Art and Emotional Well-Being Archives - musialjanicka.art

133 Photography Quotes: The Art of Seeing, Nature, Light and Life

Joanna — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:38:58 +0000

I have gathered here words that spoke to me – words that helped me put something in order, name something, think differently, find inspiration, understand, add something that was missing, confirm what I already felt, or bring out the essence of what I myself think – and feel – about photographing and photography.

These are sentences that touch on something important. They are about the art of seeing.

But not only.

Because the photography I create and write about does not exist, for me, separately from art, nature, light – including the light within us – and growth. It is inseparable from creating, mindfulness, goodness, gratitude, feeling – and ultimately, from life itself.

I have collected these aphorisms over many years. They appeared in books, conversations, articles, blogs, exhibitions, and in my own notes, written down and saved in different folders and places. I have always liked stopping at sentences that touch on something important.

Among these words are also those that are close to me in the context of art therapy – PhotoTherapy. They speak about the importance of images, creating, observing and experiencing, and about the ways in which contact with art can support a person, their emotional wellbeing and personal growth.

I gathered them here for you – and for myself as well.

These words deserve to be noticed, and to be returned to.

This collection is also a kind of extension of my intention and of what I talk about through my own photographs. Some of these quotes have already appeared here and there in my writing, so perhaps you have already come across them. Here, I have gathered them together.

I also think that when you read them, they may feel consistent with what I talk about through my own images and texts.

I thought this would be an easy post to write. It turned out to be incredibly time-consuming – and to my surprise – also very emotional. Going through so many words, images and thoughts, choosing, checking sources and putting them together… became a process in itself.

If you have a moment and feel like pausing with these words and images, this may be a good place for your own reflection – and perhaps also the beginning of your own personal growth and photo-therapeutic process 🙂 .

So, I invite you to read – and to stop for a while with the words that move something in you.

For me, these words are a little like poetry for the soul.

Word and image.

“All photographs are self-portraits.“

– Minor White
(influential American photographer)

“The heart and the mind are the true lens of the camera. Light is our language.”

– Yousuf Karsh
(Armenian-Canadian portrait photographer)

“Photography helps people to see”

– Berenice Abbott
(American photographer and science educator)

“The camera is first a means of self-discovery and a means of self-growth. The artist has one thing to say – himself.“

– Minor White
(influential American photographer)

“Photography is a tool for dealing with things everybody knows about but isn’t attending to. My photographs are intended to represent something you don’t see.“

– Emmet Gowin
(American photographer and educator)

“When gifts are given to me through my camera, I accept them graciously.“

– Minor White
(influential American photographer)

„Photography gives you the opportunity to use your sensibility and everything you are to say something about and be part of the world around you. In this way, you might discover who you are, and with a little luck, you might discover something much larger than yourself.”

– Peter Lindbergh
(German fashion photographer and filmmaker)

“Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who really sees.”

– Paul Strand
(American photographer and filmmaker)

„The camera always points both ways. In expressing your subject, you also express yourself.”

– Freeman Patterson
(Canadian photographer and writer)

“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.”

– Dorothea Lange
(American documentary photographer)

“The camera is not only a recorder, it is a passport into the interior.”

– Minor White
(influential American photographer)

“Photography for me is not looking, it’s feeling. If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, then you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures.”

– Don McCullin
(British photojournalist and war photographer)

“As far as I am concerned, taking photographs is a means of understanding which cannot be separated from other means of visual expression. It is a way of shouting, of freeing oneself, not of proving or asserting one’s own originality. It is a way of life.”

– Henri Cartier-Bresson
(French photographer and pioneer photojournalist)

“See with your eyes, photograph with your heart.”

– David duChemin
(Canadian photographer and author)

“Photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”

– Elliott Erwitt
(American photographer and documentary filmmaker)

“When I photograph, with my open eye I look at the world, and with my closed eye I look within myself.”

– Henri Cartier-Bresson
(French photographer and pioneer photojournalist)

“The photographer develops a selective, acute seeing eye by looking sharply at the world.”

– Berenice Abbott
(American documentary photographer)

„Photography is a small voice, at best, but sometimes one photograph, or a group of them, can lure our sense of awareness.”

– W. Eugene Smith
(American photojournalist and essayist)

„You don’t take a photograph, you make it. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.”

– Ansel Adams
(American photographer and environmentalist)

„Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.”

– Imogen Cunningham
(American photographer and botanical artist)

„Light makes photography. Embrace light. Admire it. Love it. But above all, know light. Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography.”

– George Eastman
(American entrepreneur and photography pioneer)

„Only photography has been able to divide human life into a series of moments, each of them has the value of a complete existence.”

– Eadweard Muybridge
(English photographer and motion pioneer)

„When a moment in front of me appears to be particularly special, whether it be by beauty or experience, I capture it. I usually find a reason to justify taking that photo – symmetry, color, or contrast – and it’s my hope that my photography sheds light onto what I see and do on a daily basis.”

– Connor Franta
(American YouTuber, author and photographer)

“My interest in photography is not to capture an image I see or even have in my mind, but to explore the potential of moments I can only begin to imagine.”

– Lois Greenfield
(American photographer and dance chronicler)

“Every viewer is going to get a different thing. That’s the thing about painting, photography, cinema.”

– David Lynch
(American filmmaker, painter, and photographer)

“One advantage of photography is that it’s visual and can transcend language.”

– Lisa Krystyna
(American humanitarian photographer and activist)

“Photography, as we all know, is not real at all. It is an illusion of reality with which we create our own private world.”

– Arnold Newman
(American photographer and portrait pioneer)

“Photography is about finding out what can happen in the frame. When you put four edges around some facts, you change those facts.”

– Garry Winogrand
(American street photographer and photojournalist)

“The camera has always been a guide, and it’s allowed me to see things and focus on things that maybe an average person wouldn’t even notice.”

– Don Chadwick
(American furniture and industrial designer)

“To take photographs means to recognize – simultaneously and within a fraction of a second – both the fact itself and the rigorous organization of visually perceived forms that give it meaning. It is putting one’s head, one’s eye, and one’s heart on the same axis.”

– Henri Cartier-Bresson
(French photographer and pioneer photojournalist)

“The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it!”

– Ansel Adams
(American photographer and environmentalist)

“Stare. It is the way to educate your eye, and more. Stare, pry, listen, eavesdrop. Die knowing something. You are not here long.”

– Walker Evans
(American photojournalist and documentary photographer)

“God creates the beauty. My camera and I are a witness.”

– Mark Denman
(American photographer and quotation author)

“Taking a picture is like giving a piece of your soul away. You allow other people to see the world through your eyes.”

– Katja Michael
(German author and hobby photographer)

“The photographer projects himself into everything he sees, identifying himself with everything in order to know it and to feel it better.”

– Minor White
(influential American photographer)

“When a photo of a person looks deep into your spirit and tells you a thousand stories….. Stories from your past even before you existed, then the photo is way above any description.”

– Sameh Elsayed
(Egyptian author and poet)

“One doesn’t stop seeing. One doesn’t stop framing. It doesn’t turn off and turn on. It’s on all the time.”

– Annie Leibovitz
(American portrait photographer)

“Photography helps me to reflect on life.”

– Steve Coleman
(Australian landscape photographer)

“When I looked at things for what they are I was fool enough to persist in my folly and found that each photograph was a mirror of my Self.”

– Minor White
(influential American photographer)

“To collect photographs is to collect the world.”

– Susan Sontag
(American essayist, philosopher and critic)

“You just have to live and life will give you pictures.”

– Henri Cartier-Bresson
(French photographer and pioneer photojournalist)

“Photography is a language more universal than words.“

– Minor White
(influential American photographer)

“My life is shaped by the urgent need to wander and observe, and my camera is my passport.”

– Steve McCurry
(American photojournalist and documentary photographer)

“Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field.”

– Peter Adams
(Australian photographer and interviewer)

“The things you don’t show can say more than the things that are made visible.“

– Erwin Olaf
(Dutch photographer and visual artist)

“The camera draws us into an experience of presence with this moment now, and it becomes a prayer.“

– Christine Valters Paintner
(American author and spiritual director)

“At first glance a photograph can inform us. At second glance it can reach us.“

– Minor White
(influential American photographer)

“The act of taking photographs is prayer for the irreversible past, and is a starting point for articulating a new narrative.“

– Toshiya Murakoshi
(Japanese landscape photographer and artist)

“It is fabulous. What a joy of a thing to work with. The camera is the most eager and helpful of all beings, all full of happy suggestions. Reminding me of things I have overlooked and cooperating in the creation of new worlds. So Simply. This is a Zen camera.“

– Thomas Merton
(American Trappist monk and author)

“In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.“

– Alfred Stieglitz
(Pioneering American photographer and promoter)

“To me, photography is a gift from God.“

– Jakub Szymczuk
(Polish photojournalist and presidential photographer)

“There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.”

