The question, ‘Why do we make art?’ opens up some deep and complex stuff that goes way beyond just personal expression. Every day in the studio, so many of you bring your energy and unique vibe to the creative process—but for all kinds of different reasons. Making art is about tapping into something fundamental, something wired into our brains, our culture, and what it means to be human.
By diving into the brain’s inner workings, our basic needs, and the social and spiritual sides of creating art, we start to see that making art is just as essential as it is mysterious. Art isn’t just something humans do—it’s a vital drive that defines who we are. Since the studio is the perfect place to witness all these raw, fundamental processes, I think it’s only right to share some fascinating insights with you.
Art as a Basic Need: Making Sense of the Chaos
From the dawn of time, humans have created art to make sense of the world around them. The cave paintings at Lascaux? Not just decoration—they’re evidence of a deep need to understand, narrate, and control an often hostile environment. These works are the earliest proof of a primal drive: bringing order to chaos.
On a brain level, this process taps into the prefrontal cortex, which handles planning and meaning-making, and the limbic system, the home of our emotions. When we create, these two brain systems team up, transforming ideas and feelings into something tangible. This drive to structure is so essential it shows up everywhere—from science and religion to philosophy and, of course, art.
Take an artist staring at a blank canvas. That emptiness? It’s pure chaos waiting to happen. Every brushstroke is an attempt to tame the void, to tell a story or capture an emotion. Whether it’s abstract art or figurative, the brain is always at work, bridging the chaos with creation.
Art as Universal Communication
Art is a language without words. While spoken or written language is often limited by culture or context, art transcends those barriers, connecting us on a universal level. Neuroscience shows that art lights up the same parts of the brain we use to read emotions on faces, which explains why Delacroix’s paintings move us or Michelangelo’s sculptures leave us in awe.
Take Picasso’s Guernica. It wasn’t just a protest against the horrors of the Spanish Civil War; it was a global call to feel and understand the pain of destruction. With one glance, the painting speaks louder than any manifesto or speech ever could.
The Brain’s Creative Reward System
Creating art feels good because it taps into the brain’s reward system, flooding it with dopamine—the feel-good neurotransmitter. That’s why even when the process is challenging, creating art feels inherently rewarding.
Artists often enter a state of “flow,” where time disappears, and they’re fully immersed in their work. This isn’t just enjoyable—it’s a mental health boost, reducing stress and building resilience.
In art therapy, this step-by-step gratification becomes a powerful tool for healing. And while we often hear about the “right brain” and creativity, the truth is, creating art is a whole-brain experience that deserves a deep dive all its own.
Art as a Quest for Meaning
Art helps us confront the big questions: Who are we? Why are we here? By creating, we push beyond the limits of our mortality, leaving a mark in a world where everything is fleeting.
Think about Turner’s dramatic landscapes or Van Gogh’s haunting self-portraits. These aren’t just beautiful—they’re raw conversations with existence itself. Through art, we transform fear, beauty, and chaos into something meaningful and eternal.
Art as a Vital Human Pulse
Art isn’t just something we do—it’s who we are. It’s how we communicate, seek pleasure, make sense of chaos, and connect with something greater. It’s an undeniable drive that transcends time, culture, and history.
In the studio, I often say that art is about the desire to create and the joy of doing it. It’s this passion that makes us profoundly, beautifully human.
So grab your brushes—let’s make something extraordinary!
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