Art Therapy in Response to Natural Disasters, Mass Violence and Crisis is a new Jessica Kingsely publication edited by Joseph Scarce. I am honoured to be one of the authors in this wonderful new book. … … Editor Joseph Scarce has … Read More
#arttherapyfirstaid
Creative Self Care: Choosing, changing and continuing Part 2 “Seeing Differently – Noticing Change””
With Dr Carla van Laar Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I share a personal story about how what we see can change, and then I invite you to reflect on how you have changed since you … Read More
Creative Self Care: Choosing, changing and continuing Part 1 “Materials and moving – my choices today”
With Dr Carla van Laar Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I introduce some ideas about change as an inevitable part of life, and invite you to observe the changes and choices you make through exploring an … Read More
Creative Self Care: Tuning in to our Environment part 3 “Making a creative space”
With Dr Carla van Laar MCAT DThAP Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I share some of the research into creative spaces, and invite you to make a creative space for yourself, a space to continue your … Read More
Creative Self Care: Tuning in to our Environment part 2 “Notice what Nurtures”
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I share about my own personal process of painting from life, and invite you to notice what nurtures you in the environment, and to slow … Read More
Creative Self Care: Tuning in to our Environment part 1 “See a Rainbow”
With Dr Carla van Laar Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I share some of my research into how the environments that we live and work in affect us – or our contexts – and I invite … Read More
Creative Self Care: Coming to our Senses Part 3 – Mapping the Territory of your Body
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Feature image credit: Carla van Laar In this article, I share a description of my personal experience of art making to highlight the inter-relationship between art making and sensory awareness. I then invite you … Read More
Creative Self Care: Co-creating – the Art of Living Part 3 “Creative Integration – The Big Picture”
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article, I invite you to reflect on your journey of self care, and create a “big picture” of you in your life, surrounded by the things … Read More
Creative Self Care: Co-creating – the Art of Living Part 2 “Knowing yourself and what enhances your life”
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Image credits Carla van Laar In this article, I introduce some of the ways that “life enhancement” has been understood and written about in art therapy literature, and what I discovered about “life enhancement” … Read More
Creative Self Care: Co-creating – the Art of Living Part 1, “Reviewing your Journey of Creative Self Care”
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I share some stories from my Doctoral research that illustrate how we reflected on our creative journeys together, and the ways that these were life … Read More
Creative Self Care: Relating and Connecting Part 3 “Mindful making in relationship”
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I share an extract form my Doctoral research that illustrates how art helps us to connect with our own values and strengths, and that this … Read More
Creative Self Care: Relating and Connecting Part 2 “Creating a Response”
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I share some of my findings about how art can facilitate feelings of deep connection, I then invite you to find an artwork that reaches … Read More
Creative Self Care: Relating and Connecting Part 1 “Connecting through art”
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I introduce the themes of relationship, connection and co-creation as I investigated them in my Doctoral research. I invite you to engage in a “Self-Collage” … Read More
Creative Self Care: Choosing, changing and continuing Part 3 “Continuing – what am I bringing forward?”
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I share some insights from my Doctoral research about bringing things forward as an act of self-continuity. I invite you to engage in a creative … Read More
Creative Self Care: Coming to our Senses Part 2 – Drawing Breath
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Feature image credit Carla van Laar In this article I introduce the links between creative practices, mindful approaches, and traditional healing practices. I then invite you to use the process of drawing your breath … Read More
Creative Self Care: Coming to our Senses Part 1 – relaxation
With Dr Carla van Laar AThR Feature image credit: Carla van Laar In this series of articles, I invite you to embark on a creative journey of self care. I include gentle experiential and arts based processes and activities that … Read More
Regional Arts Therapists review the GRAT Experiential Workshop: “Art Therapy First Aid – ONLINE”.
Feature image: regional attendees at the online professional development during the peak of pandemic lockdown. April 2020. “GRAT” – Group of Regional Registered Arts Therapists was formed in 2007. The networking and professional development group is member led by volunteers, and … Read More
“Art Therapy First Aid: Experiential Video Workshop”.
A Professional Development training resource for Art Therapists and friends of Art Therapy. I am very happy to launch this new FREE training video! This is based on live footage filmed at the February Art Therapy First Aid training event … Read More
Self Care Video: “Earth Day Art Activities” – Interview with American Videographer and Art Therapist, Megs Mitts.
“I post videos because I want to encourage people to receive the same benefits others and I receive from these processes. I hear from viewers every once in a while, and they report feeling a sense of calm just from … Read More
LOCKDOWN view
Carla van Laar (20/05/2020). “LOCKDOWN view”. Ink and oil paint on canvas. 50cm x 50cm. Inverloch, Australia. This view has become very familiar during lockdown. It is the view from my ZOOM room where I have been spending so much … Read More
Solo Cinco Tesoros – Only Five Treasures
Sister Maria Centeno. (11/05/2020). “Solo Cinco Tesoros” (“Only Five Treasures”). I used 2B pencil on cardboard of thread paper. Size: 21.5 cm X 28 cm. I am Venezuelan, born in Zaraza – Guárico state. I am currently living in Guarenas. “Solo … Read More
An angel on earth.
Maitte Pérez (09/05/2020) “An angel on earth”. Made in pencil on Caribbean block cardboard, painted with wooden crayons and pastel chalks. I was born in Venezuela currently living in Caracas. This work of art was made as a tribute to … Read More
Fire and Water.
Anna Jane Wilson, (Completed 6th May 2020). Height 76 cm Width 55. Acrylic paint. Australia. This piece I started during the 2020 bush fire and completed during Covid 19 lockdown. The title Fire and Water represents both periods. The flower represents … Read More
Los desafíos de nuestra vida – The challenges of life.
Daniel Zapata, (23/04/2020). “Los desafíos de nuestra vida” – elaborada a lápiz, hoja blanca reciclada, pintada con creyones de madera. Tamaño: 77,5 cm x 84 cm. Soy de nacionalidad venezolana, vivo en la capital – Ciudad Caracas La principal fuente … Read More
El comportamiento Humano – Human Behaviour.
Daniel Zapata, (23/04/2020). “El comportamiento Humano” – elaborada a lápiz en cartulina de block Caribe, pintada con creyones de madera y tizas pastel para reforzar detalles. Tamaño: 35,3 cm x 28 cm. Soy de nacionalidad venezolana y residenciada en la … Read More
I see you, I know that you are sad that life as you know it: has gone.
Carolann Vassallo, (Created during March – April 2020 whilst staying at home due to the COVID19 restrictions). “I see you, I know that you are sad that life as you know it: has gone”. Art work was created through collage … Read More
I create and give witness to my journey – I am with you, I give you permission to cry.
Carolann Vassallo, (Created during March – April 2020 whilst staying at home due to the COVID19 restrictions). “I create and give witness to my journey – I am with you, I give you permission to cry”. Art work was created … Read More
Finding comfort in connection with others in isolation – Drinking and bathing from the well.
Carolann Vassallo, (Created during March – April 2020 whilst staying at home due to the COVID19 restrictions). “Finding comfort in connection with others in isolation – Drinking and bathing from the well.” Art work was created through collage and paint on … Read More
The many faces I have revealed through this experience thus far.
Carolann Vassallo. (Created during March – April 2020 whilst staying at home due to the COVID19 restrictions). “The many faces I have revealed through this experience thus far.” Art work was created through collage and paint on A3 paper in … Read More