– Ansel Adams
(American photographer and environmentalist)

“The camera does not know what it takes; it captures materials with which you reconstruct, not so much what you saw as what you thought you saw. Hence the best photography is aware, mindful, of illusion and uses illusion.“

– Thomas Merton
(American Trappist monk and author)

„I use photography as a way to help me understand why I am here. The camera helps me to see.”

– Trent Parke
(Australian photojournalist and art photographer)

„To see through, not merely with, the eye, to perceive with the inner eye, and by an act of choice to capture the essence of that perception. This is the very core of the creative process.”

– Minor White
(influential American photographer)

“It is not so much the intensification of the outer world, but a clarification of the inner world of the spectator.”

– Ansel Adams
(American photographer and environmentalist)

„Seeing, in the finest and broadest sense, means using your senses, your intellect, and your emotions. It means encountering your subject matter with your whole being. It means looking beyond the labels of things and discovering the remarkable world around you.”

– Freeman Patterson
(Canadian photographer and writer)

„I am forever chasing light. Light turns the ordinary into the magical.”

– Trent Parke
(Australian photojournalist and art photographer)

„You can have what you think is the best equipment, and it doesn’t help if you can’t see. It takes years to understand how to see. It just takes doing it over and over and over. One of the reasons I’m still doing it is I love to do it. I love to look.”

– Annie Leibovitz
(American portrait photographer)

„I photograph to see what the world looks like in photographs.”

– Garry Winogrand
(Iconic American street photographer)

„Photography doesn’t teach you to express your emotions; it teaches you how to see.”

– Berenice Abbott
(American photographer and science educator)

„Light is my inspiration, my paint and brush. It is as vital as the model herself. Profoundly significant, it caresses the essential superlative curves and lines. Light I acknowledge as the energy upon which all life on this planet depends.”

– Ruth Bernhard
(American photographer and studio artist)

„Photography is, to me, more than a means of expression, more than my particular profession – it is a way of life.”

– Yousuf Karsh
(Armenian-Canadian portrait photographer)

„I expect photographs to find me. I never thought of looking for them. I instinctively put them there. My intellect had nothing to do with it.”

– Ruth Bernhard
(American photographer and studio artist)

„My best work is often almost unconscious and occurs ahead of my ability to understand it.”

– Sam Abell
(American documentary and landscape photographer)

„I have always felt that photography is a language for seeing and not for transforming, hiding, or modifying reality.”

– Luigi Ghirri
(Italian photographer and conceptual artist)

„Photographs do not explain; they acknowledge.”

– Susan Sontag
(Influential American writer and essayist)

„Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”

– Aaron Siskind
(American photographer and abstract educator)

Light, hope, and the beauty of life qutes

„Beauty is everywhere. It is not that she is lacking to our eye, but our eyes which fail to perceive her.”

– Auguste Rodin
(French sculptor and draftsman)

„Everything is the light.”

– Stevan Pešić
(Serbian author and playwright)
(words from the play “Tesla or Adaptation of an Angel“)

„We are all forms taken by light the moment it touches matter.”

– Olga Tokarczuk
(Polish Nobel Prize-winning author)

„There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”

– Edith Wharton
(First woman to win a Pulitzer Prize)

„We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are.”

– J.K. Rowling
(British author of Harry Potter)

„Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

– Martin Luther King Jr.
(American civil rights leader)

„To send light into the darkness of men’s hearts – such is the duty of the artist.”

– Robert Schumann
(German Romantic composer and critic)

„The question is not what you look at, but what you see.”

– Henry David Thoreau
(American essayist, philosopher and naturalist)

„Never fear shadows. They simply mean there’s a light shining somewhere nearby.”

– Ruth E. Renkel
(American writer)

„The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.”

– Marcus Aurelius
(Roman Emperor and stoic philosopher)

„A man is what he thinks about all day long.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson
(American essayist and poet)

„A man’s life is what his thoughts make of it.”

– Marcus Aurelius
(Roman Emperor and stoic philosopher)

„Wherever you are, be all there.”

– Jim Elliot
(American Christian missionary and martyr)

„Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light.”

– Yogi Bhajan
(Kundalini Yoga teacher and leader)

„Light must come from inside. You cannot ask the darkness to leave; you must turn on the light.”

– Sogyal Rinpoche
(Tibetan Buddhist teacher and author)

„Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”

– Desmond Tutu
(South African Anglican archbishop)

„The sun always shines above the clouds.”

– Paul F. Davis
(American motivational speaker and author)

„Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.”

– Albert Einstein
(German-born theoretical physicist)

„It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

– Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
(French writer, poet and aviator)

„God changes caterpillars into butterflies, sand into pearls, and coal into diamonds using time and pressure. He’s working on you too.”

– Rick Warren
(American evangelical pastor and author)

„The place where light and dark begin to touch is where miracles arise.”

– Robert A. Johnson
(American Jungian analyst and authort)

„The more grateful I am, the more beauty I see.”

– Mary Davis
(American spiritual teacher and author)

„Art is when you hear a knocking from your soul – and you answer.”

– Terri Guillemets
(American quotation anthologist and blogger)

„In today’s rush we all think too much, seek too much, want too much and forget about the joy of just Being.”

– Eckhart Tolle
(German-born spiritual teacher and author)

„Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

– John Hughes (from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)
(American filmmaker and screenwriter)

„The day I decided that my life was magical, there was suddenly magic all around me.”

– Marabeth Quin
(American mixed media artist)

„Balance is not something you find it’s something you create.”

– Jana Kingsford
(Australian business coach and author)

„This grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never all dried at once; a shower is forever falling; vapor is ever rising.”

– John Muir
(Scottish-American naturalist and author)

„The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.”

– Eden Phillpotts
(English author, poet, and dramatist)

„There are no facts, only interpretations.”

– Friedrich Nietzsche
(German philosopher and cultural critic)

„We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.”

– Anaïs Nin
(French-Cuban diarist and essayist)

„The psychological rule says that when an inner situation is not made conscious, it happens outside, as fate.”

– Carl Jung
(Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst)

„Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

– Stephen R. Covey (summarizing Viktor Frankl’s philosophy)
(American educator and author)

„One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.”

– Abraham Maslow
(American psychologist and educator)

„Control of consciousness determines the quality of life.”

– Mihály Csíkszentmihályi
(Hungarian-American psychologist and architect)

„Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.”

– Jon Kabat-Zinn
(American mindfulness educator and scientist)

„Our moral problem is man’s indifference to himself.”

– Erich Fromm
(German-born psychoanalyst and philosopher)

„When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

– Wayne Dyer
(American self-help author and speaker)

„You have to be able to have fun on an ordinary day, because there are so many of them.”

– Kristin Ohlsson
(Swedish crime fiction author)

„Truth is the offspring of silence and meditation.”

– Isaac Newton
(English mathematician and physicist)

„What a liberation to realize that the ‘voice in my head’ is not who I am. Who am I then? The one who sees that.”

– Eckhart Tolle
(German-born spiritual teacher and author)

„From the right point of view, every storm and every drop in it is a rainbow.”

– Henry David Thoreau
(American essayist, philosopher and naturalist)

„The truth is that you already are what you are seeking.”

– Adyashanti (Steven Gray)
(American spiritual teacher and author)

„Be curious. Read widely. Try new things. What people call intelligence just boils down to curiosity.”

– Aaron Swartz
(American computer programmer and activist)

„I love that a pretty day gives people reason to went apeshit over. There’s something wildly wonderful about appreciating the little things, so much happiness to be found in it. The world would be a better place if more people went apeshit over things like sunshine.”

– Kim Holden
(American contemporary romance author)

„When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”

– Willie Nelson
(American country musician and activist)

„Action is the bridge between the inner world and the outer world.”

– T. Harv Eker
(American author and motivational speaker)

„You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

– Mae West
(American actress and playwright)

„It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.”

– David Steindl-Rast
(Benedictine monk, author, and lecturer)

„The reward of our work is not what we get, but what we become.”

– Paulo Coelho
(Brazilian author and lyricist)

„Gratitude is the most beautiful form of happiness: it belongs both to its causes and to its effects.”

– Walter Dirks
(German journalist, theologian, and author)

„I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”

– Albert Einstein
(German-born theoretical physicist)

„If you stop photographing things, and start to photograph light, you will amaze yourself.”

– Steve Coleman
(Australian landscape photographer)

Nature and inner peace

„One with nature… One with soul.”

– Angie Weiland-Cosby
(American nature writer and poet)

„If you truly love nature, you find beauty everywhere.”

– Vincent van Gogh
(Dutch Post-Impressionist painter)

„I go to Nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in tune once more.”

– John Burroughs
(American naturalist and essayist)

„Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.”

– John Muir
(Scottish-American naturalist and author)

„Nature literally has the power to heal. By slowing down and letting yourself notice the smell, sound, and feel of nature, you become present, aware, and often experience less stress. You become unbusy.”

– Lettie Stratton
(American writer and urban farmer)

„And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”

– Mariah Danu
(Greek Olympic cross-country skier)

„May your time in nature lead you to yourself.”

– Shikoba
(Native American writer and poet)

„To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.”

– Mary Davis
(American spiritual teacher and author)

„Nature is the art of God.”

