Maintaining Mental Health with Art

Taft Poster in Black Frame

For more than two years, the planet has been suffering from COVID 19 pandemic. Many have been isolated in their homes. As a result, many have sought creative outlets or opportunities for expression. These activities have helped our brains that will help in boosting the mood and making us feel good. 

Records have shown that mental health has affected about half of the population around the globe by age 40. That was before the pandemic. With the recent challenges of the pandemic and for maintaining mental wellness, and managing fears, and uncertainty, it is time to be creative in how we stimulate our minds. 

Art therapy for managing the well-being

The relationship between art and mental well-being has been clearly established in the field of art therapy. It has been used as an intervention for mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. Art is also used in a non-therapy context to promote mental health. You will observe that schools offer subjects in art. These are not to make the kids become artists, but to maintain a sense of wellness.

What is neuroesthetics?

Neuroesthetics uses brain imaging, brain wave technology, and biofeedback to gather scientific evidence of how we respond to the arts. As a result, it has been observed that arts have engaged the mind in interesting ways, tapped our emotions, and helped us maintain a healthy state of mind. 

Be creative

Art encourages us to express ourselves in creative ways. This means that you have an outlet to use your imagination. It also includes expressing feelings and emotions. Tapping the right side of the brain has resulted in many positive outputs. You might be wondering how some inventions have been created? Well, those are products of the creativity of many individuals. You too can help society with your creativity. 

Stress relief

One of the reasons for having an outlet is to relieve and cope with distress. Stress includes but is not limited to depression and anxiety disorders. Art is used as a tool for understanding feelings and emotions. Try to visit art galleries and museums and stare at some of them. Some may ask you to interpret the meaning of the art and the emotion that the artist has while creating it. Though this is hard to do, especially if you are not an art expert, it will still stimulate your mind and encourage you to be creative. 

Art is fun

Art is fun and a wholesome hobby to do. Once you start something, it is difficult not to finish it. Take for example, clay molding in creating a diorama. You have a set of colored clays and plan to create a diorama for display. You start working on the scenario and it is just hard not to finish it. Finishing it gives a sense of accomplishment and triumph. It likewise boosts confidence that you can accomplish anything.

Green Design – Beauty and Function

Limestone and Crystal Seas poster in interior

Green design is a revolution when it comes to art and design. It is a method and approach to creating and designing with minimal effects on health and the environment. With what is happening to our surroundings these days. It is the responsibility of the designers to look for ways of protecting the environment with the use of eco-friendly materials and methods. 

The advantage of using a green design

It is obvious these days that the environment is suffering a lot due to different human activities. Humans have created products and have done a lot of activities that can be harmful to health and the environment. These activities have led to the accumulation of unwanted materials, especially pollutants. 

If these abuses of the environment continue, the planet would be inhabitable. As part of the ecosystem, humans need to think of sustainable ways to preserve the environment. As such, environmental-friendly materials and methodologies have been made to create a more sustainable environment for generations to come. 

Designing for the future is one of the goals of green design. It is of utmost importance for the design that space may have multiple functions and can still be used in the future. Also part of the design is to consider how space can be converted without replacing the existing materials as well as minimizing the impact on the environment.

What is a green design?

With proper planning and creativity, green design can be achieved successfully. The design has been the trend for some time now around the globe as many designers and homeowners saw its benefits. Below are some of the important traits of a building that employs green design:

  • Efficient use of energy, water, and other resources
  • Minimal waste production
  • Health protection of the occupants of the space

Just like any other design, green design has its benefits that must be considered:

  • Protection of health and environment
  • Improve the quality of air and water
  • Less waste production and emission
  • Conservation of natural resources
  • Cost-efficient
  • Improve the quality of life
  • Increase productivity of the occupants

Decorating with greens

Giving a touch of nature to your home is one of the ways to bring the environment to your room. The addition of elements of nature has been known to give numerous benefits. One great example is the Japanese-styled interior. Adding elements of nature like water, earth, and plants evoke beauty as well as a calm and relaxing room atmosphere. 

Adding greens to your home is not that difficult. There are different kinds of plants that you can add as well as decorative elements to achieve a compelling design. The display of art is one of the fastest and easiest ways to create a room that is comfortable and cozy. 

Posters are cost-efficient and evoke a mood that can also be observed from other elements of nature. In addition to these, nature-themed posters can serve as an inspiration and probably a reminder for all of us to be proper stewards of the environment.

Nilalang Kan-Laon Poster

Nilalang Kan-Laon Poster in Black Frame

Kan-Laon is an ancient deity from the pre-Hispanic period. Feel her power and add a mystical vibe to your home. In fantastic colors, Glen Hare has captured the true essence of our country’s culture and tradition.

