Why I make art
This post is inspired by a question asked at a live Q&A by a member of Brave Brushes Studio, which is Julia Henze's membership for beginner artists and urban sketchers. She's the teacher who gave me the confidence to call myself an artist, and I now collaborate with her in the Studio. I've continued to think about why we create in the months since then, and I hope this post helps you to do the same.
I started painting as a form of self-care when I was burnt out during the acute phase of the pandemic. I didn't dream of being an artist as a kid and only took the compulsory semester of art in high school. Since art is a passion I've developed as an adult, it's fascinating to consider why it's become so important to me. So, here are the key reasons I keep picking up a paintbrush:
- art helps me to connect with others. I didn't know anyone when I moved to Granada. I was learning Spanish, but I was anxious about speaking to anyone. Going to urban sketching events helped me to start making local connections in a low-stakes environment. Sketching was an obvious topic of conversation that made it easier to break the ice with strangers. Even if I had trouble speaking on a particular day, I'd still enjoy the sketching process.
- painting is a form of self-care that helps me reconnect with myself. When I’m feeling low on energy and need to reconnect with my body, I love to make art. Like swimming in the ocean or eating a frozen grape, painting helps me to be in the moment and indulge in sensory pleasure. I enjoy the sound my pencil makes against the page, the relaxed movement of my arm gliding as it paints a long line, and watching a sketch take shape.
- art helps me to create meaningful memories. I can't visualise images; I store my memories as stories, emotions, and sensations in my body. But if I think about a travel memory that I've painted, that initial experience is enriched by the memory of the painting process itself. Making a sketch also gives me a permanent visual reminder of something that's far more conceptual in my mind.
- bright colours bring me joy. Painting with bright colours makes me feel good and is a key reason I was inspired to try painting in the first place. Colour has such an important impact on my mood and is a constant thread across different areas of my life. So if I'm getting dressed up to go out, I'm most likely wearing a bright dress with a bold lip, because bright colours help me feel like my best self.
- I can see myself improving over time. At some point growing up, I internalised the unhelpful belief that failure was something to be avoided at all costs, rather than a necessary part of the learning process. Art has helped me to practise failing in a low-stakes environment, in a way that I've been able to translate into other parts of my life (where the stakes are much higher)! I can see my sketching skills improving over time, which gives me the confidence to keep practising and experimenting.
- the process is the point. It's a wonderful feeling when you look at a painting you've made and think, "I love this!" But my favourite thing about painting is that even if a sketch doesn't turn out as planned, I almost always enjoy the process. Art has helped me get better at letting go of perfectionism and taught me how to play.
Taking the time to identify why I make art helps me to keep committing to my art practice. I believe that when I focus on savouring the process, that joy and curiosity is more likely to be visible to people viewing my artwork. And that's a connection worth celebrating too.
If you're an artist, why do you create art?
If you're not, what motivates you to continue your favourite practice or hobby?
Sketch with me and Julia in Granada this October!
Julia and I are hosting a Sketching Retreat in Granada from 23 to 27 October 2025. We'd love you to join us as we immerse ourselves in the beauty of this city with a community of like-minded sketchers.
Whether you’re new to urban sketching or looking to refine your skills, you'll come away feeling confident in your abilities to sketch on location and in your own style.
If you’re interested in joining us, check out all the booking and pricing info here. And if you register for the retreat before 15 June 2025, you’ll receive an early-bird discount of €200! We can’t wait to sketch and explore Granada with you!
Sketches from Granada celebrates every-day moments of connection with strangers, friends and ourselves. I know how easy it is not to be present in your life, and I hope these sketches inspire you to seek out the small moments worth savouring in your own life.
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