The Impact of Art on Mental Well-Being

Did you know that the art displayed in your living and working environment wields a significant influence on your mental health and overall well-being?

Beyond mere decoration, the art you select holds the potential to shape your emotions, mood, and mindset. Whether it's an original signed giclee print or a reproduction, wall art serves as a simple yet potent visual tool that can profoundly impact your thoughts, feelings, creativity, and even communication.

However, achieving the desired results depends on choosing the right type of wall art for your specific space. This article delves into the intricate relationship between wall art, well-being and mental health, offering insights and guidance on curating the perfect pieces for your home.

One of the driving forces behind the creation of Sanctuary Art Studios was the wish to craft a personal sanctuary within a living or working space, thereby supporting mental well-being. As the pandemic unfolded, the increase in cases of depression and anxiety among friends and family prompted a determination to make a positive impact via art in homes.

Art and Its Role in Mental Health:

Throughout history, art has served as a therapeutic medium, from ancient cave paintings to contemporary works. Psychologists and art therapists alike recognize its ability to help individuals navigate the challenges of life, including anxiety, depression, and emotional turmoil.

The Fascinating Impact of Wall Art on Mental Well Being

Elevating Your Mood:

Colours and imagery possess the power to evoke a spectrum of emotions, and selecting the appropriate artwork can elevate your spirits and enhance your emotional state. For instance, vibrant and lively colours can promote positivity, while serene natural scenes encourage relaxation and tranquility. 

The art you choose for your space should align with the intended purpose of the space.

Self-Expression:

By displaying art that resonates with your personality, interests, and values, you create a living space that reflects your uniqueness. Your chosen art becomes a canvas for self-expression and identity.

Mindfulness and Focus:

Certain forms of wall art, such as abstract or intricate designs, promote mindfulness and concentration. They serve as visual anchors that keep you in the present moment. Additionally, they can engage multiple viewers simultaneously, making them effective tools for stimulating the mind through passive viewing.

Expressing Repressed Emotions:

Art serves as a vehicle for emotional expression, particularly for individuals dealing with mental trauma. People often suppress their feelings as a coping mechanism, but gazing at serene wall art, such as landscapes or abstract paintings, can help individuals articulate emotions that might otherwise remain unspoken. Having wall art in your home can facilitate a healthier emotional outlet.

Releasing Happy Hormones:

Scientific studies have demonstrated that viewing art can trigger the release of dopamine, often referred to as the "happy hormone." This surge of pleasure-inducing chemicals in the brain's orbitofrontal cortex can induce intense joy and satisfaction. In essence, wall art can serve as a natural mood enhancer.

Enhancing Your Sense of Accomplishment:

Art appreciation has been proven to reduce stress by normalizing blood pressure and lowering cortisol levels (the stress hormone). Consequently, strategically placed wall art in your home or workplace can improve focus, concentration, productivity, and instill a sense of accomplishment.

Inspiring Imagination and Creativity:

Wall art sparks imagination and creativity, making it a valuable addition to your living room or office. Vibrant paintings can encourage the generation of new ideas and help in their effective processing.

Promoting Critical Thinking:

Studying wall art attentively and exploring its themes from various angles can enhance critical thinking skills. Therapists often encourage patients to incorporate art into their living spaces as a means to promote clearer and more rational thought processes, thereby improving everyday problem-solving abilities.

Evoking Feelings of Empathy:

Engaging with art can make individuals more open-minded and empathetic, fostering a greater understanding of different perspectives. In essence, viewing art can cultivate kindness and thoughtfulness towards others, making you a more compassionate person.

Tips for Selecting Wall Art for Mental Well-Being:

When choosing wall art to enhance your mental health, consider these guidelines:

• Choose Art That Resonates: Trust your instincts and select pieces that genuinely resonate with you, reflecting your tastes, interests, and values.

• Match Art to Room Function: Tailor your choice of art to the function of each room. For instance, opt for soothing pieces in the bedroom and energizing art in communal spaces.

• Experiment with Styles and Mediums: Explore various styles and mediums, from photography and paintings to mixed media and digital art, to discover what complements your living space and uplifts your mental state.

Personal touch

Incorporating wall art into your home can have a profound impact on your mental health and overall well-being. By carefully choosing pieces that speak to your heart and create a positive ambiance, you can transform your living space into a sanctuary that supports your emotional and mental health. Never acquire wall art simply to fill empty spaces, as overcrowding can diminish its impact. Choose pieces that genuinely resonate with you and ensure they align with the ambiance you want to create. Additionally, maintain focus in your workspace by selecting art that harmonises with your goals and objectives.

