Symbolic Projections

Lets just get right down to it, you've either tried it and loved it or you're currently wondering what I'm talking about. Gelatin prints that's what. A few years ago a student introduced me to the wonders of using homemade gelatin as a printing plate (sugar free kind). As it turns out it is a very versatile work surface that brings an element of intrigue and play into the work space. When my clients first hear I'll be bringing in gelatin, they seek out napkins and forks and eagerly away the obviously tasty snack. The sound of dreams shattering as I pull-out the gelatin plates is audible (if only short lived). Soon everyone is poking and wiggling the gelatin and wondering what we'll be doing with it. Play is an important aspect of what I do. So is creativity and genuine interest. These things are however harder to come-by in adults than their younger counterparts (who jump-into explorer mode instinctively).  Sometimes I have to coerce these attr...

It's been a summer of experiments.  Playing with paint blobs, ink dribbles, and glue squirts.  Although results may on first glance look similar you'll see results of 2-3 varied processes. They all worked well for mindful exploration of media. I find the process to help connect my clients to their senses and to an abstract representation of behavior/action.  Here are some highlights in a photo-essay sort of way (mind you it's my first, so bare with me). Playing around with 'clean' mono printing. I called these "sac" prints because I used garbage bags "sacs" to sandwich the paints. Using this method leaves hands clean and lets the artist feel the paint squishing under their fingertips. You aught to try it! Print taken at the crease of the "sac" and the table gives a mirror effect. Reminiscent of ink blots! Also experimented with laser compatible transparency sheets and glue+india ink+watercolors. The effects were stunn...

Summer seems to be the time for tie dye and outdoor activities -- in Florida that also means spontaneous monsoon-like thunderstorms and zillions (yes, zillions) of mosquitoes. So, if you’re stuck indoors with weeks old (or older) tie dye, this post is for you! As seen in previous posts I love re-purposing and up-cycling, however believe me when I say that I do not go looking for these opportunities. I just go with it when the muse calls and sometimes it works out and others it does not. This was one of those creative opportunities that paid off. 1 First, I happen to find some tie dye left by my students (maybe as far back as April or early May). It had been mixed ages ago (months) and packaging instructions say to discard after a few hours...umm. OK so I couldn't bring myself to pouring it down the drain. 2 Finding some pieces of light color or white absorbent cloth (mine were about 4”x4” bed sheet cloth) I set to purposefully experiment. I folded & wrapped e...

Some days I toil over the idea of what "mindfulness" entails. Today seems to be one of those days. Bringing back down to basics: 1 thing at a time. Doing something on purpose. Simply. It's an echo of something I heard Kabat-Zinn say this video from a several years back. With recent changes in group participants I decided it was time to return to basics - breath+body. Paying attention to and noticing how 'breath' affects our bodies in a very real way. Re-visiting a directive I first used in 2014 for an acute admissions dorm, Mindfulness with a Sponge . Engaging in rhythmic movement that is in pace with the breath. In time paint is introduced and manipulated using a moist sponge. Over the span of a few brief minutes and a series of overlapping horizontal strokes an abstract 'breath-scape' emerges. a serene body of water or a soothing cloud streaked sky... These are visual traces of breath. Likely the first time these clients have literally ...

It's been a while. My last post was ages ago and since much has transpired. Let me bring you up to speed. At the end of 2016 I blogged THIS and was feeling pretty enthused about my new mindfulness infused art therapy group for forensic mental health clients. The group came together in a series of serendipitous events. After a great few months the membership trickled out as the participants became competent and returned to court. In the moment I was cautiously happy for each of them. Don't get me wrong, in large part what I do in my "mindfulness" groups is to help with emotional competency . I want those who need to face the trials and tribulations of our judicial system to survive it. I want them to have a chance, no matter how small. I had one participant who left & returned tell me about fondly remembering me "getting on his case every time he started to get worked up and telling him to STOP + BREATHE and take it from the top". ...

These days it is hard to be mindful. So much negativity and anger floating around, bogging us down. In a mindfulness group I run we dived into a daily practice for the month of December (yes that was so 2016, seems like only yesterday).  We began by splashing and smearing paint on old folders (the 1/3 tabs). Then turning them into small books. Using a prepared calendar with prompts for each day's mindful practice. The writing of a goal. Contemplating on a color. Conjuring and writing a pleasant memory. And so on... Everyone approached the tasks a bit differently. Some with words, others with pictures, or even drawings. Everything/anything was OK. The purpose had been achieved. To slow down, stop, contemplate for a few minutes, before getting all wrapped-up in the day. Or as a breather after a long day. Having served its purpose, we now place it aside and ourselves permission to pick-it-up when we need a break. A distraction, and a breath. Have the c...