Art Therapy

    It continues to fascinate me how I keep discovering the art that is within me. And I say discover because that is how it feels. When doing the feelings wheel activity, it was as if the images I wrote down were already there, waiting to be found. They flashed into my mind like lighting and I felt compelled to portray them after that. Although, I found myself feeling frustrated at the inaccuracy of my depiction to the image that appeared in my head. Taking short glances at my classmates work, I was very impressed with their ability to create aesthetically pleasing work. I understand that we are all on our own path and some of us are "further" along than other but this still brought out something in me that wanted to do better. Not that I had something to prove or anything, but rather that I want to have pride in my artistic ability. 
    This feeling intensified with the other activity in which we depict our safe space. I had drawn out a sketch that wasn't perfect but I was pleased with how it turned out. Then I tried to color it and effectivity ruined much of the detail I put into it. This also frustrated me because this is when I realized I had a lot of work to do to really hone in my abilities. However, this wasn't a negative thing. I was really connected with this creative side of myself and I wasn't upset because I was inadequate. Instead, I was upset because I knew that I could do better if I really tried and that was a feeling that stuck with me. I really wanted to try and get better at developing these skills. I have been seeing the incredible things that pour out of me during these activities and I want to devote more time in having the story within me be told. To expand my sense of who I think I am and to connect with myself on a deeper level. 
    "Art therapy does not accept the belief that the artist is only a vehicle for what is to be created. Within the psychotherapeutic art experience, what matters is the person or the group of participants. Art is a means through which they intensify, clarify, elevate, and share their personhood." (Thomas, 1981, p.7)

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