Students handle being 'actively alone' through art

Students are turning to art to combat stress and anxiety that can come with quarantining. 

Here are some creative outlets, such as painting and meditation, that UNC students said are helping them cope.

Getting into painting

Senior Sarah Waugh has painted since childhood but no longer had time for it in college. The pandemic has given her time to get back into art and follow along to Bob Ross painting tutorials on YouTube.

“I think it helps mental health because when you’re painting, especially with landscape painting, you’re really focused on repetitive motions and getting the colors right and not thinking about everything else going on,” Waugh said.

Sophomore Maya Thieme said she and her sister have always been crafty, so with her free time from quarantine, she got back into painting. She said she believes it is important to step back from phones and computers. 

“I think it’s nice 'cause you can be alone with your thoughts,” Thieme said. “It’s not something you have to do around other people. When I’m having low mental health or when I’m stressed, I don’t really want to be around people.”

Senior Ellie Baker bought herself paint at the beginning of quarantine and uses flowers and animals as her inspiration. 

“I think there’s an element to painting that feels like an accomplishment,” Baker said. “This was the one thing I did where I was analog."

Thieme recommended painting to everyone struggling with stress and looking for another hobby.

“Don’t put any pressure on what kind of painting you want to do,” Thieme said. “Just genuinely sit down and do what comes to mind, and also know that you don’t have to be good at it.”

Meditation and more

Waugh also tie-dyes T-shirts and masks. She said it's a good way to repurpose the Carolina Union Activities Board shirts students accumulate through the years. 

“You don’t have to worry about if it’s going to be good or not, and you can just be guided through it,” Waugh said.

Senior Hannah Shaw began meditating over the summer after her mom recommended some YouTube videos. Meditation has become part of her daily routine, and she makes sure to do it for at least five minutes every day. 

“I do find that after doing meditation, I feel calmer and more able to tackle what I have to do for the rest of the day,” Shaw said.

Baker said art has given her an opportunity to make something of her own. She plans to continue it throughout the school year. 

“I think it’s important finding ways to unplug and be actively alone since I know that’s where everyone’s been forced to be lately,” Baker said. 

arts@dailytarheel.com

@ejgerden