Have you ever looked at art made by someone else (whether it be a dance, a play, a particular photograph or painting) and found yourself wondering and pondering its meaning? Perhaps you deciphered familiar symbols or gleamed metaphors from their art that spoke to you.   Maybe you recall as a child showing your art to a parent or important other who was genuinely interested by what you made. You felt understood and appreciated.

Art connects us.

Creativity allows us to connect with others as others witness our creations and feel a sense of understanding or connectedness.  The art we share may allow others to reflect on themselves and feel understood (I’m not alone) as they see parts of themselves in what is created. Making art is a form or expression which we can share with others to give them a glimpse into who we are; what we like, what our focus is or what makes us happy or sad.

When we create we put ourselves, ideas, or feelings “out there” to be seen outside of our inner world. Our art’s meaning may not always  be clear  to others, however we expose aspects of ourselves just the same. When others witness our creations it can allow us to feel seen. Sharing our art allows us the opportunity to be heard. Whether we are expressing personal feelings or reflecting how we see the world collectively.

Connection is a key component of being human. We need to be understood by others and creative expression is one way of moving towards being understood by others in ways words can not express. Though others may sometimes see something different in our creative expression, the mere act of sharing our creative endeavours can start the dialogue through imagery, colour and form.

The very act of creating art for self-expression opens us up to connecting with others and the world, offering our view in the world as we see it.

 Art touches others.

I am always amazed at the connections that happen when people share their art in the Virtual Art Circle. Circle members upload their art response to weekly art prompts knowing that their view on life is important and needs to be seen, both for themselves and often for others too.

Each person offers their own perspective and point of view of the prompt through their art response. Others supportively witness, acknowledging the significance of this sharing. In doing so the artist who shares is acknowledged, their voice heard. How do I know? Because the same people come back and share in a sacred ritual of connecting through sharing their art.

In my live Virtual Art Circle the process of coming together in real-time to express through art connects us with each other in ways that need no words. We join our creative energy knowing its implicit importance for creating. We create in silence but our voices are heard and seen. When people gather for my workshops and paint or make art in the presence of others, the art created weaves connections, silent but strong.

So next time you doubt the importance of taking some creative time, remind yourself of art’s ability to meet our  fundamental human need to connect.