Art Life Practice Blog
Your destination for all things related to art, culture, and creativity. From artist spotlights and to how-to guides to articles on the science of art and wellness, our goal is always to inspire by way of educating.
Haunting Artworks throughout Art History
As Halloween approaches, we wanted to take a moment to explore some haunting artworks that have captivated audiences throughout art history. Each of these pieces evokes a sense of the...
Artist Spotlight: Ruth Asawa
Ruth Asawa (1926-2013) was a Japanese-American artist best known for creating her intricately woven wire sculptures, many resembling sinuous, biomorphic forms. Born in 1926 in a rural CA town, she...
How Art Making Supports Trauma and Grief Recovery
Make art and soothe your soul We all experience loss and grief at some point in our lives, and navigating the emotional and mental anguish can feel too difficult to...
How Art Making Strengthens Neuroplasticity
Create and Forge new neural pathways Neuroplasticity is the brain’s capacity to continue growing and evolving in response to life experiences. Every time you engage in a new or complex...
How Art Making Boosts Serotonin
Boost whole-body wellness through creative play Serotonin's effects on the brain could be considered its starring role in the body. As it helps regulate mood, serotonin is often called the...
How Art Making Promotes Dopamine
Discover the joy of art making Dopamine is released when we do something pleasurable, and it makes us feel more joyful, focused, and motivated. The act of repetitive creative motions...
The Walk + Create Routine
I wanted to share a very simple yet powerful ritual that has transformed my day-to-day life: the walk and create routine. It’s as simple as it sounds: at some point...
Stanley Whitney Inspired Grid Postcards
Contemporary artist Stanley Whitney (b. 1946) is most known for his vibrant abstract grid paintings. Drawing inspiration from sources ranging from artist Piet Mondrian to quilt-making, Stanley creates richly colored...
Blind Contour Drawing 101: How it came to be, and how to do it!
Blind contour drawing is a drawing exercise that has been used by countless artists since its inception in the early 1940s. Art educator Kimon Nicolaïdes introduced the technique in his...
Guided Sketchbook FAQs!
Since its launch in late 2023, the Guided Sketchbook has quickly become our best-seller, inspiring hundreds of you across the U.S. to tap into your inner creative spirit. For the...
Make Art and Activate Your Effort-driven Reward Circuit!
Fun fact - did you know that using your thumb requires more brain activity than moving a larger area of our body, such as our back or our legs? Engaging...
Modern Motherhood: From Warhol to Beyoncé
In honor of Mother’s Day, we’re highlighting five uniquely powerful portrayals of mothers in contemporary art. Awol Erizku, Beyoncé, 2017This photograph of the Mother of All Mothers, Beyonce, was taken in 2017...
