Media 2017: “Abnormal Psychology Book Cover Artwork”

Posted on April 1, 2017 by idoartkarenrobinson

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Karen Robinson at Home Art Studio holding book titled ‘Abnormal Psychology’ featuring on the front cover her original painting titled ‘For Ones’ Well-being’ March 2017 http://www.idoartkarenrobinson.com NB: All images are copyright protected

INTRODUCTION

During mid 2016 I received an email from Gail Buschman, Senior Graphic Designer of Sage Publishing, an international academic publisher based in Thousand Oaks, California. They were interested in using one of my images ‘Abstract Painting No. 64 – Titled ‘For One’s Well-being‘ on the cover of a forthcoming textbook; and the Second Edition of William J Ray’s ‘Abnormal Psychology‘ – Pennsylvania State University. They asked if I would be interested in licensing it to them for book publishing, specifically for print and electronic book cover and website landing page header, circulation 20,000, geography – world rights, duration 7 year license/usage from publication date, exposure 1 language, inclusive of a credit line on the back cover. After some discussions with family and friends, and after becoming a member with Copyright Agency/Viscopy – I agreed.

THE BOOK

Abnormal Psychology written by William J Ray - Second Edition www.idoartkarenrobinson.com

‘Abnormal Psychology’ written by William J Ray – Second Edition http://www.idoartkarenrobinson.com

“In Abnormal Psychology: Perspectives on Human Behavior and Experience Second Edition, William J. Ray brings together current perspectives concerning the manner in which the human mind, behavior, and experience can be understood. In addition to the traditional psychological literature, this book draws from work in the cognitive and affective neurosciences, epidemiology, ethology, and genetics. Ray’s focus is on a unification and integration of the biopsychosocial understandings of human behavior within a broader consideration of human culture and language as it applies to abnormal psychology (Amazon 2017)”

THE PAINTING

No. 29 of 29 Painting No. 64 Titled 'For One's Well-being' Painting Practice by Abstract Painter Karen Robinson Feb 2016 NB All images are protected by copyright laws

Abstract Painting No. 64 Titled ‘For One’s Well-being’ Painting by Abstract Painter Karen Robinson Feb 2016 http://www.idoartkarenrobinson.com NB All images are protected by copyright laws

THE PAINTING’S STORY – “FOR ONE’S WELL-BEING”

“This painting titled “For One’s Well-being” has been inspired by the groups of people I have brought into my life through activities such as Art Therapy and Creative Writing provided by Mind Australia; and also my volunteering and paid work that I do with Road Trauma Support Services Victoria.

For the sake of my own well-being, I have found over a course of time, that being part of community groups such as these organisations, has truly helped me gain a better sense of well-being. Within the comfort and security of such organisations, I have witnessed how people have been empowered to voice their feelings, share, reveal, support, encourage each other during times of great difficulty alongside of professional support systems. I have also witnessed how when participants choose to come and join such organisations, they grow strong and more-able to deal with day-to-day difficulties; and I am one of those people.

My painting reflects an image of myself in the foreground, with my support networks in the background. They come from all walks of life; they are family, friends, work mates and community group members whom have been an integral part of my life over recent years, and all have contributed to my ability to reach a healthy mindset. Hence varying colours of difference; and colours with commonality. I couldn’t have got to this place where I am now without their support and this painting is a tribute to them all.”

© Karen Robinson, February 2016

CONCLUSION

It was pleasing to have this particular artwork of mine used in such a way. Hopefully this usage will also convey the painting’s story and help contribute to the knowledge base of students and teachers using ‘Abnormal Psychology’ as a learning tool…

Whilst you are here – please check out my home page!

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!

2016 Abstract Paintings/Stories

Posted on February 28, 2016 by idoartkarenrobinson

Source: 2016 Abstract Paintings/Stories

Please click on the link above to read about this painting titled ‘For One’s Well-being’ which was inspired by groups of people I have brought into my life through activities such as Art Therapy and Creative Writing provided by Mind Australia; and also via my volunteering and paid work that I do with Road Trauma Support Services Victoria.

Written by Karen Robinson Feb 2016

Art and Creative Writing – “When It’s OK to Go Mad” by Karen Robinson

Posted on January 24, 2016 by idoartkarenrobinson

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Karen Robinson at her Solo Exhibition titled …When words are hard to find – 6th May 2015 at Gee Lee-Wik Doleen Gallery – Craigieburn. Photo graphed by Angie Basdekis for Hume Leader Newspaper Getimage.aspx. Karen standing beside her Painting No. 43 titled: ‘Life’s A Washing Machine’ Acrylic on Canvas Feb 2010. NB: All images are protected by copyright laws. jpg

INTRODUCTION

Whilst watching this ingenious YouTube produced by ‘The School of Life’ in collaboration with Artrake Studio – view below, I found myself relating to its content in such a way that it almost felt like, someone had secretly documented my life and forwarded onto this organisation, to use for research to make this ‘The School of Life’ YouTube. I’m being nonsensical of course – but so much of what is portrayed I found to be true. Yes, we can find ourselves on a treadmill where life is full of things we image that we have to achieve and determined by childhood learning’s, adult desires and society perceptions. We image expectations for ourselves and for others and it is not until something tragic happens and/or when we ‘hit rock bottom’ that we can find ourselves asking why?

ESSENTIAL NORMALITY OF A LITTLE MADNESS YOUTUBE

This above YouTube titled ‘The Sanity of Madness’ is produced by ‘The School of Life’ in collaboration with Artrake Studio and published on 18 January 2016. They state that ‘there’s so much pressure on us to be always rational, calm and sensible: it’s time also to say a word about the essential normality of a little madness’.

CRAZY MOMENTS IN AN ORDINARY LIFE

It is true for me that there have been times in my life were due to circumstances, I either created for myself or circumstances for which I found myself being a part of, have led me to – just not being able to function like a normal well-balanced human being. Therefore presenting occasions where pushing forward just seemed impossible. Like the examples given within this ‘The School of Life’ YouTube, I too found myself just wanting to stop, just stop and get off the treadmill and just rethink about what’s my purpose on this blue planet.

A wonderful statement I really enjoyed hearing in this ‘The School of Life’ YouTube was this: “No good life can or should go by without a few quiet open incidents of complete breakdown”. Wow…this was so good to hear, as it can be hard to forgive oneself when you find yourself doing just that breaking down, feeling like your failing miserably at life, letting yourself down, your family down and ‘the whole world down’ well perhaps not quiet the whole world. According to this ‘The School of Life’ YouTube, a complete breakdown really needs to be accepted as normality and not as something that is seen as a form of perhaps ‘madness’. That we actually need ‘crazy moments’ to be able to work through our lives and think of these moments as just “part of ordinary life“. I do love this statement “just part of ordinary life” and how true it is and a much kinder, productive way of accepting that we are human, fallible and vulnerable.

PAINTING NO. 43 – TITLE: ‘LIFE’S A WASHING MACHINE’

There have been many times in my life where I have been just that, a true human being – fallible and vulnerable and at my ‘wits‘ end. Below here is an example of one of my abstract paintings which I had painted during a time where there was much turmoil in my life. A time were I was grieving for the loss of my son and caring for my husband during his recovery from chemotherapy treatment.

Painting No. 43 – Title: ‘Life’s a Washing Machine’ Feb 2010 Acrylic on Canvas 122cms Length x 122cms Wide x 3cms Deep by Abstract Artist – Karen Robinson. NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

Acrylic on Canvas
122cms Length x 122cms Wide x 3cms Deep
Feb 2010

PAINTING STORY

This painting was inspired by how life at times feels like loads of washing tumbling around in a washing machine. Getting pulled this way and that way. Contorted, reshaped, dirtied up, washed out and then hang out to dry – only to start all over again the very next day! A whole mixture of life experiences tumbling into a single life which is shared with family, friends and work colleagues. It is at times enough to drive you mad…

Karen Robinson © February 2010

CONCLUSION: THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD MENTAL BREAKDOWN

But as it stresses within this ‘The School of Life’ YouTube, it’s important to have a ‘good mental breakdown’! A good one “is where we reconnect with the valuable truths that we have lost sight of” and where we also reconnect with “emotions and insights that ordinary life has prevented us investigating“. I feel this is just what I have been engaging in for the last 7 years. I have ‘”returned from the land of madness” and landed “in the fields of apparent sanity“; and through my painting, photo-taking, story-telling, creative writing and volunteer speaking I have been able to regain a good sense of well-being. Its enabled me to push forward and into a pathway that has led me towards a better, most positively fulfilling life…with some ‘healthy crazy moments‘…

Karen Robinson © January 2016

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

I Do Art Discussion No. 22 – “Two Women Talking” by Karen Robinson

Posted on October 18, 2015 by idoartkarenrobinson

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No.33-45 Abstract Painting Nos. 62A & 62B Titled 'Two Women Talking' by Abstract Aritist Karen Robinson Aug 2015 Images copyright protected.JPG

No.33-45 Abstract Painting Nos. 62A and 62B Titled ‘Two Women Talking’ by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson Aug 2015 Images copyright protected.JPG

No.22-45 Abstract Painting Nos. 62A & 62B Titled 'Two Women Talking' by Abstract Aritist Karen Robinson Aug 2015 Images copyright protected.JPG

No.22-45 Abstract Painting Nos. 62A and 62B Titled ‘Two Women Talking’ by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson Aug 2015 Images copyright protected.JPG

INTRODUCTION

It has taken some time for me to complete these two Abstract Paintings Nos. 62A and 62B titled ‘Two Women Talking’. They were inspired by a lunch that I had with my sister earlier this year where I found myself engaging in a conversation that revealed some truths that had not been shared before. My sister and I often these days now – catch up and have lunch and a chat. Below is an image of both paintings, one representing my sister and one representing myself. The gold band of colour I gave to my sister because she likes wearing gold jewellery and I gave myself the silver band of colour because I like wearing silver jewellery! Something that sisters know about each other! Other colour choices were based on our individual favourites that I could remember about each of us and/or some personality trait that I felt could be symbolized with colour.