– Dante Alighieri
(Italian poet and moral philosopher)

„Some people are still unaware that reality contains unparalleled beauties. The fantastic and unexpected, the ever-changing and renewing is nowhere so exemplified as in real life itself.”

– Berenice Abbott
(American photographer and science educator)

„Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

– Albert Einstein
(German-born theoretical physicist)

„I think everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk. Your smile and your personality. What you believe in, and all your dreams. The way you drink your tea. How you decorate your home. Or party. Your grocery list. The food you make. How your writing looks. And the way you feel. Life is art.”

– Helena Bonham Carter
(English actress and voice artist)

„If you look closely at my photographs, you will get to know me deeply. You will see in them how I look, how I see and how I feel. These images are my prayer of gratitude for existence and for the beauty of the world – and my thankfulness for being able to be a part of it. ”

– Joanna Musiał-Janicka
(Polish photographer)

„Each of these photographs is a self-portrait of mine, which is why it can sometimes be so difficult to show them to others. At the same time, I feel an inner need to share this way of looking, with wonder and mindfulness, because I know it holds great power. When you change the way you look, you change, too, because the way you see the world changes as well. The world is where you choose to stop – and life will become (even) better because you will become a better version of yourself.”

– Joanna Musiał-Janicka
(Polish photographer)

A few final words….

I added the number “133” to the title only after the list was finished. I had no idea how many quotes I had managed to collect along the way 🙂 ?

Some quotes were difficult to place clearly within one of the three sections. Photography, nature and the way we see the world are so deeply interconnected that sometimes the boundaries between them simply disappear. So please treat this division more as a guide than as a set of rigid categories.

It is also worth remembering that not every quote circulating online is correctly attributed to its supposed author. Some are paraphrases, shortened versions, loose translations, or sayings whose original source cannot be clearly established. I tried to verify the quotes while creating this list, but in some cases doubts still remain.

“Modern science has not yet invented a remedy as effective as a few good words.“

– …these are not Sigmund Freud‘s words

or:

“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”

– …these are not Marcus Aurelius‘s words

These are popular quotes I deliberately left out. I really like the thoughts behind them and strongly agree with the sentiments, but I could not find reliable original sources confirming their authorship. They are widely shared online and attributed to specific people, but popularity alone does not make an attribution authentic. Rather than adding quotes with uncertain attributions to this collection, I decided to leave them out.

All the photographs in this post are my own. If you particularly like one of them and it isn’t available in my shop yet, feel free to write to me. Perhaps it is waiting just for you 🙂 .

PS. And who noticed that the last two quotes are mine? ? 🙂

The post 133 Photography Quotes: The Art of Seeing, Nature, Light and Life appeared first on musialjanicka.art.

Mindfulness (by The Tree) VR Experience

Joanna — Thu, 07 May 2026 13:43:04 +0000

For those who are far away.
For those who could not be with us in Nysa.
For those who wish to pause for a moment.
For those who need a moment of mindfulness.
For those who find peace in nature.
For those who like returning to good emotions.
For those who wish to experience it once again.
And for myself – as a memory.

And for those who know that:

“The world is where you choose to stop.”

The virtual version of Mindfulness by the Tree was created alongside the solo exhibition presented at the Muzeum Powiatowe in Nysa.

It allows visitors from different places to experience the project and return to its atmosphere of mindfulness, nature, light, and presence.

MINDFULNESS (by The Tree)

The physical exhibition took place at Muzeum Powiatowe in Nysa from 13 March 2026 until 3 May 2026.
The Virtual Reality exhibition remains open until 26 May 2026.

Exhibition Curator:

Adriana Zalewska-Wąsowicz

Artist of the Mindfulness (by The Tree) Exhibition:

Joanna Musiał-Janicka (Poland)

Mindfulness (by The Tree) VR Experience

Photography and Mixed Media Art: hand embroidery on pigment prints of photographs (new project – click here and here to read more).

Media Partners:

Special thanks to all partners and supporters whose presence and support have accompanied this journey through mindfulness, nature, and the everyday beauty we can all discover:

PADIC – Pol Art Design Impact Culture

Polish Women Photographers

Polskie Towarzystwo Fototerapeutyczne

Portal Nysa

Respublica Nyskiego Regionu

VR Exhibition

The virtual exhibition has now come to an end, but you are warmly invited to experience the exhibition film on my YouTube channel and revisit the atmosphere of Mindfulness by the Tree like moving through digital space.

Take a Virtual Journey!

Experience the digital copy of the exhibition Mindfulness (by The Tree) from anywhere in the world!

Thank you for taking the time to experience this exhibition.

If you would like to go deeper into the story behind opening of ‘Mindfulness (by the Tree)’, I warmly invite you to visit my blog, where I share reflections, moments from the vernissage, and the atmosphere of the exhibition in Nysa.

This project continues beyond the images – in observation, presence, and shared experience. It is not a finished story, but a lifelong practice that I will keep returning to and developing over time.

Thank You for beeing here!

Joanna

The post Mindfulness (by The Tree) VR Experience appeared first on musialjanicka.art.

Exhibition opening Mindfulness (by the Tree) in Nysa

Joanna — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:50:16 +0000

It was exactly this sight that moved me so deeply that it was difficult to gather my thoughts and capture them in words during my Exhibition opening Mindfulness (by the Tree) in Nysa.

I knew the room was filling up and that more chairs were being brought in (thank you for the help). Yet it was only when the official part of the opening began — when the museum director Edward Hałajko welcomed the guests, and the curator of the exhibition Adriana Zalewska-Wąsowicz spoke about my artistic path and said a few touching words about me — and when I stood up to give my speech (already with tears in my eyes) and turned toward the audience… that I saw it.

I did not expect this sight: people were standing and could not fit into the (quite large) Room 104 of the Powiatowe Muzeum in Nysa.

They were present — and it is exactly this presence that matters here.

I saw faces I had not seen for a long time, friends and people I had not yet met. I saw people who had travelled quite a few kilometres to be there. Family, friends, loved ones.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for coming.

It is especially important to me also because the theme of this exhibition concerns something very simple and at the same time very necessary — mindfulness and its influence on our well-being.

The official part of the opening was enriched by a concert by Agni Kruszewska (Whispers of Crystals) played on crystal singing bowls. The sound introduced the audience into a calm and reflective atmosphere.

This moment of quietness was very symbolic. This conscious pause is exactly what the whole project is about.

Mindfulness in Nature: Finding Inspiration in a Single Tree

During my speech I explained — well …or at least tried to explain — how it happened that one particular tree became my inspiration. A photograph from the first walk when I encountered the tree appears as the background image on the exhibition poster.

I spoke about how, regardless of the weather or the season, I directed my steps, my lens, my curiosity and my attention toward its branches, fruits and blossoms. I watched the light building the scene, the fanciful drawings of frost, rain, or the restless sun.

With time I discovered that it was not only about photography.

It was also a practice of mindfulness — but also of wonder and gratitude — for being able to be here and to be part of something so beautiful.

This whole process had a very positive effect — and still has — on my well-being. And perhaps through my photographs it will inspire others to practise mindfulness. This is my wish and my intention.

My works are, of course, records of nature’s creations, but they are also a symbol — a symbol of mindfulness beyond their aesthetic, decorative or collectible value. When I look at these photographs, I do not see branches and blossoms. I see the goodness flowing from that moment.

I would like viewers to be able to pause for a moment.

To remember what is good and important for them.
To take a breath — and draw strength from nature and from mindfulness.
And then — with renewed strength — return to everyday life, having at hand a tool called mindfulness.

Mindfulness for wonder and beauty is always available. It does not require knowledge or special techniques. It does not require preparation. We cannot harm ourselves with it. All it takes is a moment — truly just a few seconds.
And what is important — it can be learned.

There were so many good emotions gathered that I wished to share them through my photographs.

Exhibition opening Mindfulness (by the Tree) in Nysa in numbers

At the exhibition one can see 20 photographs in a larger format from a limited, certified collector’s edition. Each work is hand-signed and embossed with the artist’s dry stamp.

The exhibition is complemented by four works from my new project “Embroidered Light.” In these photographs I manually emphasize the light with shimmering thread.

Light is for me a symbol of goodness.
Hope. Meaning. A path.

At the end I quoted a few sentences that best express the meaning of this project and which I would like visitors to take with them after seeing the exhibition:

Marcus Aurelius:
“The soul becomes dyed with the colour of its thoughts.”

Vincent van Gogh:
“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.”

The poet Mary Oliver:
“The instruction for living a life is simple: pay attention, be astonished, and tell about it.”

Thank You to Our Media Patrons for Supporting “Mindfulness by the Tree”

Finally, I would like to sincerely thank all the media patrons who supported the exhibition “Mindfulness (by the Tree)” and helped share this project with a wide audience.

Your support and presence have been invaluable on this journey through mindfulness, nature, and the everyday beauty we can all discover.

