Art therapy : processing emotions

It has long been discussed in basic art therapy theory that individuals can readily process emotions more effectively by creative measures.  As children, we learned to draw and paint and express whatever we were feeling, how we saw the world, and our hopes for tomorrow.  At this point in our child-life, words were spoken, not written, and therefore any explanation of meaning was naturally more verbal in nature.  Children's creative expressions are image-centered and verbally defined.  As adults, it is often easier to express such things in writing than it is to create a visual image.  Yet therapists will readily tell us that the most effective expression of emotion is a combination of images and words.  As a 'muller' (someone who doesn't make quick decisions or judgements about events and emotions), I personally find that facing the white paper and indulging in the creative process helps me not only determine the factors with which I'm dealing, but to analyze them and find ways to understand them and to work through them constructively.

This past week presented me with just such an opportunity.  As shocking as the news I received was, and as overwhelmed as I felt by it at first, I began to feel it being reduced to a more manageable size almost immediately as I began to 'paint it out'.  All this being said, in retrospect I find it very ironic that the last painting I completed before the events in question presented themselves was a celebration of the love that's been given to me through my life, which surrounds me, fulfills me and gives me courage.  In this painting, this protecting, strengthening love is depicted as a blue shield, guarding my heart and soul from life's tribulations.

Heart Shield

The paint on Heart Shield was hardly dry on the paper before I faced unexpected and unpleasant events, the reasons behind which I will most likely never know or understand completely.  I had already begun a new painting, a floral, with which I was dissatisfied.  After thinking about the day's events and discussing them, I decided to use the bright colors in this painting as a background to jump-start the expression of the turmoil of my feelings.  As I worked, the painting became darker and darker, and I made the decision to add gold to represent what I feel is the presence of a lesson in any situation, good or bad -- sort of a 'ray of hope'.  I call this painting Complexities because these emotions are neither simple nor straightforward.  It was a situation in which I felt the best move at the time was to  'drop back and punt'.  It was suggested to me that a more effective, offensive maneuver might be a 'quick kick'.  One of the things that I appreciated most about the painting was an unintended abstracted figure who is seemingly drop-kicking something (or someone) out of the picture plane.  And, I have to say, it felt really good to see it 'appear' when I needed it most...!
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Complexities

Returning to my comment earlier about the 'ray of hope', I feel that every situation we face presents us with a window of positive opportunity.  In my third painting, the surrounding atmosphere is light and bright, representing our ordinary days of life and living.  Out of the dark vortex of challenges that could easily overwhelm us comes an inner vortex of green, representing this opportunity.  Green is a color that symbolizes possibilities for growth and learning.  Although much of this painting is very dark, the green is calming, bringing to mind new beginnings.

Opportunity

I feel most fortunate that I am able to avoid what might be an unhealthy internalization of emotions, opening my heart and mind to possible solutions.  I have often been called a 'change agent', and this situation, like many others, will wind up opening new paths -- new ways of doing, thinking, and seeing.  For this, I am most grateful.