I'm going to try to create a poll here for the first time. I hope I succeed.

My question is: What is your favorite form of artistic expression? I ask this in response to a graduate student's survey I completed about art and mental illness. When I answered the questions, the term "art" seemed to refer mostly or even solely to visual arts.

I bet many of you who have been in the psychiatric hospital or Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) have attended an art therapy class. Again, by art therapy I refer to visual arts. Therapy classes such as music therapy or dance therapy were occasionally available at my psychiatric hospital, but never in the IOP. I have to say that I suck at visual arts and found that therapy class (mandatory almost every day) to be quite unpleasant, unlike almost all of my fellow patients. I did, however, love the music and dance therapy, but they were offered only at one hospital (not the IOPs) and rarely.

Sometimes in lieu of trying to paint, do collage, etc. in the art therapy, I asked if I could write. Luckily the therapist let me. I did the same thing in a grief counseling session when again the therapist asked us to draw.

Don't get me wrong, I think it is wonderful that people love visual arts, but I just felt it wasn't right for me.

[UpDownAround]

I suck at art. I tried to be a carver and a turner. I enjoy music even though I am not that good at it either. But I play mostly for myself and create music digitally that I share sometimes. Sometimes it's things I play cleaned up and sometimes all the "playing" is placing notes on the computer.

Hi UpDownAround. I finally got the poll to appear if you'd like to participate in it. If not, thank you for responding here in the comments section. I'm glad you enjoy music for yourself. I only played piano for myself (when I had a piano), and loved it. I do share my writing with others and love to receive feedback on it. I love dancing both for myself and others. I usually get comments on my dancing because I sometimes get a bit "over enthusiastic".

[emgreen]

Slinging poo against a white wall. The therapist didn't appreciate my artistic efforts...she even said, "This stinks!"

[Faltering]

Singing and writing poetry

Ah, performing arts. I play piano, and I sang in the state choir and the state jazz choir (only 20 spots, and I got one of them).

But people always said I’m a better pianist than a singer (my friends in music class would always say so if a stranger complimented my voice—who K? No, she’s a pianist...).

Originally Posted by emgreen

Slinging poo against a white wall. The therapist didn't appreciate my artistic efforts...she even said, "This stinks!"

That therapist was horrible! Being a Picasso is not what art therapy is all about. And who knows, maybe she just didn't understand your vision.

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[BipolaRNurse]

Originally Posted by emgreen

Slinging poo against a white wall. The therapist didn't appreciate my artistic efforts...she even said, "This stinks!"

[Treyfrancis21]

I'm a photographer and somewhat of an abstract sculptor.

[Krow]

It has been awhile since I have really contributed towards any specific art. Perhaps it is a bit of a different method of expression, but I always enjoyed searching for exploits within games and then devising elaborate plans upon them. Usually the ideas would be so bizarre and extreme that they would work outstandingly well, so it was always rather amusing. Although, I am not entirely sure whether or not it would actually qualify as an art as much as a mere hobby.

[Carmina]

I use poetry, painting, dance and music as ways of expressing the inexpressible

Please don't see these crappy ward based groups as therapy though however they try to market themselves they do not deserve to be called 'art therapy' etc. Proper Art therapy is carried out by qualified artists who have also had further training in psychotherapy and is accredited as a fully fledged psychotherapeutic approach, not just some group setup by someone not qualified to practice art therapy or similar creative therapies - hence their useless approach and manner. They really should not be allowed to even use that name.

poetry and stories

which reminds me to update my florida thread in creative corner

why do I let things get on top of me?

[CaminoDeOro]

I'm a good writer but as far as creativity I tend to like curation and collage. I make obsessively crafted mix CDs and I curate a tumblr full of art that appeals to me.

[Slightlydelusional]

I like to write, but have been on a break that will end soon enough.

[FallDuskTrain]

Music and dance. West african dances, modern balet...

[Sunflower123]

I guess I should have answered that poll differently. I played the piano as well as 6 other musical instruments growing up and until I got sicker so I change my vote to music (I originally said I don’t like to express myself artistically).

Great thread.

I'm a visual artist, primary work's been in metal (jewelry), drawing, mixed media and textiles. But I like to sing too (for own amusement and have been in choirs too). And writing can be fun. I love words and playing with them. I grew up figure skating, so there's performing art in the mix as well, though that one is many years ago. Theatre for me means the scenic arts (painting the scenery, props etc.) which I love and volunteered at for years (and thrilled to learn from the pros!) Or costuming. Then there's Halloween costumes...

Yeah, vote goes to visual arts! That's by far where the bulk of my work (and play!) is.

I have enjoyed reading about how all of you express yourselves creatively. It's interesting how many do so in various ways.

[251turnaround]

I like to make music. As terrible and inexperienced as I am with it, it's the only art form I seem to be able to express myself in. I love how easily interpreted the emotion is in it.

[WildcatVet]

I do all sorts of crafts I guess I'd have to call it...very artistic stuff...does that count...?