By Janet L. Sellers
“Bad art makes you say, ‘Wow! Huh?’ Good art makes you say, ‘Huh? Wow!’ “—Ed Ruscha
How does art offer nature’s secret language, which is often written in fractals? Art that mimics these patterns—whether through “action painting” or organic tools—speaks directly to our stress-reduction centers. We connect the patterns in our minds, and that patterning is one part of what is effective in art and nature. Those patterns help us with our health and culture, too.
The geometry of restorative peace
In my research into what I call the Architecture of Awe, I’ve looked at why certain spaces and images feel like a “restorative portal” while others leave us feeling depleted. The secret lies in the fractal—a repeating, self-similar mathematical pattern found in the branching of a pine tree and the veins of a leaf.
When we stand before a piece of art that utilizes these organic rhythms, our brains recognize the “logic” of the natural world. This isn’t just an aesthetic preference; it is a biological resonance. Science now tells us that viewing fractal patterns can reduce cortisol levels by as much as 60%. This is the “Huh? Wow!” moment Ruscha spoke of—the quiet shock of recognition when the mind finds something familiar in the unfamiliar. Reducing cortisol by 60% shifts the body from survival mode into repair. This “reset” lowers blood pressure, reboots the immune system, and clears the mental fog required for restorative awe.
Tools of the stride
To capture this language, I often have to step away from traditional brushes. In my “action painting” methodology, I employ what I call the two-legged stride—using non-traditional tools like pine branches, brooms, or squeegees. These tools don’t just apply pigment; they record a physical movement that mirrors the gravity and activity of the forest floor.
When a mark is made with a branch, it carries the “voice” of that tree into the work. It creates a texture that the human eye can “marinate” in. This is the difference between a flat, mechanical surface and a restorative one. One is often a dead end for the eye; the other is a path.
The scale of healing in art collectibles
Whether a work is an Artist Trading Card (ATC) held in the palm of the hand or a large-scale mural designed for a clinical health environment, the goal remains the same: to foster well-being. By bringing the ethnoecology of the outdoors into our interior “human” spaces, we create a bridge.
We are living in an era that craves a return to this secret language. As we build our cultures and our cities, we must ask ourselves if we are speaking in a way that the human heart understands. When we align our creative “marks” with the patterns of nature, we aren’t just making art—we are building a sanctuary.
We can get out and enjoy local art and artists with the season’s monthly Monument Art Hop. It will be held the third Thursdays from May through September, 5 to 8 p.m. in Historic Downtown Monument, with gallery openings, live music, artist demonstrations, and special in-store events. See the ad on page < 3 >.
Janet L. Sellers is a professional artist and educator developing nature-based “architecture of awe” prototypes for healthcare. She frequently shares her research through community talks and professional lectures. Contact: JanetSellers@ocn.me.
Other Art Matters columns
- Art Matters – The architecture of awe: why art holds nature’s secret language (4/1/2026)
- Art Matters – Art, physics, Argyle socks, and math (3/4/2026)
- Art Matters – Is our education keeping up with visual literacy? (2/4/2026)
- Art Matters – How Gen Z influences our cultural and financial future (12/31/2025)
- Art Matters – Art curation: We all do it, even with holiday trees and gift wrapping (12/4/2025)
- Art Matters – Art shapes our world—and shifts our gaze (10/30/2025)
- Art Matters – October is Arts Month: Artober with Monumental Impact (10/1/2025)
- Art Matters – What is art good for? (9/3/2025)
- Art Matters – We Can’t Unchop a Tree (7/31/2025)
- Art Matters – The many benefits of outdoor art and arts events (7/3/2025)
Leave a Comment