Blog Stories.Topics. Inspiration. Prompts.
The AP Connections Blog was started to create a connecting and shared creative space on my website for those interested in art and art therapy where art stories, prompts and ideas, general art therapy information and self care suggestions could inspire and engage others in their creative journeys. Welcome post and invitation to share stories. List of stories and topics below (blog and website)
Information provided in this blog is for creative exploration, reflection, general learning and self care only.
✿ AP CONNECTIONS BLOG • Blog Listing. Titles A to Z. 〰 This page provides an alphabetical listing and archive to help you revisit all previous posts.
✿ ART THERAPY • Blog Listing. Art Therapy Resources 〰 An art therapy resource page for art therapists. Let’s connect through the sharing of art, information, reflections and stories. Overview of art therapy topics as well as additional resource links are provided. Recent art therapy posts can be found here. Creativity and Aging/LTC Resource Listing here.
✿ CONTRIBUTORS • Artist and storytellers who have shared stories are listed here if you would like to connect with them further around their creative endeavours and stories. Recent stories can be found under stories and makers and creators tabs.
✿ DEE STOREY • Twisty Tree Dee 〰 jewelry and art school reflections
✿ GILLIAN KING • Gillian’s Exhibition - As Above, So Below 〰 painting & exhibition
✿ HEATHER JOHNSTON • Heather’s Miniatures 〰 painted miniatures
✿ JACQUIE COMPTON • Body of Wisdom. Jacquie. 〰 art and poetry book
✿ JILL HEWLETT • HeartArt. Jill. 〰 STORY • heart paintings
✿ KELLIE ANDERSON • Every Creation Starts with an Armature. Kellie. 〰 wire sculptures & armatures
✿ KELLIE ANDERSON • Going ‘Rogue’ and Paying it Forward 〰 STORY • art and film
✿ KELLIE & MAGGIE ANDERSON • Antigonight Art After Dark. Kellie and Maggie Kat. 〰 sharing film festival project
✿ LAUREL STOREY • My Zentangle Storey 〰 Zentangle drawing
✿ LISA GIGNAC • Lisa’s Gratitude Journal 〰 journal art
✿ LISA GIGNAC • Loving Kindness 〰 journalling & self-care
✿ LUKE GUSTAFSON • Today I Am an Art Therapy Student. Luke. 〰 response art and poetry
✿ MAGGIE KAT ANDERSON • Lines & Flowers 〰 drawing contributions for creative prompt
✿ MASON LAVER • Mason’s Story. islandmanfoto. 〰 photography
✿ PATRICIA KI • An Unfolding Revolution toward Widespread Flourishing 〰 response art from first year coursework in Critical Disability Studies
✿ SHARA MCLAREN • Hope Squared Part 1 〰 〰 mixed-media art & community exhibition
✿ SUSAN BENISTON • Inspiration|Exhalation: Breath-Taking-Time and The Space Within Us 〰 art installation
✿ SUSAN BENISTON • Nuit Blanche Inspirations: Inclusive Spaces for Change, Embodied Public Practice. WEB gallery page
✿ TANIA SANTER • Creating Community in Times of Uncertainty 〰 sharing her art in the pandemic
✿ TANIA SANTER • My Life Summed Up into 15 Tiny Pieces. 〰 painting reflections
✿ 2024 • Nuit Blanche Inspirations: Inclusive Spaces for Change, Embodied Public Practice. WEB gallery page
✿ 2022 • Inspiration|Exhalation: Breath-Taking-Time and The Space Within Us 〰 SUSAN BENISTON 〰 art installation
✿ 2021 • Antigonight Art After Dark. Kellie and Maggie Kat. 〰 KELLIE & MAGGIE ANDERSON 〰 sharing film festival project
✿ 2021 • Gillian’s Exhibition - As Above, So Below 〰 GILLIAN KING 〰 painting & exhibition
✿ 2021 • Hope Squared Part 1 〰 SHARA MCLAREN 〰 mixed-media art & community exhibition
✿ 2021 • Hope Squared Part 2 〰 APRIL ART • mixed-media art & community exhibition
✿ engAGE Living Lab Créatif. The Story. 〰 ENGAGE LIVING LAB 〰 sharing the evolution of this Concordia University project & art hives
