In old age, the Impressionist painter Claude Monet dedicated himself almost entirely to painting water lilies. Depressed by bereavement, declining sight and the events of World War One, he was encouraged by the politician George Clemenceau to create a gallery lined with these paintings, in the Orangerie in Paris – as a space where peopleContinue reading “Talking About Art”
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Songs For Life
If you were to choose one song that is “your song”, what would it be? A song you remember hearing on a special occasion, or one you just couldn’t stop singing along to when you were young? A song you’ve loved for years, or a song you’ve only discovered lately? Maybe it would be aContinue reading “Songs For Life”
Figurative Vs. Abstract
Have you found that using different art styles has different impacts on mood and wellbeing, on mental health? Is drawing a figurative picture more stimulating than painting an abstract, absorbing your mind as you try to represent the subject? Is abstract art more calming and mindful to experiment with? One focus of my Arts CouncilContinue reading “Figurative Vs. Abstract”
Question Time
What is the best way to use art and creativity to help mental health? Is there even one best way, or are there many, each one as different as the individuals experiencing mental health issues? Is it best to focus on art expressing thoughts and feelings, maybe visualizing a scene or using colour to sumContinue reading “Question Time”
At The Grassroots
Another December, another COP climate summit. Every year, as everyone winds down for the Christmas holidays, politicians and negotiators descend on a conference centre somewhere in the world to decide our planet’s future. Or that’s how it seems. I’ve been following these summits for years now. Some feel more hopeful than others, but you neverContinue reading “At The Grassroots”
Shining Out
At such a dark time of year in the northern hemisphere, when darkness falls ever earlier each day and we creep closer to the winter solstice, light becomes very precious and very special. So it’s no wonder that so many of us enjoy lighting the darkness, whether that’s with a handful of sparkly Christmas lightsContinue reading “Shining Out”
Changing Image
When you photograph, do you ever think how photography can be a tool for change? If photography boosts your wellbeing, do you ever think how it might do so all the more if you used it to lobby, to push for reform? I recently heard about photographer Tish Murtha (1956-2013), who used her cameras toContinue reading “Changing Image”
Hello Winter
Winter’s almost here, and researchers at the University of Glasgow have suggested that writing a letter to winter might help us feel less depressed by this time of year. When the idea hit the news recently, some laughed, but others gave it a try. I wonder what you would say if you were to writeContinue reading “Hello Winter”
Building Blocks
Do you ever think about how the built environment impacts on your wellbeing, wherever you are? It’s so easy to take for granted, seeing familiar buildings and streets, day in, day out, we forget that how they look isn’t inevitable. Whether it’s your house or flat, your school or place of work, your care home,Continue reading “Building Blocks”
Warm On The Inside
Do you remember ”warm hubs”? It feels like no time at all since last winter’s issues with fuel poverty and heating, getting through the colder months with the cost of living spiraling. Now we’ve changed the clocks once more, summer has gone and we are into late autumn, and the cost of living is stillContinue reading “Warm On The Inside”
Medley 