No.39-45 Abstract Painting Nos. 62A & 62B Titled 'Two Women Talking' by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson Aug 2015 Images copyright protected.JPG

No.39-45 Abstract Painting Nos. 62A and 62B Titled ‘Two Women Talking’ by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson Aug 2015 Images copyright protected.JPG

PAINTING DETAILS

Abstract Painting No. 62A Titled ‘Two Women Talking’ Acrylic on Canvas 55cmsx55cmsx3cms by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson Aug 2015 Images Copyright.JPG

Painting No. 62A Titled: ‘Two Women Talking’
Acrylic on Canvas
55cms Length x 55cms Wide x 3cms Deep
August 2015
Abstract Artist – Karen Robinson

Abstract Painting No. 62B Titled ‘Two Women Talking’ Acrylic on Canvas 55cmsx55cmsx3cms by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson Aug 2015 Images Copyright.JPG

Painting No. 62B Titled: ‘Two Women Talking’
Acrylic on Canvas
55cms Length x 55cms Wide x 3cms Deep
August 2015
Abstract Artist – Karen Robinson

PAINTING STORY – ‘Two Women Talking’

Writing the painting story is always an important part of my art for therapy journey. Here below is what I wrote about these particular paintings:-

These two paintings are about the times my sister and I set aside to talk, to catch up, to listen, to speak, to share, to reflect, to consider each other’s words that are representative of our thoughts and feelings. As sisters these conversations can be deeply personal as we often talk about matters that are troubling us as individuals. There is always a moment during our talks to share good news which ensures we leave feeling hopeful. Listening plays a major part in these catch ups and sometimes our conversations require carefully considered responses. We have not always enjoyed having this kind of relationship and there was a period of time in our lives where we hadn’t talked for many years. We shared a very troubled childhood which has left us both struggling with childhood wounds that can make dealing with day-to-day living, difficult at times. These catch ups have become an important part of our sister relationship, especially now as we grow older, where our time will pass and the memories of us as people, will be left behind with our children. I hope that my sister’s daughter and my daughter will in their lives as they grow older, take up the opportunity to enrich their lives with catch up times with each other – perhaps they will talk about us – their mothers – I hope they will think and speak kindly of us…

© Karen Robinson, October 2015

PAINTING PROCESS – From sketch to finished paintings!

My painting process starts with a conception, an inspiration as described above. With this concept, I pencil sketch onto my canvas, the outline. Then I paint, one colour at a time on the canvas, allowing each colour to dry throughly, before starting with another colour. Once the entire sketch on the canvas has been painted, with a single layer of Matisse acrylic paint, I repeat the process another two times, to obtain a richness of each colour. I also turn my painting over and put all the relevant details on the back of the canvas. I then spray varnish it three times which gives it a nice shine. In order to keep track of my art work, I photograph the painting/s, write the painting story, print it off and put a hard copy in my art portfolio folder and then wrote this blog. Quiet a process! Below is a slide-show showing some of these stages for the above featured paintings.

No.9-45 Abstract Painting Nos. 62A & 62B Titled 'Two Women Talking' by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson Aug 2015 Images copyright protected.JPG

No.9-45 Abstract Painting Nos. 62A and 62B Titled ‘Two Women Talking’ by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson Aug 2015 Images copyright protected.JPG

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TWO WOMEN TALKING – FACE TO FACE POSITIVE VIEW!

No.44-45 Abstract Painting Nos. 62A and 62B Titled ‘Two Women Talking’ by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson Aug 2015 Images copyright protected.JPG

No.45-45 Abstract Painting Nos. 62A and 62B Titled ‘Two Women Talking’ by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson Aug 2015 Images copyright protected.JPG

These two paintings can be hang either facing each other or back to back. For me when they are facing each other it means there is a direct line of communication between the two women talking. It means they are listening to each other, they are interacting in a positive manner.

TWO WOMEN TALKING – BACK TO BACK NEGATIVE VIEW!

No.45-45 Abstract Painting Nos. 62A and 62B Titled ‘Two Women Talking’ by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson Aug 2015 Images copyright protected.JPG

No.44-45 Abstract Painting Nos. 62A and 62B Titled ‘Two Women Talking’ by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson Aug 2015 Images copyright protected.JPG

When these two paintings are hang facing back to back it means whilst they may be still in each other’s company – they are not listening to each other, they are ineffectively communicating which ultimately results in a negative outcome for both women talking.

CONCLUSION

It has been an amazing journey using art, storytelling, and photo taking over recent years and blogging has added a new dimension to my art for therapy processes. I hope by sharing here within my weblog, will help you find your voice. Happy painting, story-telling and photo-taking and/or just plain good living for 2015….Karen

No.21-45 Abstract Painting Nos. 62A and 62B Titled ‘Two Women Talking’ by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson Aug 2015 Images copyright protected.JPG

NB: To view my Abstract Painting Gallery, please click here. 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 – Abstract Artist/Blogger/Story-teller/Photo-taker

Art Therapy Group Session Seven – September 2015 “Third Step of Group Project” by Karen Robinson

Posted on September 24, 2015 by idoartkarenrobinson

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No. 6 of 17 Art Therapy Sessions 14th & 17th Sept 2015 Karen Robinson-Abstract Artist working on own individual art work-all images copyright protected.JPG

No. 5 of 17 Art Therapy Sessions 14th & 17th Sept 2015 Karen Robinson-Abstract Artist working on own individual art work-all images copyright protected.JPG

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

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-all images copyright protected.JPG

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

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

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.

No. 7 of 17 Art Therapy Sessions 14th & 17th Sept 2015 Karen Robinson-Abstract Artist working on own individual art work-all images copyright protected.JPG

No. 8 of 17 Art Therapy Sessions 14th & 17th Sept 2015 Karen Robinson-Abstract Artist working on own individual art work-all images copyright protected.JPG

No. 11 of 17 Art Therapy Sessions 14th & 17th Sept 2015 Karen Robinson-Abstract Artist working on own individual art work-all images copyright protected.JPG

No. 13 of 17 Art Therapy Sessions 14th & 17th Sept 2015 Karen Robinson-Abstract Artist working on own individual art work-all images copyright protected.JPG

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.

No. 14 of 17 Art Therapy Sessions 14th & 17th Sept 2015 Karen Robinson-Abstract Artist working on own individual art work-all images copyright protected.JPG

No. 16 of 17 Art Therapy Sessions 14th & 17th Sept 2015 Karen Robinson-Abstract Artist working on own individual art work-all images copyright protected.JPG

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.

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

Art Therapy Group Session Six – August 2015 “Second Step of Group Project” by Karen Robinson

Posted on September 4, 2015 by idoartkarenrobinson

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2 of 11 Art Therapy Session 31.8.2015 Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist painting on square canvas with acrylic paint being second stage in painting production for group project NB: All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG

INTRODUCTION

Today was our sixth group art therapy session and our second session working on our individual works, which once completed, will be grouped together to form one single group work of art. NB: To view details regarding the first stage please click here.

STEP TWO PART 1 – AT THE SESSION

During this session, I decided to add a blue line across the top and a green line at the bottom of my canvas. I then mixed a lime green paint colour and using a finely pointed paint brush, marked the inside of the heart shape, with stem like markings. Around the top where I had the blue line, I decided to mute the blue line by tapping over and around it with my black paint covered fingers on the canvas. At the base of the canvas, using a small finely pointed paint brush, I used dark green and lime green paint to make fine swirling lines and repeated the process with the colour orange/yellow around the base and along each side of the canvas. The finished effect can be see in the image below.

3 of 11 Art Therapy Session 31.8.2015 Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist painting on square canvas with acrylic paint being second stage in painting production for group project NB: All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG

THE COMPLETION OF THE SECOND STAGE OF OUR ART THERAPY GROUP PROJECT

After we had all completed this second stage of our individual pieces of art work, we all shared a little about our art work and only as much as we wanted to share. Some of us talked about the meaning of it, others talked about what they intended to do moving forward over the weeks to come. We were then given the option to either take our art work home with us to work on further or leave them at the venue to dry. I chose to take mine home to work on and to give me the opportunity to plan what I wanted to do further, during the coming weeks of our art therapy sessions.

At the completion of the art therapy session we packed up and headed 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…

STEP TWO PART 2 – IN MY HOME STUDIO

The next day, I decided to work on my art work further. Firstly with an ink pen, I outlined the green stems within the heart, and then draw in flowerets at the end of each stem line. Once this was dry, I then coloured in the flowerets with, watered down yellow ink which nicely dispersed within the flowerets shaping. In a couple of spots, I draw in mini flower bugs and small hearts. I decided to ink blotch the top end of the canvas further, to make a stronger statement. Once all this was dry, I pencilled in a boxing shape around the outer edging of the canvas, then use masking tape along the pencilled line and then painted it in gold, to frame the whole art work. The finished effect can be see in the single image below with close-ups in the follow set of images. I am now leaving this art work to sit until our next art therapy session where I will then work on it further.

