ARTISTIC PORTLAND
  • Home
  • Artists
  • Events
  • Blog
  • About Us
    • Location
    • Contact
  • Join
  • The Buzz

Therapeutic Powers of Art

2/1/2016

0 Comments

 
This week's post is written by June Martin of Moth & Twig.

I am a therapist. I am an artist. At times I have been able to combine art and therapy in treating clients. The outcomes were often quite successful. But why?
By definition, art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses the creative process of making art to improve a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. You needn’t be a Rembrandt to participate in art therapy. In fact, when I suggested the modality of art therapy to clients I was sometimes met with, “But I’m not artistic. I can’t even draw.” That statement alone is a whole other blog! I usually respond with, “It’s ok, you needn’t know anything about art to create and express yourself. This is about you and your unique voice. Through art, we can bring out that voice.”
Picture
Painting by Whitney North
In my work I have witnessed how the creative process helps people see things about themselves that they may not otherwise have understood. I have especially seen how art therapy is beneficial for children since it is sometimes difficult for children to express themselves using words. Art therapy can help people process their emotions so that they can begin to heal. Art therapy is also used to help alleviate anxiety and stress.

Picture
Painting by Jomarie Culver
Do you need an art therapist to help you experience the benefits of creative arts? While certainly an art therapist can guide you and help you explore and gain insight through creative expression, I think just about anyone can benefit from doing art on their own, whether it is to relieve stress and/or anxiety, discover something new about yourself, or use it in a way to connect with others. Art is powerful. Whether you’re creating or viewing, art can touch your soul like nothing else can. It is important to note that art is not limited to the visual arts. The concept of art spans many varied disciplines.
Picture
Paper Mosaic by Brad Barnhurst
Picture
"Dog Dreams" by Cathi Newlin
The next time you’re in a gallery, museum, or a cool, local artist co-op (such as Artistic Portland), take a moment to reflect on the art you’re drawn to. How does it make you feel? Why do you think you were drawn to that piece? Let the art be interactive. The artist who created the piece you are drawn to most likely experienced emotions of their own while creating the piece. I know for me, creating is a highly therapeutic process and each piece I create has a story. Though the buyer will most likely never know that story, and I may never know what compelled the buyer to purchase the piece, it is enough for me to know that SOMETHING about the piece spoke to them and it is always my hope that each time a piece is worn, they are reminded of what that piece means to them. Art is powerful and often therapeutic.
Picture
Picture
Painting by Karrie Amiton
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Subscribe to our mailing list

    * indicates required
    Email Format

    Archives

    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015


    Categories

    All
    Art Business
    Art Co-op
    Art Education
    Art History
    Art Studios
    Blue Fox Glass
    Book Review
    Candlemaking
    Ceramics
    Classes
    Clocks
    Coloring
    Drawing
    Events
    Experiencing Art
    Fabric
    Fiber Art
    Fused Glass
    Glass Art
    Health And Beauty
    Inspiration
    Jewelry Making
    Knitting
    Meet The Artist
    Metal
    Mosaic Jewelry
    Mosaics
    Nature As Inspiration
    Painting
    Photography
    Poetry
    Recycled Art
    Sculpture
    Skin Care
    Stained Glass
    Technology
    Watercolor
    Weaving

    RSS Feed

AP on YouTube
Picture
Picture
Picture
©2017 Artistic Portland All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • Artists
  • Events
  • Blog
  • About Us
    • Location
    • Contact
  • Join
  • The Buzz