Making Art IS Therapy

By Elaine Allen | Uncategorised

Dec 20

Although I'm not a "Therapist," in my many years of teaching I've witnessed so many examples of souls laid bare from just making some art. Students will walk in the door burdened by their life circumstances, but once they are busily painting, sculpting, drawing or whatever we're doing that day, they are smiling and the cloud has lifted. There are many science-backed studies to explain why this happens...and I'm just so glad that it does!

This morning as I watched this video from The Science of Happiness, it touched me to see the emotion that the participants in an art therapy session experienced. They each chose different colors to represent things that make them happy. The process is fun to see, and the end result isn't meant to be a "frame worthy" work. The value is in the experience.  (Side note: a few of these participants shared the profound impact that a parent or grandparent had on them, and their examples were of good people. I imagine a bad parent would not be in the painting, if the exercise is meant to communicate happiness!).

Art is a means of communication, often more powerful than spoken words. It lightens the heart to be able to communicate effectively. I loved this one comment that was posted under the video:

"A quote from my daughter, probably 5 years ago when she was 9, sums it up perfectly. "Mom, drawing helps me get out of my outer body and in to my inner body."  As a lifelong artist myself, I told her I couldn't have put it better myself."  

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this little 6 minute video:  How Does Art Therapy Heal the Soul? | The Science of Happiness

'til next time - stay creative!

Elaine

About the Author

Elaine Allen is a lifelong artist who loves to share her love for art and her expertise with anyone who would love to discover their creativity.

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(4) comments

Yvette Sonneveld December 20, 2018

Art totally is chicken soup to my soul! Thanks for sharing this, Elaine!

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    Elaine Allen December 21, 2018

    Ah, see? We are kindred spirits, Yvette.

    Reply
Lori Winslow December 20, 2018

That was a really beautiful video, and it made me feel happier just watching it. I loved how everyone had different ways of placing the colors, each of the participants final product was completely unique. Thank you for sharing this :).

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    Elaine Allen December 21, 2018

    So glad you liked it, Lori!
    This video looks very much like a class I do with adults, where they draw on HUGE pieces of paper taped to the wall.
    It’s fun to work really big, and folks almost dance as they work. Definitely happy-making.

    Reply
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