✿ Inspiration|Exhalation: Breath-Taking-Time and The Space Within Us 〰 SUSAN BENISTON 〰 sharing community project and art hive roots
✿ My Journey to Art Hives. 〰 CYNTHIA MORIN 〰 art hive journey
✿ ART CARDS • Copper Art Cards + Wire Cards /Eco-Crafting 〰 my line designs cards • WEB gallery page
✿ DESIGN • Design Doodles 〰 line designs graphics • WEB gallery page
✿ DRAWING • for creative prompts 〰 Lines & Flowers
✿ ECO-ART • Golden Autumn Moments in My Garden Sanctuary. 〰 an autumn eco-art and gratitude story
✿ ECO-ART • Honouring, Remembering and Sharing ALL Stories. 〰 Remembrance, Awareness and Eco-Art 2023
✿ EXHIBIT • Hope Squared Part 2 〰 mixed-media art & community exhibition
✿ RESPONSE ART • Nature & Urban Studios. Exploring Identity. 〰 Reflections from WATC Ecological Models
✿ Pocket Full of Questions. 〰 PATRICIA KI + VIRGINIA 〰 awareness • art therapy resource 2022
✿ Supporting Indigenous Art, Learning & Initiatives 〰 awareness • MULTIPLE SOURCES
✿ When I Heard the Recent Horrific News. Response Art 〰 awareness • FYRE JEAN GRAVELINE • response art for the Wheat Memorial Gallery 2022
✿ OATA: Why OATA? Shared Reflections. 〰 awareness • Reflections: Why an association matters. 2023
✿ APRIL • World Creativity and Innovation Week. 2023. 〰 awareness NEWS 2023
✿ MAY • Mayworks Festival of Working People & the Arts. 〰 awareness day NEWS
✿ SEPTEMBER • Nature Art on Truth & Reconciliation Day. 〰 awareness day Reflections from LTC Group 2024
✿ OCTOBER • Global Dignity Day 〰 awareness day NEWS
✿ NOVEMBER • Butterfly Bereavement Project. Aldona. 〰 awareness days 〰 ALDONNA MORRISON •community bereavement project
✿ NOVEMBER • Honouring, Remembering and Sharing ALL Stories. 〰 awareness day Remembrance, Awareness and Eco-Art 2023
✿ COLLECTIVE POST • Expressive Heart-Art. 〰 heart art
✿ COLLECTIVE POST • Gratitude Hearts. Formed and Found 〰 heart art
✿ COLLECTIVE POST • I AM. Collective Sharing. 〰 states of being
✿ COLLECTIVE POST • Words That Guide Us 〰 multiple participants 〰 words & quotes story with prompts
✿ Antigonight Art After Dark. Kellie and Maggie Kat. 〰 KELLIE & MAGGIE ANDERSON • sharing film festival project
✿ engAGE Living Lab Créatif. The Story. 〰 ENGAGE LIVING LAB • sharing evolution of this Concordia University project & art hives
✿ Going ‘Rogue’ and Paying it Forward 〰 KELLIE ANDERSON • STORY • art and film - Rogue Wave Films
✿ Inspiration|Exhalation: Breath-Taking-Time and The Space Within Us 〰 SUSAN BENISTON • Nuit Blanche Art Installation
✿ Message in a Bottle 〰 SHARA MCLAREN • community hospice art project
✿ Nature & Urban Studios. Exploring Identity. 〰 APRIL • Reflections from WATC Ecological Models
✿ The Fairy Door Project 〰 TAYLOR BOURASSA • sharing a community art project in the pandemic
✿ The Hatching of A Seaside Art House 〰 KELLIE ANDERSON • community gallery story
✿ Safe Space for Ukrainian Refugees. 〰 HANNAH SHEREBRIN • Hannah shares her community project
✿ Supportive Hands. A Connecting and Creative Legacy Project. 〰 APRIL • sharing a LTC community art therapy story
✿ ‘Supportive Hands’... The Origin Story. 〰 APRIL • sharing a community project with my LTC colleagues 2024
✿ GRATITUDE • Golden Autumn Moments in My Garden Sanctuary. 〰 APRIL • an autumn eco-art and gratitude story
✿ GRATITUDE • Lisa’s Gratitude Journal + Loving Kindness 〰 LISA GIGNAC • journalling & self-care
✿ HEARTS & GRATITUDE • Gratitude Hearts. Andrea. 〰 ANDREA NEUFELD • STORY • found heart-art
✿ HEART ART • Expressive Heart-Art. 〰 collective art post
✿ HEART ART • Gratitude Hearts. Formed and Found 〰 collective art post 2022
✿ HEART ART • HeartArt. Jill. 〰 JILL HEWLETT • STORY • art
✿ Butterfly Bereavement Project. Aldona. 〰 ALDONNA MORRISON • sharing this community bereavement project with 4000 participants
