Recent times have made taking care of our mental and physical health even more challenging than usual with many of us looking to new areas to help us through. For those that are lucky enough to be involved in art or even perhaps to have newly discovered the art world, the release from painting or even just reading and learning about art can be revolutionary. Artist Brian Parker has found this time has made him analyse his routines even more, ‘Lock down has led me to looking critically at my routines and altering them in that the only deadlines I have are self imposed and I should stop it! Instead take it a day at a time and do what I feel like each day. It has reawakened my maxim – if what I am doing or about to do is not contributing to my happiness, why am I doing it?– indeed having more time to think can produce a positive re-evaluation of the importance of time and how we use it.
‘Alive & Well’ a self portrait by Parker focused with intense honesty on the artist’s health history, appreciating all the help he had received so far to keep him alive, well & still smiling! ‘I have an idea that when I paint a portrait it should contain more information than just a simple likeness. I painted this just after I turned 60 and it shows a nude me – ‘Alive & Well’ and surrounded by a collage of medical bills and info leaflets, pill packets of all the drugs I’ve taken plus scans and X-rays’.
‘Alive & Well’ a self portrait by Brian Parker
So if we can take some of this extra time we have been given to make art part of our lives it can only be a good thing. Apart from the obvious effects one can imagine coming from art it has been scientifically proven that art can improve brain function, raising serotonin levels and enhance the nervous system. All these reactions can have huge benefits to our mental health, calming and occupying our thoughts – what’s not to love?
Written by: Lisa Freeman
After twenty-five years as an experienced arts PR Lisa is now further expanding her focus within the art world to develop PR and Marketing campaigns within all sectors of arts and culture, from art galleries to exhibitions, as well as individual artist campaigns and charity art foundations.
skype – quitegr8
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