Art Therapy Around the Holidays

examples of leaves with words

It's been a while since I posted...This got me thinking about how quickly these cooler months (Fall and then Winter) seem to pass by. Where does the time go? When it's almost completely dark out by 4pm, you know it's that time of year again! This is also the time of year when all of the "biggie" holidays seem to meld together...Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years, and so on.

For many of us (and especially our clients) this can be a very emotional time of the year. Although all of these holidays can bring joy and celebration, they can also be incredibly triggering at times. Many of my art therapy clients and groups talk about the mixed feelings that the holidays bring. If we have lost a loved one around this time of year or experienced some other type of traumatic event, the memories may come flooding back with a vengeance. Perhaps this is compounded by the expectations that we "should" feel happy around this time of year because it may seem as if the rest of the world is celebrating and happy. For those who struggle with substance use, the holiday parties and gatherings may be an additional trigger. Those who have family to visit must often deal with the family dynamics and stress that can arise during family gatherings. Alternately, people without family or close friends to be with often feel isolated and may struggle with feelings of sadness and anxiety during this time.

As an art therapist, I have found that creating seasonally themed work can help emotionally frame the holiday experience for some of my clients. Now, before you think - "break out the turkey hand prints and paper x-mas tree cut-outs," hear me out for a second:) There are ways of utilizing the seasonal and holiday imagery in a way that honors the emotional process (and spares your clients the turkey hand print art project). 

Here's one simple idea that is a little spin on a simple Fall/Thanksgiving themed craft idea: 

Today in my art therapy group I handed out pre-cut leaf shapes to my clients. I used thick watercolor paper for the leaves, so that they would have a sturdy feel to them and be a good surface for paint, colored pencils, or any other art material. I asked the group to think of one word that described something they wanted more of in their lives at this moment. Some of the words were: hope, joy, love, healing, and happiness. 

After writing the word on the leaf, the group embellished the leaves with the art materials. You can also have printed out words to inspire the group (and have fun using different computer fonts to really make the words pop!) With this group we are going to display the leaves in a community area of the building, so that the beautiful leaves and the messages they carry may serve as a visual reminder and inspiration for all of the clients who live there. If possible, it can be a wonderful process for other staff to create their own leaves during the week, to add to the wall of leaves that the art therapy group has created.

"hope" leaf

The simple added step of including a word to the leaf helped to frame the experience, and in this case also generated group discussion around why the members felt they needed that specific quality (word). The group members realized that they shared many words in common. This realization helped to foster a sense of community and connectedness - especially in a group where many of the members felt socially isolated and far away from family members.

What are some of your holiday-themed art activities, and how have they helped to shape your experience of the holidays?

Mind the Gap

It's interesting how life can gently provide us with daily reminders. The types of reminders I'm thinking about are the ones that serve to bring us back into the present moment, and find us looking at something familiar with new eyes. 

Living in NYC, it's incredibly easy to get caught up in the hectic pace of city life. For that matter, it's easy to get caught up in the daily routine and frustrations no matter where you live! A few weeks ago I was standing on a crowded subway platform and waiting to board a train. As I got pushed aside, stepped on, and bumped into I felt my annoyance surface. I glanced down at my feet (in reaction to being stepped on) and something caught my attention. On the subway platform was a painted message to "Mind the Gap."

I found my mind pausing (just for a moment perhaps) as I pondered this rather straight forward instruction. Sure, there was the obvious message here...watch where you walk, so that you don't end up tripping on or getting your foot caught in the gap between platform and train! But that wasn't why I had suddenly paused. These 3 words had gotten me to actually pause and breathe in the midst of a familiar crowded commute. It would be inaccurate to say that my pause encouraged my fellow commuters to pause. In fact, my stopping for a moment caused a few annoyed people to jostle me in an attempt to (I can only imagine) walk through me. Their actions were predictable, however in that moment, my reaction to their behavior was different. My own reaction changed. Instead of pushing back, I let myself melt into the flow of passengers into the train. I might have even managed to smile at a face of two as I took up temporary residence in a corner of the train.

