POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH: Improving one’s sense of wellbeing using art, creative writing, photography and blogging – my journey written by ©Karen Robinson. Please click here for my latest blog news!
INTRODUCTION
My art therapy journey has not only been about creating artwork in the form of abstract paintings but also about fulfilling another need which is to inform the viewer of its meaning and its purpose. The act of storytelling/creative writing has proven to me, to be just as important a therapeutic process as the act of painting. So when I was given the opportunity to join Mind Australia’s ‘Creative Writing Group’ in 2014, 2015 and 2016, it seemed an appropriate further development of my art for therapy journey.
SMALL GROUP OF WOMEN & MEN
The creative writing group consisted/consists of a small group of women and men, and was/is especially for those who are carers for another in their lives. The sessions are designed to offer individuals a way to express themselves through creative writing in a safe, secure and supportive environment. It also gives participants an opportunity to meet new people where they learn to share thoughts, emotions and life experiences within an imaginative and creative environment. At each session, an experienced creative writing facilitator would/does set the writing agenda and a co-facilitator would/does assist and participate in the session’s activities.
CREATIVE WRITING GROUP SESSIONS PROCESS
During the course of these creative writing group sessions, the women/men openly and honestly, and only what they wished to, shared/share very deep and personal stories based on given set subjects by the creative writing facilitator. At times, the story-sharing process proved/prove to be humorous and delightful; and at other times despairing, painful, distressing and sad. But at all times, it was/is amazingly revealing and offered/offers a means of being able to express pent-up emotions, feelings and thoughts, that perhaps had/have never been shared before. Just the mere act of having someone listening, whilst we individually told/tell our creative writing stories at each session, served/serves as being a very therapeutic process. It had/has helped improve my sense of well-being and gave/given me another means of being able to use artistic expression and storytelling. It was/is evident that the other group participants felt/feel the same, which could/can be deciphered through what they willingly verbally shared, and commented/commented on during these sessions.
To finish up our last creative writing group session in 2014, we had lunch together for the last time as this group. It was a warm and friendly atmosphere with lots of laughs and good conversation and a blossoming of new friendships and strengthening of previously formed friendships during the Art Therapy Group Sessions early on in the year 2014. NB: I am currently a participant in the said 2015 creative writing group sessions – details can be found below.
CREATIVE WRITING – INSPIRING ART!
After each creative writing session, I personally wanted/want to use my creative writing stories to inspire an artwork and is/are featured below where their back story can be viewed as well. They are not ‘masterpieces’ but are an important part of a therapeutic process that I enjoy and help complete my art for therapy journey after each creative writing group session that I attend. These small artworks are not achieved in the same manner as my major artwork pieces as a lot of planning and plotting of shapes and colour takes place during the creation of major artwork and generally takes many, many hours to complete. In contrast to that, these small pieces of artwork inspired by creative writing sessions, are produced quickly and are a spontaneous response to the given creative writing piece. I find it a wonderful change from the normal way I approach my artwork production but in saying this, I feel some of my best artwork is achieved by the art practice I engage in, during the production of major works in my opinion.
No. 3 of 4 Creative Writing Group – Artwork Titled ‘Things I Dislike’ Schmincke Ink on A4 Paper by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist NB All images are copyright protected 29.07.2015. JPG
BACK STORY ON EACH GROUP CREATIVE WRITING JOURNEY SESSIONS
Please click on the below links to view the back story for Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 Group Creative Writing Journey Sessions – 2014 and Sessions 2015.
