Art Therapy/Art Journal
Does anybody do art therapy or keep an art journal? I've been getting back into it recently and I want to know how other people's experiences are with it. 
What kinds of things do you put into your art/journal? Things you write about, things you draw/paint/sketch about--what are some things that inspire/influence you in your art making? What keeps you going with it, or, if you've fallen out of practice with it, why did you stop/ what keeps you from continuing?
Obviously not all of these questions need to be answered, but I would love to start a discussion about it and thought these would be good starter questions!
-Bailey (aka FightingScot94)
I doodle in my art journal sometimes 😊 It definitely helps take my mind off things. I usually dont show my friends or family, its kind of my own thing. Im not much of an artist but it helps clear my head.
@GimmeTheMuffins
that's awesome! Practice always makes perfect! You don't ever have to show anyone your work if you don't want to :) and it's great that it helps clear your head!
I don't have an art journal nor write. However, I started painting with acrylics on a canvas some time ago to help with my anxiety. I paint pokemon, characters from games, quotes, quirky patterns or whatever I like that day.
I'd say that art and I are in an on and off again relationship at the moment. I can paint for hours adding the tiniest of details or I won't do it for a month. I stop because I'm okay at that certain time, or my anxiety decides to leave the building.
When it comes back, so does my art. I've been trying to finish a big canvas for about 6 months now. I continue when my anxiety comes back because painting relaxes me.
@overthinkingcupcake
I love that you allow yourself to be inspired by the things you love without hesitation! I know how it feels to have the on-off relationship with art, and it can be a little frustrating sometimes, especially if it's something one loves and wants to do.
Have you tried continuing your painting even when your anxiety subsides? Or would you rather keep it a strict "this is only when I need to relax" kind of thing? Just curious!
@fightingscot94
This is a really nice post.
I love drawing too. I sometimes watch some videos about art therapy. I am trying to convince myself it is not important how successful I am , but showing my emotions or making me excited while doing it.
I also like writing book comments .When I finish a book and like it, I write some writings about how did it make me feel, what I thought or remembered while reading. Sometimes I try to tell these by drawing too.
When I give up doing these , my anxiety , depression increases and I feel like I make my time useless. It already took lots of my time to start this self therapy, I don't want to give up it .
I am trying to focus and remind myself everytime also talking other people who has similar interest to motivate myself. They are my best.
@courageousVillage7318
It can be really hard to stay motivated to keep doing art/writing, especially when you want to be successful with it. I graduated with a BA in Fine Arts, and since I graduated 2 years ago, I've hardly made anything. It's such a struggle!
I'm so glad you don't want to give up on your writing and drawing. And watching videos on art therapy is a really good thing to do! I actually had never thought of doing that, but I'm going to look into starting that!
What kinds of books have you drawn/written about? Do you like more fiction or non-fiction??
@fightingscot94
It is really nice to know that you are educated on Fine Arts and on a way of being professional. But I have to say when people say they are struggling on arts I feel better😛 Because I am always bad at .
I like talking people who has artistic soul and skils despite having no idea about them. I just like their looking and observing way also bringing color to usual life. That's amazing!
I read all kinds of books but mostly read classics and non fiction ones. I never force myself for writing. I just make brain and heart dumped to the paper. I never show them to anyone.
But drawing is different. I am forcing myself ,trying to develope. At the end of work I am always satisfied with my writing but never drawing . Because of it I am trying to connect it with my writing. When I look at something I want to see a sense , have a crash.That's exciting. I wish I can develope well.
In short , I am always interested in art teraphy but still looking for ways how can I be into it. :)
I think skills are a matter of practice. The more you do something, the better you get at it. But perhaps there is some technique you couldnt master yet or that you didnt know so you feel like you cant advance. In that case, if your dream is to become a great drawer, you could take a drawing course.
That said, in art therapy the least important thing is how accurate your drawings turn out, really. It is what they mean for you what matters. You might have more fun if you just start drawing as if you were 4 and you dont care about how good your drawing looks like, you just care about venting out and enjoying it. I advise you to just start doodling or sketching whatever you want, it might be more satisfying for you. Maybe dont use pencils or pens, use crayons or pastels or watercolors, it might make you be less concerned about accuracy as these are more rough, more unpredictable tools. Try to experiment a bit and see how the picture turns out.
Basically, I recommend you to try to be patient and kind with yourself and to stay open to possibility, so that you can learn. You will work it all out eventually ❤️.
FightingScot94
I started doing art therapy in 2013 to help with anxiety and depression. I had no formal training but I followed a method called zentangle at the time. It allowed for mistakes and learning to be accepting of our own way of creating.
I really enjoyed it but had since started making books and junk journals. These are harder for me to do and I started being too critical of my work. I'm working on getting back into it though.
Thank you for asking this question. It's opened up my mind to beginning again.
