While you are here – please check out my home page!
INTRODUCTION
This month being our seventh group art therapy session and our third group project session, we continued to work dutifully on our individual works. Once completed, all participants artworks will be grouped together. This unity of artwork will then become a representation of ‘what it is like to be a carer of a love one who has been somehow impacted by mental health issues’ and ‘how being a carer for said has impacted on our lives and the lives of others within our families’. NB: To view details regarding previous stages – please click here.
No. 9 of 17 Art Therapy Sessions 14th & 17th Sept 2015 Karen Robinson-Abstract Artist working on own individual art work. All images copyright protected.JPG
STEP THREE AT THE SESSION AND AT MY HOME STUDIO
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Little Bright Blue Love Heart Sequins
During this session, I decided to add little bright blue love heart sequins to the top of my painting. These love hearts are representative of all the tears that I have shed over the loss of my son, tears of love.
No. 12 of 17 Art Therapy Sessions 14th & 17th Sept 2015 Karen Robinson-Abstract Artist working on own individual art work. NB: All images copyright protected.JPG
I used a wooden stick with craft glue at the end of it and ran the tiny love heart sequins across it to catch just enough glue that would ensure the sequins would adhere to the canvas. The craft glue dries clear so it didn’t matter much if a little ran over a bit at the sides onto the canvas itself.
No. 4 of 17 Art Therapy Sessions 14th & 17th Sept 2015 Karen Robinson-Abstract Artist working on own individual art work. All images copyright protected.JPG
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String Of Words Around The Large Pink Heart
On my return home to my studio with my art work, I decided to write a string of words around the outside of the large pink heart in black felt pen. As the words are very personal, I wanted the viewer to become very personal with the artwork its self, so I deliberately wrote the words very small so that the viewer of the artwork would need to go up to it very closely to read the words. These are the words: “Try to build in my heart the best of those I love, my darling dear husband whom I treasure, who has been so good to me throughout all the years of our marriage; my sweet, loving, caring daughter who is strong and gentle to her parents at the same time, my sister whom I have shared many troubles with – we are still talking; and my son gone but never forgotten – we miss you forever”.
No. 15 of 17 Art Therapy Sessions 14th & 17th Sept 2015 Karen Robinson-Abstract Artist working on own individual art work-all images copyright protected.JPG
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A Symphony of Joyful Artist Endeavour – Butterflies, Flowers and Glitter!
After the above process was completed and had throughly dried, I decided I want to add small green and pink flower shaped sequins, small green satin butterflies, orange with yellow on top beaded satin flowers and green glitter to the stems of the flowers. It became a symphony of joyful artist endeavour which I really enjoyed doing.
- Signed, Photographed And Varnish
Once I felt I had added enough of the flower sequins, satin butterflies and flowers, I signed and photographed the artwork. I will now give it a coat of varnish to help preserve it. Once dry it will be ready to take back to our next session where we are going to be discussing how we will bring all the participants artworks together to exhibit – details will follow once finalised.
- Finished Art Work – yet to be titled!
Whilst the painting is now finished and awaits the last part of our art therapy group project to be completed – we will soon have the creative writing facilitator come into our session and help us write a story about our paintings.
No. 17 of 17 Art Therapy Sessions 14th & 17th Sept 2015 Karen Robinson-Abstract Artist working on own individual art work-all images copyright protected.JPG
CONCLUSION
At the completion of our art therapy sessions we pack up and head across to the local restaurant for a bite to eat and a friendly chat. It’s a great way to finish up on a positive note and it always works for me…
No. 2 of 17 Art Therapy Sessions 14th & 17th Sept 2015 Karen Robinson-Abstract Artist working on own individual art work-all images copyright protected.JPG
NB: For the purposes of this weblog series “Art Therapy Group Sessions 2015“, I will not be mentioning any names or personal details of participants or even the name of the organisation that runs the sessions. Individuals have the right to privacy, so it will only be about my own experience – and broad statements about each particular session. I hope you will understand.
© Karen Robinson, September 2015
Whilst you are here – please check out my home page! My Art Therapy Journey – A window into the soul of an Abstract Artist through art therapy and storytelling…by Karen Robinson
ido art karen robinson 
I couldn’t figure out what you meant by “sequences,” until I realized that the little hearts were sequins. I guess they are sequences of sequins.
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Hi Elene, o’dear…you are right! I have just gone through and corrected my error and yes that’s better. Thank you for kindly pointing that out to me…much appreciation…Karen
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….strong colors, great size, impressive! Especially the discipline with the sharp lines!
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Thank you – I really enjoyed developing my colour palette for this particular art work. Beautiful orangey/yellowy colours and lime greens with bright blues. The sharp lines I achieved by using a blue taping process which I describe how to do in my weblog tab titled ‘Arts Practise/Materials Outline’. It took me some time to work out how to achieve nice straight lines within my artwork and I found the blue taping method worked the best. Once again thank you for your comment – much appreciated…warm regards Karen
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Absolutely gorgeous, Karen. The painting and your words. Wishing you well. Thank you for sharing your personal story and process.
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My story for producing the art work was sad but the process of making it was enjoyable and fun – ‘art for therapy’ at its best I feel. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on my art work – it is so much appreciated…warm regards Karen
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