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Group Session 1 of 6
- Titled: “The Happy Box!” by Karen Robinson
No. 1 Creative Writing & Abstract Painting ‘The Happy Box!’ Acrylic Paint on A3 HW Paper by Karen Robinson Oct 2014 NB All images are subject to copyright laws.JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Group Session 2 of 6
- Titled: “The Face Mask” by Karen Robinson
No. 2 Creative Writing & Abstract Painting ‘The Face Mask’ Acrylic Paint on A3 HW Paper by Karen Robinson Nov 2014 NB All images are subject to copyright laws.JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Group Session 3 of 6
- Titled: “Treasured Memories” by Karen Robinson
No. 1 Creative Writing & Abstract Painting ‘Treasured Memories’ Acrylic Paint on A3 HW Paper by Karen Robinson NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Group Session 4 of 6
- Titled: “A Time to Remember” by Karen Robinson
No. 1 Creative Writing Session 4 ‘A Time to Remember’ Acrylic Paint A3 HW Paper by Karen Robinson Nov 2014 NB All images are protected by copyright law.JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Group Session 5 of 6
- Titled: “When All Seemed Possible” by Karen Robinson
No. 1 Creative Writing Session 5 & Abstract Painting ‘When all seemed possible’ Acrylic Painting on A3 HW Paper by Karen Robinson NB All images are protected by copyright laws. JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Group Session 6 of 6
- Titled: “Pools of Strength” by Karen Robinson
No. 1 Creative Writing Session 6 & Abstract Painting ‘Pools of Strength’ Acrylic Painting on A3 HW Paper by Karen Robinson NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Group Session – June 2015
- Titled: “I am womankind” by Karen Robinson
6 of 8 Art Work inspired by Creative Writing Titled ‘I am womankind’ by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Group Session – June 2015
- Titled: “…When I was 10” by Karen Robinson
View 1 of 7 Abstract Figurative Painting Titled ‘When I was 10…’ Acrylic Paint on Canvas 60cms x 60cms by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson inspired Creating Writing Session June 2015. JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Group Session – July 2015
- Titled: “Things I Dislike” by Karen Robinson
No. 1 of 1 Creative Writing Group – Artwork Titled ‘Things I Dislike’ Schmincke Ink on A4 Paper by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist 29.07.2015 NB All images and stories are copyright protected. JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Group Session – July 2015
- Titled: “Betty Boots” and “Where there is a will there is a solution” by Karen Robinson
No. 1 of 6 Creative Writing Group Session ‘Where there is a will…there is a solution!’ by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist 1.8.15 NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Group Session – August 2015
- Titled: “My Bed! and Laughing at Mother!” by Karen Robinson
No. 2 of 6 Creative Writing ‘My Bed’ Ink on A4 Paper – August 2015 by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Group Session – September 2015
- Titled: “I am packed to go!” by Karen Robinson
2 of 2 Creative Writing Session Sept 2015 ‘I am packed to go!’ Ink on Paper by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Group Session – October 2015
- Titled: “Not A Game – But A Real Necessity” by Karen Robinson
No. 1-4 Creative Writing Group – Artwork Titled ‘Not A Game – But A Real Necessity’Schmincke Ink-A4 Paper by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist 11.10.15 All images-stories are copyright protected.JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Group Session – October 2015
- Titled: “How Precious Time Is…” by Karen Robinson
No. 1-5 Creative Writing Group – Artwork Titled ‘How Precious Time Is…’ Schmincke Ink-A4 Paper by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist 11.10.15 All images-stories are copyright protected.JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Group Session – October 2015
- Titled: “What Makes A Good Life?” by Karen Robinson
No. 1-5 Creative Writing Group – Artwork Titled ‘What Makes A Good Life’ Schmincke Ink-A4 Paper by Karen Robinson Oct 2015 NB All Images copyright protected.JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Group Session – October 2015
- Titled: “Support Me!” by Karen Robinson
No. 1-5 Creative Writing Group – Artwork Titled ‘Support Me’ Schmincke Ink-A4 Paper by Karen Robinson Oct 2015 NB All Images copyright protected.JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Group Session – October 2015
- Titled: “Beautiful Other…” by Karen Robinson