4 of 11 Art Therapy Session 31.8.2015 Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist painting on square canvas with acrylic paint being second stage in painting production for group project NB: All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG

6 of 11 Art Therapy Session 31.8.2015 Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist painting on square canvas with acrylic paint being second stage in painting production for group project NB: All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG

7 of 11 Art Therapy Session 31.8.2015 Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist painting on square canvas with acrylic paint being second stage in painting production for group project NB: All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG

8 of 11 Art Therapy Session 31.8.2015 Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist painting on square canvas with acrylic paint being second stage in painting production for group project NB: All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG

9 of 11 Art Therapy Session 31.8.2015 Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist painting on square canvas with acrylic paint being second stage in painting production for group project NB: All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG

10 of 11 Art Therapy Session 31.8.2015 Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist painting on square canvas with acrylic paint being second stage in painting production for group project NB: All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG

11 of 11 Art Therapy Session 31.8.2015 Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist painting on square canvas with acrylic paint being second stage in painting production for group project NB: All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG

CONCLUSION

It amazes me every time, just how much value there is being a participant within this art therapy group. The art therapy facilitator involves the participants in all fazes of the decision-making process, so we are still deciding on how we will bring all the art work pieces together to represent the finished art work as one piece. I will blog each week with up dates to show how it evolves – art therapy at it best I feel…

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

Art Therapy Group Session Five – August 2015 “Commencement of Group Project” by Karen Robinson

Posted on August 29, 2015 by idoartkarenrobinson

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3 of 3 Art Therapy Session 24.8.2015 Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist painting on square canvas with acrylic paint being first stage in painting production for group project NB Images are protected by copyright..JPG

INTRODUCTION

Today was our fifth group art therapy session and consisted of the commencement of a group project which took up the whole of this particular session’s given time span. The art therapy facilitator firstly layed out onto the carpet a very large stretch of canvas where upon members of the group measured out equal sections which were then cut into separate pieces. A single piece of canvas was handed to each participant to work on in any fashion they wished. The ultimate goal was to have each participate complete a work of art that was representative of their carer experience. At the end of this artistic endeavour which is to take a number of weeks to achieve, we would then somehow bring all the individual artworks together as one sole piece of group artistic masterpiece!

RECEIVING MY PIECE OF CANVAS

In previous weeks, the art therapy facilitator had us engage in artistic activities that were to help us reach this point in being able to produce this particular work of art. So I had been thinking about working with paint on canvas, lace and crystals – that was about as much as I had been able to envisage. Once I had the canvas in front of me, it became clearer to me, where I should start. Just recently I had re looked at a video that TAC had made of me in 2011, about the loss of my son Ben to road trauma and about my art for therapy journey. I was listening to myself speak, I re-heard my words ‘try to build in my memory, the best of Ben, to carry him in my heart‘ – it then came to me what I was going to produce for this project, I would start with a large heart and that heart would dominate the canvas. I firstly draw a large heart onto a sheet of paper, folded it in half and cut around one side of the heart to ensure each side of the heart was the same in shape. I then placed this cut out heart onto the canvas and traced around the outer edging with a lead pencil. I mixed up a beautiful colour pink to fill the heart with and then mixed up a beautiful colour tangerine to surround the heart.

1 of 3 Art Therapy Session 24.8.2015 Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist painting on square canvas with acrylic paint being first stage in painting production for group project NB Images are protected by copyright.JPG

ABOUT ‘USING ART FOR THERAPY’ VIDEO

This video was produced by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) as a CLIENT VIDEO featuring myself Karen Robinson talking about using ‘art for therapy’ for TAC’s 2011 ‘Picture This’ Exhibition. It was “ in its fifth year and provided people who had been affected by road trauma to use artistic expression, whether it was drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, photography or textiles, to share their experiences. The exhibitions showcased artwork by people who had either taken up art since being involved in a transport accident, or who were artists before their accident“. TAC (2013). Client art exhibition – Picture This 2013.

THE COMPLETION OF THE FIRST STAGE OF OUR ART THERAPY GROUP PROJECT

After we had all completed the very first stage of our individual pieces of art work, we all shared a little about our art work and only as much as we wanted to share. Some of us talked about the meaning of it, others talked about what they intended to do moving forward over the weeks to come. We then placed our precious art works in places around the venue in order that they could dry completely before working on then further, at next week’s art therapy session.

2 of 3 Art Therapy Session 24.8.2015 Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist painting on square canvas with acrylic paint being first stage in painting production for group project NB Images are protected by copyright..JPG

CONCLUSION

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

Art Therapy Group Session Four – August 2015 “Fantasy, Mystical Creature of Self…” by Karen Robinson

Posted on August 23, 2015 by idoartkarenrobinson

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No. 11 of 13 Art Therapy Session ‘Fantasy, mystical creature of self with shelter that provides for all its needs – by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG

INTRODUCTION

Today was our fourth group art therapy session and consisted of just one creative exercise which took up most of the session’s given time span. The art therapy facilitator instructions were to make a fantasy, mystical creature of our selves out of polymer clay. It was not to have any human likeness. Once we had achieved this, we were then to make a home/shelter for our creature that would include all the creature comforts we thought we needed to live. We were provided with varying materials to use to make the home/shelter consisting of – different sized boxes, printed paper, felt, wool, glitter, magazines, pens, pencils, felts, paints ect. Whilst at first this task seamed like child’s play it quickly became apparent that participants were endeavouring to go about producing creations that significantly interpreted the project brief given.

MY FANTASY, MYSTICAL CREATURE OF SELF

For myself, I decided to firstly use a brown colour for the torso of my creature. It then gained orange feet, a white face, red nose, black eyes and brows and three colourful feathers set at the back of its head. During my story telling to the group, I said that my creature was colourful because of my love of colour and my creature also had the ability to chance colour to reflect its environment as needed.

No. 12 of 13 Art Therapy Session ‘Fantasy, mystical creature of self with shelter that provides for all its needs – by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG

HOME/SHELTER FOR MY FANTASY, MYSTICAL CREATURE OF SELF

My creatures home/shelter started with a small box which had an open lip and when put on its side led to look like a balcony or like an entrance into my home. Within my home I included small fluffy balls which represented food. Then I made a bed out of fine wool that I glued to a circular rug like shape. The back of my home inside the box, I lined with dark rock patterned paper, and the sides and balcony/drive with a rock patterned paper to represent the Australian outback. At the sides of the entrance of my creatures home, I cut out small trees and glued them onto the box which represented my love of nature. At the end of the balcony/drive, I placed a dark blue felt lagoon shaped object with sparkles to represent fresh, clean water.

No. 1 of 13 Art Therapy Session ‘Fantasy, mystical creature of self with shelter that provides for all its needs – by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG

At the back outside of my home/shelter, I used paper that had blue sky and clouds and then I glued a fluffy, yellow ball of wool which represented the sun. At the back outside of my home/shelter I glued a picture of a cactus with glitter. At the very top, I glued a picture of a bull’s silhouette against a raging sunset I also included other creatures which were representation of family and friends. In summary I ensured my fantasy, mystical creature of my self had a home/shelter that provided me with:- shelter, food, a warm bed, a home that I felt good and safe in and then I surrounded myself with family and friends. I said to the group when we were sharing our story about our creations, that for me, my fantasy, mystical creature of my self and the home/shelter was a representation of what is important to me – it is what I have built-in my real life for myself and my family. That I was the sum of all those who are in my life and without them I would be alone and life would seem meaningless…

No. 2 of 13 Art Therapy Session ‘Fantasy, mystical creature of self with shelter that provides for all its needs – by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG.JPG

No. 3 of 13 Art Therapy Session ‘Fantasy, mystical creature of self with shelter that provides for all its needs – by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG.JPG

No. 4 of 13 Art Therapy Session ‘Fantasy, mystical creature of self with shelter that provides for all its needs – by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG.JPG

No. 5 of 13 Art Therapy Session ‘Fantasy, mystical creature of self with shelter that provides for all its needs – by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG.JPG

No. 6 of 13 Art Therapy Session ‘Fantasy, mystical creature of self with shelter that provides for all its needs – by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG.JPG

No. 7 of 13 Art Therapy Session ‘Fantasy, mystical creature of self with shelter that provides for all its needs – by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG.JPG

No. 8 of 13 Art Therapy Session ‘Fantasy, mystical creature of self with shelter that provides for all its needs – by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG.JPG

No. 9 of 13 Art Therapy Session ‘Fantasy, mystical creature of self with shelter that provides for all its needs – by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG.JPG

No. 10 of 13 Art Therapy Session ‘Fantasy, mystical creature of self with shelter that provides for all its needs – by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG.JPG

No. 13 of 13 Art Therapy Session ‘Fantasy, mystical creature of self with shelter that provides for all its needs – by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG.JPG

CONCLUSION

Once we had completed our mini projects we then shared our story about our creatures and their homes/shelter. It was just so interesting and revealing what was shared during this part of the session. Whilst an activity like this can be seen as child’s play, it is very apparent when participants share their stories, including myself, that much more is going on in our minds. What could be seen and heard is how differently we all had interpreted the brief and how powerful the stories were that we had shared!

What also becomes evident during these sessions it that at times carers feel unheard, unseen and their needs, desires are put on hold whilst they endeavour to care for their loved ones in their day-to-day lives. But having a place where they can have time for themselves such as attending an art therapy session, gives them a place where it’s just for them and where they do not have to share their time with another – for just a little while at least…

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

Creative Writing Group Session – August 2015 “My Bed! and Laughing at Mother!” by Karen Robinson

Posted on August 14, 2015 by idoartkarenrobinson

While you are here – please check out my home page!

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

INTRODUCTION

My Creative Writing Group Sessions always leave me feeling like I have taken a little journey into a new world of endless possibilities, a world where it can be of utter truths or pure fantasies. Our sessions not only give us an opportunity to engage in creative writing exercises, but also give us the opportunity to listen to others whilst they share their precious words.

THIS CREATIVE WRITING SESSION’S TASKS

We engaged in a series of creative writing tasks during this session but I have chosen just the two to share within this weblog and are here below:-

MY CREATIVE WRITING No. 1 – The Creative Writing Facilitator asked us to write a piece within a five-minute sprint. It was to help push the editor brain into the background, in other words to write without the self editor getting in the way of the writing. I did this below but afterwards, I couldn’t help myself going over my writing piece and just add one or two words and fix some wording that didn’t sound right once I read it out aloud to myself. Very little was changed! I have to confess that I didn’t stop at five minutes as I felt the need to continue to the point where my writing piece felt finished, that it had come to a natural end for me. The choices of subject matter were (1) beds or (2) a favourite movie and I chose beds.