While writing this, one of my favorite quotes came to mind and I share it here:

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. 
   - Victor Frankl

To me this quote points to one of the foundations of mindful living. We cannot control the behavior, feelings, or reactions of anyone else. However, we always have at least a split second between their action and our reaction. That small amount of time is the space between "stimulus and response" that Frankl refers to. I often talk about this idea with my therapy clients, and remind myself daily of the same thing. We frequently feel propelled by years of social and emotional conditioning to continue in the same familiar patterns and ways of responding to people and situations. Perhaps our patterns are so embedded that we are not even aware of the element of choice in any given moment.

In terms of art making, think of it this way. When you begin a painting (staring at a blank canvas) there are countless possibilities available. You can choose any brush in your collection, any color of paint, any type of mark making, any theme, style, technique. In each interaction you have with that surface and the materials, you are making an actual choice. When we are deeply engaged in the process, we might not be aware that we are constantly making choices because we are so immersed in the process. However, we are making choices every moment of the day. Why not harness this creative power, and try to imbue our days with a little more consciousness as we "mind the gap"?

Ink Painting & Art Therapy

Sara Roizen ~ ink on paper ~ 2011

Sara Roizen ~ ink on paper ~ 2011

Sara Roizen ~ ink on paper ~ 2011

"Learn how to meditate on paper. Drawing and writing are forms of meditation. Learn how to contemplate works of art. Learn how to pray in the streets or in the country. Know how to meditate not only when you have a book in your hand but when you are waiting for a bus or riding in a train."

     ~ Thomas Merton (1915 - 1968)

These are a few recent ink paintings on paper that I have created. I started this series during one of my open studio groups, after being inspired by a group member and his ink paintings.

The technique I have been using is "wet on wet" and is commonly used with watercolor and ink painting. You begin by doing a light water wash (spreading water over your surface with a larger brush) and then add your pigment (paint or ink) to the paper while the wash is still wet. You can wet the entire page before adding paint/ink, or you can only saturate certain areas of the page, which is what I have been experimenting with for the most part. As soon as you drop or apply the ink to the paper, it bleeds across the page as it follows the water. In some ways you can predict the way the color will flow, and in other ways you can't! You can blow gently on the water pools to coax them in certain directions, or you can even move the paper around to move the water/ink. Experiment with the "blotting" technique, where you gently dab a paper towel, cloth, or sponge to the paper, which lifts off some of the pigment and water. This creates interesting textures and can add depth to the painting.

Sara Roizen ~ ink on paper ~ 2011

Ink Painting as Art Therapy

Last week, I used this technique in two of my art therapy groups at work. I gave a brief demo of the wet on wet technique, and provided my group with canvas paper, watercolor (metallic colored!), high pigment liquid watercolor, and of course water. I encouraged them to experiment with the technique, and not think too much about creating a finished art piece. Instead, I asked them to see what happens when they added more or less water, more or less color, moved the piece around, blotted it, etc.

While painting in group, we processed how this art technique can be related to life. Many of my group members shared that they had a difficult time "letting go" in general, and getting out of their own way at times. When I asked them to explore where that fear might be coming from, one of the basic themes that kept emerging was the idea of "trust" and how so many of my group members had not learned to trust others or themselves after years of trauma and negative experiences. Therefore, the process of letting go was often difficult for them, since they had no basis for trusting that things would work out if they were not in tight control.

After creating the paintings, group members shared how pleasantly surprised they had been at the way their pieces had come out. They were also surprised by the fact that they had been able (for that entire hour) to let go of the finished result, and simply enjoy the process of exploration. A few members expressed how much easier life might be if they could apply this way of painting to their way of interacting in the world. As we ended the group, I encouraged each person to think about one area (outside of group) where they could try on a more relaxed and open perspective, whether it was just smiling at the annoying person on the crowded train, or enjoying their next meal in a more deliberate and slow manner.

