Why Some Art Feels Safe (and Some Doesn’t)

There are certain rooms you walk into and immediately exhale.

You don’t know why.
Nothing dramatic happens.
But your shoulders drop. Your breathing slows. Your body softens.

And then there are other spaces that make you tense without explanation.

The lighting feels harsh.
The walls feel busy.
Your nervous system stays alert.

Most of us assume this is preference or taste.

But often, it’s something deeper.

It’s the body.

The Body Knows Before the Mind Does

Long before we have language, we have sensation.

Before beliefs, we have breath.

Before thoughts, we have safety or threat.

Science tells us that our nervous systems are constantly scanning our environment asking one quiet question:

Am I safe here?

Color, movement, texture, and space all communicate something to the body.

High contrast and chaos can feel stimulating.
Crowded compositions can feel overwhelming.
But softness, open space, and gentle tones often communicate rest.

For those of us who carry stress or trauma — whether from our own lives or inherited across generations — our bodies become even more sensitive to these cues.

We’re not “too emotional.”  As women are we not perceived as "too emotional" especially around that time of the month?  Well it is probably hormones but what if it is also stress or trauma?

We’re perceptive. - not "too emotional"

Why This Matters With Art

Art isn’t just something we look at.

It’s something we experience physiologically.

Certain pieces calm us.
Others agitate us.
Some we can’t stop staring at, even if we don’t know why.

A very sweet lady recently bought a print of one of my originals.  She had seen the original but couldn't afford it so when she saw the print, she immediately bought it.  She had told me that she just couldn't stop looking at it.  There was something about it that brought her such peace and comfort but really couldn't put her finger on it.  She actually made it her phone wallpaper!  I was completely honored about that.  

Sometimes what we’re feeling isn’t intellectual appreciation.

It’s regulation.

It’s the body saying:

This feels safe. Stay here.

How I Think About My Work

When I paint, I’m not trying to impress or provoke.

I’m trying to create space-allowing the collector to sit with the art and process the feelings of it and the thoughts surrounding it.

Space to breathe.
Space to feel.
Space to rest.

Soft edges.
Room for the eye to wander.
Colors that settle instead of shout, though my colors are bright!

I often pray while I work — not asking God to make something impressive, but asking Him to let the piece carry peace and to give me direction in the piece.

Because some people don’t need art that makes a statement.

They need art that feels like a place to land.

Living With Art

I’ve noticed something beautiful since I started making art.

When someone brings a piece into their home, it becomes more than décor.

It becomes a quiet companion.  The lady that bought the print told me it was the first thing she wanted to see in the morning.  It gave her peace.  Her husband passed last June and this piece of art made her feel loved and comforted. 

Something they pass every morning.
Something they see when they’re tired.
Something that holds the room gently.

Over time, the body begins to recognize it.

And sometimes that familiarity alone feels like comfort.

Not because the art fixes anything.

But because it helps us feel a little less alone.

A little more grounded.

A little more safe.

And sometimes, that’s where healing begins.

Please feel free to take a look at the available art on my website.  If something moves you let me know.  I would love to hear your thoughts.  If you would be interested in a print, let me know.  That is completely doable.  

Until next time, Blessings, Shoshana