Are you a pluviophile?

The rainy season in Singapore occurs from November and lasts three whole months. Temperatures can drop by 10 degrees, and when it rains in Singapore, it is a downpour that can last several days, even a week. So it is not surprising that many of us will be unhappy when the weather forecast predicts rain. But I actually love rain (which makes me a pluviophile!). It’s an opportunity to snuggle at home, enjoy a good book or movie, and even make art ! But what I love most is the inspiration that it gives me for my textile art - think moss, mushrooms and lichen. Read until the end to find out what I’ve been working on!

Here are six good reasons why you should embrace the rain, and be a pluviophile like me! Pssst, it’s all to do with creativity!

1. It’s time to relax - reboot

When it pours, we stay at home. If you’re an introvert like me, it’s an opportunity to finish reading that book, perhaps catch up on a good documentary on TV, or even just do nothing. Who wants to fight with the crowds in the mall? As an artist, down time is good, and when it rains, it’s a good time to clear the mind - I call it the ‘brain reboot’ - put the art to one side, leave your studio and breathe. You’re basically shifting the gears of your brain and recharging - this reboot gives us better control of our lives. We don’t want to be on a constant hamster wheel, so it’s important to have these reset moments, and we will have a better sense of purpose and life satisfaction.

2. Rainy days help increase productivity

Don’t want to reboot on a rainy day? Take it as an opportunity to finish your UFOs (unfinished objects!) that are lurking in your art studio, or maybe complete the accounting for your art practice (yes, the dreaded accounts and administrative work!). According to a study by Harvard, office workers were found to complete their tasks in a shorter period of time on rainy days, while people tend to daydream on sunny days. But hey, I would like to balance a bit of daydreaming and working efficiently on my art too.

3. Don’t you love the post-rain smell?

The fresh smell of rain, or after a storm, is not the smell of rain itself, but from chemical reactions that occur during a rainy event. This lovely aroma, or “petrichor” is a combination of oils emitted from plants, and aromatic chemicals released from soil bacteria when the rain hits the ground. The aroma is captivating and perhaps can give us a little inspiration for our work. In fact, one of indigenous Aboriginal groups in Australia, associated the smell of rain with the colour green - perhaps a positive linkage between the onset of rain and growth in vegetation and wildlife. So, the next time it stops raining, just take a walk, and breathe in the air - it might be the start of new beginnings in your life, or even new direction in your art work.

4. Rain inspires creativity

When a rainstorm comes, there will be a brainstorm. Rain inspires creativity - just take a walk after the downpour and you will notice that things look “different” from when it’s a sunny day. Here are some of the things I spotted on my usual walks - I was excited to see things that were not present in dry weather. These were moss and lichen growth, and even mushrooms - they appear to be transient in Singapore depending on the humidity. Remember to grab your camera or sketchbook to record the changes, or just absorb and bathe in the experience. I decided to capture my observations on a garment using free motion embroidery and handstitching techniques to get a variety of textures. Below is the result of the upcycled garment, and the inspiration behind it. What has been exciting for me is how I can take this work forward and develop it even more!

5. Rain is fun!

It’s time to let loose and have some fun. Don’t you remember splashing in the puddles and running in the rain when you were a kid? Fun and creativity go hand-in-hand, and that spontaneous fun is what’s needed to unlock the creative juice that’s only possible when your brain is relaxed.

6. Rain gives us hope

While rain awakens our senses, it reminds us of the beauty of our planet. Rain enables life and is important for growth, an important reminder to ourselves that while times can be tough, we can grow to become better individuals, spiritually and physically. Don’t forget that at the end of every downpour, there is a rainbow.

Do you enjoy the rain? How does it inspire you in your art work? Let me know below!

6 Reasons Why You Should Embrace the Rain