No. 2 of 2 Creative Writing Group – Artwork Titled ‘Beautiful Other’ Feather resting on – Schmincke Ink on A4 Paper by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist NB All images are copyright protected Oct 2015.JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Poem – November 2015
- Titled: “Crying Roses…” by Karen Robinson
No. 2 of 5 Creative Writing – Poem Titled ‘Crying Roses’ written and photographed by Karen Robinson 5th November 2015.JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Poem – November 2015
- Titled: “Paris…” by Karen Robinson
1 of 8 Creative Writing – Poem Titled ‘Paris’ and Schminchke & Liquitex Ink on Cotton A3 297x420mm 300GSM by Karen Robinson 17-11-2015 Copyright Protected.JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Piece – December 2015
- Titled: “Merry Christmas it well be!” by Karen Robinson
No. 1 of 5 ‘Merry Christmas it well be…’ by Karen Robinson Artwork inspired by Creative Writing Piece – Schmincke Ink on A3 100% Cotton Movlin Paper Dec 2015 NB All images are protected by copyright. JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Piece – December 2015
- Titled: “Santa’s Popped!” by Karen Robinson
1 of 3 Photo-taking & Story-telling, Creative Writing by Karen Robinson Titled ‘Santa’s Pooped!’ Just south of Bendigo Dec 2015 NB All images are protected by copyright laws.jpg1 of 3 Photo-taking & Story-telling, Creative Writing by Karen Robinson Titled ‘Santa’s Pooped!’ Just south of Bendigo Dec 2015 NB All images are protected by copyright laws.jpg
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Piece – March 2016
- Titled: “My Love/Hate Relationship – A Human Condition!” by Karen Robinson
3 of 4 – Creative Writing Story Titled ‘My Love-Hate Relationship – A Human Condition!’ written by Karen Robinson March 2016 NB Protected by Copyright Laws
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Piece – April 2016
- Titled: “When A Good Laugh Is Important!” by Karen Robinson
No. 2 of 3 Art Therapy Session One – July 2015 ‘Self Portrait’ by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson.JPG
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Art & Creative Writing Group Therapy – Early 2016
- Titled: “Altered Book Project” by Karen Robinson
No. 37 ‘Altered Book’ by Karen Robinson was created during Art Therapy Sessions 2016 NB All images are protected by copyright laws
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Group Session – September 2016
- Titled: “Session One” by Karen Robinson
1 of 3 Creative Writing September 2016 Session One – I’m ready to start my creative writing group session with Mind Australia and facilitated by Judy Bird. Photograph by Karen Robinson NB All images are protected by copyright laws
- Please click below to read the back story for:-
- Creative Writing Group Session – September 2016
- Titled: “Session Two” by Karen Robinson
1 of 3 Creative Writing September 2016 Session Two – I’m ready to start the creative writing session provided by Mind Australia, facilitated by Judy Bird. Photographed by Karen Robinson
CONCLUSION
Creative writing and abstract painting offer me a complete package of being able to express myself; express thoughts, emotions and feelings which has assisted me, in being able to work towards having a healthier mindset and sense of well-being. ‘Art for Therapy’ at its best…
Karen Robinson (me) & Judy Bird – Mind Australia Creative Writing Facilitator during Creative Writing Session Northcote Townhall 2015 NB All images are protected by copyright laws
NB: For the purposes of this weblog “Group Creative Writing Therapy”, I have not mentioned any names or personal details of participants or even the name of the organisation that ran the sessions. Individuals have the right to privacy, so it is only about my own experience – and broad statements about each particular session. I hope you will understand.
© Karen Robinson – December 2014
POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH: Improving one’s sense of wellbeing using art, creative writing, photography and blogging – my journey was written by ©Karen Robinson. Please click here for my latest blog news!
ido art karen robinson 
You’ve pulled together yet another wonderful piece of creative writing – all those vignettes beautifully patchworked into a memoir of this strengthening time. We are so fortunate to have had you in the group as you’ve created something here that echoes many of the others’ stories. Thank you so much, Karen. It’s a privilege to work with you.
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Judy…thank you so much for your generosity of words. It was a time that I am so grateful for having had and being part of your Creative Writing Group, under your caring Facilitation with Mind Australia has been an unforgettable experience for me…truly with all my heart – thank you … Karen
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