Susan, under the watchful eye of Poodle Pal Assistant, Lev
Outdoor studios are fun!
Painting in the garden prompts artwork with similar colors
Fine Artist and Art Therapist
Susan Contemplates Methodology and Meaning
I paint for product and for process. I am “artist” and “art therapist”—sometimes both at once. It’s taken a while to adjust—identify how art as therapy and art therapy can be distinguishable and complementary
I painted for therapy (to soothe, heal, and relax) well before I knew about art therapy or became an art therapist. It didn’t take training and identification of a newly developing clinical field to realize that what I was doing on auto-pilot could be helpful to others, as well as myself. Learning to be an “art therapist” formalized practices, processes and outcomes with which I was already familiar. It also gave extra tools and a sense of authority. Background knowledge, models and role models, safety tips, explanations, justifications, clarifications, each made me better equipped to serve and assist.
As a result, in my own art-making, I soon realized I couldn’t proceed as before. Professional art therapy discoveries inhibited personal fine arts initiatives. Pre-analysis of what I might have put on canvas without hesitation previously, had me stopping and thinking, not doing. Also, the ability to make associations about what I’d completed painting proved unsettling, even if reassuring. It took years to adjust: not to play art therapist when I was striving to be fine artist.
When art acts as therapy it is magical. However, art therapists need to be careful and not over-impose—on themselves, or professionally. Too many untimely interventions can interrupt flow: challenge meaning, motivation, and movement. Negative and poorly managed interruptions are deal breakers. Even the identification of bad art experiences at school must be handled with care, reminders of “failure” not rubbed in.
When assignments at school or work are administered by others, rules and rituals are set externally. When we work alone, there's a different boss—an inner critic and guide who sets different (and often) higher standards. Mine realizes that painting series come to me naturally, not as part of anyone else’s plan or mandate. The series that are product oriented (figurative or representational) usually keep beauty in mind. The series that are process oriented (abstract) are usually more random and unique. Both are eye-catching and engaging: can prompt discussion or be savored as they are.
Art Therapy practice quickly taught me that after painting a piece that is product oriented (requiring deeper concentration and application), there's an almost automatic switch to painting one that can be more process oriented (limitless and without boundaries). Interestingly, neither way is stress exempt, each brings messages and meaning. Structure can be good, as required by product. Freedom isn’t always, as required by process. Predictability may have surprises, as product related pieces show. A route less traveled may, in fact, lead to unexpected destinations, as process related pieces show.