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How Painting The Sea Helped Me Survive My Depression (13 Pics)
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How Painting The Sea Helped Me Survive My Depression (13 Pics)

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I’m Jane Spooner an artist from Gloucestershire in the UK. I’ve always been creative and art has always been a big part of my life – it’s a form of self-care and healing for me. When I’m feeling hopeless, depressed, or anxious, painting is one way that I can calmly be with those feelings and accept myself. Nature is at the heart of my work, and how I connect with the natural world. My chosen medium is encaustic, made with natural materials like beeswax, tree resin and colour pigments; it’s more sustainable. The unpredictable nature of encaustic is what makes it so intriguing to me as an artist. The material has a unique beauty and character that makes every painting unique in its own way, just like the people who create them!

I was drawn to painting the sea as it was how felt, lost in an emotional sea. The deep blue hues called to me, and I knew that I needed to express what I was feeling somehow. The act of painting itself was therapeutic, and as I worked through my emotions on the canvas, I slowly began to feel better. The final product was something that I was really proud of, and I have a few pieces now hanging in my home as a reminder that even on my darkest days, there is hope.

More info: janespoonerartist.com | Instagram | tiktok.com | Facebook | pinterest.co.uk

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    Why art is important for mental health?

    Creating art has always been a form of self-care for me. When I’m feeling down or stressed out, painting is one of the ways that I can calm myself down and be with my emotions. It’s a form of meditation, and it allows me to process what’s going on in my head in a creative way.

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    I think that art is important for mental health for a few reasons. First of all, it’s a form of self-expression. When we’re going through tough times, we often bottle up our emotions because we don’t want to burden others with our problems. But when we keep everything inside, it can lead to explosive anger or depression. Art gives us an outlet to express what we’re feeling in a safe and healthy way.

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    Secondly, art is a form of mindfulness. When we’re focused on creating something beautiful, we’re not focused on our stressors or worries. We’re present in the moment, and that can be incredibly calming for our mental state. And finally, art is a way to connect with others. When we share our artwork with others, we’re opening up about ourselves in a way that can create meaningful connections with others who understand us.

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    If you’re struggling with your mental health, I encourage you to find an outlet that works for you. For me, that outlet is painting; but for you, it could be anything from writing to cooking to hiking. The important thing is that you find something that brings you joy and peace in your darkest moments; something that helps you remember that there is hope; something that makes you feel alive again.

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    Jane Spooner

    Jane Spooner

    Author, Community member

    Read more »

    When I paint, it's like my spirit becomes one with the canvas. There are no boundaries or limits to what can be expressed when you're in a state of flow during the art-making process; all thoughts disappear and only pure feeling remains a sense that anything could happen because life itself is an adventure!

    Read less »
    Jane Spooner

    Jane Spooner

    Author, Community member

    When I paint, it's like my spirit becomes one with the canvas. There are no boundaries or limits to what can be expressed when you're in a state of flow during the art-making process; all thoughts disappear and only pure feeling remains a sense that anything could happen because life itself is an adventure!

    Diana Lopetaitė

    Diana Lopetaitė

    Moderator, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Hey there, Pandas! My name is Diana (though some prefer to refer to me as Diane, Deanna, and even Liana sometimes), and I am a Community Post Moderator Lead for Bored Panda. As my position title states, I am one of the people (employed Pandas for bamboo) over here who work with the community side of things on this website to ensure all is well, and while at that, I also help various creators and artists get recognition for the incredible work they do by connecting them to a large worldwide audience. Other than that, outside of work, you can find me brewing a nice cup of coffee, making a pizza from scratch, or baking brownies. I also love traveling, concerts, and cats (heavy on that, because I am a cat mom).

    Read less »

    Diana Lopetaitė

    Diana Lopetaitė

    Moderator, BoredPanda staff

    Hey there, Pandas! My name is Diana (though some prefer to refer to me as Diane, Deanna, and even Liana sometimes), and I am a Community Post Moderator Lead for Bored Panda. As my position title states, I am one of the people (employed Pandas for bamboo) over here who work with the community side of things on this website to ensure all is well, and while at that, I also help various creators and artists get recognition for the incredible work they do by connecting them to a large worldwide audience. Other than that, outside of work, you can find me brewing a nice cup of coffee, making a pizza from scratch, or baking brownies. I also love traveling, concerts, and cats (heavy on that, because I am a cat mom).

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    Jode P
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love stormy seas!!!!......your artwork brings me joy and takes me back to memories of being warm and cosy while watching the waves crashing up on the rocks. You're very talented! Long may you continue to find peace in your work

    Claire Hollinshead
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Jane Spooner your artwork is spectacular. You can truly imagine you are with the sea when you look at your paintings! Shopping on your website is a treat & a joy! Amazing!

    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I still find it amazing how art can transport you to a different place.🤩 Thank you for taking a look at my website, it means a lot to me.

    Load More Replies...
    Jenny Burton
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I find myself mesmerised by your art. The emotion that you have expressed with dark and light notes. The swirls of thoughts splayed across the canvas. Every time I see new aspects, new ideas and new thoughts. Can’t wait to see what else you have created.

    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am so pleased my art captivates you, and that you can see my thoughts swirling across the canvas, rather than them swirling in my mind.😍

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    Jode P
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love stormy seas!!!!......your artwork brings me joy and takes me back to memories of being warm and cosy while watching the waves crashing up on the rocks. You're very talented! Long may you continue to find peace in your work

    Claire Hollinshead
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Jane Spooner your artwork is spectacular. You can truly imagine you are with the sea when you look at your paintings! Shopping on your website is a treat & a joy! Amazing!

    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I still find it amazing how art can transport you to a different place.🤩 Thank you for taking a look at my website, it means a lot to me.

    Load More Replies...
    Jenny Burton
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I find myself mesmerised by your art. The emotion that you have expressed with dark and light notes. The swirls of thoughts splayed across the canvas. Every time I see new aspects, new ideas and new thoughts. Can’t wait to see what else you have created.

    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am so pleased my art captivates you, and that you can see my thoughts swirling across the canvas, rather than them swirling in my mind.😍

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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