked. "I could set things up right here on the porch table and we'll paint the sunset!!" I was unnerved by the idea of trying my hand at art making when I had never had a lesson, did not know the "technique," and had not engaged the right side of my brain for years. And among art media, my friend chose watercolor, the most difficult of all. Nevertheless, I reluctantly agreed and we painted long into the evening.
Three years and many art lessons later, irrespective of talent, I am still at it and have developed a deep appreciation of the relationship between art making and self-care. This is what I have learned through watercolor painting. Painting with watercolor is both a humbling and liberating experience. It makes you realize that you can't control everything. Despite planning and precision, the colors will take on a life of their own, running into one another, creating unintended but often interesting effects, and sometimes ending in mud. I am learning to make the best of whatever the colors do on the paper, to work around the accidents, to avoid premature attempts at repair, and to let the paper dry before I make harsh judgments. Watercolor always looks brighter when dry than when it is wet.
Painting with watercolor sharpens your perspective and teaches you to see the beautiful details in life. It allows you to improve on reality, to brighten the dull, and to enhance the subtle. It helps you to appreciate the seemingly insignificant, like the shadows of trees on the sidewalk, the diamond-like sparkle on a sunlit ocean, or the unusual tilt of a lady's hat. I am learning to "see" the shapes and tones of nature and people instead of representing them in literal ways.
Painting with watercolor creates a respect for transparency. The foundation washes always shine through, changing and deepening the colors. With those who tend to be impatient, watercolor persuades us to relax and daydream in between the washes, to wait for that glistening look before charging in the next color or for the wash to completely dry before adding the next transparent layer. Watercolor improves your timing.
Health professionals worldwide are focusing on the benefits of integrating the arts and humanities into healthcare, not only for disease prevention but also for chronic disease management. In the United States, the Society for the Arts in Healthcare (SAH) (http://www.societyartshealthcare.com) is working to produce both qualitative and quantitative evidence to show that the arts do make a difference in patient outcomes. Participating in writing, painting, sculpting, music, dance, or any of the arts helps us find our voices and our way. Try the arts yourself, and bring their joy to those for whom you care.