When it comes to the question “Can I make art and meditate at the same time?” the answer is “Yes you can!” Art can be meditation in motion just as walking meditations are. There is a long ancient history of art and meditation. Throughout the ages art has been made while chanting, or repeating mantras, or meditating with breathing exercises. Try it!
It has been commonly done while painting, drawing, doing calligraphy, there are so many creative traditions with meditation. You may wish to do a basic meditation breathing technique or repeating the words of a mantra, while drawing or painting.
Or try the following:
Find a comfortable position, even sitting in a chair is fine, and take deep slow breaths. The breaths should begin and end in your stomach.
Say the following words to yourself in your mind, with each slow breath:
Breathing in, I know that I am alive
Breathing out, I am grateful.
Breathing in, I know that I am here.
Breathing out, I am living in the now.
Breathing in, I know that I am connected to the earth.
Breathing out, I am balanced.
After this basic meditation technique sit until an image comes into your mind. If you have multiple images don’t worry just pick one. Now draw the image or if you feel it is too complex express the colour and essence of it using paints, pencil crayons or markers.
Enjoy!