Below is my photograph of two pages of an art journal. >B< writes the journal as both a work of art and work of therapy.
> B < is regularly meeting with a therapist for Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). I asked her if she wanted to be that specific. She said "Yes!" because many people do not realize that they have PTSD. Without that realization (and therapy) circumstance will continue to "trigger" their trauma.
>B<, not the therapist, decided that she should do a journal. She hopes to do one entry per week.
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>B< had the idea of doing an entry on the day of the eclipse. She felt humbled by the experience. "We are so small in comparison to the universe."
The art is not just about the eclipse. It is about the universe, people, and relationships. How tiny we are in comparison. "How humble we should be."
The art is visual stimulation. First the visual stimulation of the event which unfolds over time for the artist. (>B< may re-do this artwork). Secondly the visual stimulation and feedback for the viewers and from the viewers that also unfolds over time.
>B< usually dates her artwork by the year in which it was completed. When asked how long it took her to do it, the answer is "all my life."
Mandala Coloring Book
Below is my photograph of two pages of a mandala coloring book. >B< colors mandalas as therapy, relaxation, and development of artistic skills.
Inexpensive mandala coloring books are available in dollar stores. Free ones are available on-line. Free coloring pages for you to print - Monday Mandala
A variety of crayons and coloring pencils can be used. Start in the center and work outward.
>B< picked colors that spoke to her of Spring. She could have used the same pattern with different colors for each of the seasons.
In your outward journey, stop whenever you want. >B< often lets parts of the inner pattern as well as the outer edges blank.
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Coloring mandalas is a way of developing your artistic skills, being self-expressive, relaxing from stresses, and experiencing healing.
What artistic practices are present in your life?
What roles do they play?
I have found that photography does similar things for me.
I have developed a sense of composition as well as brightness and color from working with the tools for processing photos that come with most of our computers. The choice of which photos I publish is an important aspect of self-expression.
We should encourage one another in developing our artistic skills. They are not just for school or therapy or limited to an elite.
https://newgathering.blogspot.com/2024/04/brother-sun-sister-moon-b.html
ReplyDeleteFriend died some years ago, her daughter found decades worth of journals, and she's writing up a study of it. So if I journal, I write in code and burn the notebooks when filled. I don't need Raber and The Boy rooting around in my head after I croak.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to put together a book of recipes for them. Mostly in hopes they will continue to eat decently after my demise.
I knit stuff to give away. Been doing it for 63 years, so fairly adept. It is good therapy. Always something new to learn. I put a lot of time and thinking into colors and patterns tailored for the recipient. Made some Dutch gansey patterned mittens for a friend who is high on her Dutch heritage. People seem to like it.
Jean, I admire people who know how to knit. I did a little rudimentary crochet when I was younger, but a neck scarf was as far as it ever got. My mother-in- law was a prolific crocheter Everyone in the family has an afghan made by her. They are nice mementos of her.
DeleteI am remembering those famous mittens that Bernie Sanders wore to Biden's inauguration.
I have thought at times that I ought to be more regular in keeping a journal, in case I get dementia and can't remember who I am or what I did.
Crocheting hurts my left hand now, but I have made rugs out of recycled tee shirts. I've seen people do some phenomenal sculpture and tapestry things with fiber, so it is a craft that can ascend to the level of art. I don't have that much imagination.
DeleteJack, that is a nice picture that Betty did on the day of the eclipse. I like the idea of an art journal.
ReplyDeleteI like the mandala too. My oldest granddaughter, who is in high school, likes to do the adult coloring books for relaxation.
The creative things we do sometimes do live on after us. After my dad passed away we were clearing things out of his house so my niece could move in. I found a small picture done with pastels that my grandmother had done in the 1930s, of a stormy sea. I took that home, as well as another picture done by a friend of my mom's. Mom had picked it up at an art and crafts sale.
I'd be interested in Jack talking more on what he sees as the benefits, spiritual or otherwise, of artistic pursuits, especially since most of us are over 70.
ReplyDeleteJust speaking for myself, I've been a so-so artist for most of my 70-plus years, and a bad musician for about 65 of them. Neither art nor music were my vocation or my career. But they were just those things in life that I couldn't not do, if that makes any sense.
DeleteFr Andrew Greeley wrote a book called The Catholic Imagination that I like. Lots of evidence that Catholic Americans value the arts compared with Protestants. There are a lot of ideas that artistic creation connects people with the divine. I don't know if I buy that, but at least drawing pictures or keeping a journal are times killers that keep you out of trouble.
DeleteIn response to Jean:
ReplyDeleteArt therapy is very important in the mental life of elderly who are losing their verbal and cognitive abilities. Singing can be an important therapy for those with Parkinson’s. My uncle who had Parkinson’s liked to do karaoke at the local bar. The patron’s loved his singing. His doctor even came to show his support.
Processing visual and auditory sensory stimulation is basic, even before we move on to the complex human activity (relationships and culture) which are brains have been designed for.
Perhaps the visual and auditory arts are particularly important in our culture where elderly are usually isolated both from child raising and productive (wage earning) work which shapes most of our lives.
Art is something that can be done on the margins of society and does not require the involvement of people occupied in raising children and earning a living.