They say if you engage in the arts, any kind of art, it has a calming effect on your brain. I've found this to be true for myself, when I am trying to figure out a complicated painting. There is no more room in my brain for daily life problems. It takes all I have to focus on what I am painting. The same happens with these exercises. I look at the prompt and ideas start to come to me.
Van Gogh said this: “Though I am often in the depths of misery, there is still calmness, pure harmony and music inside me. I see paintings or drawings in the poorest cottages, in the dirtiest corners. And my mind is driven towards these things with an irresistible momentum.”
I have seen this happen often at Brookside. A peacefulness settles down over the room when everyone engages in their artwork.
So, if this is your first attempt at this type of creativity exercise, look at the picture below and see if it reminds you of anything. There probably will be a few things it reminds you of.
Then, either print this image or copy it by pencil on your piece of paper. Build your picture off of it. Use whatever medium you like: pencil, pen, paints, collage.....
