On Creative Practice and Mental Clarity
The Three Amigas of burnout, anxiety, early menopause, gained a fourth friend: depression—all showed up while I was working in corporate finance in gas and oil industry. The demands were constant, and maintaining mental balance became harder. It wasn’t dramatic, but it was real: a gradual erosion of clarity, energy, and connection.
I didn’t set out to “heal”, per se. I reached for what was familiar: a sketchbook, a small lino block, a pencil, a gouge. The process of painting, and later carving— the quiet, repetitive, physical—offered structure. Each session became a form of *pause*. First the acrylics doodling, then the carving on lino blocks gave shape to thoughts and emotions that didn’t translate well into words. It was a practice that asked for presence, not performance. I was making ‘poor’ art, daily.
Only later did I learn that this experience was backed by science.
The field of neuroarts, integrating neuroscience with the arts, provides evidence of the therapeutic potential of creative activities. These therapies enhance brain plasticity, improve mood, and facilitate emotional expression, making them effective for treating mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. This interdisciplinary approach emphasizes the impact of art on mental health, supporting the notion that creative expression aids emotional regulation and recovery. While more research is needed on neural correlations, this field’s growth may deepen our understanding of the neuroscience of art and healing.
Studies show that creative tasks can help regulate emotional states and reduce stress. Tools like EEG (electroencephalography), which measures electrical brain activity through sensors on the scalp, and fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy), which uses light to track changes in blood oxygenation in the brain, have been used to study these effects. Both methods show that art-making decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex—an area associated with overthinking and cognitive load—while engaging regions linked to emotion and memory (Bolwerk et al., 2014). Ceccily Bednash’s thesis, Art Therapy and Neuroscience: A Model for Wellness, also explores how hands-on creative engagement can improve emotional regulation and support mental clarity (Bednash, 2021).
In short, through printmaking, I found a way to save my mind from sinking further. This creative process became my self-carved ladder, enabling me to climb out of that deep, dark well. In hindsight, each piece I created lightened my mental burden, allowing me to reclaim parts of myself lost to burnout and anxiety. The act of carving onto the block offered a non-verbal outlet for emotions, which is particularly beneficial for those struggling to articulate their feelings verbally.
The tactile nature of printmaking—feeling the texture of the materials, the repetitive motions of carving—engaged different brain networks, inducing a state of flow and relaxation. This engagement not only reduced stress but also fostered emotional resilience and social connectedness. These neurobiological changes highlighted the therapeutic potential of art, reinforcing the transformative impact of printmaking on my mental health.
Printmaking has since become central to how I live and work. I’ve recently been accepted as an offsite member at ArtSpace Portsmouth on Brougham Road, and will be sharing my work at their 20×20 presentation on June 5th. I’ve also been exploring the intersection of printmaking and clay at Fat Clay Pottery in Castle Road, Southsea.
Earlier in March, I led a creative workshop for women with Creatful CIC, and I have another planned with Gallery Thirteen in June. From July, I’ll be offering 1:1 and small group workshops—focused on the hands-on nature of printmaking as a creative and reflective practice.
For me, printmaking is about clarity—visual, tactile, and mental. It creates space to observe rather than react, to translate feeling into form. Each cut, press, and print is a quiet statement: I am here, and I am paying attention.
And in sharing this work with others, I hope to offer more than a creative technique. I hope to offer a process—one that meets people where they are, and gives their hands something steady to hold.
If this resonates—whether you’re curious about printmaking, looking for creative structure, or simply need space to breathe—I invite you to stay connected. I’ll be sharing upcoming workshops, open sessions, and 1:1 opportunities throughout the year. You can sign up here for updates and future events and join a growing circle of people exploring what steady, hands-on creativity can make possible.
Your thoughtful printmaker,
Nusye
References:
- Art Therapy and Neuroscience: A Model for Wellness by
- Ceccily J. Bednash: https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?params=%2Fcontext%2Fetd%2Farticle%2F1301%2F&path_info=Art_Therapy_and_Neuroscience__A_Model_for_Wellness_Redacted.pdf
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2 responses to “Of Being A Printmaker”
How wonderful! And it is so true, creativity gives the whole system a calming reset. And your work is so very beautiful, I love it!
Thankyou – so very kind, and high praise coming from you!