By being able to express oneself on a medium, teens gain a voice they otherwise may have never been able to access. Language is just one of the ways ideas are expressed. Through the creative process, teens can learn to visually convey what they mean to express in words.

By stimulating the mind through artistic engagement, teens can create something that they can tangibly call their own. This helps regain the sense of self-determination necessary in order to overcome any obstacles in life. 

By acquiring a progressively refined skill such as painting and drawing, teens can gain the confidence they need as their talents begin to improve. Being able to look at something they produced and physically see improvement of a unique skill is a tangible demonstration that things can get better with time and effort over time.

Teens are able to look at what they have produced and realize they created something positive and worthwhile. Looking at a beautiful painting they have made, or a fun drawing that expresses their interests reminds them of a positive time in their life, and makes them realize they can produce something real and lasting.

Art allows teenagers to find a lifelong engagement. This passion may persist well-beyond their young years. Creative passion can produce a sense of value, both in the present and future.