By Sophie Brunet
“Art washes away the dust of everyday life” – Van Gogh
The expression of our creativity, our inner voice behind the noise and the emotion and feelings we release onto the page is of utmost importance. It is our birthright to create art and it doesn’t matter how we do it. It doesn’t matter if we use paint or chalk or clay, if we use brown or red with purple spots. It only matters that we do it.
This is the ultimate time to turn to art as medicine, when there is so much unknown and the future is unpredictable. There is a lot of anxiety and fear in the collective consciousness. We are aware that we need to stay safe and keep our bodies well, and there is also a place of balance called for regarding mental health. Both are important, and art is a key to emotional healing; it’s a great way to express what is true for you, the unshed tears, the joy of the rising sun and a new day.
In finding the fullness of our artistic expression, the power of our spontaneity and the joy of newness that lies behind it, we may need to slay a few dragons. Here are the three dragons that get in the way;
- Attachment to the end or finished product. We don’t make art for approval or validation.
- Need for meaning. It does not need to mean anything.
- Judgment, stopping the natural creative process by judging the art, finding flaws in it.
If we can release these things, we can allow the creative process a life of its own. We enter a journey of curiosity and discovery, where color, shape and inspiration emerge. We awaken the inner child! We balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain. We release serotonin. We give expression to what lies within and create our own world. Whether the art process be cathartic or create a visual utopia, art heals and art is always waiting for you with an open welcome.
Sophie Brunet is a visual artist, registered art therapist and relationship and intimacy coach. She worked with first nations children for 9 years, centers for addiction and mental health challenges, and individuals and couples for over 16 years. Sophie has a gentle and calming demeanor, a keen sense of intuition and a variety of tools that she uses to best benefit the healing process of her clients.
*Currently she offers drop-in on-line art therapy sessions for women on Sunday afternoons.
www.sophiebrunet.com, sophiebrunet2@hotmail.com