Over 2 years ago Zentangle® and Quilting
brought to my attention the importance of art to our health, well-being and
spirituality. In the last several months I have been more deeply involved with
sharing my passion of art and health with others in both the Seniors population
and within the Spiritual community of Mennonites. My work at St. Clair West Services
for Seniors has reinforced what I experienced personally through my creativity
with Zentangle® and Quilting. Creativity and expression are fundamental to our being
human. The ability to create through art, baking, quilting, drawing,
woodworking, dancing, etc. are ways that we as humans imagine and process our
beliefs and feelings. Some of us may 'feel' and 'be' more 'artistic' than others but we all create in some way.
To some,
what seems like a simple and benign pastime, in actuality enhances and
expresses our sense of self. To deny this activity is to sever our connection
with self, community and God. From early times, humans have created as a means
to express and explore meaning about life and the spiritual world. Art was and
is a means of celebration and prayer. Everyone can be creative and express
themselves – it is not about making representative and beautiful art.
What is the
difference between art and art therapy? How does the activity of art-making
change when it is within the relationship of art therapy? This is the question
I continue to ask as I work. There are many great programs that provide safe
and encouraging environments for art-making. The activity of the recreation therapist,
the gerontology activationist, the art workshop facilitator, the choral director are
important and effective relationships that promote creativity and
self-expression. So how is this different with an art therapist? One current discussion within the art therapy world is how the use of colouring books is
promoted. Isn’t the work with a colouring books similar to working with an art
therapist? No. Working with an art therapist in any creative activity is
different because it is the relationship and mirroring activity of being with
another person in a therapeutic atmosphere. The art therapist provides a safe,
reflective environment that promotes a deeper internal awareness of the process
and the creative product. This enlivens self-understanding, recognition of
ideas and the expression of self and promotes change in the process.
Dare I say,
even Zentangle® within the relationship with an Art Therapist or counselor changes,
because the mindful drawing is used to promote reflection and awareness, rather
than focusing on the creation of beautiful abstract images. The art therapist
is able to help the clients access their internal self-knowledge through the
mirroring in relationship and the therapeutic presence. Art-making is an important
and effective as a tool for self-expression and connection with internal
awareness.
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| Growing heart - Acrylic. April 2015. Showing the influence on the counselor from the therapeutic relationship. |
In my last
year, I created a workshop called “Contemplative Creation” which uses the frame
of Lectio Divina and Zentangle® as a means of prayer and connection with God. I
presented this workshop, along with an introductory Zentangle® workshop at the
Mennonite World Conference in July. Both were well-accepted having twice the attendance as indicated (over 60 came to each when only 30 were expected). I was thrilled by
the interest of the youth as well as adults. Using art as a means of expression
and connection with God can have powerful and long-lasting impacts on people’s
involvement with God. Every person has a unique way of learning and being in
the world, and our ways of connection with God are not all the same. Using art
provides another means of worship which can include and connect with God.
I will be
teaching Zentangle® 101 on Sunday, September 20th 1-4 p.m. at the
Harmony Community Centre in Oshawa. Tickets are available at
As well as more Zentangle® classes I am also planning a date to teach the contemplative creation practice, to promote meditation
and spiritual connection through art. I hope you will join me and explore the
world that art takes you.
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