Art and pleasure

In my state of near depression yesterday, I needed something to get my mind off of those trees that no longer graced our yard. A couple of weeks ago, I had read an article about Alexa Meade, an artist who paints on people and then takes photographs of them. In the article, someone called it "Acrylic on Flesh." My son, Jacob, was a willing participant to give it a go, so I pulled out the acrylic paints and started painting away. Here's the final project.

How is it that a simple creative project can boost one's soul? I don't know if it is part of the divine nature within us that causes us to derive such pleasure, or simply something in our DNA passed down from the artistic caveman. All I know for sure is, that I find this and other like activities deeply satisfying.

Of course, this morning, I'm still mourning the trees that are now mulch ready to be spread in my garden.