For our next unit, I'd like us to do some thinking and new writing inspired by ART, visual art in particular (painting, sculpture, drawings). I had a lot of hands-on activities planned for us in our classroom, but I hope you can still find something that sparks your interest working on this theme from home. Many people find drawing, painting, and making art calming and therapeutic as well--something we could all probably use right now.
Mandalas like the one above are one artistic element important to a variety of cultures, faiths and schools of thought...If we were in class I would have had you color one for your journal...If you're looking for something to do, you can create some interesting mandalas at this site. Print them, color them, put them in your journal if you want to. This is fun but not required.
Here's what is required, by 11:59 pm Thursday 4/2:
Leave a brief but thoughtful COMMENT (150-200 words or so) on this post answering one or more of these questions:
- How or why do you think art could be used as therapy?
- Can you think of other pieces of or types of art that are connected to certain faiths, disciplines or movements?
- What role does art play in your own life?
- If you could be any kind of artist, what would you be? Why?
- What do your doodles say about your personality? Check this site or others for reference.
- Why do you think Adult Coloring Books are so popular right now? This article has some ideas.
Read everyone else's comments, too, and reply back if you'd like!
For me, art has not only been a large part of my life but it's also been the only consistent outlet that has been offered to me. I’ve never really been good at school, when I was in elementary I was put into a smaller class for kids who needed more attention and help. Visual drawings such as apples and people helped me with math. The time put into these drawings gave me time to process things. That’s how I still operate to this day, anytime I have strong feelings or any type of conflict I pick up a pencil or paint. I find that art has become my main way of communicating. If I really love someone then I’ll go out of my way to make sure that they have some personalized artwork. Art for me can also be violent, whenever I make a ceramic piece I send weeks needing and shaping the clay with all of my frustration just to pick it up and destroy it with as much force and anger as I can. Destroying the clay artworks is more calming than making them.
ReplyDeleteI´ve always enjoyed art, but it wasn´t always therapeutic for me. I spent such a long time suppressing my natural style and trying to master realism before I realized that I don´t actually enjoy it. While looking at a picture and drawing exactly what you see can be impressive; it´s boring as heck. Now my art is really weird and looks like an acid trip most of the time, but I enjoy doing it and it means a lot more to me than realism did. Art is meant to be therapeutic because it doesn´t have right or wrong answers. Some pieces of art might be more conventionally attractive than others, but as an artist your own opinion is what matters most.
ReplyDeleteI believe that art could be used as therapy becasue to some people just looking at it is relaxing. Some colors may smooth people and they may find relaxation in what they're looking at. Others may use destroying art as a type of therapy. Such as creating a piece of claywork or a painting and crushing or just destroying the entire piece leaving no trace of what it really used to be. For me personally i would probably find crushing clay the most effictive type of art therapy for me. If i were an artist i would want to be the type that sets their work on fire, such as the Burning Man. To me this may be satisfy to watch and i would probably enjoy the destruction more than the creation.
ReplyDeleteArt is a way to express yourself just like anything else. People find different things relaxing and therapeutic whether that be singing, playing an instrument, or even drawing/painting. Little things like this can temporarily take you away from anything stressful going on in your life. If I could be any artist I wanted I would to be a graffiti artist. I know it can be frowned upon but the types of technique and hard effort that goes into spray painting is fascinating.
ReplyDeleteIf we are spanning the whole of art in our definition, I would probably be a writer. For one, I find it much more interesting , in that you can tell such in depth stories through the written word while you can't exactly do the same through a visual medium, unless you go into animation. The downside to that endeavor is that animation is much, much more time consuming and difficult than writing would ever be. Plus, I just generally am better at writing than I am at other artistic pursuits. Maybe I didn't fill enough coloring books as a kid, but I have almost no hand for art. I just find that it doesn't come to me as easily as writing does. If we're strictly talking about visual mediums, I'd probably be excited to draw. I have enough friends with talent in that area that I'm kind of jealous sometimes.
ReplyDeleteArt plays a semi big role in my life. I have always considered music as a type of art, music is very therapeutic for me it always calms me down whenever I am stressed for if i am sad. I am very bad at all types of art. I always found it so boring because I always wanted to be outside and doing something. I am very grateful for music because it has helped me get through some nervy times. I have tried art before in class and I really never liked it except for one time we were molding shapes out of clay and I thought that was really fun. Whenever we got to paint and do all of that type of stuff I was kind of lost and sometimes I would get behind on the project. In the end music has helped through a lot.