Finally, a short quote for you to contemplate:
"Letting your mind play is the best way to solve problems."
~Bill Watterson~

Sara Roizen ~ ink on paper ~ 2011

Sara Roizen ~ ink on paper ~ 2011

Sara Roizen ~ ink on paper ~ 2011

Sara Roizen ~ ink on paper ~ 2011

Sara Roizen ~ ink on paper ~ 2011

Therapist Artwork During Sessions

Sara Roizen ~ acrylic on paper

A few days ago (on my Facebook Art Therapy Spot Wall) I posted some images of artwork that I had recently created during art therapy sessions with my clients. 

Someone asked me some very interesting questions about my process in terms of making art during sessions. Below is my first response to some of these questions, and I hope this will inspire some more dialogue around the topic. 

I was asked: Is your art work reflecting the thinking of your clients? Is it a way of catharsis? Or do you sort out their problems by analyzing there art work?

Sara Roizen ~ acrylic on paper

Sara Roizen ~ acrylic, decorative paper, and mod podge on paper

There are different reasons that I will (or will not) choose to make art with my clients during a session, and more than anything it tends to be an intuitive decision at the time. One way of looking at therapist art making during sessions is having another form of "dialogue" with my client in addition to the verbal dialogue that it taking place. In looking at my own artwork after sessions, it often serves as a visual record for themes that came up during the session.

      

Although art therapists are trained in the theory of art "analysis" most art therapists do not actively analyze a client's artwork during sessions. I feel that the client's own associations to their artwork is the most important aspect when looking at the client's artwork. In order for the processing of art to be meaningful, it is key for the client to find their own personal meanings within their artwork.

I will often create post-session art as a way to process my own feelings and thoughts after a session with a client. A while back I wrote a blog post and shared a few art pieces I had created after sessions, as a way of processing countertransference. A while back I wrote a short post about creating post-session imagery as an art therapist, and included a few abstract portraits I had done of some clients. If you are interested in checking out that post, follow this link: Art Therapy Spot: Countertransference

Sara Roizen ~ colored pencils on black paper

Do you ever create art during or after art therapy sessions with your clients? If so, how does your own art process help you to gain insight into your sessions? Does it deepen the therapeutic dialogue, or has it ever been a hindrance?


Join the conversation! My art therapy spot blog has a Facebook page here: Art Therapy Spot: Facebook

Sara Roizen ~ silver paper and colored pencils on black paper

Sara Roizen ~ acrylic & tempera on paper (applied with palette knife)

Random Acts of Kindness (and Creation!)

Sara Roizen 2011 ~ acrylic, aluminum foil, and sand on canvas

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle."  - Plato

The idea for this post came to me a few days ago, when I was thinking about some of the suggestions I have given my clients who are struggling with depression and other life difficulties. Sometimes when we are feeling overwhelmed by the intricacies of our own life challenges, it can be very healing to step outside of ourselves for a moment. 

One way to engage in an act of kindness is to extend ourselves to someone else who is struggling. Although it might seem counter-intuitive at first, engaging in acts of kindness towards others can be part of our own healing process. It helps us to remember how connected we all are in reality, and this can be a powerful reminder when we are experiencing an emotion or situation in which we feel isolated and alone. It can divert our attention from our own suffering, and broaden our perspective. It also aids in the re-directing of our energy and provides us with a creative and productive outlet. 

Art making provides us with a direct way to engage with others and share our creativity and vision. Below are just a few ideas to get you thinking about ways that you might use your own art-making in acts of kindness.

Some artful acts of kindness to try

• Donate a piece of your art to a local hospital 
• Create a hand-made card and send it the "old fashioned" way in the mail - send it to someone who might need a little extra TLC at the moment
• Join in the creation of a community mural, in an environment that could use some new energy and creativity 
• Donate a piece of art for a silent auction that raises money for a local organization you would like to support
• Looking for wedding gifts that you won't on the gift registry? Create a unique book of photographs for the couple that highlights their life together - for a great site where you can create your own books go to: Blurb
• Similar to the previous idea, create a book of photographs full of images that you know the other person will find inspiring and uplifting (and add any words/poems/quotes to the book that might also help heal!)
• Volunteer for an afternoon doing art projects with children, adults, or the elderly...Here are a few organization's sites that offer arts-based volunteer opportunities: Free Arts (NYC), New York Cares There are many organizations like this all over the U.S. so just do a search for one in your area :)
• Donate art materials or any material that could be used for art projects to an organization or a school  