✿ Grief and Gratitude. Intersections. 〰 AP ART THERAPY REFLECTION 2025
✿ Hope Squared Part 1 〰 SHARA MCLAREN • mixed-media pandemic art story
✿ Hope Squared Part 2 〰 APRIL ART • mixed-media art & community exhibition
✿ Sharing Hope 〰 APRIL ART • pandemic story • WEB gallery page
… the importance of connecting through creativity and legacy art
✿ A Safe Space for Creativity & Wellness. 〰 SHARA MCLAREN • art therapy in hospice
✿ Butterfly Bereavement Project. Aldona. 〰 ALDONNA MORRISON • sharing this community bereavement project with 4000 participants
✿ Hope Squared Part 1 〰 SHARA MCLAREN • mixed-media pandemic art story
✿ Message in a Bottle 〰 SHARA MCLAREN • community hospice art project
✿ Nature Art on Truth & Reconciliation Day. 〰 AP Reflections from LTC Group 2024
✿ ReMatriation for heARTivists. Circle of Indigenous Healing Arts. Response Art. 〰 APRIL • response art for Symposium Workshop
✿ Today I Am an Art Therapy Student. Luke. • LUKE GUSTAFSON • response art and poetry 2024
✿ When I Heard the Recent Horrific News. Response Art 〰 FYRE JEAN GRAVELINE • response art for the Wheat Memorial Gallery
… connecting stories and specialty arts project from LTC settings
✿ ‘A Creative Connections Story’ 〰 MEGHAN & APRIL
✿ Art & Horticultural Therapy. A Creative Collaboration.〰 APRIL & JENNY MCSPADDEN • LTC collaboration of Art & Horticultural Therapy
✿ Connecting Hands 〰 APRIL • a LTC reflections story
✿ Creativity as We Age. Art as Connection. 〰 COLLECTIVE reflections • sharing the value of creativity as we age 2024
✿ Creativity in Community. Celebrating Seniors Month. 〰 AP • STORY • sharing a creativity afternoon project in LTC 2024
✿ Grief and Gratitude. Intersections. 〰 AP ART THERAPY REFLECTION 2025
✿ My Grandma Sings: A Journey Through Dementia to Long-Term Care 〰 ANDREA FRAY-BOWEN • LTC book story
✿ Nature Art on Truth & Reconciliation Day. 〰 AP• Reflections from LTC Nature-Themed Group 2024
✿ Percy • Therapy Dog. 〰 MELANIE SHULMAN • Percy’s story as therapy companion
✿ Roxy Art Group Mascot 〰 APRIL • sharing a little story about pet therapy
✿ Supportive Hands. A Connecting and Creative Legacy Project. 〰 APRIL • sharing a community art therapy story
✿ ‘Supportive Hands’... The Origin Story. 〰 APRIL + JUDY BARCELOS • sharing a community project with my LTC colleagues 2024
✿ What Kind of shoe are you? 〰 APRIL + SANDRA RUHL • a LTC story from the Scented-Art program collaboration
… eco-art - nature as inspiration - and mindful moments
✿ Art & Horticultural Therapy. A Creative Collaboration.〰 APRIL + JENNY MCSPADDEN • using art and nature to engage LTC residents
✿ Autumn Rhythms, Co-Creation, Time and Transformation. 〰 APRIL • creative prompt with transformation story
✿ Connecting Circles 〰 APRIL • my 2021 eco-art project
✿ Earth Day at Amica 2023. April & Heather. 〰 eco-art APRIL + HEATHER JOHNSTON • engaging RH residents in nature-based art
✿ Golden Autumn Moments in My Garden Sanctuary. 〰 APRIL • photos capturing autumn moments
✿ Golden Sunflowers. Golden Moments. 〰 APRIL • sunflower photos - I Am Here moments
✿ Gratitude Hearts. Formed and Found 〰 collective post with nature heart-art
✿ I Am Here. In My Favourite Season. 〰 APRIL • autumn photos • self-care and mindful moments
✿ Nature Art on Truth & Reconciliation Day. 〰 AP• Reflections from LTC Nature-Themed Group 2024
✿ Nature & Urban Studios. Exploring Identity. 〰 APRIL • Reflections from WATC Ecological Models 2024
✿ Spring Moments & Eco-Art in My Garden. 2022. 〰 APRIL •
✿ Winter Moments. Silence and Stillness. 〰 APRIL • mindfulness and self-care
ontario art therapy association - reflection stories and updates
✿ 2025 • TATI x OATA Art Hive. 2025 Mending, Weaving and Repair 〰 Community Hybrid Hive .
