Wolf

This week in one of my sessions I decided to make art.  I don't usually do this.  It makes it hard to be present for others when I am immersed in my own art making.  This day felt different though.  The group was very small for varying reasons and there was only one girl who came.  I decided to make art along side her.

The directive we worked with was thinking about if there is an animal we feel connected with and to explore why.  Creating a representation of the animal along with what it would need to survive helps to connect us with different parts of ourselves and encourage self-nurturing and self-care.  She created a butterfly.  It was colourful, whimsical and had the word "Freedom" printed boldly across the top.  She shared how butterflies make her think of several different things and that for her they represent spirituality. 

I shared with her that I have always been drawn to wolves.  I love their mysterious nature, how they are strongly family oriented and beautiful but also misunderstood.  I took care of my wolf and gave him shelter, water and rocks where his den may be along with his family.

This week doing art with a client felt right.  We worked beside one another and then shared our images and in turn shared a bit about ourselves; it worked out well.

Have you ever done work along side your clients?  Do you regularly do so or just when it "feels" like it is what is needed?  Would love to hear about other people's experiences!

Holding the Space

Reflecting on the work I am doing with clients

I decide to focus on my responsibility 

of holding a therapeutic space.

The hands represent me...

they are grounded, calm and centered.

The heart represents my clients...

supported and encouraged to trust in their own process

of self-exploration with art.

To a person looking in on a session, 

they may easily question how I am helping
since I generally sit still and
witness.

The way I help is subtle
but powerful.

It is something my clients say they can
"feel"
in the sessions.

I call it
"Holding the Space"

 

Inner Child

I recently went through some of my old art work books that I created while I was in my Art Therapy training and this image really stood out for me.

While I was in school the theme of  my "inner child" really dominated several of the art pieces that I created.  My instructor was amazing in guiding me through the process of working with my inner child and allowing her a voice through my art, which in turn brought me healing.

What I enjoy most about looking through my old work is seeing the pieces instantly reminds me of the emotional content of the images...more so than if I had just written about about the events.  Even now looking at this image I struggle to find the words to describe what it stands for...but it speaks for itself.  Trusting the process and allowing the images to come through is the magic with Art Therapy.   Helping my clients feel safe in the experience so that they may feel supported to create their own images which in turn helps them in their healing is my greatest responsibility. 

Courage

Art is fun...

I've been enjoying looking through some of my old art journals lately.  I enjoy spending quiet time taking in the images I created for times in my life that those images needed to be made.  Most of them were made for times where I was sad, scared, confused or frustrated.  Some though I made to make me smile and I really enjoyed coming across this one again. 

Quote

Quote

Connected

My favourite way to create is to go about it blindly.

I never know what I'm doing.

I describe it as giving in and going with the flow

and watching what unfolds.

It always feels like a part of me deep inside 

is being acknowledged and given a voice.

The process grounds me.

This image was created in my art journal.

I started with a layer of gesso to give texture to my papper

and to build it up so I could add layers to it without it dissolving.

I then added torn pieces of paper from books and magazines.

I simply chose the pages and images that stood out to me

and tore them out and glued them down where they

seemed to want to be placed.

The key for me is not to think about it at all and I find my

mind is quiet and not criticizing.

I chose paint colours that jumped out at me 

and kept adding layers.

I then left the image for a few hours.  

Once I came back, a face quickly jumped out at me.

I then added more layers of paint and pencil

to allow the image to come out more.

Intuitively I felt when I was done and I stopped.

Looking at the image now I feel connected to it.

Yes I made it, but it is more than that.

I feel that is connected more to my subconscious.

The image is giving a voice to a part of me

that rarely gets to speak freely.

I usually gets "shushed", ignored or criticized.

But here it gets a full page spread in my journal.

When you sit to create, do you have an idea of what you 

want your finished image to look like?  What process

do you enjoy following the most?

Teal

I've been drawn to the colour teal lately.

When I sit to start doing artwork

the bottle of teal paint practically shouts out

for me to pick it up and use it.

So I do and it feels great!

Do you go through a similar process when creating?

Do you find certain art materials begging to be used?

If so, do you follow through with the impulse?

 

 

My Witness

I sat down to create

and part of me wanted to leave.

Layers were added,

then taken away

and my process seemed pointless.

"Keep Going"

Quiet the critic

and keep your hands moving,

you don't have to know where this is headed.

"Trust"

My breathing changes and things go quiet.

My hands seem to move on their own.

"I see her"

Out of nowhere she appears

and I help carve her out of the layers.

Her eyes calm me,

she sees me.

My witness.

Our Windows

I've been combining my images with quotes lately.

I find it is a different way of working that shows 

a bit of a glimpse of what the image represents to me.

What do you notice in my image?  What does it make you think of?

 

Keep Moving On

Wounds