Something wonderful occurred this week that led me to take this weekly column in a slightly different direction. It is about unique opportunities for artists -- and anyone for that matter -- to help other artists. A few days ago I sent news to Keith Morant that he was selected to win a $100 Monetary Award in the Manhattan Arts International "The Healing Power of ART" juried … [Read more...]
Positive Art News For The Week – Art Foundations
Cézanne's Paintings, Artist Grant Program, An Artist Protest and More Please note: This article was published in April, 2015 Art foundations dominate the Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS "Positive Art News Stories" this week. You'll read about how the Barnes Foundation surprisingly discovered two Cézanne drawings, how the Joan Mitchell Foundation's Emerging Artist Grant … [Read more...]
Increase Your Well-Being With Awe-Inspiring Art
The Magic of Experiencing Awe In an article I read recently on the University of Wisconsin Health website, psychologist Shilagh Mirgain, PhD was quoted as saying, “Awe has many important implications for our well-being... Experiencing awe can give us a sense of hope and provide a feeling of fulfillment." I agree: Increase your well-being with awe-inspiring art. One example … [Read more...]
Art Cart – An Education in Hope that Helps Aging Artists
An important study dispels the myths and negative stereotypes about artists living in lonely, selfish desperation, especially as they age. The Research Center for Arts and Culture (RCAC) at the National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA) established that artists suffer less loneliness and depression than the general population. According to the study mature artists are highly … [Read more...]
Seeing and Feeling Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh is undeniably one of the most beloved and complex artists throughout art history. His innate ability to see and feel everything and express a myriad emotions is one of the gifts he gave humanity. Although his painting The Starry Night depicts the view from his dreary asylum room, it captures the aspirations of hope he derived from the sky and stars. He once … [Read more...]
Does Art Have The Power to Save Lives?
Many Artists Believe It Does! This morning, after spending a couple of hours viewing some incredible entries for the Manhattan Arts International "The Healing Power of ART" juried competition I opened an e-mail from Hyperallergic blogazine and read this shocking statement: "Yesterday we got a strange thing in the mail. A postcard with big white letters on a black … [Read more...]
Famous Artists Who Reclaimed Their Artistic Passion
If artists have to put their art-making on the back burner for one reason or another, they may experience acute agony. When they return to creating art after a separation they experience a tremendous sense of renewal and freedom. Their emotional, physical and spiritual health also return to balance and harmony. Let's look at some famous artists who took different paths at … [Read more...]
The Artistic Edge in Today’s Competitive World
Education in the arts is not just for those who want to pursue careers in the fields. It should be taught as a life skill to children and continue to serve as a resource for adults, so that when we face challenges, we can turn to ourselves, rather than pharmaceutical drugs or self-destructive outlets. Many young people today who are struggling with learning disabilities, … [Read more...]
Positive Art News Stories For The Week
Every day we're bombarded with negative news, however, we may also find an abundance of positive art news if we know where to look - like right here! I'd like to share uplifting news stories I discovered including one about reducing stress with coloring. Coloring Reduces Stress Elena Santos wrote an article on Huffington Post that emphasizes coloring is a great way to … [Read more...]
Ancient Spiritual Art and History at The Rubin Museum
A welcome retreat away from the bustling NYC streets is The Rubin Museum of Art, the premier museum in the West for Himalayan art and the surrounding regions. This spacious 70,000-square-foot museum that opened in 2004 at 150 West 17 Street, in New York, NY, is a treasure trove of ancient spiritual art and history. The museum also includes space for contemporary and … [Read more...]
The Arts, Dementia and My Mother
Research has proven beneficial correlations between the Arts and dementia. The art-making process develops neural systems that produce a broad spectrum of benefits ranging from fine motor skills to creativity and improved emotional balance. Art has even been integrated into programs that help those who suffer from dementia. The Alzheimer's Association has proclaimed that art … [Read more...]
Mary Lou Dauray Raises Awareness About Coal Burning and Pollution
Mary Lou Dauray is an award-winning artist who lives in Sausalito, California. She believes that art has the power to influence action and thought and is dedicated to raising awareness about climate destruction and global warming. Dauray is also the only contemporary artist who has been devoted to creating a series of paintings about the mining, burning and transportation of … [Read more...]