« Children, like animals, use all their senses to discover the world.
Then artists come along and discover it the same way all over again. »
Eudora Welty
Exciting new research suggests that there’s a lot going on in our brains when we view visual art. One study analyzed brains scans of people looking at paintings. The results? Predictably, viewing art triggered brain activity related to visual understanding and recognizing objects. But viewing artwork also sparked activity associated with inner thoughts, emotion, and learning.
Other research indicates that viewing art can be transformative: It can change the way we view the world. For instance, after a museum visit, students display stronger critical thinking skills, and there’s growing evidence that exposure to art can help older adults remain mentally alert and resilient.
And here’s a finding for us as writers: Visiting a museum has the same positive power to restore and refresh as taking a break and going outdoors. According to research, taking a stroll through a museum can relieve mental fatigue and restore the ability to focus.
For most of us, going to a museum is what’s called a “novelty-seeking venture” — it takes us out of our ordinary rounds and signals to our brain that we’re open to learning. Not only does this have a powerful impact on our brains, it’s also connected to a personality trait most associated with creative achievement: openness to new experiences.
In The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron advises making a weekly “Artist’s Date” with ourselves, in which we experience something new — art, a film, an exotic food. What a great way to refill our creative wells and discover fresh new ideas! It’s not just refreshing, it’s fun—a form of play that enriches and enlivens me. What better way to prime ourselves to write dangerously? Something to ponder and apply as we all write on!
