Art Practice as Ritual
Many out there feel that creating artwork is not for them; “I can’t even draw a stick figure” was a phrase I often heard in my sessions as an art therapist. They felt art was “not for them”. I could not disagree more. Creating is such a treasure trove of tools for mental and spiritual wellness, and this myth they repeated, that they weren’t good, was robbing them of it. I would love for that to change. To be clear, I am not talking about creating masterpieces for galleries and sales (although that could be an outcome). What I am talking about is an art practice; A ritual. Just as you may have a yoga or meditation practice, I feel adding an art practice to your self-care rituals can bring deep connection, balance, and growth. My goal with this journal is to share my knowledge, inspirations and encouragement with you, so that you may reap the benefits of creativity in your daily life. I’ll take you inside my studio for weekly art practices, peeks at my creative process, things I love, and more!
A little about me…
I think I came out of the womb with a crayon in hand. Drawing was always a comfort to me, and gave me space to dive into my mind and suss out my emotional world. After high school, I attended Nazareth College, receiving my B.S. Studio Art with a focus in printmaking and a minor in Women’s Studies. It was through a Women’s Studies trip in New Orleans that I was introduced to art therapy, and the use of art for mental wellness and healing. I went on to earn my M.S. Creative Arts Therapy and worked as a licensed therapist in various programs in the Rochester, New York area. While I am now a full-time artist and not currently practicing art therapy, I continue to approach creating through the lens of wellness and connection. Which brings us to this blog and sharing that insight with you!
This week, let’s talk about your creative space.
Set Your Space
We don’t all have the luxury of a dedicated space to create, but even if you do, making your ritual space portable makes your practice portable (a vital ingredient for consistency). So what are the important elements in your practice space:
Materials of course! We’re making art after all. I recommend a roll of your go-to materials. Could be crayons, pastels, colored pencils… I have a watercolor palette, micron pens, pencils, sharpener and eraser.
A Sketchbook/Journal or loose multimedia paper. I prefer the journal as it keeps my work in one place and organized (I like looking back through)
Ritual items. Incense, candle, stones…we’ll dive deeper into that another time.
Music. This is completely your preference. I usually work either in silence or with some “spa music” or “nature sounds” playlist I looked up (cheesy but effective). Basically, keep it serene and wordless. You want your attention on your own words, not someone else’s.
That’s it! Throw it all in a tote and you can take your art practice on the road if need be!
That being said, your practice space, no matter how small, should be free of clutter and should feel comfortable and calming. My home space, for example, is in a nook in the attic (away from laundry baskets and dishes). It has my little ritual altar with incense, some plants and books, pillows on the floor, and my favorite robe; Things that sooth my mind and lower the pressure.
Start Your Practice
Merriam-Webster defines practice in part as “to do or perform often, customarily, or habitually” and “to perform or work at repeatedly so as to become proficient”. In action, I view an art practice as a ritual performed regularly to become proficient at reflection and connection. My art practice gives me space to hone my skills of self-observation and emotional attunement, which in turn brings greater balance and peace. Now, this all sounds very solemn and weighty, and at times it is, but it is also oh so fun and joyful!
So let’s get you in the book! Take a look at your schedule and determine when you can carve out 20 minutes for your art practice. It should be a consistent time that you can count on, and with no distractions so that you are able to focus. I know, SO much easier said than done. I’ve found 20 minutes to be the easiest to engage in consistently. Here is my general practice framework:
2 Minutes: Opening ritual
8 Minutes: Art creation
8 Minutes: Written response
2 Minutes: Closing ritual
We will go into these items in detail in future posts where we’ll look at opening and closing rituals, and art prompts to get you moving and reflecting on a regular basis. But for now, start wandering around your space, tuning into where you feel most ease, and thinking about how you may carve out that 20 minutes to sit with the creativity inside you.
Thank you for being here with me and I’ll see you next post! If you’ve enjoyed the read, you can subscribe to the blog here and receive updates when new posts arrive.
If You Need Deeper Support…
Please know that this is a wellness practice and is not a substitute for therapy. If you are in need of support, please visit the Art Therapy Credentials Board to find a credentialed art therapist, or Psychology Today for a licensed therapist.
