”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”.

…“engAGE Living Lab is a Concordia University project where older adults and researchers connect online to share knowledge and creative expression through diverse activities focused on wellbeing and community building.” — Retrieved From: Engage Living Lab Creatif • Facebook Group • 2021

“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…

“For more than five years Percy has had the job of professional love-giver. He’s a therapy dog.

Percy specializes in mental health and he’s ready to get back to work where he’s needed most when the Pandemic is over”.

Lisa kindly offered to contribute another story this month, sharing her interwoven process of personal journalling and response art…. “Art journaling continues to be part of my self-care practice. The photos show, again, the process of how I create my art journal pages. I started with a page of my favourite meditation…” - Lisa

Spring is here! Sharing a creative prompt and pandemic story. This is an invitation to engage with art, nature and a little line drawing. Flowers can generate ideas for playful drawing, especially when exploring lines, shapes and patterns.

A Book by Andrea Fray-Bowen

“This is a memoir of my personal and professional experiences working with seniors and their families. As a social worker I've worked with individuals with both physical and cognitive impairments in both the community and various long-term care settings. Although lots of supports exist for primary caregivers, little time is geared towards helping children make sense of what is happening”.

This is really open - your story to share….something about creativity, interests, art as therapy, the self-care piece, health, the role of art in the Pandemic, connecting with others with your art, connecting with nature, supporting the self etc. …A meaningful story to you!.

…Providing a current listing of blog stories and categories so you can select the creative prompts and topics of interest. This is a gentle and encouraging invitation to participate in the AP Connections Blog in various ways. You Decide. Share your Creativity. Engage. Make Your Mark. Connect with Others…

”Creating art, being aware of the process, and observing the art upon completion are all different experiences. Each part of the overall process tells us something about our different selves. There is a growth that occurs within the artist from the beginning to the end of a painting.”

Sharing a current listing of blog stories so you can select the topics and stories of interest. Enjoy!

”It is a series of moments, a reflective visually expressive narrative of my Pandemic journey and the Legacy created from the everyday gems of joy, comfort and support of the lived experience.”

Throughout the pandemic I have created hope-themed art to share with others and reflect upon myself as an artist and art therapist. With this piece, I wanted to to show how hope surrounds and and rises above the chaos of the world, as we band together to get to the other side of the pandemic chaos and storm. We are all part of the mechanisms of change and hope.

I spend all of my photography time alone. I wander as I please. There are times I come home from a successful landscape therapy session with no images. It does not change the level of satisfaction I get from the time outside. These images have become souvenirs of a restful adventure.