Four Summer Art Projects that Will Start Your Creative Flow
During the summertime, people tend to be more creative and make more art. It could be because of nostalgia and the art projects we made during summer vacations as kids. Or maybe it’s related to the fact that we have more free time and energy to commit to projects. IN any case, using your summer to get your creative flow going can help you reduce stress and feel happier.
Why should I spend my time making art?
Creating art has many benefits including reduced stress and anxiety levels. The ability to accomplish something and to freely express our thoughts and feelings can be liberating. Making art can also make us happier through mindful intention in our passions.
Here are four projects to get you started:
Tie dye a T-Shirt
Tie dye kits are easy to find both online and in craft stores. The kits usually include everything you need to get started with your project. Making something with tie dye is a classic summer art project. Most people want to work on it outside due to the mess of the dye. If you attended summer camp as a kid, you may even remember working on a tie dye t-shirt at camp. This memory can bring back feelings of nostalgia from your childhood. The other benefit of making something with tie dye this summer is that you’ll be able to enjoy the piece long after the summer warmth is gone.
Create a mosaic garden stone
Keeping in line with outdoor art projects, creating a mosaic garden stone is another option for a summer art project. Like tie dye kits, most craft stores also sell mosaic garden kits to create a stepping stone. If you enjoy spending time outside, the stone will be a reminder of great summer memories, and can even spruce up your outdoor decor. Using small mosaic tiles to create patterns can act as mindful art making and can help you to reduce stress.
Make beaded jewelry
Much like tie dye t-shirts, creating wearable jewelry is another great option for summer. You can find beads and cording almost anywhere you go, and it’s an inexpensive project that you can take with you on the go. If you’re taking a car trip, staying at the beach, or just lounging around at home, it’s easy to grab a handful of beads to make something new.
Create a vision board to jump start your creative flow
We often think about making vision boards at the beginning of the year. But why not make one halfway through the year? Creating or altering a collage of things you’d like to achieve can help you to reset your mindset and goals for the second half of the year, and do a check in on how far you’ve come in the last six months.
Looking for more ways to make art?
If you’ve worked through the projects above and still need more fuel for your creative flow, you have a few options. You could let your imagination guide you and grab some art supplies to make your own creation. Or you could find inspiration online. Experimenting with different materials is a great way to get settled in art making and also provide you with more experience with different types of materials.
You could also consider taking an art class at a local college, park district, or other community center. Depending on what kind of class you’re looking to take, you might even be able to find an online course to help you hone your skills. Open art studios are another option to explore different materials and connect with other like-minded individuals.
About Samantha Nolan, MA, LPC, ATR- Barnum Counseling
Image by Freepik