Sometimes in art making, and in any other area of life, the hardest part is just getting started. Today’s Jump Start Art Therapy exercise is this:
1. Start with an art material which tends to give you discomfort or a feeling that you are not in control.
For example, I’m more at ease with art materials that are forgiving and blend and that lend themselves to more abstract work, so I chose to start with permanent markers. For those of you who find precision or realistic expression gratifying, I suggest a chalk or oil pastel. One reason for this is that you will likely “mess up.” This will be useful. I encourage you to notice your responses to making a mistake and then remind yourself that it’s of no consequence whatsoever. You are wring the word start with art materials. Big deal if you mess up. Many times when we procrastinate or feel stuck on a project, it’s due to a fear of failure. This kind of art therapy exercise gives you the experience of inviting mistakes and incorporating them into the process. Flexibility and resourcefulness are thereby strengthened. You will be able to apply these qualities to all areas of your professional and personal life.
2. Write the word “start” repeatedly on any size paper, cardboard, plywood, etc.
The only expectation is that you write the word “start” repeatedly, until you feel something shift within your consciousness. This may come in the form of an insight or idea for the project with which you had been feeling stuck. It may be that you feel more relaxed, open-minded, or playful. These states of mind are essential to problem solving.
You may experience an increase in frustration or self-judgment. If this happens, keep expressing that via the art. Take out all of your frustration through art-making. It’s ok at this point to veer from the original instruction and follow your artistic impulses. If you find that it’s only exacerbating your frustration, put the art away, and do the thing that always works to lift your spirits (exercise, talk to your best friend, etc.) Return to the art at another time. It is more likely that through this process, you will experience a shift into relief, release or even exhaustion. Something you were holding, some tension will have been released and this inevitably creates space in your consciousness. It may not be immediately evident. Some people report that in the shower or while driving to work the next day, the answer they had been longing for arises with great clarity.
If you’re feeling good and having fun, then keep doing what you’re doing, and following your impulses until the piece feels complete. If you’re uncertain, ask the art piece, “are you complete?” You will know.
3. Share your experience.
Let me know how it goes! Share your response in the comments section or the contact me page, if you’d prefer I keep your response private. It’s always beneficial to share your experience with a trusting friend as well! Have fun.
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