Gloria B. Collins

Daily Art Lifts the Spirit

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Reducing Stress with Art: How to release stress one drawing at a time

February 9, 2018 By Gloria B. Collins

watercolor sketch of herbes de provence, garlic, and lilies

Stress is something we all face and we each try to find ways to best manage it. Though there are many ways to go about stress management, I have found these 9 Self Care Tips to Reduce Stress and often find myself reducing stress with art. That’s right, my stress relief is often found one drawing at a time.

My best stress management tip:

Considering the popular trend of coloring books for adults nowadays I felt I didn’t want to color inside someone else’s lines but make my own. So, I am committed to draw something every day.

morning cup of coffee with sketchbook and pen on wood table

Cuppa Coffee with my sketchbook in the morning.

As a florist growing and designing with 100% seasonal flowers, you can only imagine the boredom setting in during the winter. I read the average person contemplates 60,000 thoughts per day, and 95% of them are not original. We do things out of habit, which is good when we’re learning to do something well. But once we’ve mastered it then what?

Art and stress management

photo of various watercolor sketches

I got the fear of not being a good enough artist or the thought that I was a fraud out of my head and just leaped into it! Now I’m making art.

I’ll draw flowers, family members, groupings of pretty things in the kitchen, my closet, hands, feet, cups of coffee, skylines, pets, phones,  people on the streets, or art supplies. I spend maybe an hour a day.

watercolor sketch of tulips in a pitcher

My motto is: If I’m able to identify it when the drawing is complete, thumbs up.

Start drawing today with one sketchbook

Filling up these art journals is a gift. I believe we are all born with talents and an innate desire to express ourselves and for me art encompass a fuller range of expression.

photo of a pile of full sketchbooks, ink and inkwell

There is always something fun to draw allowing my brain to destress.

photo inspiration for watercolor sketch of herbes de provence, garlic and lilies

My vintage stuff.

It’s almost as if my mind goes on a mini-vacation when I’m sketching. Drawing allows me to release the insignificant minutia and leaves me feeling mentally clear and calm.

I use these notebooks from the Rifle Paper Co. I like that they are flexible, a reasonable size, the paper for drawing holds watercolor well enough, and they fit perfectly in my little plastic art pouch along with my pencils, pens and watercolor set. My drawing kit is compact and travels easily in my handbag.

photo of swan Rifle Paper Co. notebook

Rifle Paper Co. NoteBook

And now I draw anywhere.  It’s become a habit.

I encourage you to give it go, get a little sketchbook and start with a simple doodle.  You will be amazed at how the stress melts away, even if only for an hour a day.

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Filed Under: Alone Time, Flowers, Growth, Hobbies, Leisure, Sketchbook, Slow Home Living, Water Colors, Work Tagged With: drawing, flowers, paper for drawing, stress management, watercolor, watercolor sketchbook

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gloriabcollins

Picking herbs and bits from the garden. #theygard Picking herbs and bits from the garden.  #theygardenanddraw #cottagegarden is such a joy for me as is my #art. Hope you are enjoying your day. ❤️
Left overs always are best the next day! #mixedmed Left overs always are best the next day! #mixedmedia #illustration #theygardenanddraw #homedesign #kitchenart
Gardening and drawing together bring pure joy! #th Gardening and drawing together bring pure joy! #theygardenanddraw #illustrationartists #illustrator #kitchenart #recipeartist
Making some kitchen art today. Staying loose and Making some kitchen art today.  Staying  loose and having fun.  #theygardenanddraw
As an Artist, there’s always time to make whatev As an Artist, there’s always time to make whatever brings us Joy. For the past few days, I’ve been traveling and exploring.  And now, it’s time to catch up with my prompts. Let’s see what’s growing in the garden. #theydrawandgarden 

Not sure what the prompt was before I sat to draw because I just wanted to capture this clematis before it passed. I used watercolor and Tombow brush pens.
Yesterday I went to my local nursery and picked th Yesterday I went to my local nursery and picked these beauties out for the garden. I just had to watercolor paint them #theydrawandgarden
As a little girl, I made my art to pass the time. As a little girl, I made my art to pass the time. But my grandfather saw something more and gave me my first unpaid commission.  I remember vividly the dining room table I sat at, and out of the blue, he came up to me with his loving voice and asked me to illustrate two intertwined trees, depicting the deep and ageless love a couple has for each other, a pretty deep ask for a ten-year-old. But I followed the brief and delivered. 

What he thought of the drawing must have been positive because I’m still draw. I didn’t get any negative comments. 

What happened to the young artist in you? #MindfulMonday #theydrawandgarden
Why not have fun drawing recipes. #foodillustratio Why not have fun drawing recipes. #foodillustration practice, practice, practice.
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