Hands On Art as a Healing Modality

I have found myself at times completely unmotivated.

This pandemic has created bad and good habits for me. I know many people that are taking up new activities and hobbies which is a good habit. The bad habits are zoning out activities, like watching too much Netflix and moping mindlessly around the house. I have done both the bad and good habits! One thing that’s helped in this pandemic is humor. Exchanging humorous quotes and cartoons with my family has really helped relieve the anxiety and depression.

Because I have pursued art for so many years, it has really helped during covid times. What is especially nice about hands-on art are the Expressive Art practices. Expressive Art practices are done without attachment and with a non judgemental attitude. The healing takes place in the creative process itself.

I participate in Rachel Rose’s Workshop Muse www.workshopmuse.com sessions whereby she guides you through simple, mindful art practices using poetry, writing, drawing, watercolor, chalk pastels, and plasticene. I actually felt a sense of joy and my gloomy attitude lifted today in our session!

I highly recommend connecting with an art group on Facebook or follow people on Instagram. The connection during these times is supportive, and if you share your experiences and chosen art medium, people respond back. It feels less isolating.

My somewhat recent discovery of the healing aspect within Expressive Art practices, has given me a wider perspective and deepened my appreciation of hands-on art.

Hands-on art is using hand-held tools.

These tools and materials include paint brushes, pencils, crayons, quality paper, collaging, clay, chalk pastels, watercolors, and any other art medium you like. When we combine expressive art practices with expressive writing practices, it opens up a whole new way doing art and writing. We are not in it for the results. We’re in it for what happens in the creative process, which is supportive and frees up the restrictive feeling of high expectations and perfect results.

Expressive Art practices can take you out of your mind literally. Doodling, scribbling, drawing with your non-dominant hand, blind drawing and writing without direction or making sense can free up the judgemental mind and inner critic that usually comes up.

Giving yourself space and permission is the first step in exploring and playing with an art medium. It’s usually met with resistance because the inner block of perfectionism holds up the natural spontaneity that can occur. Letting go of high expectations and results, will give you a better chance of finding that sweet spot of flow that can arise.

It’s like taking a mini mind vacation.