How Artists Can Create Hope and Healing Art in a Divisive World

A Time of Despair… and Opportunity

I’m not going to lie—these days, it’s tough for idealists. The world often feels like it’s crumbling, with social media amplifying hate, division, and disaster.

But in this time of turbulence, we’re also more interconnected and informed than ever.

Artists, especially, have the unique ability to inspire, uplift, and help to create the world we actually want to live in.

So, yes… sometimes we need to stick our fingers in our ears and sing “na na na!” just to tune inward and bring across messages and healing images that can lift ourselves out of our own funk as well as bring hope and inspiration to others.

It’s a unique privilege—and responsibility!

Woven Season: Ginkgo Leaves by Kristen Palana. The distinct and elegant leaves of the ginkgo have come to represent peace amidst destruction, stability during upheaval, and hope in the face of despair.

From Myanmar to Malawi: Finding Hope in the Struggle

My family and I spent the past eight years in some of the world’s poorest countries, including Myanmar and Malawi. We saw firsthand the resilience that blossoms in people who face unimaginable challenges daily.

They taught us that you can find joy even in chaos. You can be the architect of your own mental space—creating calm amidst the storm. This resilience is something that all artists can harness and reflect in their work, offering it to others as a message of hope.

Becoming an Artist-Leader: Why Art Can Be an Act of Hope

In times of uncertainty, we must remember that while we can’t control global events, we can control our response. Rather than giving our power away by pinning hope on distant leaders, we can become leaders in our own lives.

We control the words we use, the quality of our own thoughts and intentions, how we treat and relate to others (even the ones we disagree with), and we also can co-create our own immediate environments whether at home, at work, or out on the street.

For artists, this means also infusing your work with positive intentions, consciously crafting art that inspires or comforts.

You can make images that calm the spirit, evoke joy, educate, or cultivate understanding. Art, after all, doesn’t just reflect the world—it helps shape it.

Creating Art That Heals

Here are a few ways artists can create hope and healing through their work:

• Subject Matter: Choose themes and symbols that evoke positive emotions. Nature scenes, cross-cultural symbols of peace, or uplifting patterns can remind viewers of their resilience and strength.
  
  Rather than mirroring pain, create the world you want to live in—one filled with kindness, strength, and community. Art has the power to shape perceptions, and by drawing hope, you offer a vision of what could be.
  
  
• Color Choices: Using color psychology, you can direct the viewer’s emotions—earth tones and greens for calm, blues for focus, reds and oranges for optimism and warmth.
  
  If you’d like to explore the power of using color more intentionally in your art as well as your daily life, have a look at my earlier blog post 7 Color Hacks That Will Dramatically Improve Your Day. You can also explore the free preview lessons from my online color course with the amazing spiritual teacher Sharon Ramel, Beginners Uplifting Color Therapy For Self Empowerment.
  
  
• Artistic Values: Beyond technique, consider the deeper values your art conveys through choices in materials, lines, and composition. Natural materials like wood or clay can reflect groundedness and connection, while vibrant synthetic mediums might embody resilience and modern energy. Every material carries an inherent message that can subtly reinforce themes of hope and healing.
  
  Think, too, about the style of your lines and overall composition. Fluid, soft lines can evoke calm, while bold, dynamic strokes suggest strength and vitality. A balanced, harmonious composition may bring a sense of peace, while intentional movement in an asymmetrical layout can signify growth and adaptability. Through thoughtful choices, you create a visual language that mirrors resilience and invites viewers into a space of healing and inspiration.

Sharing Hope Far and Wide

If you have been able to make art that brings inspiration and hope to others, it’s time to share it.

Consider submitting it through open calls to in-person and online gallery exhibitions. Post your work online in communities or on your social media pages.

You might also turn your originals into art prints, wearable art, or even animations and videos. Other ideas include exploring collaborating with other artists who share your mission and meet together in person or online to bounce ideas around and give each other feedback. Together, your reach—and your impact—can grow exponentially.

Don’t underestimate the impact of sharing your art. Your voice matters, and by bringing hope into the world, you’re contributing to a much-needed ripple effect of positivity.

You Have the Power to Light the Way

When artists create work that inspires hope and healing, they offer a gift to the world. This is a gift that doesn’t rely on politicians or institutions; it’s available to anyone who chooses to engage with it. So, as an artist, remember that your work has the power to lead, to uplift, and to heal.

Let’s keep creating the world we want to live in—one piece at a time.

“Be Kind” mural created for Bishop McKenzie International School in Lilongwe, Malawi by Kristen Palana

P.S. If you are ready to reach your art, design, communication, and business goals faster and need personalized guidance, custom help, and an enthusiastic cheerleader moving forward, explore ways we might work together.

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