✿ 2025 • Mending Through Art: The Dewdneys and Art Therapy in London Exhibit. Emmy Meredith. Reflection by WANDA SAWICKI 〰 Sharing Member Voices OATA
✿ 2024 • Creativity as We Age. Art as Connection. 〰 COLLECTIVE post • sharing the value of creativity as we age 2024 including member reflections by SUSAN BENISTON + STEFANIE LY + MARILLYN SAFFERY + HANNAH SHEREBRIN + ANDREA SAVOIE
✿ 2022 My Journey to Art Hives. 〰 CYNTHIA MORIN’S art hive story
✿ 2022 • Safe Space for Ukrainian Refugees. 〰 HANNAH SHEREBRIN • OATA • Hannah shares her community project
✿ 2021 • OATA News. 2021-23 Board 〰 OATA • update 2021
✿ 2021 • AGM and Keynote 2021 〰 OATA • Ontario Art Therapy Association flyer
✿ 2021 • Reflections OATA 2021. Group Supervision 〰 OATA • one-canvas and creating in community • APRIL + SUSAN BENISTON
✿ 2021 Saba’s Ten Reasons to Create 〰 SABA RIZVI shares the benefits of art-making
✿ 2020 • Reflections from the OATA 2020 AGM and Virtual Retreat 〰 OATA • APRIL + SUSAN BENISTON
✿ Connecting Circles 〰 AP ART • my 2021 eco-art pandemic project
✿ Creating Community in Times of Uncertainty 〰 TANIA SANTER • sharing art in the pandemic
✿ Expressive Doodles in Pandemic Times. 〰 AP ART • my pandemic response art
✿ Golden Autumn Moments in My Garden Sanctuary. 〰 AP ART •
✿ Heather’s Miniatures 〰 HEATHER JOHNSTON • painting story
✿ Hope Squared Part 1 〰 SHARA MCLAREN • mixed-media pandemic art story
✿ Hope Squared Part 2 〰 AP ART • mixed-media pandemic art story
✿ Lines & Flowers - A Springtime Creative Prompt 〰 MAGGIE KAT + APRIL • story and drawing prompt
✿ Michelle’s Masks Off Series 〰 MICHELLE FACTOR • mixed-media pandemic art story
✿ The Fairy Door Project 〰 TAYLOR BOURASSA • sharing a community art project in the pandemic
✿ The Maggie Kat Connection 〰 MAGGIE KAT ANDERSON • connecting through drawing pandemic story
✿ The Virtual Space. Videos that Resonate. 〰 APRIL • sharing interesting pandemic art videos and reflections
✿ An Unfolding Revolution toward Widespread Flourishing 〰 PATRICIA KI • excerpt from first year coursework in Critical Disability Studies
✿ Befriending Ghosted Feelings 〰 BRIANNA KESTLE • sharing her 100 days of emotional resiliency project
✿ Expressive Doodles in Pandemic Times. 〰 APRIL ART• my pandemic response art
✿ Expressive Heart-Art. 〰 collective art post
✿ Honouring, Remembering and Sharing ALL Stories. Remembrance, Awareness and Eco-Art 2023
✿ Letters to the Self 〰 TAYLOR BOURASSA • self-care and validation
✿ Lisa’s Gratitude Journal + Loving Kindness 〰 LISA GIGNAC • journalling & self-care
✿ Nature & Urban Studios. Exploring Identity. 〰 APRIL • Reflections from WATC Ecological Models 2024
✿ Pocket Full of Questions. 〰 PATRICIA KI + VIRGINIA JAHYU • response and awareness art resource
✿ Reflections from the OATA 2020 AGM and Virtual Retreat 〰 OATA • APRIL + SUSAN BENISTON • mindfulness art
✿ Reflections OATA 2021. Group Supervision 〰 OATA • SUSAN BENISTON + APRIL • guided response art created in community
✿ ReMatriation for heARTivists. Circle of Indigenous Healing Arts. Response Art. 〰 APRIL • response art created in community
✿ Today I Am an Art Therapy Student. Luke. • LUKE GUSTAFSON • response art and poetry 2024
✿ Befriending Ghosted Feelings 〰 BRIANNA KESTLE • sharing her 100 days of emotional resiliency project
✿ Connecting Circles 〰 APRIL • 2021 eco-art self-care project
✿ I Am Here. In My Favourite Season. 〰 APRIL • autumn nature photos • self-care
✿ Letters to the Self 〰 TAYLOR BOURASSA • self-care and validation
✿ Lisa’s Gratitude Journal 〰 LISA GIGNAC • journalling & self-care
✿ Loving Kindness 〰 LISA GIGNAC • journalling & self-care
✿ Saba’s Ten Reasons to Create 〰 SABA RIZVI • benefits of art-making story
✿ Sharing Summer Skies 〰 KELLIE ANDERSON + RACHEL CHAINEY + ANDREA SAVOIE • photos capturing summer sunsets
✿ Winter Moments. Silence and Stillness. 〰 APRIL • mindfulness and self-care
the toronto art therapy institute connection.