PADIC – Pol Art Design Impact Culture

Polish Women Photographers

Polskie Towarzystwo Fototerapeutyczne

Portal Nysa

Respublica Nyskiego Regionu

During the opening, I also had the honour of receiving the exhibition certificate for “Mindfulness by the Tree” from the director of Muzeum Powiatowe w Nysie, Edward Hałajko. It was a very meaningful and symbolic moment for me.

I try to weave a story with my photographs and I believe that exhibitions are the beginning of a conversation, not its conclusion, and… “the world is where you choose to stop.”

If you happen to be in Nysa in the coming weeks, I warmly invite you to visit the Muzeum Powiatowe in Nysa.

The exhibition “Mindfulness (by the Tree)” can be viewed until 3 May 2026.

See you at the exhibition at Muzeum Powiatowe in Nysa!

Muzeum Powiatowe w Nysie, 48-300 Nysa, ul. Biskupa Jarosława 11 – http://www.muzeum.nysa.pl/
Opening: 13/03/2026, 18.00
Exhibition on view: 13/03/2026 – 03/05/2026
Curator: Adriana Zalewska-Wąsowicz
Live concert during the opening: Agni Kruszewska @WhisperOfCrystals

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Exhibition Mindfulness (By the Tree)

Joanna — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 16:54:52 +0000

You are warmly invited to my exhibition of artistic nature photography, “Mindfulness by the Tree.”

Muzeum Powiatowe w Nysie, 48-300 Nysa, ul. Biskupa Jarosława 11

Opening: 13/03/2026, 18.00

Exhibition on view: 13/03/2026 – 03/05/2026

Curator: Adriana Zalewska-Wąsowicz

Artist: Joanna Musiał-Janicka

What does your world look like when you stop rushing?
Will you allow a single flower immersed in shimmering sunlight to invite you to return often to where it has its roots?

It is precisely in such moments that Joanna Musiał-Janicka discovers further impressions that reveal to her the fascinating world of macro photography. Their record is not merely a series of frames; it is an adventure in discovering light and the world – the inner one within herself, and the outer one in the branches of a single tree. An adventure that may well become a lifelong project. It is also a manifestation of the philosophy and importance of process over results, reflecting the Artist’s intention: to find calm and solace in nature. It is the phenomenon of pausing in our busy times with mindfulness, so as not to miss the miracle of life.

The project “Mindfulness by the Tree,” carried out since 11.01.2024 and still ongoing, is a very unique and personal record of moments of contact with nature and its beauty. The Artist spends long hours by one specific tree, growing quietly in the Municipal Park in Nysa, just two hundred meters from her home – searching for frames in deep focus. Beyond being a tribute to Mother Nature for her creations, these images are a record of moments of conscious presence, quieting, and finding harmony. With flowers, greenery, gusts of wind, birdsong, and at times frost and drizzle. In every weather and in every season.

Mindfulness in Autumn

Mindfulness in Mist

Mindfulness in Winter

Why not the whole park? Why not another tree, but this particular spindle tree?

“During one of my walks with the camera, ‘something’ told me to turn off the beaten path, although I was already heading home. That is how this synergy of reflection, light, and dwelling within one ecosystem began – my ‘friendship’ with the Tree,” Joanna Musiał-Janicka explains. It is fascinating how focusing on the act of searching for new images in a well-known place – thus requiring great creativity – can quiet the rush of thoughts and become a meditation with the camera in hand. Perhaps anyone seeking inner balance can discover it right next to themselves? The collection “Mindfulness by the Tree” is also a set of reflections on the cyclicality of the seasons – from the bloom and burst of spring emotions along with flowering blossoms, to the soothing and calming influence of winter and the slowing of pace.

Mindfulness in Pink

Mindfulness in Fruits

Mindfulness in Beige

The challenge the Artist has set for herself in this never-ending journey has a therapeutic dimension – it combines her passion for photography with her interest in exploring the depths of the human psyche in psychology and personal development. She first experienced for herself the wellbeing that comes from contact with flora and fauna, and then decided to share these feelings and pass them on in the form of artistic macro photographs. These photographs have become a symbol of mindfulness and its positive impact on the human psyche – a reminder that inner harmony is not a privilege, but our fundamental need. At the same time, they retain their collector’s, decorative, and aesthetic value. From this idea the title of the entire collection was born, and observation becomes here a form of presence.

“He who observes attentively sees more.” – Karol Darwin

About the Works – Mindfulness (By the Tree)

The exhibition of Joanna Musiał-Janicka’s macro photography allows viewers to immerse themselves in the details of nature thanks to large formats. These photographs are created through an original, meditative process of working with light and plant, without staging or interference with the existing scene. It is purely observation – a moment captured through the lens, without any manipulation in graphic software or the use of artificial intelligence.

The Artist invites the viewer to slow down, look attentively, and personally experience the beauty recorded in the photograph, treated as a pretext to pause.

It is worth noting that the “Mindfulness by the Tree” series is one of Joanna’s signed collector’s limited edition fine art photography series in exhibition quality, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, available for purchase also as canvas prints and posters (in various sizes).

“The world is where you choose to stop.“

Live concert during the opening: Agni Kruszewska @WhisperOfCrystals

Partners:

PADIC – Pol Art Design Impact Culture

Polish Women Photographers

Polskie Towarzystwo Fototerapeutyczne

Portal Nysa

Respublica Nyskiego Regionu

Link to the event on Facebook : https://fb.me/e/9f030YeAJ

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My New Project – part II

Joanna — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:24:00 +0000

I said “what”, I said “why” – (in the first part of the blog here) – but I haven’t yet said “how” I would carry out my New Project, which… is now finished.

To further emphasize the light in the photograph titled “Hope and Freedom”, I embroidered the contours of the flares with silver metallic thread. I added texture and an extra sparkle. The photograph now shimmers depending on the angle of view and the light falling on it.

My work explores photo embroidery as a form of mixed media on paper.

Highlighting light with hand embroidery

I had a wonderful time during this work – it was a joyful meditation and an additional moment of calm that extended the whole process of “working” with the image. First came a walk with the camera, fresh air, contact with nature, searching for the frame and focusing on it (not on the thoughts swirling in my head). Then post-production on the computer, the print… and as a kind of bonus – embroidery and painting the dots.

An intuitive process, freedom of creation.

It’s a combination of photography and process, born in joy and light. It all started with my simple decision to pause – a moment for myself, a moment to marvel at the world and at the light.

It is following the light – including the inner light – allowing yourself to make mistakes, and searching for your own path – along with having fun and enjoying the time.

What does the light illuminate for you today, and what does it remind you of?

Because…

The world is where you choose to stop.

…and you will notice it.

I present my New Project, which I have named: Embroidered Light

From a photographer, I have naturally evolved into a textile artist 🙂 , combining photography with mixed media techniques. Where thread meets light.

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My New Project

Joanna — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 11:16:50 +0000

With great enthusiasm, genuine joy, and a strong sense of curiosity, I am starting a new project today!
It is an idea that has been quietly growing in my mind for some time. Only now has it taken its final shape. I know what it is and how I want to develop it. The materials are ready, and I can finally begin.

Before I tell you more about the project itself, I need to start with this photograph, which will be the focus of the project. This part is essential for understanding the entire concept. Very soon, everything will come together logically — from the general idea to the details.

The photograph is titled “Hope and Freedom.”
It belongs to the “Hope” collection and was created especially for the International Exhibition FREEDOM, which took place during an artistic residency I recently had the pleasure of participating in. The residency and the exhibition were held at the Royal Blue VA Gallery in Stockholm.

This work is my personal interpretation of the exhibition’s main theme. It expresses freedom through the act of creation itself.

Find “Hope and Freedom” in Shop

If we begin to analyze this photograph, we quickly notice that many classical rules of art are absent.
The main subject is not centered. The rule of thirds is not applied…. There are no strong focal points in the traditional sense.

And here… a meaningful pause.

What if I asked you a question from my other field of interest — psychology and personal development:

How would your perception of this photograph change if I told you that I simply photographed… light?

Exactly.

In this image, I photographed light — and joy, playfulness, and pure fun.
I created it intuitively, without control, expectations, and without following rules. It was about enjoyment and freedom throughout the entire process — from going out for a walk to post-production.

I noticed the light and I pressed the shutter.

That is what freedom in creation means to me.

I photographed those light flares purely for fun and pleasure.

Light is something I photograph often – if not always. But that is a topic for another time.

For me,

Light is associated only with positive meaning.

Culturally and socially, we are taught to perceive light as something good. We say ‘to shed light on a matter’ or ‘in the light of this’. We use the symbol of a warm home fire.
Our ancestors – the first humans – used light as protection against predators and danger. In a way, this association is written into our genes.

From an existential and philosophical perspective, light represents direction. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Even the Renaissance is understood as an era of illumination, growth, and a new beginning.

And finally, in a spiritual and religious context, light symbolizes God , a Higher Power:
“I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).

For me personally, light is also a symbol of the inner spark we all carry within. The one worth remembering, the one worth appreciating, the one worth following – because when we do, it shines even brighter.

