Embracing My Signature Blues for an Impactful Solo Exhibition

As I delve deeper into the creation process for my upcoming solo exhibition, I'm spending a lot of time in the studio mixing and experimenting with colour. One combination that's been particularly captivating me lately is phthalo blue and titanium white.

It might sound simple, but the nuances you can achieve by carefully adjusting the ratios are incredible. From the most ethereal, sky-like washes to rich, deep ocean hues, understanding how these two pigments interact is helping me unlock the precise blues that resonate with the theme of my show and, more importantly, with my signature artistic style.

This process really highlights the importance of creating my own unique colour combinations. While pre-mixed tubes have their place, there's an unparalleled satisfaction and authenticity that comes from developing a palette that truly speaks to your artistic voice. Every brushstroke becomes an extension of that personal exploration.

I'm excited to share more of this journey with you all as the exhibition approaches. Stay tuned for glimpses into the finished pieces.

www.emmabarone.com

Phthalo Blue + Titanium White

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Putting Pencil to Paper: Why Getting Hands-On is the Key to Well-Being

While our brains are marvels of complex architecture designed for intricate hand movements, modern life often leaves these skills underutilized. Regaining a focus on hands-on activities like drawing, painting, gardening, or playing music is crucial.

Why it's important?

Brainpower Boost: Think of your brain like a muscle. Just as physical exercise keeps your body strong, these activities keep those fine motor skills sharp. Drawing, in particular, requires precise control and coordination, giving your brain a valuable workout.

Lifelong Learning: The benefits go beyond dexterity. Studies show that hands-on activities can slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of brain-related conditions. In other words, they can help keep your mind sharp for years to come.

By specifically mentioning drawing and painting alongside other activities, we highlight the importance of artistic expression in keeping our brains active and healthy.

Emma Barone

Art & the Joy of Effort: How Making Things Makes You Happy

My recent research explores how the act of creating art activates the effort-driven rewards circuit in the brain, leading to feelings of satisfaction and well-being.

Have you ever felt a deep sense of satisfaction after finishing a piece of art, even if it wasn't perfect? That rewarding feeling has a lot to do with your brain's "effort-driven rewards circuit." This network of neurons gets activated by activities that require physical effort and result in a tangible creation.

Here's how art-making taps into this circuit:

Hands-on Engagement: Moving your hands, whether it's painting, sculpting, or drawing, stimulates a large area of your brain's cortex. This physical action is a key part of the effort-driven reward system.

The Power of Process: Art is often a journey, with challenges and moments of discovery along the way. The effort you put into solving problems and refining your work contributes to the final reward.

Seeing is Believing: The end product of your artistic endeavor is a physical representation of your efforts. This tangible reward reinforces the positive feelings associated with the creative process.

The benefits of engaging this circuit go beyond just a happy feeling:

Improved Well-being: Studies suggest that activities that activate the effort-driven

rewards circuit can help combat depression and promote a sense of accomplishment.

Stress Relief: Focusing on creating art can be a form of mindfulness, taking your mind off daily worries and promoting relaxation.

Boosted Confidence: Mastering a new skill or overcoming a creative hurdle can give you a sense of confidence that spills over into other areas of life.

So next time you're feeling stressed or uninspired, consider picking up a paintbrush, some clay, or even some pencils or crayons. Engaging in art can be a powerful tool to boost your mood, challenge yourself, and experience the joy of creating something with your own two hands.

Emma Barone