Art Therapy

What is art therapy? We all have a creative side; it manifests itself in many different ways. You don’t have to be Picasso to express yourself.

Art is often used as a medium to access your subconscious and in so doing this can greatly enhance the power and speed of personal growth as you learn how to engage the unconscious. I heard it said, “Through creativity, the soul instinctively heals itself.”

Art therapy can be a healthy way to express otherwise destructive feelings in a non-destructive way, letting you release tension. It is used for stress and anxiety management as well as to build self-confidence.

Art therapy comes in different forms, but usually there is strong visual content. There is even a method that uses paper-cutting techniques as a healing and relaxing form of expression.

I happen to know one artist very well who not only does papercutting but paper mache and drawing. Perhaps I am biased because she happens to be my Mom! She is known as Mamma Blackbird in the Seattle art world and has exhibits of her work in many galleries.

Here is some of her work: She calls this exhibit "Dragon Chess":

And here are some of her papercuts...

So art can be inspirational, amusing and healthy!

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According to The American Art Therapy Association, (ATTA) “Art therapy is an established mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.”

“The task of all art is to depict what is true and genuine about life. All art has an existential quality. The intent of art, and art therapy is to get beneath the surface of things.” Bruce Moon, The Dynamics of Art as Therapy with Adolescents, 1998, p. 229

Check out the art therapy org site See More Examples of Art Therapy Activities Art Therapy FAQ Eating Disorders And Art Therapy