Art healing is a term that is applied to any artform that is used in healing. It is a relatively new concept in western society as it is only within the last 20 years that doctors, therapists, and other medical types have started to study and acknowledge the theraputic effects of creating art on the physical, emotional, and mental well being of humans.
Art healing is a hands-on, self-help approach to overcoming obstacles in one's life. Its not enough to read articles or books on art healing, you must participate in the creative process for it to be beneficial. And almost any form of creative expression can be considered a healing tool.
According to Cathy Malchiodi, in her book "The Art Therapy Sourcebook", art therapy is "...based on the idea that the creative process of artmaking is healing and life enhancing, and that it is a potent form of communication. It utilizes the creative process... to promote growth, self-expression, emotional reparation, conflict resolution and transformation."
While artists in general tend to focus on the asthetics of art and its creation, art healing's focus is on simply expressing feelings, thoughts, and ideas. Its not about being "good" at making artwork, its about being real in your expression and having an outlet for emotions.
According to Malchiodi, art healing is beneficial in several ways:
• Visually dealing with tramatic emotions can feel safer then dealing with them in words.
• It lets us express things we cannot express in words.
• Its helpful in releasing emotions.
• It is a powerful therapeutic process that has meaning and comes directly from our own feelings and imagination.
For more info on art healing and art journaling, see http://www.self-help-healing-arts-journal.com
• It allows us to get to know ourselves.
• It is available to everyone.
• It enhances our lives and reduces stress.
There are as many art projects for healing as there are art mediums, and most are adaptable to your own needs and artistic preferences. Some of the more common ways to heal using art projects are drawing and painting, collage, journaling, creative writing, art-journaling, songs and singing, and dancing, to name just a few.
Healing arts helps the healing process by allowing you to express your unique self. The human species is a creative being and every human needs to be creative in one form or another. Art healing and art journaling give us a way to be "artistic" without expecting us to create masterpieces. People who do art journaling and other forms of art healing don't need to worry about whether or not their art is "good". Its not about being a good artist or creating pretty artwork, its simply about expressing yourself and growing from that expression.
There are many kinds of healing arts and every person must experiment and decide for themselves which art meduims are best for them. Whether it is coloring in coloring books, collaging on paper, or doodling/writing in journals, art healing is something everyone can partake in and benefit from.
For more info on art journaling and art healing, see: http://www.self-help-healing-arts-journal.com
