It is Never Too Late to Become an Artist

It is Never Too Late to Become an Artist

If you have always wanted to hone artistic techniques like perspective, light, and colour, then know that it is never too late to start. Whether you are aged 19 or 90, art can enhance your health and wellbeing in so many ways, with an AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY STUDY showing that people who PARTICIPATE IN ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITIES can help stave off cognitive and memory problems. Scientists note that "engaging the mind may protect neurons, or the building blocks of the brain, from dying, stimulate growth of new neurons, or may help recruit new neurons to maintain cognitive activities in old age." It is fascinating to think that art can enhance human health in this way, but of course, health benefits are just the tip of the iceberg as far as arts and crafts are concerned.

Taking Your Inspiration from the Greats

Famed impressionist artist, Monet, didn't take brush to canvass UNTIL HE WAS IN HIS 40S. Mary Delaney (famed for her decoupage art) shone in her 70s and 80s. Becoming an artist is very much like starting to write a novel. You may have a plethora of ideas and interests that clash inside you until you find the peaceful space you need to start creating. A budding artist need not necessarily aspire to be the next Van Gogh. Artists like Bob Ross have shown that lovely nature-inspired works can be created in less than half an hour. A good idea is to start DRAWING SOMETHING YOU LOVE - A PET, still life in your home, or something as simple yet beautiful as a flower. A tutor can help you study and reproduce the intricacies of the canine or human form, by highlighting the importance of proportion and perspective, as well as the tiny details that make an artwork pop out. Think light in the eyes, the 'movement' of fur, lines in the face that indicate the passage of time.The Benefits of Lifelong Learning

A 2014 study undertaken AT THE UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN FINLAND found that non-vocational adult education has a variety of benefits that are shared with close friends and family, and reflected in the workplace. The key qualities sharpened by activities like art creation include confidence in and tolerance towards other people, as well as motivation to continue learning. In the study, participants who took part in non-vocational course reported improved attitudes at work and greater interest in offering their time for voluntary work. They also said that they had benefited from learning new skills and honing their expertise in specific subjects.

Boost Your Mental Health with Art

CREATIVE ACTIVITIES CAN BOOST MENTAL HEALTH, by increasing positive emotions and reducing negative ones. For this reason, art is an important component of programmes for people battling a host of health challenges - everything from stress to anxiety and depression. If you are facing isolation or sadness, being part of an art group can provide you with a sense of community, as you connect with others and discover shared interests. During group sessions and private tutorials, you may experience benefits such as greater relaxation, entertainment, and support - all of which can make art an activity to look forward to every day.

Art is an expression of your thoughts and emotions. If fear about a lack of knowledge or technique is stopping you from drawing, painting, or sculpting, tutoring can help you ace the basics or even refine the skills you already know. Lifelong learning in itself has a wealth of health benefits, so if artistic expression has always been on your bucket list of activities, why not cross it off the list right now?