To sum it up:

Light is goodness, truth, faith, hope, and wonder.

I believe we all instinctively feel that light is good.
We turn our faces toward the sun – and our soul recognizes it immediately.

…and this is exactly the light I want to highlight in my project.

Have a great day!

/ Joanna

Continue reading: Embroidered Light – the process behind the work

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What Mindfulness Is Not: 10 Common Misconceptions

Joanna — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 17:29:13 +0000

Before we dive into the practice of mindfulness, it’s worth clearing the air of the stereotypes and false beliefs that often make it harder to truly understand it. Over time, quite a few mindfulness misconceptions have grown around this practice. Let’s take a mindful look at them, clear them away… and simply calm down.

Misconception 1: Mindfulness is just sitting in a lotus position

One of the most common mindfulness misconceptions is that it requires sitting quietly in a lotus position, doing nothing. Many people immediately picture a meditating Buddha with a serene, enlightened expression — and this can create resistance: “I can’t do that,” or “I don’t have time.” In reality, mindfulness can take many forms. It can be practiced while sitting or lying comfortably, walking, doing chores (so-called moving meditation), or even through place-based meditation, such as contemplating art, paintings, or photographic prints. The essence of mindfulness is active presence, not passive drifting in your thoughts.

Misconception 2: Mindfulness is about emptying your mind

Another common mindfulness misconception is that mindfulness requires completely clearing your mind or achieving a state of “emptiness.” In reality, this is physically impossible — thoughts will arise whether we want them to or not. Mindfulness is not about eliminating thoughts, but about changing the way we relate to them. It teaches us to notice our thoughts with awareness and without judgment, creating space between what happens in our mind and how we respond to it.

Misconception 3: Mindfulness is about eliminating emotions

A common mindfulness misconception is that mindfulness requires getting rid of all emotions, especially the difficult ones. In fact, there is no such thing as “negative” emotions. Emotions are experiences meant to be felt, understood, and navigated, whether they are pleasant or uncomfortable.

Moreover, emotions often serve as important information and guidance — for example, signaling when our boundaries are crossed. Therefore, it is misleading to label them as “negative.” Achieving a state without any emotions is impossible, so we shouldn’t expect the impossible from ourselves.

Misconception 4: Mindfulness means withdrawing from life

A common mindfulness misconception is that practicing mindfulness requires completely withdrawing from life, like monks secluded high in the mountains, without stimuli, television, or contact with others. In reality, mindfulness does not mean isolation or avoiding everyday experiences. Instead, it is the ability to be fully present in the here and now, even amidst the noise, responsibilities, and busyness of daily life.

Misconception 5: Mindfulness is just about relaxation

Another common mindfulness misconception is that mindfulness is simply a technique for relaxation. In reality, this is not true. Mindfulness teaches us to be present in all aspects of life — fully here and now. It encourages noticing and experiencing life as it is, even when it is challenging.

Through this practice, life no longer just swings from problem to problem or from extreme joy to extreme emotions. We start to notice even the subtle moments that might otherwise slip through our awareness. Calmness becomes a natural byproduct, while the ability to recognize emotions helps us respond to them more skillfully.

Misconception 6: Mindfulness is a Buddhist religion

A common mindfulness misconception is that mindfulness is strictly tied to Buddhism and conflicts with other religious beliefs. In reality, modern mindfulness practice is secular and scientifically researched. Mindfulness techniques are widely used in therapy, psychology, and psychiatry, for example by the Polish Institute of Mindfulness or the Institute for Mindfulness-Based Approaches (IMA). Even within Catholicism, contemplative prayer incorporates mindfulness methods.

Although mindfulness has roots in Buddhist traditions, it does not need to be connected to religion to provide benefits for mental health. Modern mindfulness helps people manage stress, emotions, and daily challenges, regardless of their religious background.

Misconception 7: People who practice mindfulness are always calm

A common mindfulness misconception is that people who practice mindfulness are constantly calm and free from stress. In reality, mindfulness does not eliminate difficult emotions or stress. Instead, it teaches us to notice, understand, and experience these feelings with greater gentleness and less resistance. This allows us to approach life with more perspective, respond to challenges more calmly, and avoid taking everything personally.

Misconception 8: Mindfulness requires long meditation sessions

Another common mindfulness misconception is that practicing mindfulness requires hours of meditation. In reality, mindfulness can take just a few moments and be incorporated into everyday activities, such as drinking tea, washing dishes, or mindful breathing. It doesn’t require complex techniques or a special place — what matters is being fully present in the here and now.

Misconception 9: A person practicing mindfulness should not feel anger

As mentioned earlier in point 3, a common mindfulness misconception is that mindfulness means having no difficult emotions, such as anger. In reality, mindfulness doesn’t remove emotions. Instead, it helps us recognize, name, and respond to them consciously rather than reacting automatically. It allows us to notice the space between a stimulus and our reaction, which gives us room to respond with more clarity and calm. Stress and anger are a natural part of life — not a mistake.

Misconception 10: Mindfulness is just a trend

And finally: the belief that mindfulness is just a trend. Another buzzword from social media. As I’ve already shown above, mindfulness has solid scientific foundations. It is used in stress reduction programs, psychotherapy, and burnout prevention. Practicing mindfulness can bring more calm, balance, and a sense of time well spent. And even if it has become popular — maybe it’s not without reason. Maybe it simply works.

Conclusion: Mindfulness is not a magic cure or a luxury for the few.

It’s the simple skill of being present — with whatever is. Accessible to anyone, at any moment. You can learn it anytime, regardless of place, time, or experience. All it takes is one conscious breath.

For me, mindfulness has become part of everyday life — especially during mindful walks with my camera. Many of the photographs you see here on my page, were created during these quiet, mind-clearing walks. For example The entire Mindfulness series was born out of hours spent contemplating the beauty of a single tree in a nearby park.

My mindfulness is not limited to walks. My framed photographs that decorate my walls remind me of mindfulness, gratitude, hope, and all the positive energy they bring. They are my little “reminders.” I look at them, take a deep breath, anchor myself in those feelings — and then continue running into everyday life. If you wish, my artworks can bring this gentle magic of mindfulness into your space. I’ve experienced it myself — it works. And I’m happy to share it with you [here].

Of course, the topic of mindfulness is far from exhausted. I’ll be returning to it with joy — calmly, mindfully, step by step — in future posts 🙂 . Just like I did with today’s blog-post, continuing https://musialjanicka.art/blog/why-mindfulness/ 🙂

Have a great day! 🙂

/Joanna

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Why Mindfulness? How My Mindful Walks with a Camera Help Me – An Introduction and Some Theory

Joanna — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 21:55:03 +0000

Why mindfulness? I could answer this question in one sentence – to prevent life from “slipping through your fingers” and to make it happier… yet, meanwhile:
Oh… again, instead of just checking if someone called, you find yourself scrolling on your phone for 20 minutes,
…and another weekend has passed,
aww, again you have to pay the electricity bill – you just paid the last one, and it’s already the next month,
it’s my birthday again… when did that happen… and so on, and so forth?

Exactly. Without focusing on the present moment, we operate on autopilot and automatic mode — on learned reactions of our body (because the brain doesn’t like to waste energy, so it prefers this way). It takes a really big shock to wake us up from this waking sleep. A fight with a partner, job loss, divorce, death — generally something important and unpleasant — and for a moment we are “here and now”… but we don’t really like it then…

I could basically end here, saying: let’s be mindful — of what is happening right now, and there is a chance — if we want — to notice the good as well (for example, that I have a moment to read something I’m interested in, and time for myself), and life will become nicer…

But our brains don’t work that way — they need proof and arguments that something is worth doing, that it’s good — preferably proven directly by American scientists.
And they need to read or absorb this knowledge many times over to be convinced by the arguments, and changing ourselves and our perception… well, that’s a whole other story.

So, let me expand on the topic (my brain is not unique here).

Arguments in favor (starting with preGrazyna and preJanusz)

Starting from the beginning:
We must go back to the times when our ancestors lived in caves about 40,000 years ago. Yes, our distracted thoughts are a matter of evolution! The problems of proto-Grażyna and proto-Janusz were — you could say — somewhat similar to today’s. They worried just the same: what they would eat the next day, and the next winter, whether they themselves wouldn’t become prey for the saber-toothed tiger (I’ve written about this here before). Proto-Grażyna got upset just as much when proto-Janusz looked at other women, and he worried that if she got angry, there would be no intimacy. They both worried whether their son wouldn’t get into a fight again with the neighbor’s son, etc. etc. Just life.

Meanwhile, evolution didn’t care about their happiness — only survival and keeping the species going. That’s why our brains, instead of being in the present moment, analyze — either the past or worry about the future.
And right now? You are safe — you’re sitting and reading this blog. No saber-toothed tiger will jump out from around the corner.

Maybe this is the solution…?

Why do we need mindfulness?

You can’t invent the future — no matter how much you plan — something might still go differently — not necessarily worse. And you can’t change the past. Moreover — you can draw conclusions from the past to make the future better, you can simply learn from it. And if something unexpected happens in the future — you will be better prepared to deal with it, if only because you won’t be worn out by constant worrying about it.

