Expression through art

I would suggest trying acrylic inks. They flow like watercolors but are vivid. I have used them to paint tropical birds and fish. It is difficult to find much on line for videos on painting with acrylic inks. The online sites tend to use them for crafting but they are a serious painting media and are archival, which means they will not fade like regular acrylics. Try them and enjoy.

I've been learning gel plate printing. You can search it on Pinterest and YouTube. You use a gel plate, available commercially or make your own from gelatin and glycerine. Anyway, you apply acrylic paint with a brayer and use stencils, stamps, and all kinds of random objects to make designs in the paint and print on paper. Then you use those prints to make collage. Also look up art journal. Art journals use art and some words rather than just a text journal. I'm just beginning so I started with cheap dollar store paints and home made stencils and stamps. I print on cheap copy paper. In the past I've done a variety of arts, clay, stained glass mosaic, weaving, crocheting, sewing, and I still do some of that. But this printing is really pleasing. And the collage and journal really satisfies my creative need.
Art really feeds the soul....and heals the body.
Take care ,
Sandy

I looked at a video and gel plate printing would be interesting to try. Since original printing uses ink, have you heard of acrylic inks being used with gel plates? They would be more vivid.

Yes, I've seen some of that online. That looks really fun. Nice bright colors.

These are all wonderful stories of expressions of art. I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2019 with a recurrence in 2021. It was in 2019 that I joined our local choral society. I have loved singing throughout much of life however it was in high school that I discovered the joys of choir. My high school was made of my friends from choir. I have found that these more recent choir experiences help soothe me when I am at worst with anxiety about recurrence or new cancers. I just don't think about any of that when I am in choir or practicing at home. When I've told my Integrative Medicine physician who works out the oncology department about these experiences her response is - do more of that! Do that more often.

How do art projects or crafts help you through the illnesses or situations that brought you to Mayo Clinic Connect?

@januaryjane In 2020 I decided to give painting a try. I was 70 y/o and never painted in my life. I went on Amazon and ordered cheap canvas, and paint. I started brushing paint on a canvas with no rhyme or reason, and was surprised with the result.
YouTube videos became my teacher. I was inspired, and educated on how to do things “right”.
Watercolors were too challenging for me back then. I’ve improved now.
Then I started making art with alcohol inks. Now, that is a joy because it almost creates itself.
Now, 5 years later I’m still learning and having fun. I must stick with abstracts because I have no talent, and my fingers don’t hold a brush steady.
I just love color…

@naturegirl5 I originally came to Mayo Clinic Connect looking for support with my ultra-rare kidney disease. Expression through written word, or crafts like quilting/crochet/drawing have always been important to me.

Now I am on peritoneal dialysis every night, seven days a week. During the time I am waiting for my cavity to fill with the dwelling fluids for the night, or the morning drain of fluids, it is important to have my journal nearby, or a crochet project, or some of my Zentangle or art journal supplies handy to me. To be able to express inner thoughts or challenges in some form really helps me cope!
Ginger

I am not an artist by any way shape or form but, I do find art to be fascinating and wish my wife would get back into it.
Anyway, have you tried scratch art? We purchased a piece from our friend. She did it from a photo I sent her of my parents dog. We gave it to them for an anniversary gift and they absolutely love it.

MOJO