Title: “My Bed”

“My bed is my haven and a place where I can rest my now aching body and rejuvenate my sole! My husband and I just recently purchased two new beds. Mine is soft and roomy and makes me feel safe and at ease with the world. I feel so fortunate that I can go to bed knowing that I am safe, and that in the morning after lying in my bed, will be the birth of a new day. A new day that presents new challenges, new experiences and a day closer to my eventual end, the end of my natural life. In knowing this, I say to myself I’d better make sure, I make the best of each and every day!
From my bed I can see out my window, out into the outside world where trees rustle in the breeze, where the local native birds hop from branch to branch and drink at the newly placed bird bath. I see them having a wash, fluffing out their feathers to dry and then flying off into the bush searching for food and shelter. I sometimes hear the neighbour start-up his Ute very early in the morning and head off to work. He appears to be a good man, a good provider for his family and a neighbour that causes no issues.
Other times I just lay in bed with the radio on and with my eyes closed, just listening to the BBC news of the world in the wee hours of the morning and around 6am the ABC news of the day. Sometimes the news is dark and leaves me thinking that the world is not a very nice place to live in – as there seems to be so much evil in the world and at other times, I hear programs that lift my spirits and gives me hope for future generations.
When the morning sun rises, it tells me it’s time for me to rise as well. I turn out of my soft bed, fold the top sheet with its accompanying comfy wool blanket up to the top of the bed, and then pull the Doona up over all of this, to complete the make. This act is like a closure of the night, and the signal that the day is now ahead. It feels like a subliminal message being whispered to me saying – “it’s a new day Karen…now go do your best!”

© Karen Robinson, 1st August 2015

No. 5 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

No. 3 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

No. 1 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

No. 4 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

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

MY CREATIVE WRITING No. 2 – The Creative Writing Facilitator asked us to create a cluster of words around the given word ‘humour’. We were told that by creating a cluster of words it can help generate ideas and insights quickly and easily, break through internal barriers, help get our writing thoughts unstuck, and can assist in communicating and understanding others. Upon the sheet of A4 paper given to each of us to use, we went about brain storming for other words that came to mind when we thought about ‘humour’. Once we had completed our individual mind maps, we were asked to share it with the person sitting next to us and then to write a story about just one of the words on our mind map and I chose ‘false teeth’. It was one of the words that had conjured up in my mind, a very funny incident with my mother when I was just a teenager. I should say it seemed at the time very funny to me as a teenager but perhaps it was not so funny for my poor mother!

Title: “Laughing at Mother”

“I remember a particular time as a teenager when my mother was having a very serious argument with me. We were screaming at each other, it was full on verbal abuse towards one another at its worst. I cannot remember the details of this tirade of back and forth abusive communicate we were engaging in, but I can remember what brought it to an end! My mother was screaming furiously when all of a sudden her top false teeth came flying out of her mouth! At first we were both astonished and wondered what had just happened. Then when I realised that my mother’s false teeth had flown out of her mouth whilst she had been berating me – I just burst out laughing as it was the funniest thing I had ever seen. As a teenager this was a wonderful end to what had been a very serious encounter with my mother. My mother did not see the funny side of this event and collected her false teeth where they had landed but for me, as a teenager, this too just seemed to be even funnier. It was one of the very rare times where my mother seemed defeated and in some way sorrowful but my teenage humour just enjoyed the event too much. One for daughter and nil for mother – a teenager’s view of humour!”

© Karen Robinson, 1st August 2015

CREATIVE WRITING INSPIRING ART!

After each creative writing session, I personally like to use my creative writing stories to inspire an art work. These artworks are not ‘masterpieces’ but are an important part of a therapeutic process that I enjoy; and helps complete my art for therapy journey after each creative writing group session. These particular paintings/art works are produced in a quick and spontaneous manner and are unlike my other painting method which is planned and takes many, many hours to complete. I enjoy both methods!

No. 6 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

CONCLUSION

Once again, after our creative writing session, we headed off to the local restaurant to share a meal together and engage in good conversation – such a wonderful privilege. Thank you for joining me on this Creative Writing Group Session Journey! Please click here to view previous Creative Writing Group Sessions.

NB: For the purposes of this weblog series “Creative Writing Group”, 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.

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

Creative Writing Group Session – July 2015 “Betty Boots and Where there is a will there is a solution…” by Karen Robinson

Posted on August 7, 2015 by idoartkarenrobinson

While you are here – please check out my home page!

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

No. 1 of 6 Creative Writing Group Session ‘Where there is a will…there is a solution!’ Ink on Paper by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist 1.8.15 NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG

INTRODUCTION

My Creative Writing Group Sessions always leave me, feeling like I have taken a little journey into a new world of endless possibilities, a world where it can be of utter truths or pure fantasies. Our sessions not only give us an opportunity to engage in creative writing exercises, but also give us the opportunity to listen to others whilst they share their precious words.

THIS CREATIVE WRITING SESSION’S TASKS

We engaged in a series of creative writing tasks during this session but I have chosen just the two to share within this weblog and are here below:-

MY CREATIVE WRITING – The Creative Writing Facilitator asked us to finish this statement “Where there is a will ….” and write about it!

Title: “Where there is a will…there is a solution!”

“One of the things I have learned in my life, now being a stretch of 60 years, is that having determination, a desire to resolve, to look for a solution – requires ‘will’. I have lived through many experiences where, all I had in my ‘tool box of life skills’ was ‘will’! When one has ‘will’ – it gives us the driving force to maintain the power to keep forging forward, even when things seem almost impossible.

As a teenager, I joined the workforce with little to no education, just a strong desire to somehow succeed in life. With my ‘will’ to succeed at life, I ventured into tackling numerous and varying jobs with the hope that I would gain some form of expertise, that could lead to bigger and better opportunities. I managed to extract skills from each undertaking that allowed me to find solutions to firstly fulfil my basic needs such as: a roof over my head, cloths on my back and food in my belly. And secondly, to help me fulfil my creative needs which have led me to be able to maintain a good sense of wellbeing.

So, for me, this statement ‘where there is a will … there are solutions‘ rings true!

© Karen Robinson, 1st August 2015

No. 2 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 law.JPG

No. 6 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 law.JPG

No. 3 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 law.JPG

No. 5 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 law.JPG

No. 4 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 law.JPG

MY CREATIVE WRITING – The Creative Writing Facilitator asked us to write a paragraph with at least 10 words that began with the letter ‘B’!

No. 1 of 4 Creative Writing Group Session ‘Betty Boots’ Ink on Paper by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist 1.8.15 NB All images are protected by copyright laws .JPG

Title: “Betty Boots”

“Betty Boots lived just down the road from my home. She always wore something blue and walked her brown bulldog called Buffy nearly every day. Betty had a bright smile and a big hello when she greeted you on the street, so the week I didn’t see her was strange. I decided to knock on Betty’s front door, just to make sure Betty was alright. Answering the door was this big broad shoulder young man with a mighty large broad brim hat. For just a moment I was taken aback by his burly appearance but then I found my voice and asked him if Betty was at home. He said his name was Benny and that he was Betty’s brother and was staying at his sister’s home, looking after her dog Buffy until she returned home from Boston where their parents lived. By then Buffy was at the door, wagging his tail and seeking a pat! Benny said that she was expected back tomorrow and said I should come and join them for brunch on her return as she would have lots of news to share. I accepted this warm invitation, patted Buffy and left no longer concerned. I said to myself on my way back home that tomorrow morning I must go and buy from the local bakery, a big boson bun for the brunch with Betty and her brother Benny, and a doggy biscuit for Buffy…”

© Karen Robinson, 1st August 2015

No. 4 of 4 Creative Writing Group Session ‘Betty Boots’ Ink on Paper by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist 1.8.15 NB All images are protected by copyright laws .JPG

No. 2 of 4 Creative Writing Group Session ‘Betty Boots’ Ink on Paper by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist 1.8.15 NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG

No. 3 of 4 Creative Writing Group Session ‘Betty Boots’ Ink on Paper by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist 1.8.15 NB All images are protected by copyright laws .JPG

CREATIVE WRITING INSPIRING ART!

After each creative writing session, I personally wanted to use my creative writing stories to inspire an art work. These artworks are not ‘masterpieces’ but are an important part of a therapeutic process that I enjoy; and helps complete my art for therapy journey after each creative writing group session. These particular paintings/art works are produced in a quick and spontaneous manner and are unlike my other painting method which is planned and takes many, many hours to complete. I enjoy both methods!

CONCLUSION

NB: For the purposes of this weblog series “Creative Writing Group”, 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.

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

Creative Writing Group Session – July 2015 “Things I dislike…” by Karen Robinson

Posted on July 29, 2015 by idoartkarenrobinson

While you are here – please check out my home page!

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

INTRODUCTION

THIS CREATIVE WRITING SESSION’S TASK

We engaged in a series of creative writing tasks during this session but I have chosen just the one to share here. The creative writing facilitator asked us to write about “what are some of the things we really dislike in life“. It was to be in the form of a rant! A rant being a tirade writing piece that is like a ‘shout at length’ in an angry, impassioned way. This rant needed to be completed within a 5 minute period of time, without hesitancy, with energy and without holding back. At the completion of the time frame we were encouraged to count the number of words written and compare this number with the number of words written in a previous rant we wrote earlier in the session. It was interesting to note that most of us had increased our word count as we progressed from one rant to the next. It was as though we were loosening up our creative brains, telling our creative brain not to hold back and to not senor ourselves, in other words, give ourselves permission to write freely.

