FAQ ABOUT ART THAT HEALS
Quote: Jung
To paint what we see before us is a different art from painting what we see within.


I have never done any creative work and find getting started really scary so I never do. Do you have a solution?
It is quite natural to feel this. A good way of going beyond this fear is to get a sketch pad, any size that appeals ( A2 is good) and some coloured pencils. Place the pad on a hard surface, take a coloured pencil, a colour which seems most appealing. You are going to scribble for 1 minute with no thought or plan or judgement allowing your feelings to direct the pencil. Before you start focus on your breathing and centre yourself. Once you put your pencil tip on the page don't lift it for 1 or 2, just keep scribbling. Try it. See how you feel. Even try it with your non-dominant hand and/or your eyes closed. Might be helpful to tell yourself - this one doesn't matter.
 
 
Why do this spontaneous art rather than tradition art lessons?
Pictures come from the unconscious. They are beyond language which is created as a benchmark from which people can communicate from a known or equalized benchmark. On the other hand imagery from the unconscious is beyond ego. If we allow total spontaneous, unedited expression our inner world tells us not only what we need to know, but what we truly believed. We can find the reason behind pain we may be experiencing. Where the outside world ends and we begin. What is truly a source of joy and potential to us. By making our inner world visible thru art we have a way of getting to know our true beliefs, values and needs.  This allows us to make life-enriching changes.
  
  
When I look at my drawings or show them to my friends they don't mean anything.
Just look childish.

In order to find some personal meaning in our work you need to suspend all judgement like childish etc. These drawings are the only way the inner you knows how to express itself. If you do it every day you become more familiar with the materials and so feel more accomplished. However why not try just sitting with the image in front of you. Don't analyse or critique in anyway. If the image could talk, what would it have to say Listen to words that just seem to pop into your head, even write down what you think of no matter what it is.

These images are very personal and of course would not have the same meaning for another. You could get a friend to sit with you and respond to the image using words like it reminds me of....... When I look at the image I feel.... etc so not interpreting at all. Actually it is probably best at first to do this work for yourself.
 
 
Is it necessary to work with a therapist if you start this work?
No not at all, that is personal choice. If things come up that you feel you need help with certainly check out transpersonal art therapists. However this is really a fun and insightful journey into your own reality. Even a tool to develop a more creative involvement with yourself and your life.. Does not only need to be painting/drawing. Check out other ways you can bring creativity and imagination into your life. Gardening, cooking, story writing, journaling, collage. Just go play.
Creativity comes from the desire to be creative. At first you may need to be disciplined about bringing creativity into your life. Try it with children. It is so automatic for them.
 
 
I really don't like drawing and painting. What else can I do?
Try using collage, cutting up magazines, collecting decorative bits from handcraft stores, feathers and used objects. I even enjoy collecting smooth pebbles of different colours and sticking them on board with bits of glass and tile. There is no right or wrong way to be creative. Perhaps if painting feels blocked try doing movement or dance before hand. Find a time when you are alone for a while and turn the music on just surrendering to however you body wants to move. After at least 15 mins. see what happens when you go to the paper and pencils/paint. o you find expressing yourself with these mediums after moving through the blocks.
 
 
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Thanks for now
Blaze