✿ A Safe Space for Creativity & Wellness. 〰 SHARA MCLAREN • art therapy in hospice
✿ Befriending Ghosted Feelings 〰 BRIANNA KESTLE • sharing her 100 days of emotional resiliency project
✿ Butterfly Bereavement Project. Aldona. 〰 ALDONNA MORRISON • sharing this community bereavement project with 4000 participants
✿ Creating Community in Times of Uncertainty 〰 TANIA SANTER • sharing art in the pandemic
✿ Gratitude Hearts. Andrea. 〰 ANDREA NEUFELD • STORY • found art
✿ Hope Squared Part 1 〰 SHARA MCLAREN • mixed-media pandemic art story
✿ Letters to the Self 〰 TAYLOR BOURASSA • self-care and validation
✿ Lisa’s Gratitude Journal 〰 LISA GIGNAC • journalling & self-care
✿ Loving Kindness 〰 LISA GIGNAC • journalling & self-care
✿ Message in a Bottle 〰 SHARA MCLAREN • community hospice art project
✿ My Journey to Art Hives. 〰 CYNTHIA MORIN • STORY • art hive story
✿ Pocket Full of Questions. 〰 PATRICIA KI • VIRGINIA JAHYU
✿ Saba’s Ten Reasons to Create 〰 SABA RIZVI • benefits of art-making story
✿ The Fairy Door Project 〰 TAYLOR BOURASSA • sharing a community art project in the pandemic
✿ Today I Am an Art Therapy Student. Luke. • LUKE GUSTAFSON • sharing his student response art and poetry 2024
✿ PROMPT-DOODLING 〰 3-Line Doodle • DOODLE + Stained-Glass Doodle • DOODLE
✿ PROMPT-DRAWING 〰 Lines & Flowers
✿ PROMPT Eco-conscious Ways to Discard Old Art. 〰 TAYLOR BOURASSA
✿ PROMPTS-NATURE ART 〰 Exploring Nature as Object & Backdrop. Creative Prompt. + Nature Corsage-Boutonnière. + Heart Art - Creative Inspiration + Autumn Rhythms, Co-Creation, Time and Transformation + Autumn Photo-Triptychs - Creative Prompt
✿ INSPIRATION ECO-ART 〰 Connecting Circles + Nature Corsage-Boutonnière. + Nature & Urban Studios. Exploring Identity.
✿ INSPIRATION NATURE IMAGES 〰 Inspiration Photos for Art Making
✿ INSPIRATION-SPRING 〰 Spring Moments & Eco-Art in My Garden. 2022. + Noticing. Spring, Sunlight and Shadows.
✿ INSPIRATION-SUMMER 〰 Sharing Summer Skies
✿ INSPIRATION-AUTUMN 〰 Golden Autumn Moments in My Garden Sanctuary. + Golden Sunflowers. Golden Moments.
✿ INSPIRATION-WINTER 〰 Crisp Winter Moments & Frosted Outlines. + Winter Moments. Silence and Stillness.
✿ HEARTS • Heart Art - Creative Inspiration + Expressive Heart-Art. + Gratitude Hearts. Formed and Found.
✿ PROMPT WATER PAINTING • Art in the Moment. Buddha Boards
✿ PROMPT-GROUNDING 〰 I Am Here. + I am Here… With You! - Connecting in Pandemic Times. + I Am Here. Photo Collage. Creative Prompt
✿ PROMPT-NOTICING 〰 Elevating the Ordinary. + Exploring Nature as Object & Backdrop. Creative Prompt. + Noticing. Spring, Sunlight and Shadows. + Sunlight, Silhouettes and Shadows
✿ INSPIRATION 〰 SKIES • Sharing Summer Skies
✿ PROMPT-WORDS 〰 Meaningful Words… Creative Prompts and Colouring Templates.
✿ PROMPT-QUOTES 〰 Inspiring Quotes - International Women’s Day + Words that Guide Us.
“…I think it’s amazing how you are bringing so much light and beauty into the world… it is what the world needs right now. I like your focus on words and contemplation.”