MY CREATIVE WRITING RANT!

Title: “…Things I dislike…”

“I dislike being called ‘love’ or ‘sweetie’ or ‘dearie’ or ‘darling’! I find these titles, these pet names, these excuses for not remembering a person’s name demeaning, annoying. I feel like saying to the person “don’t you remember my name or if you don’t remember my name, I would rather be called nothing at all instead of ‘love’ or ‘sweetie’ or ‘dearie’ or ‘darling'”.

It’s difficult to know where this dislike comes from within me? Perhaps it is because as I was growing up and as a young woman, my name represented my entire identity and sometimes it was all I owned.

I know when a relative of mine calls me darling, I feel myself wincing. I get this almost impulsive feeling of wanting to snap back with a very sarcastic ‘darrrlllliiiinnnggg how are you!!!”. But instead what I do in reality is just continue on with polite conversation, ignoring the fact that this relative for over 30 years now has called me ‘darling’ despite the fact that I call them by their given name and not ‘love’ or ‘sweetie’ or ‘dearie’ or ‘darling’!

Word Count 184

© Karen Robinson, 29th July 2015

RANT WRITING REFLECTION!

The creative writing facilitator asked us to then consider how we felt after writing our rant. I felt better – it actually rationalised my thoughts in regards to this thing I dislike. That there was not much logic in having those feelings towards the thing I disliked, that really I could just ignore the dislike and put in a box called ‘not worth worrying about’!

CREATIVE WRITING INSPIRING ART!

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

No. 1 of 4 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

Art Work Story – She is saying “Darrrlllliiiinnnggg how are you!!!”

No. 4 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

CONCLUSION

NB: For the purposes of this weblog series “Creative Writing Group”, 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.

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

Creative Writing Group Session – June 2015 “When I was 10…” by Karen Robinson

Posted on June 13, 2015 by idoartkarenrobinson

While you are here – please check out my home page!

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

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 by a Creating Writing Session June 2015 Features myself, my sister and my brother on walkabout in Cairns rainforests and along the edge of the mud flats of Cairns’ Esplanade – Australia in 1965 during childhood adventures .JPG

INTRODUCTION

My Creative Writing Group Sessions always leave me feeling, with a sense of having taken a little journey into a new world of endless possibilities, a world where it can be of utter truths or pure fantasies. Our sessions not only give us an opportunity to engage in creative writing exercises, but also give us the opportunity to listen to others whilst they share their precious words.

THIS CREATIVE WRITING SESSION’S TASK

During this particular creative writing session June, 2015 we participated in a creating a writing piece, that was generated by a string of words, offered by the creative writing facilitator. The subject matter for this creative writing piece was this ‘…When I was 10…’ and that was it. We could interpret this string of words in any way we wished. I decided to interpret the string of words literally, so I wrote about ‘…When I was 10…” and this writing piece can be found below:

CREATIVE WRITING PIECE

Title: “…When I was 10…”

“When I was 10 life was difficult, but let me think more about my childhood adventures instead. I was the oldest of three children. I had a younger sister by 3 years and a younger brother by 4 years. It was my job, most days, to look after us all, whilst mum worked and dad … well, he would work sometimes, and mostly drink other times, and sometimes both at the same time – but enough about dad.

The three of us children would take ourselves off into the tropical rain forests and along the Bay’s esplanade for walkabouts. These times became the sum of our childhood adventures! We would swim in the crystal-clear creeks that were refreshed daily by outbursts of torrential rain. When the creeks were still and quiet, we would study the clear water and search for small fish, tadpoles and look for tiny specks of sparkling gold dust at the bottom of creek beds. We would stalk blue mountain butterflies as they fed on showy tropical flowers within the neighbourhood’s green lush gardens.

Sometimes we would look for mango trees to climb and retrieve mangos to help satisfy our hunger and other times we would search for the freshest coconuts that lay at random beneath the numerous coconut palm trees. It would take us hours and hours to remove the outer hard dark-brown hairy husk of the coconut, but all seemed to be worth the effort once we had reached its inner sanctum of creamy white coconut flesh and opaque coconut water.

We would walk along the Bay’s esplanade and collect the sour-sweet fruit pods that had fallen from the shore-line Tamarind trees onto the ground, then sit on the wall, looking out over the bay, while we sucked on the sour-sweet fruit seeds. At low tide we would venture out onto the Bay’s shore edge which did not consist of sands, but of a mud flat. Each step we would take would have our feet and legs sinking into squishy, soft and sometimes smelly, mud. Many small soldier crabs lived on these mudflats and would run for cover upon the sight of us three small children.

There were other times where we would take retreat from the burning hot sun under the shade of frangipani trees where we cooled down and rested our tired little legs. We would collect the fallen perfumed frangipani flowers that lay beneath these trees and string them together and hang them around our necks, or my sister and I would place them in our long hair.

Stray dogs always seemed to become our friends and we would often have to tell them to go back home, and stop following us. Perhaps they, too, were looking for adventures. We were always on the hunt for fresh water to drink and over time we grew to know where every fresh water tap was within our walkabout region, where every fruit tree was with available fruits to pick as needed, whether on public land or in private gardens – to us there was no difference. All land was our playground, awaiting our arrival to explore.

These days would end in the inevitable journey back home, where our tired bodies found baths to wash away a day’s play and with sleep ahead to prepare us for the next day’s walkabout adventures. This is how it should have been, but many times the thought of returning home was full of trepidation as we would never know in what condition we would find our father. Would he be there? Better if he was not! If he was there, would he be drunk and angry, fearsome and scary? Would we be able to avoid his tirade, his imposing drunken rampage?

As I said at the beginning of this little story, our lives as children were difficult but I do remember my childhood walkabout adventures with my younger sister and brother with much fondness. I know that these times, for sure, were the birthplace of my love and respect for nature.”

© Karen Robinson, 10th June 2015

*Special thank you to my Creative Writing Facilitator for checking over my creative writing piece above and updating the punctuation, correcting a tiny spelling error and a grammatical error and applying the correct form of copyright so that it looks quite professional. My Creative Writing Facilitator had not changed any of my words, but had removed 2 superfluous ones that detracted from the meaning. Thank you so much J.B…

CREATIVE WRITING INSPIRING ART!

After each creative writing session, I personally wanted to use my creative writing stories to inspire an art work. These artworks are not ‘masterpieces’ but are an important part of a therapeutic process that I enjoy; and helps complete my art for therapy journey after each creative writing group session. These particular paintings are produced in a quick and spontaneous manner and are unlike my other painting method which is planned and takes many, many hours to complete. I enjoy both methods!

When photographing my art work, I like to photograph sections of it, as a way of capturing smaller painting stories within the whole painting itself. Below you can find three figures which represent us as children, myself being the largest – as the oldest child with my younger sister and younger brother. In the whole painting image, I have little specks of blue which mimics the Blue Mountain butterflies we used to try to catch. The figurative tree on the right, is a mango tree with ripe mangoes hanging from its branches and at the base of the painting is the silvery grey mud.

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

View 7 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

View 6 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

View 4 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

View 5 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

View 3 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

CONCLUSION

NB: For the purposes of this weblog series “Creative Writing Group”, 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.

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

Creative Writing Group Session – June 2015 “I am womankind…” by Karen Robinson

Posted on June 6, 2015 by idoartkarenrobinson

While you are here – please check out my home page!

1 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

1 of 8 Art Work inspired by Creative Writing Titled ‘I am womankind’ by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson June 2015 – Acrylic Paint on Canvas NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG

INTRODUCTION

My attendance at this year’s 2015 Creative Writing Group Sessions has been a little spasmodic. There have been other responsibilities fighting for my attention, hence blogs for said have been – here and there. But I have found when I do attend, it is a very enjoyable experience and has been helping me engage my creative writing persona.

IMAGE EXPLORATIONS EXERCISE – Used for Creative Writing

During this particular creative writing session June, 2015 we participated in a creating a writing piece, that was generated by a string of words, offered by the creative writing facilitator, which were drip feed to us, during the writing of the piece. During that period of time, we were to write about our thoughts; build a story about the string of words; and allow our imagination explore the images generated by the words spoken. The subject matter for this ‘image exploration creative writing’ piece was about a cave. We were to imagine this cave; imagine suddenly hearing a sound within the cave; imagine something else was there, in the cave and from these prompts develop a creative writing piece. My cave became a safe place during my image exploration creative writing exercise and can be found below.

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

6 of 8 Art Work inspired by Creative Writing Titled ‘I am womankind’ by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson June 2015 – Acrylic Paint on Canvas NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG

IMAGE EXPLORATION CREATIVE WRITING PIECE

Title: “I am womankind…”

“I am ‘womankind’ at its beginning. My cave is my home, my shelter. Just at this moment, it is night, and we have a roaring fire ablaze which is giving off a gentle heat. Over the fire, is today’s catch of mammoth, sizzling away and smelling almost ready to eat! Suddenly, there is a sound coming from the entrance to our cave. We all become alert! The children head towards the back of the cave and the men move forward towards the sound, with their clubs in hand. Slowly, a figure moves closer towards us, in a way that makes us feel un-threatened by its presence. As our eyes focus on the dark image, we realise it is just the camp’s dog, returning from its nights wondering.

The group reassemble around the fire and take part in the eating of today’s catch. All is safe again – it is only us within the cave, our safe place with family – no need to be afraid. Sleep begins to ascend upon the younger children, whilst the adults talk about their hunting and gathering of food adventures.

I pick up a piece of warm charcoal and begin to etch on the cave wall, figures of past families, as I feel their spiritual presence amongst us in our night. In my ‘cave woman’ mind, I am thinking about future generations of my people, coming back to our cave, and remembering our group, seeing our charcoal drawings of our lives, knowing that we existed, knowing that we are part of them and they are part of us…..”

