Joy in Every Brushstroke – The Emotional Benefits of Making Art

I didn't get to spend a lot of time with my mom (LK) creating Art. She was creating a lot and I would hear her stories of how she made this or how she made that. But, for whatever reason, we really never created together. We did, however, spend many miles in the car traveling to meeting places for HCE (Home and Community Education) . I have been a professional photographer since 2013 and she was also the one who got me loving photography, so we would drive miles out of the way on some of these excursions just so I could photograph an abandoned building I found on Google maps.

We spent time creating photos together but hindsight you know, and now that she's been gone for going on three years, I would have liked to have learned a lot more from her.

Plus, here in northwestern Wisconsin when you spend most of the year bundling up in layers and watching snow pile higher and the wind blow colder, it’s easy to feel worn down. Seasons are fleeting and we do spend the warm months getting ready for the cold months. But one of the best ways to lift your mood is to create something with your own two hands --- and spending time with ones you love. Making art isn’t just about the final product—it’s about the joy that comes from the process itself.

A Safe Space for Feelings

Art gives us a healthy outlet to work through emotions. Bright colors, bold brushstrokes, or even soft watercolor washes all tell a story. Whether you’re celebrating something wonderful or working through a tough season, creating allows you to express what words sometimes can’t.

Building Confidence, One Project at a Time

There’s something powerful about finishing a project. No matter how small, that sense of accomplishment boosts self-esteem and reminds you that you are capable of more than you think. Even mistakes can become happy surprises—sometimes the “oops” moments turn out to be the most beautiful.

The Feel-Good Factor

Studies show that making art releases endorphins, the chemicals that give us a sense of joy and energy. In other words: art makes us feel good. And in Wisconsin winters, we’ll take all the mood boosters we can get!

✨ At The Art Bucket, every workshop and open studio session is designed to spark joy. Come paint, sculpt, or craft with us and discover how much lighter you’ll feel after a little creative play.

And on we go . . .

-Jennifer

LK (Linda Kay) photographing original paintings at the Crystal Bridges Museum in Springdale, Arkansas. She and I were on an HCE (Home and Community Education) excursion in July 2019.