Why I do art

To all the people who nurtured my right brain to its current state of awareness and activity: Hilary, Gerda and Alanna.


The brain is not like any other organ. Rather, I can describe the brain as a whole body in itself. We can extend this comparison to exercise. Nobody would only exercise or use his arms. Through doing that you might be able to pick up heavy objects, but if your legs are not utilised or exercised even lifting up those heavy objects will not help much if you cannot carry the objects around. The body works as a unit. The actions of the legs complement those of the arms, the one cannot replace the other. With this concept in mind, I am always surprised when people cannot understand that practising a form of art is absolutely essential for brain survival.


The brain consists of a left and a right side. That is very obvious, and hopefully for those without a science background not too technical. The brain also functions, governing our actions and thoughts through utilisation of either the right or the left hemisphere. Certain thought patterns are steered by either the left or right hemisphere. The left is responsible for logical thought, calculations and analysis. Needless to say, our school system fosters left brain thought patterns. The right hemisphere on the other hand is creative, the out-of-the- box thinking and behaviour.


To make this divide clear through a single picture – your typical business man would be a left brainer and a painter a right brainer.


All is well then, or so it seems. If the left brain governs all which is logical and analytical, then it seems obvious that a business man should be using his left brain. One might even state that his right brain is redundant and using a right brain approach to his daily challenges might be dangerous.


The same with the painter. Why would a painter need analytical and logical thoughts to govern his painting, would that not interfere with the creative process?


This is where the comparison of the brain as a body on its own can serve to illustrate the importance of using both sides of your brain. Personally I have found that utilising art as a medium to keep my right brain alive and healthy I am able to use creative thought and fresh perspectives when tackling tasks and challenges meant targeted at my left brain. On the other hand, my left brain logic and analytical skills serve me well when doing a painting or sketch.


The one needs the other.


All of us are involved in left brain thought and actions daily. To unlock right brain thought does take some conscious decision and action, at least for some of us. That is where I find practising a form of art useful, even if only for a few hours a week. It can be playing an instrument, painting, singing, baking, just to name a few.


The purpose is to awaken the right brain. Once the right brain is re-instituted to its well-deserved glory, you will be surprised to find how much easier even the left brain decisions become – simply because you are using your whole body of grey matter.