Written by Karen Robinson – 6/6/15 ‘Copyright’ Protected

After we had completed this creative writing piece, we were asked to form groups of 2 or 3 and share our creative writing piece. It was interesting listening to each other’s work and hearing how others had interpreted the image exploration exercise. Some creative writing pieces were profound and deeply personal, with others being adventurous, intriguing, insightful and revealing.

CREATIVE WRITING INSPIRING ART!

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CONCLUSION

NB: For the purposes of this weblog series “Creative Writing Group”, 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.

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

I Do Art Discussion No. 18 – “A State of Mind” by Karen Robinson

Posted on February 2, 2015 by idoartkarenrobinson

Whilst you are here – please check out my home page!

INTRODUCTION

This abstract painting No. 58 titled ‘A State of Mind’ below was the last of what I like to call, one of my major art works 2014. It is an expression of feelings and emotions and its painting story can be found below. I have also included within this ‘I Do Art Discussion No. 18’ – two short YouTube videos about two of my painting practices. The first is about the use and application of builders tape which I have called blue tape; and the second video in about, the application of a coat of Matisse acrylic paint, to the canvas within the sectioned of areas of the painting.

Writing the painting story is always an important part of my art for therapy journey and this painting’s story can also be found below along with the painting’s details.

Painting No. 58 – Title ‘A State of Mind’ Dec 2014 – by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson NB All images are protected by copyright laws.JPG

PAINTING DETAILS

Painting No. 58 Titled: ‘A State of Mind’
Acrylic on Canvas
100cms Length x 100cms Wide x 3cms Deep
December 2014
Abstract Artist – Karen Robinson

PAINTING STORY – ‘A State of Mind’

This painting was inspired by a sketch I did during an art therapy group session August 2014. During the session our art therapy facilitator asked us to sketch within 5 minutes about ‘how we feel right now’. My life, my state of mind right at that moment was best described as being more ‘cup half full’ as opposed to being half empty during earlier years.

The bright yellow colour is representative of sunny feelings; the blue and green colours representing cooler feelings and emotions; the orange and red being representative of rage and/or being upset; and lastly the black is representative of the loss of my son and the sorrowful feelings I have which will never go away.

During my art therapy session, I explained that my sketch and now in this painting, once turned upside-down, is representative of some days where it is not all sunny, they can be dark and looming such as the early years after the loss of my son; but these kind of days were few and far between now, as it had been nearly five years on since the loss of my son Ben in 2009, being that it was August 2014 at the time the sketch was done. Within the painting its self, I created scaffolding type lines in black which signifies how my daily life, months, and years can be complicated by depression and anxiety. But I am in a much better place now than I have been…my wellbeing has improved greatly with the use of art and creative writing therapy.

Written by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist 2014

My Movie by Karen Robinson Abstract Painting No. 58 ‘A State of Mind’ Dec 2014 – “Talk on applying blue tape to the canvas to get straight edging…”

Blue Tape Preparation and Painted Black Section of Painting Executed – Abstract Painting No. 58 ‘A State of Mind’ Acrylic on Canvas Dec 2014 by Karen Robinson .JPG

My Movie by Karen Robinson Abstract Painting No. 58 ‘A State of Mind’ Dec 2014 – “Talk on applying the acrylic paint once the blue tape has been applied…“

CONCLUSION

It has been an amazing journey using art, storytelling, and photo taking over the last year 2014 and I hope by sharing here within my weblog, will help you find your voice. Happy painting, writing and photo taking and/or just plain good living for 2015….Karen

NB: To view my Abstract Painting Gallery, please click here. 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 – Abstract Artist/Blogger/Writer/Photo-taker

I Do Art Discussion No. 17 – “Life’s a Washing Machine” by Karen Robinson

Posted on January 18, 2015 by idoartkarenrobinson

Whilst you are here – please check out my home page!

INTRODUCTION

Sometimes, I find painting to be just a way to vent pent-up feelings and emotions. It can be a way of putting the days/months/years frustrations onto a canvas via paint; and it can be a way to just unburden one’s daily struggles and frustrations. Once it is done, I can stand back and say, well it’s all there, on the canvas, and I don’t need to carry around that particular burden anymore in my mind, heart and soul. Adding to that process is the writing of the painting’s story. By this I mean, the act of verbalizing its meaning, which then allows me to be able to examine exactly what’s been going on within myself. This whole reflective mechamism is and continues to be, a very therapeutic process that effectively increases my sense of well-being.

NB: Better Health Channel summarize the meaning of well-being as: “Well-being is not just the absence of disease or illness. It is a complex combination of a person’s physical, mental, emotional and social health factors. Well-being is linked to how you feel about yourself and your life” (Better Health Channel 2015).

PAINTING STORY

The inspiration for this particular ‘I Do Art Discussion Blog’ Painting as featured below, came from a time in my life, where it felt like I was on a treadmill and I couldn’t get off. The pressures of work and family life seemed never-ending and no matter what, it had to be endured to ensure we had a roof over our heads, cloths on our backs and food in our bellies. It did not help that I personally struggled with anxiety and depression. The following is the painting story that I wrote for this particular Painting No. 43 titled “Life’s a Washing Machine”:-

“This painting was inspired by how life at times feels like loads of washing tumbling around in a washing machine. Getting pulled this way and that way. Contorted, reshaped, dirtied up and washed out, hang out to dry only to start all over again each day! A whole mixture of life experiences tumbling into a single life which is shared with family, friends and work colleagues…..”

Written by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist 2010

Painting No. 43 - Title "Life's a Washing Machine' by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson - 2010 All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 43 – Title “Life’s a Washing Machine” Feb 2010
– by Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson All images are protected by copyright laws!

PAINTING DETAILS

Painting No. 43 – Title “Life’s a Washing Machine” Acrylic on Canvas February 2010 – 122cms Length x 122cms Wide x 3cm Deep by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson

PAINTING FORMATION

The painting formation is made up of contoured bracing that have a circular movement. It is like when you view cloths being washed in a washing machine that has a glass door that you can see the washing through. You can see the objects being sloshed and tossed around in the water and suds action.

CONCLUSION

Art Therapy has been an incredible tool to help me as a painter/person. It can be at times like looking into a mirror and seeing my thoughts, feelings and emotions at work. It offers me an opportunity to revise and reinvent a better me. By sharing my story I hope to inspire others to take up art for therapy…

NB: To view my Abstract Painting Gallery, please click here. 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 – Abstract Artist/Blogger/Writer/Photo-taker

I Do Art Discussion No. 16 – “Piece of Mind” by Karen Robinson

Posted on January 11, 2015 by idoartkarenrobinson

Whilst you are here – please check out my home page!

INTRODUCTION

Since the commencement of my weblog April 2014, I have been periodically blogging about certain art works within my art portfolio. Since 2008, the act of painting has proved to be a very important process I have used for myself, as a form of therapy whilst caring for my husband during 2008/2009 when he was receiving and recovering from chemotherapy; and during my grieving process for the loss of my son in 2009. Five years plus onwards, painting, along with my creative writing endeavours, continues to be an important part of my well-being. For me as the painter, the painting story is just as important as the art work itself, as it helps the viewer of my art work be able to make an informed connection. And through this connection, I also hope it will help give the viewer something meaningful to think about – long after viewing the art work its self…

Painting No. 3 - Title "Piece of Mind" by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 3 – Title “Piece of Mind” Feb 2008 – by Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

PAINTING DETAILS: Painting No. 3 – Title “Piece of Mind” Acrylic on Canvas Feb 08 – 60cms Length x 50cms Wide x 1cm Deep by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson

PAINTING PROCESS

At the commencement of my painting journey in 2008, I had purchased some very cheap canvases from the local market along with some inexpensive paints and brushes. I was still learning about the whole process of painting and it was not until a very kind person in an art gallery I was visiting once, opposite the market, had told me that I really should invest in good canvases, paints and brushes. It was after receiving this advice that I promptly went about researching and purchasing quality archival art products.

This painting above which I called “Piece of Mind” was the third painting I had ever done as an adult. It is small in size, but over time I progressed to larger size canvases as my confidence and experience increased. During the painting of this painting, I found that in order to gain a good coverage of paint, I had to paint each section 3 to 4 times. This was due to the poor quality paint and canvas I was using at the time and it was the only way I could get the colours to pop. I then finished off the painting with a layer of clear vanish to help the colours standout even more as well as helping to protect the canvas overall.

PAINTING STORY

The inspiration for this painting came from a moment I was looking back over my life and thinking about Belgravia where I held my last place of full-time employment. Unbeknown to me it became the last time I embarked on work that I considered part of my career path. I remember about how difficult it was and how much work related stress I had endured. The demands of being a wife and being up two children also weighted heavily on my mind. There were times I felt I was not making the grade in either arena. The demands of the position whilst very challenging and at times with the travel exciting, became a place where I felt like I was drowning and the only way out was to resign. It took me over 3 months to make that final decision to take that dramatic step and hand in my resignation. I have not regretted my decision to date and as it turned out it has been the best decision I could have made. 12 months on I was to face the biggest challenges in my life being my husband’s diagnoses of cancer 2008 and the death of my son in 2009. It took all my strength as a human being to weather those times and art and creative writing became my way of staying sane. Below is what I had originally written about the above painting, back in 2008:

“A jigsaw of a mind in thought! During my time at Belgravia, much was going on in my mind. Many tasks to complete, many goals to achieve, many new experiences to survive, enjoy and stress over. Many budgets to
reach, many meetings to attend, many flights to catch, many miles to travel. A very exciting and stressful but personally rewarding time in my life.”

NB: Belgravia was my last place of full-time employment and unbeknown to me it became the last time I embarked on work that I considered part of my career path.