Melancholy Woman Poster

Melancholy Woman Poster in Black Frame

Feel the mood of the woman in a melancholic state. In the color blue with a black background, your wall will have the blast of your life. This is one of the extraordinary creations of Glen Hare.

Her Poster

Her Poster in Black Frame

Created with monochromatic colors, your room will have that classic appeal that your family will love. An extraordinary creation by Glen Hare.

Del Agua Poster

Del Agua Poster in Black Frame

Feel the mystical power of the seas as the mermaid makes your wall look magical. Created with monochromatic colors, your room will have that classic appeal that your family will love. An extraordinary creation by Glen Hare.

Want to Relax? Stare at Art

Art is a form of expression and it has been created to set the mood when viewed. Creating and looking at art has its benefits, both in mind and body. Art is used as a tool to help people relax. The colors, subject, designs, and arrangement have been used to promote relaxation. However, only specific aspects of art are good for relaxation. This includes its harmony with its surroundings. Here are some factors that need to be considered so that art can help create a relaxing mood.

Colors

We all are aware that there are different colors on the color wheel. In general, they are grouped as warm and cool colors. Brighter colors promote energy and activity, while dark colors tend to promote moodiness, reflection, and melancholy. As such, carefully choosing the colors for your home is important if you want to set the right atmosphere. 

The display of paintings with bright and warm colors, such as red and orange is not recommended if you want to relax. Red is associated with energy, passion, strength, aggressiveness, and masculinity. Different shades of color are often used in festivities around the globe. This is also true with the color orange as it promotes a high level of activity. 

More subtle colors, like pink, can aid relaxation. It is also known to motivate and enhance confidence. Yellow is likewise considered to be a friendly color. 

If you are looking for pictures for a more relaxing vibe, then the best choice is those that mimic natural elements. Blue is a calm color with sedative nature that stimulates cool temperatures to which people respond with serenity. Green also promotes peace and creates balance. Studies have also shown that shades of green can help lessen depression, nervousness, and anxiety.

Purple is a combination of blue and red, meaning that it has the qualities of both colors. It is soothing like blue but bold as red. 

The subject

There are many subjects to be used and displayed in your space. Subjects can either help or block relaxation. Landscapes, especially where water is featured are highly recommended to promote a relaxing state. 

Lines are also important as they influence the direction of the gaze of the viewer. Lines also add illusion and depth to the image. Heavy angular lines convey a message of tension and dynamism, while oblique lines promote a sense of movement. Horizontal, straight lines give an impression of space, calm, and tranquility, especially when used in landscape photography. 

Artwork with a simple, single focus is relaxing, while an artwork with a lot of clutter can be ab eyesore. 

Display

Anything that is cluttered, whether you are talking about a painting, print, photograph, or furniture arrangement, can cause a feeling of anxiety. Another example is a wall that is filled with different colors can be irritating and not conducive to relaxation. 

These decorative items should be in harmony with the surroundings. As such, the most dominant colors should blend with the other decorative items in a room.

Fundamental Concepts of Interior Design

Art wall 235

In creating a compelling interior, there are certain concepts that you need to know and follow. If not, the results may break your heart. In this article, you will learn more about the interior design principles that will help you achieve the desired outcome. Interior design is the art of designing the interior decoration of a living space. It is a mixture of art aesthetics and the science of knowing people’s behavior to make a space functional. 

Harmony

Every house is always considered to be a unit composed of spaces that are connected with each other. As such, harmony is created when the house is regarded as a whole rather than an isolated structure. This principle gives a sense of unity, therefore these elements need to be applied with uniformity: color, theme, and style. However, these elements may oftentimes differ from each other, these need to work together to create unity. Different shades of colors may also have to complement each other to achieve harmony.

Rhythm

We have heard rhythm in music and you will hear about it again in interior design. This principle is all about generating visual interest by creating patterns of repetition and contrast. It is defined in terms of continuity, recurrence, and movement. The four properties are:

  • Repetition – the use of more than one element or the same element more than once. 
  • Progression – increasing or decreasing one or more qualities of an element.
  • Transition – creating a smoother natural flow for the eye.
  • Contrast – putting two different elements in opposition to each other.

Balance

This creates a feeling of stability and equilibrium. This can be achieved with the use of colors, patterns, theme, texture, or shape. A balance should be created in all elements that make up the design. Balance is about ensuring equal distribution and approximation of the visual weight of objects in a room. There are three types of balance and these are symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial.

  • Symmetrical balance – consists of spaces that are evenly distributed or repeated on the same axis on two sides of a room. 
  • Asymmetrical balance – more casual, more complex, and a common trend in modern design. It creates a balance that does not require duplicating the visual weights of lines, colors, forms, and textures. 
  • Radial balance – this balance can be achieved when some elements radiate around or from a focal point. Examples are a spiral staircase and a round dining table. 