Get in touch

Purchasing high quality wall art has become more accessible than ever. For example I offer signed and limited edition prints ready to buy online! Check out my selection.

For a more personal service, I also provide expert guidance on choosing the right artwork for your space, ensuring you benefit from its positive influence on your mental well-being.

Visit my gallery to explore my art to enhance your living or work space today. 

Browse my carefully curated collection at Sanctuary Art Studios to discover the perfect wall art that resonates with your soul.

Choosing art photography by size

How to choose art photography for your home and work space.

Choosing the size of your art photography is an important decision that can greatly affect how your work is perceived and displayed. When we create sanctuary, we want to create a harmonious space which fill us with a number of emotions and states.

Sanctuary can be inspirational, uplifting, calming, grounding amongst other states.

The task of determining the proper size and placement of new artwork can sometimes seem daunting. As a lens based artist creating prints, commissions and ready to hang artwork for clients, I want to help with this common question that so many of us have when planning for their art purchase: "What size artwork should I choose for my wall?"

Here’s a short guide on how to choose which size of wall art will be just right for your space, to help make the process a little bit easier, and a lot more fun!

Here are some factors to consider when deciding on the size of your art photography in order to create sanctuary in your home or work space:

• Purpose and context:

  Consider the purpose and context of your art piece.

  Will it your work be displayed in a hotel reception area, a gallery, an office, or home?

  Will it be part of a collection or a standalone piece? The size you choose should be appropriate for the intended purpose and context.

• Subject matter:

• Consider the subject matter of your photography. Some subjects may lend themselves better to larger or smaller sizes. For example, a landscape photograph may benefit from a larger size to showcase its sweeping vistas, while a portrait may be better suited to a smaller size to highlight the subject's features.

  Visual impact:

• Think about the visual impact you want to achieve with your photography. A larger size can create a more immersive and dramatic experience, while a smaller size can be more intimate and focused.

   

  The Room

• When picking art for any room BIGGER IS BETTER!  People tend to choose wall art that is much too small for the room and if you are investing in artwork, you don't want to buy it, and hang it, only to discover your room still feels barren.  

  Consider the selection of furniture that you have in a room, if it is sparse, then a large piece of artwork will fill up the visual field as furniture might. Think about your ceilings are they high ceilings allowing for a grand artwork, or low -where a shorter canvas height with landscape orientation might work better?  Just remember - to be on the safe side, GO BIG!  This is especially true if buying modern, contemporary art photography as offered in my collection, bigger is definitely better to maximize the statement. We have client who will back this point up!!

  The Wall

• Think about two things here - firstly there is the overall dimensions of the wall,  but then also think about the orientation.  

  Tall, narrow walls work well with art of a similar shape, created in portrait orientation, while horizontal wall spaces (often found over sofas, and in hallways etc) work best with landscape-oriented artwork.  In looking at the overall wall space dimensions your artwork should take up two-thirds to three-fourths of the wall.  Like I said before... go big!

• Focal point:

  If you want the artwork to be the focal point of the room, choose a larger size that commands attention. If you want the art to be a subtle accent, choose a smaller size.

• Style of your decor:

  The size of your art should complement the style of your decor. For example, if you have a minimalist style, a larger piece of art may be too overwhelming, while a smaller piece may be more appropriate.

• Technical limitations

  Consider the technical limitations of your photography. The resolution and quality of your image may determine the maximum size it can be printed without losing detail or clarity.

• Cost:

  Finally, consider the cost of producing your photography in different sizes. Larger sizes may be more expensive to produce and may require additional framing or mounting.

Ultimately, the size of your art photography should be a thoughtful and intentional decision. It's important to experiment with different sizes and formats to find what works best for your particular style and vision for a particular space.

In general, it's a good idea to measure your wall and determine the maximum size of art that would work in your space. From there, you can choose a piece that fits within those dimensions and feels appropriate for the style and mood of your room.

You can play with styles and sizes in different spaces for example at work or at home. Art, especially original art, is an investment that should last a lifetime, it can make or break a room and is essential to a finished look.  Now comes the fun part... explore my artwork, and have fun selecting a gorgeous piece of art photography that is the best fit for your home or work space! 

Get in touch with me if you’d like to know more about choosing the perfect size print for your home and work space. We work with you to create the sanctuary you deserve to reside in.