CONCLUSION

The painting features lots of pieces which was indicative of how I felt when working at Belgravia. There was just so many demands of myself; demands from upper management but also demands I had placed upon myself within my family life. The title of the painting is a play on words. Rather than calling it a ‘peace of mind’ which work was not, I called it ‘piece of mind’. I found myself during this period of my life desperately looking for ‘peace of mind’ which, at last I have finally found. This ‘peace of mind’ so to speak, is being sustained through my art and creative writing processes.

NB: To view my Abstract Painting Gallery, please click here. 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 – Abstract Artist/Blogger/Writer/Photo-taker

Art Therapy Group Session 2 of 7 – “I found myself emotional when I least expected it…”

Posted on August 10, 2014 by idoartkarenrobinson

While you are here – please check out my home page!

My Art Therapy Group Session 2 – was unlike the first session for me. During my first session I found it fun. I came along to this session 2 with a mind-set that I was going to have an enjoyable experience. During the process of this session, I found myself emotional when I least expected it. The art therapy process had revealed hidden emotions, thoughts and feelings that I had not expressed in sometime. Whilst each participant’s activity was the same, the visual and verbal outcomes were unique to the individual. The session I found most revealing; revealing in relation to myself and in relation to others within the group. Please note that these art therapy sessions are not about creating works of art but about creating a means to express oneself with imagery and hopefully words in a safe and supportive environment.

NB: Please click here to read the introduction to this series of posts and also more about the first session: Art Therapy Group Session 1 of 7 – ‘It’s actually fun!”

Art Therapy Session No. 2 – ‘Stream of consciousness!’ by Karen Robinson Materials-crayon on butcher paper August 7, 2014 photograph taken by Karen Robinson Images copyright .JPG

First up in this session two – we were required to spend 5 mins with crayons and a small sheet of butcher paper and create a ‘stream of consciousness’! It was a way of warming up our create brains; getting us in an art therapy mind space! Once again it was interesting to take note, how each of us had interpreted this instruction given by the Art Therapist. My sketch above was just about having some fun and enjoying the process of just ‘doing’ with colour and black lining, which I don’t usually do in my normal abstract painting efforts with acrylic on canvas. Our efforts expressed a range of different emotions such as: anger, sadness, pain, worry, despair, joy, delight and happiness.

Art Therapy Session No. 2-‘How we feel right now!’ by Karen Robinson Materials-crayon on butcher paper August 7, 2014 photograph by Karen Robinson Images Copyright .JPG

We were then asked to do another sketch (mine above) within 5 mins about ‘how we feel right now’!. Same materials were used. My sketch was based on the saying about the ‘cup being either half full or half empty’. My life now, is more than ‘half full’ and the bright yellow is representative of this; with the blue and green colours representing cooler feelings and emotions, along with orange, red being rage and/or being upset and lastly the black which represents the loss of my son, which will never go away.

Art Therapy Session No. 2-‘How we feel right now!’ by Karen Robinson Materials-crayon on butcher paper August 7, 2014 photograph by Karen Robinson Images Copyright 2.JPG

I also explained that my sketch, once turned upside-down represented some days where it is not all sunny, they can be dark and looming; but these kind of days were few and far between now as it had been nearly five years on from the loss of my son Ben in 2009.

Art Therapy Session No. 2-‘Create a feeling that you need’ by Karen Robinson Materials-crayon on butcher paper August, 7, 2014 photograph by Karen Robinson Images Copyright .JPG

The above sketch was the last in this set we did and once again in was crayons on butcher paper. We were then asked to ‘create a feeling that you need’ and I sketched a blue, soft, fluffy cloud floating across my sunny day. Everyone’s set of sketches were so different and each brought forward an emotion, feeling, thought that was shared willingly in this safe and supported art therapy group. Conversations were honest and frank and within the comfort zone of each participant.

Art Therapy Session No. 2-‘Silhouette Portrait’ by Karen Robinson Materials-acrylic paint on butcher paper August 7, 2014 photograph taken by Karen Robinson Images Copyright .JPG

The last task we were assigned, was the most revealing in my opinion, personally and group wise. We were asked to sit alongside a light which allowed a silhouette of ourselves appear on a sheet of butcher paper which had been temporarily applied to the wall. Another participant penciled along the outside of the silhouette head of the person seated. Each participant was then asked to then complete the silhouette portrait in such a way it would show ‘what we are’ and ‘how we see ourselves’. Once again there was a time frame of approximately 45 minutes. The start to my task was relatively easy for me; I have a head full of grey hair, so I took to applying streaks of silver paint. Then I filled in the lips with red lipstick because during my whole life, I have most of the time, when I dressed up, worn red lipstick. We were allowed to use words, symbols, diagrams, figures anything that came to mind. For me this became very difficult and all of a sudden I found myself becoming very upset and distressed. It was confronting and I was surprised that this task had stirred up such emotions. But I progressed and added in my brown eyes, the mole on the side of my face and then painted my face in a light pink. The light pink was representative of how vulnerable I was feeling at the time and then I added my favourite part – colour. Each participant’s silhouette portrait was very individual, each creation telling deeply personal stories about themselves which they shared. It wasn’t easy to do…

We were also given a list of questions to consider about our ‘silhouette portrait’. Following is that list with my own particular response:

What was that process like for you? My answer: Difficult…
What was challenging/hard? Why? My answer: Using symbols – couldn’t do – too hard because it would mean I would have to visualised painful images.
What was easy/fun/enjoyable? Why? My answer: Doing the colour with the paint was fun and I love colour, my home is full of colour – it makes me happy.
What opened up for you? My answer: Pain and grief.
What did you learn or what will you take with you from this session? My answer: Trend softly – art therapy can reveal pain and grief.

After our art therapy group session, we all decided to take lunch together at a local cafe which was really lovely. It gave us all a chance to debrief and get to know each other better outside of our art therapy process. Art therapy at its best I feel…

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

I Do Art Discussion No. 10 – “My Australia”

Posted on July 13, 2014 by idoartkarenrobinson

While you are here – please check out my home page!

“Australia has the most extreme climate variations of any continent on earth!” (ABC 2. 1999). As a child and as an adult having lived in Australia all my life, from far northern Queensland in Cooktown and Cairns, and varying other towns/cities along the eastern coast of Australia, born in country NSW and spending most of my teenage and adult life in Melbourne Victoria – I have witnessed such variations.

During 2006/2007, whilst working for Belgravia, I travelled with my husband through Southern Queensland, coastal NSW and country Victoria – Australia. I saw much of eastern Australia during one of its driest periods of time in recorded history. What was most striking, was the lack of water; especially in the rivers and creeks. When I was a very young girl, I had travelled with my family, the same travel routes, a number of times, where water was in abundance. It was very saddening and served as a deep reminder to me that we, meaning Australians, need to value and preserve our water supply – this resource that can be so limited in one season and so plentiful in another.

Map of Australia - GA1073[1].jpg http://www.ga.gov.au/images/GA1073.jpg

Map of Australia – http://www.ga.gov.au/images/GA1073.jpg

This work travel experience inspired me to paint the following abstract painting in memory of that trip. In memory of a land I love so much…

Painting No. 14 Titled “Australia” Apr/May 2008
Acrylic on Canvas
92cms Length x 92cms Wide x 3cms Deep
Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson
NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 14 - Title "Australia" by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson - 2008 NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 14 – Title “Australia” Apr/May 2008 – by Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

Australia is well noted for its floods, draughts and bush fires causing hardship to anyone affected during these natural disasters. Dorothea Mackellar’s famous Australian poem “My Country” was written by her when she was just 19 while home sick in England (Mackellar’s. 2011). The poem talks of a longing for one’s homeland, a love and a passion for the land its self and a deep understanding that it is the land that sustains life. This poem is a reminder to me that I and fellow Australians, need to cherish our land, treasure our country! It has never been so important in our time, to do so for future generations. As a child growing up in Australia, I heard Dorothea Mackellar’s poem recited many times and every time I heard it and even today when I hear it, her poem pulls at my heart-strings. Especially the most famous section of the poem that starts with “I love a sunburnt country….

My Country

The love of field and coppice,
Of green and shaded lanes.
Of ordered woods and gardens
Is running in your veins,
Strong love of grey-blue distance
Brown streams and soft dim skies
I know but cannot share it,
My love is otherwise.

I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror –
The wide brown land for me!

A stark white ring-barked forest
All tragic to the moon,
The sapphire-misted mountains,
The hot gold hush of noon.
Green tangle of the brushes,
Where lithe lianas coil,
And orchids deck the tree-tops
And ferns the warm dark soil.

Core of my heart, my country!
Her pitiless blue sky,
When sick at heart, around us,
We see the cattle die –
But then the grey clouds gather,
And we can bless again
The drumming of an army,
The steady, soaking rain.

Core of my heart, my country!
Land of the Rainbow Gold,
For flood and fire and famine,
She pays us back threefold –
Over the thirsty paddocks,
Watch, after many days,
The filmy veil of greenness
That thickens as we gaze.

An opal-hearted country,
A wilful, lavish land –
All you who have not loved her,
You will not understand –
Though earth holds many splendours,
Wherever I may die,
I know to what brown country
My homing thoughts will fly.

Author Dorothea Mackellar (Dorothea Mackellar. 2011)

The below ABC 2 Documentary “Australia – Eye of the Storm – La Nina” (1999) is part of a series about “La Nina a climate phenomena, the sister of El Nino (ABC 2. 1999). Where El Nino left drought, La Nina causes floods, massive cyclones and endless rain. This YouTube Documentary is about the “story of Australia’s unique creatures and how they cope with this catastrophe” (ABC 2. 1999).