Of course, I’m not saying that planning or logical thinking are bad. We all know it’s quite the opposite. These traits allowed proto-Grażyna and proto-Janusz to create the cradle of our civilization. They learned how to store food for winter, how to avoid being eaten. They made tools, traded with neighbors, and sometimes even engaged in art, decorating the walls of their homes with paintings. They developed abstract thinking. They learned to live in groups and cultivate plants. But — paradoxically — we do nothing different today.

Try to remember what you just thought about a moment ago? What’s for dinner tomorrow? What time will you be home? Is laundry waiting for you? Tomorrow’s presentation? Bills to pay? A test for the child? I must remember to call back? We worry, planning the future even when it’s not necessary.

The fact of planning itself isn’t the problem — the problem is when these thoughts make us unhappy.

We try to invent how to avoid pain — disappointment, failure, not coping with something — which gives an illusory sense of control over a situation we have no influence on — and so on, in circles.

Thinking about life becomes more important than life itself.

It becomes a habit that is hard to break… We live without noticing that we live and without noticing our actions, bodies, and thoughts in the present moment.
…That is, without focus and mindfulness. And it’s both a tool and a remedy.

More arguments

Have I convinced you yet? Enough arguments?
Of course not! Our behaviors and thoughts are also governed by another primal mechanism serving species survival: our overriding goal — seeking pleasure and avoiding pain.
The reward center in our brain to some extent controls our behavior. We chase pleasures and flee suffering. It’s hard to relax and do something satisfying — there’s always something that could be better, more expensive, more… Here comes comparison, regret over past mistakes, and figuring out how to do things better.

It’s hard to focus on a good movie, your partner’s story about their day, or your child telling the same fairy tale again with enthusiasm.

That’s why we return “here and now” for a moment when a shock happens. Just to go back to “stand-by” mode when the first emotions fade (the brain doesn’t like to waste energy 🙂 ).

Another useful invention of mother nature is that we remember negative experiences more than positive ones (so we can better learn from mistakes).

In this way, we can lose all the beauty of life being in our thoughts about the past or future — never in the present. Our thoughts make us unhappy. Even when we seem content, there are many — if not most — negative thoughts. Example? Going on vacation — our mind quickly fills with thoughts: did we pack everything? Will we have a good room? What if the kids will complain? Will the plane crash…?

We should be resting, but we make a mental list of what could go wrong.

Additionally, we have no contact with our body then — it just is, while we are only in our heads. Daily inattentiveness.
Have you ever arrived somewhere and didn’t remember the way? How did it happen that you didn’t run anyone over on the way?
And now, reading these words, are you aware of your body? Is it comfortable? Warm or cold? Is anything tight? Are you thirsty?

Mindfulness and the hare

Another argument that really resonated with me comes from Ronald D. Siegel’s book “The Mindfulness Solution.” Imagine a hare sitting on a meadow, calmly nibbling grass. Suddenly it notices a fox at the edge of the forest. The hare immediately freezes, its heart races, breathing speeds up, ears listen for sounds, body temperature rises — all these reactions controlled by the autonomic nervous system.
But it turns out the fox didn’t notice or smell the hare and ran back into the forest. After a few moments, the hare’s body returns to normal, calms down, and it resumes eating peacefully.

Now imagine the hare had our brain’s abilities — to analyze and think logically. What might it think? “I wonder where the fox went? Is my family safe? What if it did see me and is coming from the other side? …and a flood of dark thoughts would run through its little head. And here’s the good part: I quote: “If it had truly advanced intellectual abilities, it might even start calculating if it has enough carrots saved for retirement.”

Ha! Indeed! Isn’t that how our thoughts work? One is enough to trigger a cascade of many others (but only negative ones — positive ones aren’t needed for survival!). Consequently: stress, inability to stop intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, and eventually habitual thoughts, depression, and chronic stress… (which we know has very negative effects on our health).

Mindfulness: How do we cope without it? Food for thought

Numerous scientific studies confirm this, e.g.:

The Whitehall II study (UK) — stress and heart disease, led by Prof. Michael Marmot and team, University College London
ACEs study – Adverse Childhood Experiences (USA), led by CDC and Kaiser Permanente, Vincent Felitti and Robert Anda
Studies by Prof. Sheldon Cohen — stress and the immune system, Carnegie Mellon University

But being aware (!) of all these traits and the knowledge about them — we can control them logically and quickly (without over-analyzing). And here we come to the point: mindfulness can help us.

What exactly is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is awareness of the present experience and accepting it — without judgment, noticing what is now.
It’s observing the mind — its thoughts — and signals from the body.
Concentration.
Taking distance — also from oneself. Freedom from pathological worrying.
Being — here and now.
Experiencing and living life with all senses.

Good news at the end — mindfulness can be learned and practiced. And one more thing: you can choose the form and exercise of mindfulness that suits you at the moment.

I chose mine :).

For me, mindfulness is not just sitting in a meditation posture. It’s especially my mindful walks with a camera. Then everything slows down, the senses sharpen, and reality ceases to be the background and becomes the main character. I rest, calm down, relax. I regain strength, I feel happier.
And the topic of mindfulness is so close to me that I will gladly continue it here — also from a theoretical side, because…

The quality of our thoughts directly affects the quality of our lives.

I tested it on myself.

Mindfulness: Does it really work?

Finally, a dose of scientific research on mindfulness confirming its effectiveness and my words above. As if there weren’t enough arguments yet:

The Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience at Wisconsin — Dr. Richard Davidson and team showed that the brains of people who are often depressed (neurotics, those with anxiety disorders, etc.) show greater activity in the anterior right prefrontal cortex. Conversely, brains of people with less tendency to negative moods show greater activity in its left part — the one that helps build positive feelings, including rewards. The person with the highest left-side activity among the studied was a Buddhist monk with many years of experience in meditation and mindfulness. The study was conducted on stressed employees of a biotech corporation, divided into two groups: one trained 3 hours weekly in mindfulness and meditation techniques, the other not. The meditation group showed significantly higher left prefrontal cortex activity, improved mood, reduced stress, and greater engagement at work.
Boston State Hospital, Dr. Sara Lazar — MRI comparisons showed that people who meditate regularly have a thicker cerebral cortex. The differences were more pronounced in older adults! The studies also covered the brainstem (where serotonin, the happiness hormone, is produced) and showed that after 8 weeks of regular meditation, neural connections in this area become denser.
Study by Jon Kabat-Zinn and the MBSR program (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. An 8-week stress reduction training through mindfulness conducted on people suffering from chronic pain and stress disorders. After training, patients reported significant reduction in stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms; improved quality of life and functioning despite chronic pain; and better emotional regulation. The complete MBSR program is now available online for free — a beautiful way to begin practicing mindfulness in your everyday life.

PS:
If the idea of a life that doesn’t slip through your fingers resonates with you — a life gently held through my mindful lens — I invite you to explore my collection of photography inspired by nature, mindfulness, and the art of slow living.
These are images created to remind us of the quiet power of pausing.

→ Explore the “Mindfulness” collection
#ThePowerOfAStop #slowlivingart #mindfulart #artofpausing

Have a nice day! See you on next blog post! / Joanna

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Why Do We Create Art? Art, Evolution, and Emotions in Human Life

Joanna — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 15:42:56 +0000

Art has accompanied humanity since the dawn of time, and its influence on humankind is both mysterious and fascinating. From cave paintings to contemporary art galleries, it has been present throughout the ages, inspiring, teaching, and evoking emotions. But why do humans create art? What evolutionary mechanisms lie behind this unique trait?

In this article, we will explore how art has influenced the development of humans as a species. We will also look at visual disciplines, such as painting, sculpture, and photography, which directly engage our sense of sight.

Artists have been exploring visual perception long before scientists (from various fields, including psychology) began delving into it and asking the question: what connects our brain—through our sense of vision—with art?

Art in Human Evolution

Art as Evidence of the Evolution of Our Brain

From cave paintings to modern galleries, art reflects the evolution of the human brain. Cave paintings were not only an expression of creativity but also evidence of the development of symbolic thinking.

According to Darwin’s theory, any behavior that endured must have provided benefits ensuring the survival of the species.
So, what benefits did art offer to our ancestors?
Art has always seemed at odds with evolutionary pragmatism—it neither protects, feeds, nor warms. And yet, early humans dedicated time and resources to it.

Scientists propose two main theories: art as an adaptation enhancing the ability to tackle challenges faced by contemporaries (a function it still serves today), or simply as a form of play. Alternatively, it may have served as a means of increasing attractiveness in mate selection.

Both theories emphasize that art may have played a crucial role in helping humans adapt to a changing world.

Art as Play.
How did exploration and creativity help our ancestors survive?

We all recognize the stunning nature documentaries showcasing the mesmerizing, almost magical sight of large pods of dolphins gliding through the open seas, occasionally leaping several meters above the water’s surface. Research into their behavior is ongoing, but they do it for fun. Similarly, manta rays and whales exhibit comparable playful behaviors.

