Using Expressive Art and Play in Therapy

As our imagination becomes activated and absorbed in the freedom of art and play, our linear or rational thinking processes of labeling and making judgements are temporarily suspended. This temporary suspension allows us to access our intuition and creativity and develop new insights, increased awareness and markers for acceptance and/or change in our lives.

Expressive art groups offer kids, teens and adults a safe and nurturing environment in which they can express their thoughts, feelings and experiences in a non-threatening and meaningful way. During the start of an art group, we often begin by discussing art... what it means... how it feels... how it speaks to us and through us... why art is important... how art can help and heal... and how art allows us to experience and express our truth and inner significance.

YMCA Family Services Expressive Art Group

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Expressive Art Group paintings and drawings from left: "Tree People", "My Family", "Big Fish City", "Favorite Place", "Hope" and "Angry Ocean," "ANGRY" and "Heart Has Guns."

Pilchuck Glass School Workshop: Glass Houses with Therman Statom

During individual therapy, one of the foster youth I was working with made a statement that "artists and professionals in the community don't care about us." We were talking about the possibility of organizing a collaborative art project or event. This particular youth had a great interest in glassblowing. So, I contacted Pilchuck Glass School and asked if they would be interested in working with a group of fabulous kids. They loved the idea, and we were thrilled to find out that the world famous glass artist, Thurman Statom, offered to lead a group process called, "glass houses." The experience was extraordinary. A total of 12 intensive therapeutic foster youth (10-17 years old) attended the event and were allowed to roll and blow hot glass, and participate in ways no one had imagined.

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Paper Mache Puppets

One of the most popular art projects in the studio is making puppets. Youth and adults enjoy working together on identifying and externalizing personality characteristics and traits, including naming puppets and creating very elaborate stories and relationships. Here are some examples of puppets made in the art studio to date:

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The "Armored Warrior" Expressive Art Group Exercise

Thoughts and feelings were expressed on color strips of paper by youth of all ages, and then attached with tape and ribbon to a chickenwire sculpture to describe the difference between "what the outside world sees" and "what they really feel inside". Taped to the outside of this sculpture are words like: "I don't care," "Cold," "I hate you," "Spit on you," "Rage" "Die," "Mind our own business," "Wham," "Stupid" "Ugly," "I will hurt you," "Talk to the hand," "Whatever you say," "Pow," "Scream," "Bite and kick," "Ignore". On the inside of the sculpture, the words express protected and hidden feelings, like: "I am sad, "why did you leave me'" Why do you love drugs more than me," "I am scared to be alone," "I miss you,'" "I am stupid," "the world is scary," "I want to have friends," "I want to have a family," "I wish I could be with my mom,"I am ugly," "I love you," "Why me."

An 8 year old boy decided to make a three-dimensional heart which he suspended with colored ribbon inside of the chest cavity of the Warrior, because "it needed a heart so it could feel and be real."

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Rock Faces - Acrylic paint on large and small rocks

Paining on rocks is a very popular exercise in individual therapy and in groups. Here are some samples of the characters and personalities that have been created over the years:

"Rock Faces" Youth and Young Adult Self Portrait projects for YMCA Family Services and Transitions - Acrylic, watercolor and ink on hand picked neighborhood rocks.

Large and Small Paper Boxes

Another fun and creative art medium is painting boxes -- you can use any size or sort of box and cover with inspiring and meaningful decorations and inscriptions like these:

"Secret Pocket Boxes" and "Wish Box" Expressive Art Group projects - Watercolor, acryliic and ink on cardstock and recycled boxes.

Paintings from Individual Counseling sessions. - Watercolor on 18x24" paper.

Titles from left: "My Ancestor", "The Brick Wall", "Feeling Blue", ""The Alien (My Dad) ", "Butterflies in My Belly ", "Confusing Road", "Swishing Color" and "A Garden".

"A Magic Flower" - Three-D acrylic and clay on canvas (18 year old young adult)

"Seemingly Disorganized" - Mixed media collage on paper (15 year old foster youth)

"Feeling Storm" - Large watercolor on poster board (12 year old foster youth)

"Healing Sun" - Large acrylic painting - (Staff and foster youth group)

"Dancing Flower" - Greeting Card - (Staff demonstration of watercolor)

"From Where I Sit"- Acrylic on wood (10 and 16 year old foster youth)

 

JANE'S PAINTINGS...

"Morning's On time" - Large Acrylic on Canvas (1st Place at SCCC, CA 1994)

"Il Facinio Di Roma", 1996 - Large Acrylic on Canvas

"Firenze in the Afternoon", 2004 - Acrylic on Canvas

"Path to Peace", 2002 - Large Acrylic on Canvas

"Chestnut Street Cafe", 2000 - Large Acrylic on Canvas

"Ocean Symphony" - Large Acrylic/Collage on Canvas

Children and adolescents love to explore and experience animation and interactive multimedia. Click on the images below to view fun animation samples:

"Many Faces" - Flash Sample

"Spy Guy" Talking Animation

"Nintendo" Frame By Frame Animation with "SadHappy"

"Ade" - The Talking Fish Animation

Various Computer Graphic Images & Designs