More Than Just Memories: How Canvas & Metal Prints Can Boost Your Self-Esteem

by | May 6, 2024 | How To | 0 comments

Bare walls of home always haunt me; the mere look at them fills me with emptiness. A person like me who loves colors and happiness always seeks a way to decorate the walls to make them lively like I am. Paint, art painting on the walls, or wallpapers are something that really adds life to walls, but still, I feel a void—a craving for something that can really boost my confidence and reflect my personality and achievements. And I think nothing helps me, but canvas and metal prints do. 

Having a lot of digital photos of happy moments on your phone can’t let the connection be established; it’s just a trap in the virtual world. If you have canvas and metal prints, they not only preserve memories but are also a daily source of pride and inspiration, which boosts your self-esteem. Let’s see what other surprising physical and psychological impact the art has on us. Discover how adorning your walls with canvas and metal prints can be more than just decoration; it can be a confidence booster you never knew you needed. 

Art & Human Emotions

Art in any form has a very deep relation with humans. Whether it’s a person’s physical state, mood, or sense of well-being, art has always had a powerful but positive impact, as per research. 

Studies also reveal that art lowers cortisol levels, which is a stress hormone, and in addition to this, it triggers the release of dopamine, a monoamine neurotransmitter that improves a person‘s mood, lowers stress, promotes feelings of happiness, and encourages relaxation. Moreover, the lowering of blood pressure and heart rate are some additional benefits of looking at art. 

Among these benefits, the most exciting thing for me is to know that art boosts self-esteem; let’s see how. 

How Canvas & Metal Prints Can Boost Your Self-Esteem

Personalized canvas and metal prints are a great source of boosting self-esteem, but they give significant advantages specifically to children. David Krauss, a psychologist, once co-authored a study about photography’s effects as therapy and enhancing self-esteem. According to him, family photos make children happy and tell them that they are important to their families. 

Moreover, such photos show them that they are meaningfully connected to everyone else in the picture, whether friends or family. If you hang such photos in your child’s room, they feel more safe and secure. Having plenty of such canvas prints tells them that their rooms are safe places for them, where they can do whatever they want and may let their imagination and curiosity fly freely. Moreover, photo collages showing your children’s growth and changes are another great entertainment for them. 

To boost their self-esteem, capturing their moments of achievement and canvas printing them by Smile Art Design and hanging them in their rooms or throughout the home are some other great ideas. 

Impact of Colors

Art and mental health are deeply connected; that’s why pictures on the wall work as a mood booster. Even the colors in your pictures, which people take for granted, greatly impact your mood by influencing emotions. Yellow, orange, or red are bright, warm colors that stimulate happiness and energy. On the other hand, if the pictures have subdued colors like purple, green, or blue, you can get a soothing effect. Here is the list of some specific colors, along with the feelings they pour into you.

  • Yellow: Happiness, Joy
  • Orange: Excitement
  • Red: Passion, Love
  • Purple: Imagination, Relaxation
  • Blue: Peace, Calmness
  • Green: Joy, Serenity, Balance
  • Gray: Calmness, Comfort
  • Pink: Tenderness, Love
  • Brown: Security, Comfort
  • White: Comfort, Hope, Calmness

Painting & Oxytocin

Images contain memories, and getting the opportunity to look at such lively photos often in a day is nothing but a great feeling. Whether it’s a family photo or a cute photo of your pet, it triggers the oxytocin release. How hectic your day was, or you feel a little low or disappointed, a hanging photo in your home can immediately boost oxytocin as its release is associated with connection, love, and relaxation. 

Why is Personalization Important?

Personalization is so important while decorating your walls, and incorporating landscape wall art australia can add a unique and locally inspired touch to your space. Famous paintings, abstract art, or oil paintings all bring joy to you and life to your home, but hanging a personalized photo is more soothing and relaxing and boosts your self-esteem. A photo of your favorite hiking tour, along with friends and family, positively impacts your home’s atmosphere. 

If you have a photo of a picnic party with your family, including your parents, grandparents, children, aunts and uncles, print it on a large canvas and hang it in your home. Believe me, this wall or part of the house will become the most loveable among your family members. They will love to sit there, talk about the event, commemorate the small details about it, laugh, smile and relive the moment. 

Gifting Canvas and Metal prints

Gifting a wall art, canvas print, or metal print or having pictures of family or friends brings a lot of joy to the recipient. I think the best thing is to print some moments of the recipient’s big achievements to enhance their confidence further. Moreover, if you capture a moment of you and the recipient and print it on canvas or metal, it will boost their self-esteem, as they will feel their importance in your life whenever they look at the wall art. There is nothing better than gifting a canvas or metal print to your loved ones.

