During Open Studio Art Making at Culture Stock this past month, we created scribble drawings. This is a commonly used art therapy technique that can be done by anyone of any age. Scribble drawings are relaxing and can help us to focus our attention on the present moment.
As a lifelong artist, I have grown up hearing comments from others such as, “I can’t draw,” “I’m a terrible artist,” or “I can’t even draw a straight line!”
When it comes to art, how often do we hear others saying things like this? And, how often do we find ourselves saying the same things? One of the beautiful things about art therapy is that anyone can benefit, regardless of their artistic abilities. Scribble drawings are a great way for those who feel they have little artistic skill to experience the benefits of art making. Because a scribble is not perfect, and there is no right or wrong way to make one, we are less likely to judge ourselves, leaving us free to enjoy the process of creating.
We had a rather large group for this particular Open Studio session. The adults in attendance had varying amounts of previous experience with the arts. Some were already a bit familiar with the technique, and all reported that they enjoyed the activity. The children in attendance did a wonderful job with this activity as well. Some created several drawings, while others spent more time adding lots of detail to one drawing. The artwork that resulted was filled with beautiful colors, lines, and images. This was such a positive, warm, and welcoming group of individuals. I am grateful to everyone that attended, not only for their participation, but also for the conversations and suggestions that came from making art together.
~Lisa Kolodziej
2014 MAT Candidate, Saint Mary of the Woods College
TLOTH Clinical Intern
As a lifelong artist, I have grown up hearing comments from others such as, “I can’t draw,” “I’m a terrible artist,” or “I can’t even draw a straight line!”
When it comes to art, how often do we hear others saying things like this? And, how often do we find ourselves saying the same things? One of the beautiful things about art therapy is that anyone can benefit, regardless of their artistic abilities. Scribble drawings are a great way for those who feel they have little artistic skill to experience the benefits of art making. Because a scribble is not perfect, and there is no right or wrong way to make one, we are less likely to judge ourselves, leaving us free to enjoy the process of creating.
We had a rather large group for this particular Open Studio session. The adults in attendance had varying amounts of previous experience with the arts. Some were already a bit familiar with the technique, and all reported that they enjoyed the activity. The children in attendance did a wonderful job with this activity as well. Some created several drawings, while others spent more time adding lots of detail to one drawing. The artwork that resulted was filled with beautiful colors, lines, and images. This was such a positive, warm, and welcoming group of individuals. I am grateful to everyone that attended, not only for their participation, but also for the conversations and suggestions that came from making art together.
~Lisa Kolodziej
2014 MAT Candidate, Saint Mary of the Woods College
TLOTH Clinical Intern
RSS Feed