Lion cubs, bored of lounging on the savannah, engage in “play-fights” with peers and adult pride members. They honing skills they’ll need to establish their future roles. Fox cubs venture from their dens to explore new parts of the forest. Chimpanzees and crows craft tools — sticks to extract food from hidden crevices.

Such behaviors increase survival chances in challenging environments, blending exploration, learning, and creativity. Similarly, art likely emerged as a space for humans to practice and express creativity. Even today, through art, we continue to explore, learn, and engage with our world in profoundly meaningful ways.

Pod of dolphins, Tenerife Island, the author’s private photo archive

Art and Attractiveness.
Creativity as a Way to Attract Partners

So, it became more than just a display of health and strength – behavioral tendencies involving aesthetic qualities were added. Let’s take the bowerbird as an example. This unassuming little bird spends hours collecting moss, ferns, flowers, shells, and colorful paper to decorate its ground nest. The goal is clear – it does this to impress females. Potential mates arrive and observe the male’s work – and often, they fly away, leaving the disappointed male behind. The decorations didn’t appeal to them!

Mysterious decorative circles, with a diameter of up to two meters, can be found on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Japan. They are created by a small fish called the pufferfish. The male of this species spends several hours painstakingly pressing the shape of its body into the sandy seabed. And then decorates the whole composition with tiny stones and shells. When he finishes, he lies in the center and waits for a female to be attracted by his effort and skill.

This and other examples suggest that traits like creativity may affect attractiveness.

It’s possible that early forms of art took exactly this shape – play and partner selection. However, they evolved over time, expanding their functions.

Art as a Form of Emotional Expression.
Why does art help in expressing and regulating emotions?

Human emotionality evolved last and was meant to support us in dealing with challenges and taking advantage of the opportunities that life presents. And, of course, to directly help the species survive.

.A saber-toothed tiger hiding behind bushes posed an immediate threat. So did a lack of food or the protection of a caring group. To ensure the survival of the species, evolution developed the emotion of fear. Unfortunately, it is often triggered “just in case”. Sometimes it’s excessive or too intense – which from an evolutionary perspective is very logical.

Imagine the aforementioned tiger crouching behind a bush while an early human approaches nearby fruit. Our ancestor could have made only two types of mistakes. While passing by the bush, they might have been frightened that the tiger was hiding behind it – even if it wasn’t there – and, thanks to the caution aroused by fear, they would have safely reached the fruit after the tiger left, or through another route. Or, without fear, they might have gone straight for the fruit – and never made it. The first type of mistake only caused unnecessary fear – the second could cost a life. Nature, with its long-term plans, obviously preferred the first case,. Which has had a huge impact on our lives up to the present day.

Cranium of saber-toothed tiger

The Discrepancy Between Evolution and Modern Life

Today, we are at a stage of development where evolution (of emotions) is struggling to keep up with progress and the fast pace of life. Our emotional system is still not fully adapted to today’s challenges. (Such as the overwhelming exposure to screen light or its frequent flickering). And for artists, this might manifest in excessive fear of presenting their work publicly.

Evolutionarily, the emotion of shame emerged to prevent an individual from “standing out” from the group. Because the group was essential for survival. Today, humans still live in “groups,” but the group no longer holds such critical importance for survival due to the decrease in environmental threats. Tigers no longer threaten us – yet, shame still accompanies us. And, just like fear, it can still be excessive. (For example, leading to perfectionism or blocking actions due to fear of judgment and criticism).

Emotions evolved to help us face life’s challenges. But the modern world, filled with technology and constant stimulation, triggers emotions. Which are no longer always suited to real threats. Fear and shame, which once helped our ancestors survive, can now hold us back in everyday life. Particularly in the context of creativity and artistic expression.

Art as a Therapeutic Tool.
Mindfulness, Brain Neuroplasticity, and Art Therapy

Why is art necessary? This point really doesn’t require much explanation.

Just ask anyone who creates—whether they are an amateur or a professional, whether they are just starting or living from their art. Everyone will confirm that art helps express emotions. It helps process them, sort them out, calm down, reflect, practice mindfulness, relax, and relieve their burden. It sensitizes us to beauty.

Art plays a significant role in personal development and supports therapies aimed at personal growth. It can aid in brain development and is a tool in Art Therapy. Art therapy is used to treat depression, PTSD, disabilities, and other mental health issues. It also supports the brain’s neuroplasticity. Sculpture, painting, dance, and singing give us access to our inner selves—our emotions, needs, and fears.

Art is a strong sensory stimulus by nature and even helps in accessing the unconscious part of the psyche.

Engaging with Art as a Way to Grow.
Reflection, Relaxation, and the Impact of Art on Concentration

The same applies to engaging with art as an observer. Beyond its undeniable influence on decor—its ability to give character to a space. Its serve as a central element, calm the surroundings, or even energize them. Art can also prompt reflection on one’s own experiences and thoughts. It encourages personal growth and improves concentration.

Creating and interacting with art lowers cortisol levels, the stress hormone.

Cortisol is a natural steroid hormone. Excess cortisol can lead to various diseases, cardiovascular complications, immune system disorders, depression, and chronic fatigue. Drawing releases serotonin and endorphins, which promote a more open and lively mind. Numerous studies confirm this.

Viewing artwork reduces stress and positively impacts health. Medical research conducted by scientists in Bologna, led by Professor Enzo Grossi. A study conducted among people aged 19 to 81, published in La Repubblica in 2016, took place at the majestic 16th-century sanctuary in Vicoforte, near Cuneo. This sanctuary is famous for its fresco-covered dome, the largest elliptical dome in the world. After a calm walk in the Sanctuary, participants showed a 60% decrease in cortisol levels on average. Forty percent of them reported feeling better after this “study.”
- Source:
  - PubMed
  - Design Health Academy

^{Medical research conducted by scientists in Bologna, led by Professor Enzo Grossi. (source: https://designhealth.academy/onewebmedia/SES7_KEYNOTE_GROSSI.pdf)}

A 2016 study conducted by Girija Kaimal and her team found that participating in any form of art (drawing, painting, sculpting) for 45 minutes a day lowered cortisol levels in 75% of participants. Regardless of their artistic skills or experience. It also increased their self-confidence!
- Source:
  - Drexel News Blog

Visits to museums or art galleries also have a positive effect on stress levels. Research at University College London showed that even 35 minutes spent viewing art can significantly reduce cortisol levels.
- Source:
  - Westminster Research

Art as a Source of Knowledge

Animals and humans are instinctively curious. Animals explore their environment, while human curiosity drives us to develop. We expand our knowledge, and understand the world, helping us adapt to change. Science is undoubtedly the most important source of knowledge, but not the only one. Art broadens our understanding of the world, describing, depicting, and expanding meanings, while also documenting. In today’s galleries and exhibitions, we find knowledge about both past and present times. The customs of our ancestors, and their way of life – aspects that are sometimes difficult to access through written documents. This is invaluable heritage left to us by our forebears.

Art also serves as a tool for communication, transcending language barriers. Political posters, for instance, have been – and continue to be – powerful media for propaganda. In the digital age, art has evolved into a universal language that connects people across cultures and regions. Every religion has always had – and will likely continue to have – an expression in art, reflecting beliefs, rituals, and history. The influence of art extends beyond galleries, touching every aspect of life: from advertising to social movements, from education to therapy. The examples are countless.

Neurobiology and Art: How Does Art Affect Our Brain?

Curiosity, mentioned at the beginning of the previous section, and the pursuit of knowledge, have their counterpart in stimulating the reward system. And this is where we come to neurobiology. Scientists studying these connections have established a new cognitive field: neuroaesthetics. This field analyzes the impact of art and aesthetics on humans. Its research focuses on the broad relationship between aesthetic experience and the brain states accompanying it. We will delve into this topic in the next section of the blog.

Invite Art into Your Life. Discover the Healing Power of Art

Remember, you don’t need to visit caves or art galleries or pull out an easel to connect with art (at least not every day 🙂 ). You can invite art — and its beneficial effects on your nervous system — into your home or office, or even into the hallways of your spa or reception area. Discover which of my calming fine art photography brings you peace and positive energy, creating a harmonious atmosphere. And at the same time, experience the creative mastery of Mother Nature, which I observe and interpret in my work.

If you’re wondering which pieces will resonate with you the most, explore my collections and see which artwork speaks to your soul. Whether you’re drawn to large-scale landscape art or the intimate details of macro abstract photography, or perhaps you seek something that will add character to your contemporary or feminine interior, you can find inspiration in my curated works.

Art supporting peace of your mind and soul

Take a moment to explore, and let these pieces guide you towards a deeper connection with your space and yourself.

Find Your Inspiration

The post Why Do We Create Art? Art, Evolution, and Emotions in Human Life appeared first on musialjanicka.art.

How Art Can Support the Peace of Your Mind and Soul?

