Using Art as a Prescription for Emotional Health

Maria Niles — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 01:28:31 -0600

Art can be a balm to soothe the heart, soul and mind. Both viewing and creating art can affect the physical body in a way that can bring about mental and emotional healing.

Have you ever found your self transfixed by a photograph, moved to tears by a painting, or reduced to a fit of giggles by a particularly good visual pun?

Writer Shirfa Stein, in an article titled "The Healing Power of Art," reports:

I have read that hormones and neurotransmitters play a big role in brain wave patterns. And there are studies that show that art and music affect the autonomic nervous system in a positive way.

Zenmomma illustrates a post about self care with a series of photos and cartoons.

You can read more about the connection between the arts and health at Cheryl McLean's blog Arts and Health "Crossing Borders."

You can find opportunities to witness or participate in arts events with the goal of improving emotional well being.

Gark at Popular Progressive is seeking help for an artist friend to help get him from Iowa City to Rhode Island so he can attend an exhibit of his own artwork:

John Paul Hornbeck has created a sculpture called "Shattered Soldier" that depicts the mental and physical cost of war to soldiers. John Paul is a veteran himself, and is a dedicated activist, doing peer counseling for returning vets and organizing the Iowa City chapter of Iraq Vets against the War. "Shattered Soldier" has been selected to be in an exhibit opening in Rhode Island called "Experiencing the War in Iraq." The aim of the exhibition is to give a human face to the complex conflict in Iraq, to bring together diverse expressions of individual experience and to reconnect those who have unconsciously cocooned themselves from the grim reality of the war.

...There was something very psychological during the production of this piece, as I ground the metal, the hot sparks hissed as they licked cold sweat, it was very calming, even when slivers of hot metal shot like shrapnel, it stuck to hair, not flesh. The sculpture itself was created to be a memorial for those who died by what most do not consider an honorable way for soldiers to die – suicide. For the people who I know and have known about who took this path, it always raises the question, should I have done more to intervene, had I known someone was having trouble coping from war. It is breaking the taboo of discussing suicide in addressing the mental health issues associated with them, that veterans face. Through awareness and dealing with these issues regarding their treatment we can really show them honor and support for what they went through.

Please visit War Art for Peace Sake to see John Paul Hornbeck's moving work and learn where you can make a donation to support his trip.

jenca at Pennsylvania Mental Health Issues shares an idea for a project brewing to put together a street festival focusing on mental health:

Gary Lester, executive director of Family Services of Warren County, plans to promote the awareness of mental health by putting the focus on healthy hobbies. His plan involves having a event that resembles a street performer festival and would feature musicians, jugglers,artists and dancers.... The idea of creating mental health through positive activity is unconventional. “This is a real idealistic concept,” said Lester.

"artfull is a national programme established to develop, promote and map the arts and the role they play in improving the mental health and wellbeing of people living in Scotland." At the artfull website you can see examples of their projects or peruse their reading room for more information about art and well being.

The Art Therapy Blog shares the story of Lee, an indigenous Australian woman who established an art therapy program for women of the stolen generation of Aboriginal children:

Lee was adopted when she was 2 weeks old, removed from her original family and home, only to be raped when she was 15. About a year later, still confused and frightened after being estranged from her foster family, she adopted her own baby. Since then she has returned to her home country with a passion towards the healing and recognition of pain due to separation from one’s culture and family.

Julie Harbin is a journalist and expat currently living in Lebanon from where she shares a story of her learning the power of art therapy along with her daughter:

“Won’t daddy be surprised when he sees these,” my oldest daughter said, as the lined-up clothespins dried in the sun. She just loves surprises and surprising people. Might be something she gets from her fun-loving uncle who has worked for Disney and in Las Vegas, and has always liked surprising people… Touching that she believes her dad will be as delighted as she is to see the beautiful clothespins —her creation. And he is, mainly because they are her creation and she is so excited about it.

The art_therapist shares stories from her Adventures in Art Therapy in the Washington DC Metro area.

Recently ABC News featured artist Stephen Wiltshire as their person of the week. From Stephen's bio:

As a child, Stephen was mute and did not relate to other human beings. Aged three, he was diagnosed as autistic. He had no language, uncontrolled tantrums and lived entirely in his own world.

At the age of five, Stephen was sent to Queensmill School in London, a school for children with special needs, where it was noticed that the only pastime he enjoyed was drawing. It soon became apparent he communicated with the world through the language of drawing; first animals, then London buses, and finally buildings.

Rachel at Katzelbows shares how a stamp of "Bite Me!" helped her work through a period of anger and pain. She writes:

I'm not looking to be unhappy again, but I do hope that my art, my creativity, hell just thinking about creativity, will help me again.

Authentic Art Visions dedicates a post:

I decided to focus this blog on the healing power and energy of visual art. To help me, I interviewed several artists friends that work in the field of art and healing to describe how power art has been to the clients they serve. I want to introduce a side of art outside of buying and collecting that may open some eyes about the power of art "with a purpose."

Annie at Health Treks is playing with digital abstract art:

as an outlet and a way to just let loose and let my imagination take over. It is very freeing and a lot of fun. With working in a field that requires extreme accuracy and strict attention to detail, I needed to find a way to just let my mind unwind and be able to let go without any rules or regulations.

Beth at My Simpler Life has some tips for emotional health including:

7. Beauty Art inspires. Looking at a painting can evoke such feeling. Decluttering a small area to bring order to the space brings peace. Watching a flower or an artist’s creation lets us feel happier. We get joy from sunsets, lovely architecture, homemade cards. Where can you bring more beauty into your life?

Judith Campanaro writes about using art to handle stress:

There is not a lot of empirical evidence as to why art heals and reduces stress. My concept is that making art brings us back to our center and in so doing, balance is restored to the soul. The world is full of wonders that we often don't see until some part of our brain and soul is reawakened. The act of creating brings you moments when you drop your cares and feed that part of you that needs nourishment from the beauty of the world around you.

Sue Bernard is the Bipolar Wellness Writer and she recently posted about art therapy for Bipolar wellness:

From experience, I know that art is helpful for people suffering from bipolar disorder. When I began taking my photography class, I felt better for two reasons: 1. Creating art comes from a different side of the brain. So, if you're a "word and thinking" person like I am, it felt very relaxing to switch to the "image, symbol, and feeling side" of my brain. 2) I spent time outside when I was doing photography and I also know by experience that light therapy is helpful.

Danielle at The Bipolar Diaries is a photographer herself and has recently exhibited in a show which she calls "stretching to the next level:"

I can’t believe that I have not sabotaged this. That I haven’t quit. I am amazed. And I am still holding it all together.

The Mayo Clinic has a video demonstrating the use of art therapy for stress management in which a variety of art journaling techniques are demonstrated.

And last but not least our own CE Jen Lemen shared 1,000 Journals And Them Some documenting several art journal projects to inspire you.

BlogHer CE Maria Niles occasionally shares her thoughts about art exhibits she has visited at Beyond Help

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Using Art as a Prescription for Emotional Health