Brushstrokes & Breakthroughs : How Art Reshaped My View of Self

Do you often feel like a monotonous machine performing the same tasks day in and day out? You are not alone in this. I have suffered the same and still do sometimes. Art comes to my rescue during these times.

I dabbled in art and craft from my childhood, but stumbled into it head-on after my master's and 5 years on, I still haven’t been able to return from it. My journey to Art has been my journey to Self. It brought back my peace and clarity, which was lost in the hustle and bustle of getting degrees and then immediately immersing yourself in work.

Heading from Sociology, Art was like a 360 turn from my field to the complete vast unknown.What started as a journey from digital art led me to explore various other forms of art. When working with agencies didn’t suit me, it was again taking the leap into art that healed me. This Pause from the corporate culture allowed me to reflect on what I actually wanted to pursue.

It hasn’t been an easy journey, but it has been a fulfilling one of chasing art and not a corporate ladder.

Art as a process

It is between the pages of my sketchbook that I found a part of me that I forgot existed while following the trajectory of life. The simple act of drawing or journaling is a form of meditation. It is a form of communication beyond words. The process of drawing makes you lose yourself in a time-space continuum where the mind comes to a standstill.  A beautiful journal or a sketchbook is a magical place to lose yourself in. This act of art pulls you into the present moment by muting the external noise.Art makes you accept mistakes as a part of the process, mirroring life itself. It is the process of embracing imperfection and vulnerability.

How Art brings about breakthroughs and revelations

✏️  Art becomes a safe space to process difficult feelings without needing to verbalize them.

✏️The process of creation during emotional times acts as a catharsis for your emotions.

✏️ Art helps understand past experiences or even future events.

✏️  Art helps you discover your authentic voice in life.

✏️  Art helps in confronting your inner demons, which you might avoid .

Art Journey

Pursuing Art has been an emotional, financial, and mental rollercoaster. It's a miracle that I haven’t given up Art under the pressure of finding a ‘Real Job’ 🤣😅

My art journey started with black ink and paper. What initially started as ink doodles progressed to watercolour, gouache,and also fabric painting, with learning digital drawing side by side. Journaling has been a recent addition to my creative journey. The process of taking a theme and making a spread around it is meditative in nature. Now I love making journal spreads and also collecting journal products.

Pursuing Art

The initial expectation vs. the reality of starting Art is completely different. It is messy, but practicing daily (consistency) is what makes all the difference. Thinking of doing art and actually doing art takes an emotional toll on you when you pursue it as a career. It is true for all creative fields. The constant asking of where do you work, what do you do, when will you get a real job never ends. It's been nearly five years, and still,I get asked these questions from time to time. Societal pressure, along with increasing capitalisation (the pressure to earn more and more), takes a mental toll on a person. Justifying your choice to everyone takes half of your time, definitely.

 Financially, it hasn’t been an easy journey. While your peers and your juniors are at a different stage of life with houses,things,and holidays, you are still to find a source from where your next paycheck comes from. All this pressure often takes a toll on you daily, but it instantly disappears when I ignore all this and sit down with my art. One thing is certain that nothing is going to take me back to corporate culture.  The kind of peace I have found with Art, nothing else compares to it - It's a forever companion through thick and thin.

Influence of Art on Daily Life

Art plays an important role in influencing our daily life:

 🍄 Increased Self-Awareness: A regular art practice makes you more aware of your inner thoughts and feelings.

🍄Increased self-compassion and acceptance: Art teaches you to be non-judgmental and kinder to yourself. 

  🍄 A sense of purpose and connection: Art makes you more in tune with your authentic self and gives a sense of meaning.

 Tips to embark on your own Artistic journey

🎯  Start with something small and simple, like doodling, quick sketches, etc

🎯   Focus on the process and let go of the expectations of the end result.

   🎯  Create a safe environment to practice art

🎯   Don’t judge your work.

🎯  Experiment with different mediums to find what suits you best.

🎯   Reflect about your art pieces and observe what comes up.

Your Canvas Awaits

Pursuing Art is not a linear journey. It is a continuous journey of self-discovery.

The constant quiet urge to create, the struggle with self-doubt, or the revelations found from a simple sketch – it's all part of the art journey, and you are not alone in this. It's perhaps the burst of colours, the messy sketches, or the repeating lines that capture your interest and thought.Your journey to Art needs only your courage to begin, and the curiosity to see how it unfolds.

So, start dabbling with your paints and start filling a blank canvas. Each of us has a unique story waiting to be told through creative exploration. Art gives a safe and non-judgmental space where the mind can wander and one can connect with your deepest self. Art is all about embracing the imperfection. I have made handmade products as personal gifts, home décor, and wall art deco pieces for different people across India, and it all started with a choice to come back to what heals you and keeps you rooted, which in my case has been Art.

What one step are you going to take to begin your journey to self ?

You can follow me @doodle_assam