ART (attention restoration theory) was developed by a U. Michigan professor, Steven Kaplan, who demonstrated that not only could viewing nature restore focus to an otherwise stressed-out person, but could even provide a hedge against future stresses.
So -- if you can't get out and take a hike or paint en plein air, the clear answer is to buy a painting of something so beautiful, so transporting, that it gives you the experience Kaplan describes as "soft fascinations" like clouds, sky, and trees and then enjoy focusing on it... instead of kids, work, deadlines and the great forces that make the world stressful.
Now -- I'm back painting in the studio, as the weather has not been cooperating one bit with my plans to paint outdoors. Still, I'll be posting paintings again in the coming week and get back to regular updates on my ART -- attention restoration theory.
1 comment:
Hi, Judith -- Your work is terrific. Might you be interested in applying to join Foundry Gallery, a coop near Dupont Circle? Please look at www.foundrygallery.org and contact me at kathypaints@verizon.net for more information. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Kathy Wiley
Membership Chair
Foundry Gallery
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