Joanna — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 13:21:11 +0000

In today’s fast-paced world, finding inner peace often feels like an elusive goal. Yet, one surprisingly powerful tool to achieve this serenity lies in something many of us already love—fine art photography prints. Beyond being a beautiful decoration, nature-inspired wall decor and other forms of art have the unique ability to transform spaces and deeply impact our emotional well-being. Whether it’s a serene Japandi style art piece or a calming abstract composition, art can turn any room into a sanctuary of peace. Art supporting peace of mind and soul – your inner and outer space.

Art and Mindfulness: A Gateway to Tranquility

When we view art, we immerse ourselves in the present moment. Observing fine details, the interplay of colors, and harmonious compositions naturally engages our attention, creating a meditative state. This practice of mindfulness, promoted through minimalist wall art and similar styles. Is a proven method to reduce stress and promote emotional balance. Incorporating such pieces, like a luxury home art print with soothing earth tones, not only enhances your space but also supports your inner calm.

Creating a Calming Environment Through Art

The art we choose for our surroundings can shape the atmosphere of a room. Gentle landscapes, abstract minimalism, or nature-inspired wall decor infuse spaces with calmness and harmony. These choices aren’t just about aesthetics. They become tools to turn homes, offices, or even public areas into sanctuaries of peace. Art supporting peace of mind and soul – and outer space!

The Role of Colors in Emotional Well-Being

Colors are powerful in setting the mood of a space. Here’s how they can influence your environment:

Earth Tones:

Natural hues like soft browns, greens, and blues mimic the calming effect of the outdoors. Artworks in these tones, such as those found in fine art photography prints or minimalist wall art, create a sense of tranquility and stability. Perfect for bedrooms or meditation spaces.

A Pop of Color:

Adding vibrant colors, such as rich reds or warm yellows, can energize and uplift a room. Luxury home art pieces with a bold pop of color are ideal for sparking joy and creating focal points. That inspire positivity without overwhelming the senses.

By consciously choosing the colors and themes of your art, you can craft a balanced space. That supports both relaxation and inspiration.

Art as a Catalyst for Personal Growth

Art doesn’t just decorate—it inspires. Surrounding yourself with pieces that resonate with your emotions can boost creativity and foster a deeper understanding of yourself. The peaceful influence of nature-inspired wall decor, calming boho wall art, and reflective abstract art encourages clarity of thought. It helps you approach challenges with a refreshed mindset.

Let me give you an example:

Art as a Reflection of Life’s Journey

Do you see – just like me – in this abstract photograph, the tangled paths of life? Sometimes simple, sometimes complicated—twisted, split, and frayed. …But in the background illuminated by rays of hope?

Those moments of hope that illuminate our way and push us forward despite life’s challenges. Art has the power to reflect our life journey, showing both the struggles and the moments of light that give us strength and inspiration to keep moving forward.

An Invitation to Create

While this blog focuses on appreciating art, there’s an exciting possibility for you: creating your own! Whether it’s painting, photography, or drawing, the act of creating art is an incredibly therapeutic process. You don’t need to be a professional—just start and explore how it feels! Check by yourself if I’m right – is that really art supporting peace of mind and soul?

Let’s summarize:

How Art Can Support the Peace of Your Mind and Soul?

Art encourages mindfulness and reduces stress.

A calming and harmonious environment is created through art.

The mood of a space can be influenced by the colors in art.

Creativity and self-reflection are inspired by art.

Art balances relaxation and energy in your surroundings.

It enhances emotional well-being and mental clarity.

Art transforms spaces into sanctuaries of peace and positivity.

Supports personal growth and a deeper connection with oneself.

This Is Just the Beginning: Exploring How Art Supports Peace of Mind and Soul

The topic of how art impacts our minds and spaces is vast and fascinating! This post only scratches the surface! To dive deeper into the science, psychology, and personal stories behind art, I’ve launching a series of articles. I’ll keep exploring these themes in greater detail. Stay tuned for the first installment, where I explore how art connects to human emotions, evolution, and the ways it enriches our lives. ( Well… at least I will try according to my knowledge. I am following the topic with interest 🙂 ).

Final Touch of How Art Supports Peace of Mind and Soul: Experience the Calming Power of Nature-Inspired Wall Art

Would you like to experience the calming power of art firsthand? Explore our nature-inspired wall decor, abstract nature photography, and calming boho wall art fine art prints, designed to enrich your space & soothe your mind and soul. Discover our Poster photography prints or our Limited Edition Collectible Photography.

Discover Your Calm and Peace with Art

P.S. The first installment is already live! Discover how art connects to human emotions and evolution: Why Do We Create Art? Art, Evolution, and Emotions in Human Life

The post How Art Can Support the Peace of Your Mind and Soul? appeared first on musialjanicka.art.

Art and Emotional Well-Being Archives - musialjanicka.art

133 Photography Quotes: The Art of Seeing, Nature, Light and Life

Light, hope, and the beauty of life qutes

Nature and inner peace

A few final words….

Mindfulness (by The Tree) VR Experience

MINDFULNESS (by The Tree)

Exhibition Curator:

Artist of the Mindfulness (by The Tree) Exhibition:

Mindfulness (by The Tree) VR Experience

Media Partners:

VR Exhibition

Take a Virtual Journey!

Exhibition opening Mindfulness (by the Tree) in Nysa

Mindfulness in Nature: Finding Inspiration in a Single Tree

Exhibition opening Mindfulness (by the Tree) in Nysa in numbers

Thank You to Our Media Patrons for Supporting “Mindfulness by the Tree”

Exhibition Mindfulness (By the Tree)

What does your world look like when you stop rushing?Will you allow a single flower immersed in shimmering sunlight to invite you to return often to where it has its roots?

Why not the whole park? Why not another tree, but this particular spindle tree?

About the Works – Mindfulness (By the Tree)

My New Project – part II

Highlighting light with hand embroidery

The world is where you choose to stop.

I present my New Project, which I have named: Embroidered Light

My New Project

How would your perception of this photograph change if I told you that I simply photographed… light?

Light is associated only with positive meaning.

Light is goodness, truth, faith, hope, and wonder.

…and this is exactly the light I want to highlight in my project.

What Mindfulness Is Not: 10 Common Misconceptions

Misconception 1: Mindfulness is just sitting in a lotus position

Misconception 2: Mindfulness is about emptying your mind

Misconception 3: Mindfulness is about eliminating emotions

Misconception 4: Mindfulness means withdrawing from life

Misconception 5: Mindfulness is just about relaxation

Misconception 6: Mindfulness is a Buddhist religion

Misconception 7: People who practice mindfulness are always calm

Misconception 8: Mindfulness requires long meditation sessions

Misconception 9: A person practicing mindfulness should not feel anger

Misconception 10: Mindfulness is just a trend

Conclusion: Mindfulness is not a magic cure or a luxury for the few.

Why Mindfulness? How My Mindful Walks with a Camera Help Me – An Introduction and Some Theory

Arguments in favor (starting with preGrazyna and preJanusz)

Why do we need mindfulness?

More arguments

Mindfulness and the hare

Mindfulness: How do we cope without it? Food for thought

What exactly is mindfulness?

Mindfulness: Does it really work?

Why Do We Create Art? Art, Evolution, and Emotions in Human Life

Art in Human Evolution

Art as Evidence of the Evolution of Our Brain

Art as Play.How did exploration and creativity help our ancestors survive?

Art and Attractiveness.Creativity as a Way to Attract Partners

Art as a Form of Emotional Expression.Why does art help in expressing and regulating emotions?

The Discrepancy Between Evolution and Modern Life

Art as a Therapeutic Tool.Mindfulness, Brain Neuroplasticity, and Art Therapy

Engaging with Art as a Way to Grow.Reflection, Relaxation, and the Impact of Art on Concentration

Art as a Source of Knowledge

Neurobiology and Art: How Does Art Affect Our Brain?

Invite Art into Your Life. Discover the Healing Power of Art

Art supporting peace of your mind and soul

How Art Can Support the Peace of Your Mind and Soul?

Art and Mindfulness: A Gateway to Tranquility

Creating a Calming Environment Through Art

The Role of Colors in Emotional Well-Being

Earth Tones:

A Pop of Color:

Art as a Catalyst for Personal Growth

Art as a Reflection of Life’s Journey

An Invitation to Create

How Art Can Support the Peace of Your Mind and Soul?

This Is Just the Beginning: Exploring How Art Supports Peace of Mind and Soul

Final Touch of How Art Supports Peace of Mind and Soul: Experience the Calming Power of Nature-Inspired Wall Art

What does your world look like when you stop rushing?
Will you allow a single flower immersed in shimmering sunlight to invite you to return often to where it has its roots?

Art as Play.
How did exploration and creativity help our ancestors survive?

Art and Attractiveness.
Creativity as a Way to Attract Partners

Art as a Form of Emotional Expression.
Why does art help in expressing and regulating emotions?

Art as a Therapeutic Tool.
Mindfulness, Brain Neuroplasticity, and Art Therapy

Engaging with Art as a Way to Grow.
Reflection, Relaxation, and the Impact of Art on Concentration