The Healing Art of Painting Holidays
by Heather
1 minute 44 seconds read.

Painting as a hobby has been around for centuries, but did you know it has many health benefits too? As well as aiding physical relaxation, research has shown that painting and drawing can increase self-esteem, improve fine motor skills and boost brain activity, and may even help to stave off dementia, as we grow older. Being immersed in a creative endeavor such as painting can also lower your stress levels and gives your overworked brain a much-needed break from the worries of modern life. Heck, if picking up a paint brush helped Churchill ‘forget the dark worries and heavy burdens of political strife’ during World War II then it’s more than likely going to help you forget that bad day in the office.

Of course there are a lot of misconceptions about art… mainly that you’re either good at it or you’re not. Most people, when asked, will say they cannot paint, but as with most things, they can. By definition, if you can hold a paintbrush you can paint. Naturally, some people will be better at it than others, but what does it matter if your work of art looks nothing like those in the National Gallery or Musée d’Orsay? Your rejuvenated spirit and healthy blood pressure with thank you for it anyway!

Feeling inspired? From 2017 Clos Mirabel Manor, will be offering relaxing, inspiring and fun-filled residential painting courses for groups of adults wishing to unleash their inner Van Gogh with renowned local artist, Xavier Micol. The courses will take place on The Clos Mirabel Estate in Jurançon, Pau, in the foothills of the Pyrénées. They will focus on Landscape Painting taking inspiration from breathtaking views of the entire chain of the Pyrénées Atlantiques, with additional workshops in Portraiture and Still Life. The course consists of 20 hours of tuition, provided in small groups with a maximum of 12 participants and includes one to one sessions, excursions, lectures, meals and accommodation.

For more information on residential painting holidays at Clos Mirabel please contact us at info@clos-mirabel.com Tel 00 33 55 9 06 32 83