I feel funny writing this as i am still bundled under blankets, I am reminded that Spring is just around the corner. We had such a blast going around to different parks around town to enjoy the outdoors as we painted last year, we will be Painting at the Park again this year. Stay tuned as we update our calendar and email you with updates and let us know if you would like us to come to a park near you.

There are a lot of benefits to painting outside, here are a few:

Just being outside increases brain function
Taking in a bit of nature can help your brain in more than one way. For starters, spending more time outside may increase concentration skills. One study compared concentration between children with ADHD who played outside, versus those who played inside, after school and on weekends. Kids who spent time in green, outdoor spaces reported fewer symptoms of ADHD, even when the exact same activities were compared.

Plus, all of that fresh air is a quick way to kick your brain into high gear. Ditch the caffeine and stick to a walk in the park. Some say that 20 minutes outside can wake you up just as much as one cup of coffee can.

Combine spending more time in nature with are also helps enhance problem solving skills.

Unlike math, there is no one correct answer in art.

Art encourages creative thinking and lets you come up with your own unique solutions.

Out-of-the-box thinking also stimulates your brain to grow new neurons.

Contrary to popular belief, creative thinking does not mean using the right side of your brain.

It involves getting both hemispheres of your brain communicating with each other.

What does this mean for you? Your mind will become more awakened, focused, deep, more powerful yet peaceful. By integrating both hemispheres of your brain and allowing them to work in sync, you will experience an increase in overall mental health, enhancing cognitive performance, better memory and intellectual functioning.

You will begin to notice a limitless supply of insightful thoughts, with far less anger, anxiety, depression, addiction. You will be happier, more optimistic, while feeling more "at one" with the world. All of these benefits do build one on top of the other, accumulating over time.

Artherapy Studios will be teaching amateur wine, painting, and canvas class in Maryland Heights / St. Louis features simple step-by-step instruction to help you create a stunning acrylic painting on 8x10 or 16x20 stretched canvas at the different Parks around St. Louis. Check our website and sign up as seating is limited. We have a class at Forest Park, Saturday September 23 at 11 AM. We will be painting Starry Night. Paint outside the lines, no two paintings will be the same, we will help you create your vision! Bring your favorite wine or beer and snacks and enjoy our relaxed yet structured atmosphere with music where you will find the benefits of becoming the artist!!

Artherapy Studios

314-249-2800

www.artherapystudios.com