ReplyDeleteWell, having a bunch of Adult coloring books myself, I can say drawing is therapeutic in the sense that it's both calming and rewarding! I color when I'm stressed out or bored to focus my attention on something else and it's so rewarding to see it all colored in in the end! As for my drawings, they express how I see myself and the world around me at times. Sometimes being dark and grotesque, but also light and charming. My own little escape from reality.
ReplyDeleteI think art could be used as therapy because it can destress you, as well as allow you to express yourself in a different way. It causes you to focus on creating something, which not only can take your mind off things but can allow you to create something that you are proud of and that reflects your emotion.
ReplyDeleteWhile I don’t know a lot about certain arts connecting to different faiths and disciplines, I know that mosaics in church buildings are a reflection of the Christian religion.
Art does not play a huge role in my life besides the fact that I enjoy looking at it. Friday nights downtown were some of my favorite times of the summer because of the Friday night art walks. I also like to occasionally paint, as I find it very relaxing and enjoy seeing the finished product.
If I could be any kind of artist I would be a painter or a pianist. This is because these are the only two artistic skills that I am not terrible at, and also enjoy them. I don’t enjoy playing the piano as much as painting, but piano playing is also just something where you are always learning something new.
How or why do you think art could be used as therapy?
ReplyDeleteI think that lots of people use art as a sort of therapy because it can be a helpful way to channel and to release major emotions. When a person creates something out of their own hands, it gives a sense of identity to it, and I think that satisfies an internal longing for identity that a lot of people have. If they are not able to figure out who they are within themselves then they may be able to find it through their own creations. This seems a little backwards but I think it is very true for a lot of people, I know that's how it is for me and writing. It can also be relaxing because it provides a sense of stability and organic thought. It is a baseline for creativity.
Can you think of other pieces of or types of art that are connected to certain faiths, disciplines or movements?
Pretty much every major movement or social construct is dependent on visual images, whether you would consider that art or not is kind of subjective. Even political parties are characterized by logos and images (think democratic or republican parties and even communist or nazi political constructs). So yes, in some ways. Also, religions of all sorts are very dependent on architecture as an art form. Think about the intricate building and architecture of mosques, churches, temples, chapels, cathedrals, monasteries, or convents. Most of them have super intricate construction and symbolism buried within their structure. Also think of how much art and painting affected things like the Sistine Chapel. All of these are concrete examples of how art and culture and religion and politics are deeply intertwined.
What role does art play in your own life?
Art is definitely super important to me in my own life, although not necessary things like painting or drawing. Particularly music has played a huge role in my life ever since I was very young, whether that's listening, playing, or even composing. I also really enjoy literature and definitely consider that to be an art. I'm also deeply passionate about calligraphy and photography and consider photography to be one of the most important art forms within our current culture. Photography is so interesting because it can be used to convey authentic truths or to mask a greater sense of pain. I think that is so contradicting but beautiful.
If you could be any kind of artist, what would you be? Why? I would love to be a sculptor or painter but particularly a sculptor. I think that sculpture is such a lost art form seeing as it is so beautiful. To be able to craft something so perfectly reflective of life and to be able to capture that is practically a miracle in my eyes. I would love to be able to do that and to have that specific talent, despite lacking any training in this pursuit lol.
Art has always been a large part of my life. My room is filled with it. I have a little gallery of photos, drawings, and paintings above my desk. A mixture of things I’ve done and things people have made for me. I filled an old picture frame with polaroids, and have more polaroids on the wall. I have two photo lines on my wall as well. So my room is filled with photo memories. And I have a lot of my own artwork in my room too. I love to paint, mostly watercolor. I’ve put up a bunch of my own work in my room, mostly from lack of anywhere else to put it. But I also just love being surrounded by artwork. I also have built-in shelves in my room and they are filled with books, nicknacks, artwork, dried roses, and old cameras. I love photography. I don’t really have much time for it so I don’t do it very often, but I really love it when I can. I have my own camera. It’s an old Canon Rebel. It was given to me by a woman at church who’s a photographer. It was the first camera her dad ever gave her and it is what helped get her into photography. I job shadowed her in eighth grade and she gave it to me after that to help me with my photography, so it really means a lot. And I love to paint. I’ve mostly taught myself, but I was able to take painting I & II this past year, which was great. I have two paintings I did in that class that I am really proud of. And of course I love writing and reading. Being surrounded by books makes me feel calm and happy. I like to bake some too, but it’s not my favorite art form. I also love music. I am constantly listening to it. Anytime I can listen to music I am. But maybe one of the largest art forms in my life is dance. I take ballet classes six days a week and I know it is what I want to do after highschool. It has been a part of my life for so long I actually can’t imagine my life without it. If I didn’t dance everyday after school I really have no idea what I would be doing instead. But it’s fair to say that art has always been a major part in my life, no matter what form. It is the thing in life I am most drawn to, art. I’ve always known art will be a part of my life, no matter what it is or where I am in life. It’s what I’m supposed to do.
