Art Therapy

I'm a very creative person. Ever since I was little I always had "projects" and things to express my overactive and sensitive mind.

I read about art therapy a few months ago. That it helps us translate our feelings into something other than words. That it sometimes even brings out our subconscious problems to the "front" of our mind over time, until we are maybe read to talk about them or understand them.

I'm a crap artist but every now and then (I suppose when I'm hypomanic) I decide to be one haha! I go to the art store and buy tons of things to make projects with. These are rarely finished, but when I find ones I actually did in the past it's pretty astounding. The problem is, I have tons of images in my mind of things I want to create - but being a crap artist the final product is unacceptable to me. I know it's not about how good I am. But when the final product doesn't meet what I set out for it to be, it gets me down.

I agree with the idea of art therapy. Even though I'm terrible with art, I'm a fantastic musician. I was writing songs when I was like 8. I rarely play anything or write songs now, but when I'm inspired I can sit down for hours (maybe days) straight without any perception of time passing and be consumed by the catharsis. Every single note has a reason for existing.

That's the same as me; I love geometrics for that reason. I actually bought my self a geometric coloring book and I love it! My therapist even has some coloring pages and colored pencils and crayons so her clients can relax by uisng them if they wish.

Just wanted to say thank you MikeDelta for starting this thread. I found your drawings really interesting to look at.

I have had a little art therapy in a group, but have never been asked to draw a feeling or emotion and think that I might find that really helpful.

To be honest I've found the sessions I've had a little disappointing because we're just given art materials and told to create something for the session with very little input or feedback except questions and observations of what we think about the process of art making.

For those who think you have to be artistic/talented to do art, read the book Life, Paint and Passion: Reclaiming the Magic of Spontaneous Expression, by Michele Cassou and Stewart Cubley. My T recently loaned it to me. It's not actually art therapy, but the authors lead workshops in which participants are encouraged to paint for PROCESS, not PRODUCT. Has anyone heard of this or read this book? It's a whole new way of looking at painting. It's therapy in the sense that whatever your brush wants to do, you're supposed to go along with. It can take you anywhere at all, and the authors relate the participants' feelings as they paint in this way.

I highly recommend this amazing, inspirational book though it's not exactly about art therapy; it IS about expressing what's inside of you, and that's what art therapy is about.

I never heard of that book, but I might look it up and check it out.

Thanks ill have to check it out!

Thanks guys, I dont know its something about art that gets the emotion out that one isnt Able to speak i suppose? I'll post some stuff eventually