When Darkness Brings Light: Framing Healing Experience through Nature Paintings to Stimulate Negative and Positive Emotions

Chan Mi Kim, Thomas J. L. van Rompay, Gerald C. Cupchik, Geke D. S. Ludden

Nature paintings can provoke dynamic emotional experiences. However, their therapeutic potential beyond merely inducing positive emotions remains underexplored. Informed by the externalization technique from post-trauma therapy, we stimulate both negative and positive emotional experiences through visual engagement with nature paintings. Further, we investigate their potential in supporting healing, along with the influence of personal traits (imagination and resilience) and the severity of illness. Using 16 expert-curated paintings depicting distinctive emotions, we take a guided art therapy approach. Participants reflected on past illnesses and imagined healing journeys using negative and positive paintings of their choice, respectively. The result of an online experiment (n = 186) yielded significant mood enhancement (p < .05) after the guided art therapy, with the effect being significantly stronger in the lower resilience group (p < .05). Qualitative analysis revealed six themes that conceptualize individuals’ traumatic experiences (e.g., confinement, inner chaos, and desperation) and seven themes for healing experiences (e.g., liberation, inner peace, and inner strength). The severity of illness influenced which of these themes were dominant in art-induced healing experiences. Integrating diverse pathways to healing, we introduce a conceptual framework and discuss design implications for creating personalized healing experiences.