By Megan Wehring
Art can help us escape our thoughts. Veteran Dena Taylor learned this lesson after introducing meditation drawing into her life.
“It gets me out of my head,” Taylor said. “Sometimes, I can get stuck overthinking things, especially second guessing decisions, should-haves and could-haves. I can just set my pens out, set the border and off I go.”
Taylor is a disabled veteran who found meditation drawing, along with other forms of art, has been a creative and calming outlet for her PTSD. She was invited to instruct a meditation drawing workshop at the Inspired Minds Art Center in Buda, something that she hopes other veterans will take advantage of to find a little peace.
“People always want to talk about the military side of veterans instead of letting you breathe,” Taylor said. “If anybody hears about the class, maybe one person will walk away to have a tool for themselves.”
While she also does some sculpting on her own, Taylor said that meditative drawing pleases the creative side of her brain without adding too much pressure.
Hays County veteran Terry McDowell has also found art to be a way to connect with other people, especially after joining the San Marcos Art League.
“I go to coffee shops once or twice a week just to get out of where I do my wood art to be around other humans,” McDowell said. “A lot of times they see what you are doing and they ask questions. I love that kind of interaction because I am an empath and introvert.”
McDowell added that veterans can use art to cope with personal challenges if that is one of their interests.
“It is therapeutic in that if you love art, it’s fun.” McDowell said. “You are being fed based on purpose, passion and connecting with people.”
