Aside from wall decoration, art has proven to have benefits for our well being, cognition and empathy in a study conducted by psychologists from the University of Vienna, Trinity College Dublin, and Humboldt University of Berlin. Pair this with research by YouGov plc commissioned by Visit Scotland into the effects of blue space - areas such as by the sea, rivers, canals .Their research shows 90% of participants find being by water relaxing, 69% agreed that it melts their troubles away, 80% feel calming effects. So you can begin to understand the appeal and popularity of blue space artworks for both the creator and the viewer.
So for those of us who live in-land and have little opportunity or access to rivers and canals we can still feel the benefits of such landscapes, but through visual art. Try placing an artwork that features blue space somewhere that you need to unwind. Perhaps the last thing you see before turning the bedside lamp off.
A technique to really engage with the piece and feel the benefits could be to think about the sounds you would experience in the landscape, boats bobbing in the water with the distinct call of seagulls. A trickling river with the sound of the wind through grass.
To view more landscapes including blue space pieces and create your own sanctuary follow the link here
Thanks, Meg