Focal Point

This principle is also called emphasis and adds life to any room. This can be anything, from a large piece of artwork to a sculpture. The focal point captures the attention of the viewer and creates a lasting impression. 

Proportion and Scale

Proportion refers to the ratio between the size of one part to another. While the scale is how the size of one object relates to another. As a rule, the smaller segment should have an equal ratio to the larger segment as that of the larger segment is to the whole space.

The Beauty of Industrial Design

Metropolitan area poster

Old factories and industrial spaces. Are they still appealing or a space that is considered musty, old, and creaky? The industrial design style is topping the news these days. Many homeowners and designers are transforming lofts and old buildings into beautiful living spaces including apartments and houses. 

When people think of the industrial design style, people think of oversized metal windows, unfinished wood, and visible bricks. Though the design style in urban areas, it is also employed in many rural places. So what does it take to achieve the design style? Here are some inspirations on how to be successful in decorating your home with the Industrial design style.

What is the Industrial style?

Industrial design style refers to the fuss-free interior appearance that is inspired by the lofty look of warehouses, factories, and industrial buildings. No need to be critical with finishings as bare bricks, metals, and untreated woods look appealing themselves. Designing the interior is as flexible as it can be. 

The style will allow you to customize the look with furniture and decor that can give a unique style. The most important thing is to create an interior that is cozy and comfortable. It is recommended to employ furniture pieces with simple design and upholstery in neutral colors and natural textures. 

A brief history

Experts believe that the Industrial design style started in the early 20th century. It has become more evident during the 2nd Industrial Revolution. A time when many factories closed and moved to different countries. As a result, many industrial structures were abandoned. Seeing this as an opportunity, architects and designers converted them into living spaces.

With the use of necessary elements, one can be successful in achieving the design style. The use of materials such as furniture made from wood, aluminum, iron, steel, tin, stone, and copper is encouraged. It is also common to see distressed metal elements, wooden floors, and bare steel beams. 

Decorating the walls to enhance the style

In addition to bare walls, visible pipes, rustic metals, and worn-out wood, the addition of industrial-inspired art will complete the design style. 

Trendy posters like nature-inspired prints, architecture posters, patterns, and classic art are great designs that can help achieve the style. These can also create cool and awesome wall art that can be the focal point of any room.

Poster art in black and white can set a comfortable and airy room that is expected in an industrial design style. Moreover, posters that feature various infrastructures, and industrial materials are highly recommended if you want to be successful with your interior decorating project. 

What makes the design style more fun and exciting is the fact that your imagination and creativity will be harnessed. It does not need to be costly to decorate. You can start with material that can be seen in your storage rooms and trendy and affordable art that can finish the job.

Decorating Your Room with Wall Art

Wall art is the life of any room. If designed beautifully, wall art adds attraction and creates a fun and cozy vibe that will be enjoyed by its viewers. A wonderfully designed wall gallery of photos or trendy poster art can transform the interior appearance of any room or space. 

Why add wall art?

Walls are important in every home. They can function in both aesthetics and structure of any building. Walls bring a room together and make everything look more cohesive with the design elements added to them. Designing and creating wall art is one of the ways to make the room look more exciting and fun. 

Wall art is thought and planned last and usually after all the other decorations have been placed. Many homeowners even do not consider the addition of wall art as they are already satisfied with the color and appearance of a plain wall. On the contrary, a blank wall is like a canvas where art should be painted.

The blank wall

Staring at an empty wall has never been fun. Blank walls give you an opportunity for limitless design ideas. Properly planned and designed wall art can make any room look unique and interesting. As such, many designers and homeowners consider the addition of wall art in their room or space.

One of the interesting ways to add wall art to your design is by creating a wall gallery of photos. This can evoke a nostalgic atmosphere that is perfect for the family. An attractive collage with the use of different paintings and photographs can also create compelling wall art. Frames that are used in photos and posters are of great help in designing and decorating the wall. You can feature a similar color palette or consider the use of different colors.

Create one in your room

Choosing the right color for the rooms is one of the challenges for many homeowners. Sometimes choosing the color that you love and applying it to the walls is enough for many individuals. However, this is not always the case as you are still looking at a dull wall. 

Wall art can instantly create a focal point that will be enjoyed by its viewers. Think of the wall art as a magnet that can draw the attention of anyone who sees it. They can eventually be the center of attraction in any room such as wall art that is created in the living room or the bedroom.

Furthermore, wall art adds texture to any room with the use of 3D art like sculptures. These artworks can give depth to the room by creating an illusion that there are more layers to unleash. Many experts believe that to create an intimate-looking interior, rough textures must be added. On the other hand, decors with smooth textures can create a sophisticated and classy-looking interior.