Here are a few sites to inspire you:

Random Acts of Kindness 

Random Acts of Flowers 

Shoot for Good 

Pay it Forward (Movie) 

Have you performed a random act of kindness for someone you know, or someone you don't know? Have you ever received an act of kindness from someone else? What are some experiences that have really stuck with you and touched your life in some way? 

The Invitation (A Poem)

Photo: Sara Roizen 2011

A friend shared this poem with me over the weekend. I was very moved by it, as it seems to go to the heart of what healing work and process is all about. Read the words and explore what this poem might mean for you personally. Please feel free to comment, and let us know about your own associations and feelings after reading this poem.

The Invitation

by Oriah Mountain Dreamer, Indian Elder 

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your hearts longing. 

It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive. 

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals, or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain. 

I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own; if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, or to remember the limitations of being human. 

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true, I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. 

I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore trustworthy. I want to know if you can see beauty, even when it is not pretty every day, and if you can source your life from its presence. 

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours or mine, and still stand
on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, "Yes!" 

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done for the children. 

It doesn't interest me who you are, or how you came to be here- I want to
know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back. 

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself, and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments. 

Photo: Sara Roizen 2011

My Magazine Article! Adoptee Artists

cover of the Adoption Constellation Magazine

I was one of three featured adoptee artists in the latest issue of The Adoption Constellation Magazine. This magazine explores the diverse voices of the adoption triad and encourages an ongoing dialogue about topics related to the adoption experience.

 Below I have shared my essay on how my own artwork has influenced my experience of being an adoptee. To find out more about this magazine, follow this link to their site: The Adoption Constellation Magazine 

Enjoy! 

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The Power of Art: Adoptee Artists 

The Artist's Path to Self: How does the adoption experience translate into art?   


Three adoptee artists use art as a medium to gain a greater understanding of their adoptions and themselves.

"What did your face look like before your parents were born?"  -Zen Koan

A few years ago I had a dream about my birth mother. I was walking through a crowded room and everyone was dressed in masquerade clothing and masks. As I meandered through the large hall, the back of a woman caught my attention and I immediately knew she was my mother. In the dream, I held my breath as I waited for her to turn around. She turned for only a moment, and I saw she had the face of the Mona Lisa. Her face then shifted into another face as she melted into the crowd. I ran after her, but could not find her again.

my article and two featured paintings

Thinking about the dream, I later realized that not knowing my mother may actually fuel my constant desire to create. Without knowing my mother’s face, I am free to create one for her, even imbuing her with the face of the Mona Lisa.

My adoptee and artist identities have often been inexplicably linked. My search for self parallels my path as an adoptee and an artist. I trace this search visually through the artistic process. My art draws from archetypal images, such as the Great Mother, Mother Nature, and from other mythological women, to help me form an image of my mother. The struggle to form an identity and likeness for my mother is mirrored in my painted depictions of floating figures and faceless apparitions.

Symbolically, I reclaim my lost mother through the artistic process, evoking her through dialogues with my paintings. Art has given me a way to meet my mother metaphorically on the page or on the canvas. Abstract landscapes evince terrain that I have traveled in my search for self, and for my mother. Shifting figures of women hover in limbo – waiting to be born or to move on to the next stage of life. 

Those who know their biological family trees are assigned to a specific branch on the tree. Perhaps not knowing my family tree has freed me to paint my own family trees – in various colors, shapes, types, and settings.

As an art therapist, I often tell my clients to “focus on the process more than the finished product.” When I think about my constantly evolving search for self and for my mother, I often remind myself of this philosophy and how it can apply to all of life as well. Perhaps it has never been about finding myself, but about the act of creating myself in each moment. 

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