Art Therapy Anyone?

[ShatteredLady]

I've been reading some posts where members are talking about how therapeutic journaling can be.

 

I used to do a lot of art before my spine went. As a new hobby I started Art Journaling. You can use just about any products that you can think of. It can be complex or basic. You don't need any artistic talent. It's private & it can be anything that you want it to be.

 

Some people buy proper art journals from craft shops & others just use old books & stick a few pages together.

 

There's a form of Art Journaling Therapy (just search YouTube for those words) that I've been thinking of doing. So far I've just done Art Journaling.

 

I once watched a YouTube video that started with the woman just scrawling HATE, HATE, HATE all over the page & then slowly worked it into a very beautiful page. I like the idea of making something creative & aesthetically pleasing from my pain.

 

Reading members say they've written things like that in their normal writing journal made me think of it!

 

Does anyone do Art Therapy or Art Journaling? Has it helped you?

[OneLov]

Art is therapeutic. You can channel your emotional energy into any medium and still create something beautiful and uniquely you to that time and place. The creative expression is limitless. If you're sad or happy--write a song about it. Just hum and throw in some arbitrary lyrics. If you're feeling goofy--make a funny cross-stitch pattern. If you really want to get into a fun and protentially profitable endeavor--wire wrap some gems and make jewelry. The satisfaction and power of creation takes many forms.

 

And you will always be able to time travel in a sense back to the moments of creation years later just by viewing your piece. It's amazing what the right-side of the brain does tp help you process emotional pain.

Edited April 2, 2016 by OneLov

[ShatteredLady]

So many people say, "...but I have ZERO artistic talent!". There was a time that I was one of them. I only ever did academic subjects in school.

 

My interest in art started when I became a stay at home Mum. In hindsight I would of lost my mind if I hadn't found that, or another, outlet. I find it all so rewarding. The invention of Etsy etc has made cottage industries possible.

 

My advise, in sooo many situations... Give it a go!! Why not??

[Quiet Storm]

I started using art for therapy as a very young child. I found that I could escape into my drawings, and tune out the sound of my parents fighting. I would draw everything from portraits, architectural designs of my future house, fashion designs, city planning, bridges, city skylines, animals and landscapes. I also wrote poetry.

 

It calmed me and was a way that I learned to cope. It is healthy to use positive methods to cope, such as art, music, exercise, gardening, etc. Much better than escapes like drugs, alcohol, porn, cutting, etc.

 

I still create sometimes, but probably not as much as I should .

[Ms. Faust]

Have you seen the Hobonichi day planner? A lot of people use it for art journaling because of the high quality paper. It is also really good for fountain pen users (a selling point for me). I just ordered one. Technically I just needed a new day planner but am planning on moving my creative writing/ world building to the journal.

 

I was also thinking about trying my hand at doodling.

[ShatteredLady]

I stitch my own journals. It's not as hard as you'd think! Having some health issues there have been times that researching on computer is all I could do for my 'hobby' so I've tried lots of different things.

 

I still love getting completely lost & painty. My kids do their own with me now

[ShatteredLady]

Visualization with music is another great escape.

[dreamingoftigers]

I'm so stuck on linear things it's unreal.

 

Like you, I went for the academics. And I really excel at them.

 

My daughter, however, is gifted with the complete opposite.

 

She loves to draw, paint and play music.

 

We got her a toy saxophone and she figured out the notes of several songs and plays them over and over.

 

We are saving up for a real Sax for her. Very expensive, but she is so very motivated.

 

I always figured that maybe Art etc. Would be a midlife thing for me. The world better get ready for stick figures!

[66Charger]

My daughter wanted to go to college to study Art therapy.

 

As a major.

 

I shot that down.

 

Engineer, pilot, astronaut, President, but sorry not Art therapy. No disrespect.

[Forceawakensme]

My daughter wanted to go to college to study Art therapy.

 

As a major.

 

I shot that down.

 

Engineer, pilot, astronaut, President, but sorry not Art therapy. No disrespect.

 

Right now shes doing some pretty angry art work with your face on it

[Adoraxx]

LOL Force, you're so very funny, thanks for making me laugh today (several times actually ) (and no , I have no pics on my walls with brown teeth on it haha

[burnt]

My daughter wanted to go to college to study Art therapy.

 

As a major.

 

I shot that down.

 

Engineer, pilot, astronaut, President, but sorry not Art therapy. No disrespect.

 

And wouldn't it be just ironic and funny

if your daughter becomes a successful wealthy astronaut someday and pays LOTSA money to an art therapist to deal with her life-long depression caused by having parents unsupportive of her dream-career!!

 

You actually did your daughter a great favor, btw.

 

Because years from now, years and years from now, your daughter will have her children and she will one day say to her own children:

 

"I KNOW what it feels like to be young and passionate about something and have my parents not being supportive of me pursuing my own passion. So I want to be the mother who now encourages her children to not chase success and money and fancy careers, but pursue what her children truly care about."

[wmacbride]

So many people say, "...but I have ZERO artistic talent!". There was a time that I was one of them. I only ever did academic subjects in school.