Benefits Of Canvas And Metal Prints

Between all these discussions, I can’t stop myself from discussing some of the benefits of canvas and metal prints. So, here they are:

Your Daily Dose of Inspiration

If you surround yourself with metal and canvas prints of visuals that inspire and motivate you, it will significantly impact your self-perception. Seeing yourself hiking a dangerous hill in a canvas print fills you with self-confidence as it shows your adventurous spirit. Even a family photo on a metal print also gives you a warm feeling of being surrounded by a lot of love and support. These personalized visuals act as daily affirmations, subtly reminding you of your achievements, passions, and the things that bring you joy.

Reflects Your Style 

Home with personalized stuff makes it a reflection of your personality. If you add canvas and metal prints that resonate with your style, you create a space that feels uniquely you. If you hang a canvas print of a breathtaking landscape full of vibrant colors, it reflects your free spirit, and if you pick a black and white metal print with a classic watch, it shows your love and appreciation for timeless design. These canvas and metal prints not only showcase your taste but also subtly reinforce your sense of self.

Conversation Starter and Confidence Booster

As I have said before, canvas and metal prints are excellent conversation starters. The mere look at them sparks discussions about your experiences, interests, and passions. You can share stories behind those photos and celebrate your accomplishments, which develops a sense of connection and belonging that ultimately boosts your confidence. 

The Final Words

I love canvas and metal prints as decorative elements, but the power they add in the form of self-expression, motivation, and confidence building are truly magical. These prints help you to surround yourself with visuals that represent your passions, achievements, and loved ones, boost your self-esteem and inspire you to become the best version of yourself. So, to boost your self-esteem, let’s pick some of your favorite photos and transform them into amazing canvas or metal prints.

In Columbia, Maryland, there’s a former grocery store that has been transformed into a department store for mythical creatures, time travelers, and intergalactic tourists.

It’s called DoodleHATCH.

You can groom a unicorn, visit an intergalactic space station, climb onto a giant’s bed, meet guinea pigs, explore an artist’s studio, and discover approximately a million other things that somebody actually sat down and made.

It’s a nonprofit interactive art museum, a community project, an educational resource, and one of my favorite places I’ve ever discovered.

And it could be demolished as part of a proposed redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center.

But there’s still an opportunity to help.

You don’t need to donate money. You don’t need to live in Maryland. And you don’t need to know anything about zoning laws.

You can start by writing an email.

🚨 Here's what's happening

Developer Columbia Concepts has proposed redeveloping the Long Reach Village Center in Columbia, Maryland.

The proposal would replace existing buildings with new housing, recreational facilities, and other development.

Unfortunately, that puts a whole collection of existing community resources at risk of being demolished, including:

  • DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum
  • Maryland Fashion Institute
  • A makerspace used for community education
  • Local restaurants, shops, and service businesses
  • Early childhood education and community programs
  • A 140-foot-long mural created by approximately 100 community members

This isn’t just about losing a fabulous museum. It’s about losing an entire collection of places that people have built, supported, and relied on.

And there’s another possibility!

🌈 Meet The REALM

Lee Andersen, the founder of DoodleHATCH, and her nonprofit ManneqART want to preserve the existing community resources and transform the village center into an arts and culture destination called The REALM.

Imagine a place where artists have studios, children have room to explore, students can learn creative skills, people can attend performances, and local businesses continue serving their neighbors.

There are plans for a performing arts space, more opportunities for artists, and a Witches Kitchen that might serve you a horrible-disgusting breakfast.

Which, personally, I think sounds promising.

The people behind DoodleHATCH are gathering support to oppose the developer’s zoning proposal and advocate for The REALM.

And they’d love your help.

💌 How to help in about two minutes

If you live in Howard County, Maryland

If you’re 18 or older, DoodleHATCH is asking eligible county residents to visit the museum and sign their petition in person.

📍DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum

8775 Cloudleap Court, Unit 101
Columbia, MD 21045

⏱️ Museum hours: Friday–Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM.

And while you’re there, I highly recommend exploring the museum. Bring someone who needs a reminder that being an adult doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying ridiculous things.

If you don't live in Howard County

You can still help!

DoodleHATCH is collecting emails from people who oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and support preserving the existing arts and community resources through The REALM.

Send your email to: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

Suggested subject: Support The REALM | Oppose Columbia Concepts Zoning Proposal ZB 1132M

You can write your own message or use one of the templates below.

You don’t need to write an essay. A short, genuine message explaining what you support and why is enough to participate in this email campaign.

✍️ What should your email say?

To make your position clear, include these three things:

1. Say what you’re opposing.

State that you oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center, case ZB 1132M.

2. Say what you’re supporting.

Express your support for preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, existing community resources, and the proposed arts and culture center called The REALM.

3. Explain why you care.

This is the part that makes your email yours.

Maybe you’ve visited DoodleHATCH. Maybe you’re a parent who wants more creative places for children. Maybe you’re an artist, an educator, or someone who thinks it’s important to protect the few spaces where people can explore and make things without needing to buy something.

