At the beginning of the pandemic, I started a brief gratitude project using images. I have continued this gratitude practice daily, through writing and mindfulness in nature. I decided that it would be helpful to introduce a self-compassion and self-love practice into my daily life because I had noticed a significant change in my outlook while practicing gratitude.

Painting my daily experiences among the trees created meaning and purpose when life felt confusing, overwhelming, and uncertain. They supported me and helped light the way when the path forward was unclear - Tania

“This series of zines are created from our positions as racialized practitioners in the creative arts therapies. It comes from a process of putting together words and images that are meaningful to us, in conversations, poetry and collages. It is rooted in our experiences of accessing therapy or mental health support”.

Sharing in this post heart creations and response art shared by a variety of artists that are beautifully expressed using different approaches, materials and creative intentions.

Found and Formed Heart Art! There are so many ways to engage creatively and mindfully with the heart image around the theme of love and gratitude.

Just an invitation to connect with the heart image this month. The heart shape is such a simple yet powerful image and universal symbol. Themes such as gratitude, love, loss or sadness can be contemplated, explored and meditated upon … through ‘noticing’ heart forms in your home… out in nature… through creating heart related artwork, writing, assemblage or found art and personal narratives…

Before the world turned upside down with the Pandemic, Jenny and I had celebrated a wonderful collaboration of over 10 years, designing and facilitating a creative community gathering for sensory engagement for older adults struggling with cognitive decline. We wove various types of stimulating experiences and activities within the weekly group format at our long-term care setting.

…”One serendipitous day in June 2013, I stumbled across a creative method that would change my life. Aimlessly scrolling through the latest submissions in a Facebook photo a day group, an image of one member’s in-progress black pen drawing caught my eye. More than merely a simple doodle, something about the beauty and complexity of its design appealed to me, and I knew I had to investigate this intriguing artform for myself”.

Shara continues to design and facilitate meaningful community projects for McNally Hospice and shares her most recent community art therapy legacy piece titled: ‘Message in a Bottle’ on display at the Grimbsy Public Art Gallery this month.

As Summer blends into Autumn I thought a post sharing some beautiful summer skies would make those memories linger, and encourage a pause as we celebrate nature and the glorious change of seasons.

Many links in this post were generously provided through the 2021 webinar series ‘Durham Indigenous Voices: Reconciliation, Resistance, Resilience, Resurgence’. I hope to honour and build on the knowledge the Indigenous presenters and educators graciously shared with us. The long-term aim and intention is to provide a living document where links and resources are collected and shared.

After seeing Patricia’s individual altered book images showcased on instagram, I was very excited about posting a story related to these meaningful reflective mixed-media pages. Patricia incorporates many layers of intention and depth of exploration within this project where source material and content are woven into response art by means of deconstruction, stratification and alteration. Patricia shares an excerpt from an assignment for her first year coursework in the Critical Disability Studies PhD Program.

”I like watching people’s faces around art jewellery - there’s an excitement at finding that one of a kind piece that brings me just as much joy as it brings them. I love walking into my studio, having no clue what I’m going to make, and then finding a scrap from another project that inspires.”

Sept 3-18 2021 - Sharing news for the upcoming Antigonightfest where Kellie and Maggie Kat Anderson showcase their short film created in the laboratory at Stray Dog Art House.

“When it was time for the 100 day project to begin in 2021, it felt really hard to come up with an idea. So I leaned into the community aspect of the project and used a poster created by my friend and fellow Art Therapist Arielle Bush. I instantly saw it as a giant feelings chart, which is something I use with almost all of the kiddos I work with as a way to check in with their feelings during art therapy sessions”.

”The fairy door project was a community based project which invited participants from every walk of life to externalize their wishes and intentions for their own lives”.

“My small creations began to accumulate around me; colourful little mirrors unapologetically reflecting parts of myself back. Inner landscapes became physical manifestations in the form of paintings, and at the same time of their inception, the very human need to connect on a deeper level with others began to bubble up inside of me.”

Sharing a project from the LTC art therapy archives this week. I thought it would be fun to showcase this creative story related to Seniors’ Month and Pride Celebrations in June.

“Fingerprints of a loved one can be a limitless source for art-making. They can become centres for flowers, the base for a burst of fireworks in the night sky, wings of a butterfly, or the bodies of snowmen”.

During the Pandemic video watching increased. Many of us were looking for uplifting and engaging topics in response to the heavy and relentless news content that understandably generated anxiety, worry and fear. We needed a way to redirect our thoughts even if only for a little while…