 

My interest in art started when I became a stay at home Mum. In hindsight I would of lost my mind if I hadn't found that, or another, outlet. I find it all so rewarding. The invention of Etsy etc has made cottage industries possible.

 

My advise, in sooo many situations... Give it a go!! Why not??

 

Being a stay at home mom myself, I started volunteering in the community, as the place where I volunteered offered free special needs childcare for the time you were volunteering.

 

I like it so much, I ended up joining their board of directors, and several other not for profit boards as well. I was a board secretary, and got to be quite good at writing.

 

I found that I could use that writing online to share how I was feeling about the things that were going on in my life, and before long, I was making a bot of money at it. I still am, and write a lot now.

 

my husband used art as a form of therapy. He began creating sumi-e - Japanese brush paintings- and ended up selling a few online, ad then it sort of took off. He really likes doing it, and finds it very calming.

[wmacbride]

Visualization with music is another great escape.

 

 

I use that when my pain gets bad. I also have another pain relief strategy and when the two are combined, I can forget how much it hurts. - thank goodness medical cannabis is legal here. I was getting sick from the morphine.

[wmacbride]

I stitch my own journals. It's not as hard as you'd think! Having some health issues there have been times that researching on computer is all I could do for my 'hobby' so I've tried lots of different things.

 

I still love getting completely lost & painty. My kids do their own with me now

 

 

One one my children's team of doctors recommended art therapy for her. He hands shake a lot, but she still loves drawing magna and anime. It relaxes her .

 

She use dot love photography, especially of flowers, birds and other animals, but her hands hake too much now to hold the camera. we're trying to find a work around for that. the tripod doesn't work the way she wants it to.

[todreaminblue]

i think art si a true method of expression ...inner expression...i havent worked out why anything i draw or color or paint....looks so bold and big so solid......striking.......i have a really heavy hand......when actually i really like delicate.......and intricate......everything i draw looks on steroids.....no faded lines for me......dont know what that means.....but i hav efoudn art and expression in words help me when i am struggling....make me feel peaceful and present......maybe that is the boldness....that i dont really feel present..and that in my art....i am out there....who knows.....i just love art.....and i do feel it is helpful for peace of mind with troubled hearts and inner voices....my journals are always a mix of words and art.......deb....

[66Charger]

And wouldn't it be just ironic and funny

if your daughter becomes a successful wealthy astronaut someday and pays LOTSA money to an art therapist to deal with her life-long depression caused by having parents unsupportive of her dream-career!!

 

You actually did your daughter a great favor, btw.

 

Because years from now, years and years from now, your daughter will have her children and she will one day say to her own children:

 

"I KNOW what it feels like to be young and passionate about something and have my parents not being supportive of me pursuing my own passion. So I want to be the mother who now encourages her children to not chase success and money and fancy careers, but pursue what her children truly care about."

 

I can live with that.

 

Once she gets her education, she can do whatever she wishes. My job is to make sure that if she wishes to pursue a passion, she has the back up skills to not be poor.

Besides, she is just like me, so I dont know how much control I will have over her soon. She is 17 and drives a 65 Ford Falcon. She crashed it once already.

 

Dads girl.

 

I apologize for the threadjack, Shattered. I did read into Art Therapy, and believe it has its benefits. Just not a lot of dollars.

Edited April 2, 2016 by 66Charger

[ShatteredLady]

Charger....part of me wants to be a 'follow your dreams' Mum. I come from free education. I'm not sure I'd be as happy with my literature education if I was still paying for it! Luckily my first company paid for a LOT of nights of (relevant to the real world) study!! Hahaha!

 

Some are not at all academic, or don't have the opportunities. I'm a huge fan of the cottage industry created by Etsy etc.

 

Dare I add that there's something VERY creative about caring for old cars

[SweetiePi]

I am currently in art therapy and it is working wonders! My art therapist is very insightful. I also journal, but have not done art journaling. I will look into this.

 

 

 

Does anyone do Art Therapy or Art Journaling? Has it helped you?

[66Charger]

Charger....part of me wants to be a 'follow your dreams' Mum. I come from free education. I'm not sure I'd be as happy with my literature education if I was still paying for it! Luckily my first company paid for a LOT of nights of (relevant to the real world) study!! Hahaha!

 

Some are not at all academic, or don't have the opportunities. I'm a huge fan of the cottage industry created by Etsy etc.

 

Dare I add that there's something VERY creative about caring for old cars

 

When Etsy first came out a few years ago, they were very unique and independant. Its a little commercial now, but there is still some great jewelry there. When I think of it, I guess Art is therapeutic. The artwork I have purchased reminds me of times in my life, or wishes. Cant say that it has "touched my soul", but it can change your mood.

 

I guess that is the point , huh?

 

Edit. Classic cars - creative but EXPENSIVE Artwork. It feels great to hit 70mph, driving down the Pacific Coast Highway on a Sunday afternoon, blasting Sinatra or Tony Bennet. That's my therapy. (And no, I am not that old)

Edited April 3, 2016 by 66Charger