Painting Happy

For the past two weeks, I have been constantly happy. I can't even begin to recall the last time I felt so at peace; I just know it was a long time ago. I do not know exactly why this has happened and I do not wish to overthink the possible reasons. Still, I know part of it is due to painting. 

I have spent over twenty- four hours in these two weeks just painting. These hours have been spent on an old forgotten canvas at home as well as on pieces of a set for Portland Community College Sylvania's theatre production, Hairspray. It is without much ado that I can say I have fallen in love with painting. 

I was once told by my former therapist that doing art matches exercise's ability to improve the health of your mind. It wasn't until now that I know with certainty that it is true. Nevertheless, why is this so? In my own opinion which was not formed through any research on the psychology of it, I think it has to do with the matter of becoming extremely focused on one project as well as with performing an activity that allows your creativity to stream out, unrestricted.

It was in a documentary that I once watched called "Happy" that I learned about this thing called "flow". Flow is what a person experiences when they become completely focused in performing a task, or activity of some sort. People who can experience more flow in their day are seen to be more satisfied in life than others who do not experience an adequate amount of flow per day. I do not know what is a good amount of flow, but I suspect it varies amongst people. In these past two weeks, I have spent a good deal of time immersed in painting. Moreover, there is that great feeling of satisfaction you feel once you complete a project that has taken you hours.

When you paint, you are in charge of what goes onto that wall, or that canvas, or whatever other medium you choose to paint on. You can see what is going onto that surface as you apply more strokes of the brush, or roller. You can see all the colors and textures you are creating with your own two hands. It is easy for you to manipulate the paint on the surface, and to quickly fix something that is to your distaste. There is also that freedom you have to get paint all over yourself! While painting, you are free to do anything you wish and that can give you a happiness that lasts forever.