Maybe you live across the country and just learned that there’s a department store for mythical creatures in Maryland, and you think the world would be a little less interesting without it.

That’s a perfectly good reason to care.

💌 Email templates you can copy

Option 1: Short, simple, and effective

Subject: Support The REALM | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts zoning amendment and redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M).

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the existing community services and small businesses, as well as the proposal to create The REALM arts and culture center.

Creative and educational spaces like these provide valuable opportunities for families, artists, students, and the wider community. I believe they deserve to be protected.

Please include my email with the messages of support being collected for DoodleHATCH and The REALM.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 2: For artists, creatives, and fellow merriment makers

Subject: Please Protect DoodleHATCH and Support The REALM

Hello,

I’m writing in opposition to Columbia Concepts’ proposed redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and in support of The REALM.

I believe communities need places where creativity, imagination, and play are actively encouraged.

DoodleHATCH is an extraordinary example of what can happen when artists and community members are given room to create something that doesn’t fit into an ordinary commercial space.

Places like this are rare. They encourage people of all ages to experiment, learn, explore, and connect with one another.

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, the existing community resources, and the vision for The REALM.

Thank you for collecting these messages and advocating for the creative community.

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 3: For people who've visited DoodleHATCH

Subject: Please Save DoodleHATCH | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and my support for The REALM.

I’ve personally visited DoodleHATCH, and I want to share why I believe it’s worth preserving.

[Write two or three sentences about your experience. What did you see? Who did you bring? What surprised you? What made you want to return?]

DoodleHATCH is more than a collection of exhibits. It’s a place where creativity is something people can actively participate in, and I believe losing it would be a tremendous loss to the community.

I support preserving the museum, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the other existing community resources through the proposed arts and culture center, The REALM.

Please include my email with the messages of support you’re collecting.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

A few tips before you hit send

DO:

  • Use your real name.

  • Include your city and state so organizers can understand where support is coming from.

  • Clearly identify the redevelopment proposal you’re opposing.

  • Specifically mention your support for The REALM.

  • Add a personal sentence or two if you can.

  • Be respectful, even if you’re frustrated.

  • Share this page with other people who might want to help.

DON’T:

  • Pretend to be a Howard County resident if you’re not.

  • Claim to have visited DoodleHATCH if you haven’t.

  • Make up experiences or information.

  • Send threatening, insulting, or harassing messages.

  • Assume your email is the same thing as signing the official petition.

  • Worry about making your message sound impressive. Clear and genuine is better than elaborate.

💌 The Save DoodleHATCH Email Machine

A few clicks, a little personality, and an email that helps support DoodleHATCH and The REALM. No account or signup required.

What's your connection to DoodleHATCH?
Why does protecting places like this matter to you?
✨ Your email preview
To: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com
Subject:

Your information stays in your browser until you choose to copy or open the message. The email does not send automatically. Emails support DoodleHATCH's advocacy campaign; they are not the same as official petition signatures or zoning testimony. Please review the message before sending.

🐹 Wait. What exactly is DoodleHATCH?

I’m so glad you asked.

DoodleHATCH is an interactive art museum in Columbia, Maryland, created by artist, designer, and professional generator of wildly ambitious ideas, Lee Andersen.

The museum is designed as a pretend department store for mythological creatures, time travelers, and galactic tourists.

There are dozens of installations, and unlike most museums, you’re encouraged to touch things, explore, and participate.

There’s also an artist’s studio full of fabric and handmade garments, workshops, special events, birthday parties, free books, and opportunities for local artists to share their work.

The museum welcomes families and children, but adults are absolutely allowed to enjoy themselves, too.

And the woman behind it has spent decades bringing creativity into the community through fashion, festivals, education, and public art.

I discovered DoodleHATCH in 2020 and loved it so much that I started volunteering.

I’ve been back multiple times, and there are still things I haven’t seen.

That’s part of what makes it special. You can keep discovering things because people keep creating them.

You don't have to live near DoodleHATCH to care about it.

There are Merriment Makers everywhere.

People turning empty buildings into art spaces. People organizing parades. People teaching kids how to sew, paint, dance, or build things. People putting enormous amounts of time into projects that make their communities more interesting.

Sometimes they’re running nonprofits. Sometimes they’re working out of their garages. Sometimes they’re making something weird in a strip mall that you might drive past a hundred times without realizing what’s inside.

I hope you’ll help protect DoodleHATCH.

And I hope you’ll look around your own community, too. Visit the strange little museum. Go to the local art show. Find the person who makes giant puppets or organizes an absurd annual festival. Spend your money at the independent shop with the handmade things.

There are people everywhere creating reasons for us to be curious about being alive.

I’d like them to be able to keep doing that.

Help save DoodleHATCH. Help protect The REALM. Help keep the world interesting.

💌 Email: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

🌈 Visit: DoodleHATCH.com

🦄 Share: Uncustomary.org/Doodle