My abstract painting is really about my relationship with my home country Australia. How beautiful and unique she is – how I have witness the seasons. How as a child she was my friend. How I fear for her future…

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

Reference:

Mackellar, D. (2011). Poem My Country. Retrieved July 1, 2014 from http://www.dorotheamackellar.com.au/archive/mycountry.htm

Ga. Gov. (n.d). Map of Australia. [Image ID: 1073.jpg]. Retrieved July 1, 2014 from http://www.ga.gov.au/images/GA1073.jpg

ABC 2. (1999). Australia – Eye of the Storm – La Nina. Series/Documentary 1 of 4. [YouTube]. Retrieved July 13, 2014.

Short and Sweet Post – “Art for therapy’s sake!”

Posted on July 4, 2014 by idoartkarenrobinson

While you are here – please check out my home page!

This particular article from the Hindustan Times, nicely and simply sums up ‘art for therapy’s sake’. We all think that when we have a problem, talking about it will help and it can – if you can talk about it! And sometimes, we find ourselves in a situation which has us emotional held up, until we can find a way to communicate, communicate in a positive and effective manner and art can do just that, give us a voice when words are just too hard to find…

“The classic image that comes to mind when you think of counselling is a psychiatrist sitting in a comfortable chair, notebook and pen in hand, and the patient lying on a sofa, talking non-stop about the early childhood experience.

This is because the best way to deal with a problem, or even know the problem, is to talk about it. That’s the common narrative, and it’s true to a great extent. But sometimes, a person suffers trauma so severe that he/she can’t talk about it. Can’t open up. Can’t deal with the pain in any way but to hide it away or keep it locked. That’s when the experts know words are useless. What this person needs is, to express himself some other way; which is why counsellors are now using art therapy to aid their non-talking patients to open up” (Singh, Veenu. 2014, June 27).

Singh, V. (2014). Lady with lots of thoughts. [Photograph ID. pg_19]. Retrieved July 4 2014 from httpwww.hindustantimes.combrunchbrunch-storiesart-for-art-therapy-s-sakearticle1-1234219.aspx#sthash.N0cUhPTZ.jpg

EXPRESS YOURSELF (Singh, Veenu. 2014, June 27).
“Art therapy includes doodling, drawing and painting, but it’s also more than just these. It includes music, colours, dance and story-telling as well. “Art therapy, when combined with counselling, speech therapy and occupational therapy, is known to show superior results for people of all ages including children, individuals, couples, families, groups and communities,” says Dr Samir Parikh, director, mental health and behavioural sciences, Fortis Hospitals. “Through the creative process involved in the artistic self-expression, people can resolve conflicts better, develop interpersonal skills, manage behaviour, reduce stress, and improve self-esteem and self-awareness.”

Doodling helped an 18-year-old girl, who suffered from anxiety and was unable to connect with anyone including her counsellor, open up. “I gave her paper and crayons and once she started doodling, she started talking about her childhood and problems,” says clinical psychologist Kamna Chibber. Story-telling also helped a nine-year-old boy diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder increase his power of concentration. And painting helped a 56-year-old cancer patient cope with her illness” (Singh, Veenu. 2014, June 27).

CREATIVE TOOL (Singh, Veenu. 2014, June 27).
“Art therapy brings benefits to children and people suffering from sexual abuse, terminal diseases and cases of marital discord when the couple simply cannot communicate with each other,” explains Chibber.
So it’s a useful mode of therapy – but not one that should be used on its own. “It’s used as part of counselling, not a therapy by itself,” says art therapist Kanika Mehrotra. “Counselling must continue. But art therapy is used when words cannot reach a patient’s emotional space.” (Singh, Veenu. 2014, June 27).

For me, I found myself using art for therapy during a difficult time in my life and I continue to do so. What also helped me was the act of verbalizing my art process. With the completion of each painting, I would and do, articulate its meaning for me, inclusive of its source of inspiration. This process of story telling/writing along with the act of painting and photo taking was/is an important part of my art therapy process. It gave/gives me an opportunity to be able to examine my thought processes, my emotions and feelings which I at first had no words for! Over time, I was able to re-look at where I had started in my art therapy journey to where I am now and have been able to realize that art for therapy has been an important process for me, to be able to move forward in my life. An added bonus has been, that by sharing my art and the art work’s stories, others have been able to gain an insight into issues, that they themselves had previously had no understanding about; or issues that they themselves had experienced and now understand that they are not alone. By sharing my art and their stories, has not just helped me, but has actually helped others as well. And that’s a great feeling…art for therapy in action!

Reference: Singh, Veenu. (2014, June 27). Art for therapy’s sake! When talking doesn’t help. Hindustan Times Online. retrieved from http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/brunch-stories/art-for-art-therapy-s-sake/article1-1234219.aspx#sthash.N0cUhPTZ.dpuf

Follow @VeenuSingh12 on Twitter From HT Brunch, June 29
Follow us on twitter.com/HTBrunch
Connect with us on facebook.com/hindustantimesbrunch

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

I Do Art Discussion No. 7 – “It’s all about the hats!”

Posted on June 29, 2014 by idoartkarenrobinson

While you are here – please check out my home page!

The following abstract paintings were part of a series I had painted after attending Australia’s famous racing season at Flemington Racecourse 2008. I had the opportunity to attend both Derby Day and the Melbourne Cup; both famous horse racing days! I was inspired to take a range of photos on both these days, which I used as a source of inspiration for the four abstract paintings below. Whilst these horse racing days are very much about the horses and the horse races, it is also about the amazing fashion statements made by both men and women, especially lady’s hats! Hence came my desire to do this series of abstract painting portraits as seen below.

Painting No. 32 – Title “On the Rails & Youthfulness” by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson – 2009 All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 33 - Title "On the Rails with my sister entertaining friends" by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson - 2009 All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 33 – Title “On the Rails with my sister entertaining friends” Jan/Feb 2009 – by Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 35 - Title "On the Rails & The Business End of Celebrating Melbourne's Racing Festival Season" by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson - 2009 All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 35 – Title “On the Rails & The Business End of Celebrating Melbourne’s Racing Festival Season” Jan/Feb 2009 – by Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 34 – Title “Melbourne Cup and Australia’s National Celebration of Horse Racing” Jan/Feb 2009 – Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

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ido art karen robinson

POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH: Improving one's sense of wellbeing using photography, painting, storytelling, blogging, and motivational speaking – my expressive arts journey written by ©Karen Robinson

Tag Archives: Abstract Art

Media 2017: “Abnormal Psychology Book Cover Artwork”

INTRODUCTION

THE BOOK

THE PAINTING

THE PAINTING’S STORY – “FOR ONE’S WELL-BEING”

CONCLUSION

2016 Abstract Paintings/Stories

Art and Creative Writing – “When It’s OK to Go Mad” by Karen Robinson

INTRODUCTION

ESSENTIAL NORMALITY OF A LITTLE MADNESS YOUTUBE

CRAZY MOMENTS IN AN ORDINARY LIFE

PAINTING NO. 43 – TITLE: ‘LIFE’S A WASHING MACHINE’

PAINTING STORY

CONCLUSION: THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD MENTAL BREAKDOWN

I Do Art Discussion No. 22 – “Two Women Talking” by Karen Robinson

INTRODUCTION

PAINTING DETAILS

PAINTING STORY – ‘Two Women Talking’

PAINTING PROCESS – From sketch to finished paintings!

TWO WOMEN TALKING – FACE TO FACE POSITIVE VIEW!

TWO WOMEN TALKING – BACK TO BACK NEGATIVE VIEW!

CONCLUSION

Creative Writing Group Session – June 2015 “When I was 10…” by Karen Robinson

Creative Writing Group Session – June 2015 “I am womankind…” by Karen Robinson

I Do Art Discussion No. 18 – “A State of Mind” by Karen Robinson

I Do Art Discussion No. 17 – “Life’s a Washing Machine” by Karen Robinson

I Do Art Discussion No. 16 – “Piece of Mind” by Karen Robinson

I Do Art Discussion No. 10 – “My Australia”

Short and Sweet Post – “Art for therapy’s sake!”

I Do Art Discussion No. 7 – “It’s all about the hats!”

INTRODUCTION

THE BOOK

THE PAINTING

THE PAINTING’S STORY – “FOR ONE’S WELL-BEING”

CONCLUSION

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INTRODUCTION

ESSENTIAL NORMALITY OF A LITTLE MADNESS YOUTUBE

CRAZY MOMENTS IN AN ORDINARY LIFE

PAINTING NO. 43 – TITLE: ‘LIFE’S A WASHING MACHINE’

PAINTING STORY

CONCLUSION: THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD MENTAL BREAKDOWN

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INTRODUCTION

PAINTING DETAILS

PAINTING STORY – ‘Two Women Talking’

PAINTING PROCESS – From sketch to finished paintings!

TWO WOMEN TALKING – FACE TO FACE POSITIVE VIEW!

TWO WOMEN TALKING – BACK TO BACK NEGATIVE VIEW!

CONCLUSION

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INTRODUCTION

STEP THREE AT THE SESSION AND AT MY HOME STUDIO

Little Bright Blue Love Heart Sequins

String Of Words Around The Large Pink Heart

A Symphony of Joyful Artist Endeavour – Butterflies, Flowers and Glitter!

CONCLUSION

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INTRODUCTION

STEP TWO PART 1 – AT THE SESSION

THE COMPLETION OF THE SECOND STAGE OF OUR ART THERAPY GROUP PROJECT

CONCLUSION

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INTRODUCTION

RECEIVING MY PIECE OF CANVAS

ABOUT ‘USING ART FOR THERAPY’ VIDEO

THE COMPLETION OF THE FIRST STAGE OF OUR ART THERAPY GROUP PROJECT

CONCLUSION

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INTRODUCTION

MY FANTASY, MYSTICAL CREATURE OF SELF

HOME/SHELTER FOR MY FANTASY, MYSTICAL CREATURE OF SELF

CONCLUSION

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