ReplyDeleteI think art could be used as therapy because it can bring feelings upon a person that they didn't know they had before. Images, colors, and textures can bring on emotions we associate with it. In my life, art has been very relevant. I would say I'm the most artistic one in my family. Although I don't really do a lot with art now as much as I used to I still like to draw, and stuff like that. When I was around 11 and 12, I was obsessed with just looking at a picture and then I would draw it to make it look exactly the same. I would draw a lot of Mizzou stuff for my dad, since that's where he went, and he's a really big fan. I also drew something for my grandpa, it was the Alabama mascot, which is an elephant. I'm not gonna lie, I was pretty decent at that art. I've wanted to start painting but I haven't gotten to that yet. If I could be any kind of artist I'd probably be a singer to be honest. They have so much talent, and I'm such a bad singer, so if I could do that, it would be amazing. I think Adult Coloring Books are popular right now because adults have so much stress in their lives, and that is healthy way to channel the stress, and sometimes it makes people feel nostalgic when they were younger and used to color. Lots of stress can be relieved with art, it's a way to express your feelings without saying anything, but doing it through colors, images, and textures.
ReplyDeleteI, for one, believe art is the perfect outlet for those who don't have the words or struggle to express how they feel. It is because of the versatility of art that gives it its own form of therapy, art therapy. Allowing oneself to draw or paint how they feel instead of putting it into words gives more definition and detail to the inner workings of a person's mind. As the saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words."
ReplyDeleteWhat role does art play in your own life?
ReplyDeleteArt plays a fairly large role in my life. As a child, I regularly doodled and drew on whatever I could find. One Christmas, I remember getting exclusively painting and drawing supplies. Recently, I have been painting quite a lot. My mother painted a ton when I was a child. It was very common to find me painting or drawing in my free time. Photography is another artist outlet that has played a large role in my life. Capturing moments and genuine reactions is my favorite part of photography. That's why I prefer action or un-staged photography. I also love movie scores. If I was going to do anything within the film industry I would want to produce film scores. One of the best days of my life was the day I visited the Met in New York City. Art exists in so many different ways. Creativity keeps me going and I can’t imagine life without some form of art.
From Bella: I feel like art often gets put into a small box that is reserved only for thoughts of painting and drawing, when in most times it is so much more. In my life the role that art plays is much like the role that it plays in others' life, though they don’t realise or categorize it as art. When I think of art I typically think of the way that I use it, I see films not only as entertainment sources but also as bodies of art that someone has spilled their heart into. I see ad campaigns, album covers, and even fonts as artwork. I feel that my passion for graphic design and film has made for some interesting discoveries in my life. I have been able to notice small details that the artists have put into their work that would usually be passed by. Growing up I used to look up to my dad, he has always been an artist in my eyes. I have seen his drawings, paintings, and even the things he has built as some of my greatest inspirations even though they have nothing to do with the art that I create, or someday hope to create. I do not know where I would be in my life without art.
ReplyDeleteWhat role does art play in your own life?
ReplyDeleteArt plays a big role in my life. I am always on pinterest looking for new ideas to try out when I am creating things. One thing that I enjoy to do the most is painting little canvases with random objects. I started doing this at softball tournaments in the hotel lobby with my team and we would just doodle random things and I enjoyed the way they turned out. I also have always enjoyed re doing my room and re decorating. I have never been someone to sit and draw and been good at it I kind of just draw whatever and see what it turns into and sometimes it is actually unique and I like the way it turns out. Other times it isnt so good.
I think art is used as therapy because it can show what you feel and whats in your head.its like writing a journal in a way to express your feelings but through pictures.One piece of art that has been around for years and that is seen as a religious thing was the Leonardo divinci with the two hands one supposed to be god and the other one is supposed to be man and its a meaningful picutre becuase it came to him in a dream.Art plays a big role in my life only beacuse it runs in the family everyone in my family is an artist ,i love drawing when im bored or when i have some things going on or i just wanna jot down a dream I had that i want to remember .if i could be any artist itd be my sister brittney because she is one of the best ive seen in person.my doodels dont say alot because i dont just focus on one thing when i draw i only like drawing things i havent its like a challenge.I think they are popular because people miss coloruing and it helps realease stress it and something to do when your bored m,makes your mind more creative.
ReplyDeleteWhat role does art play in your life?
ReplyDeleteArt and creativity have played a significant role in my life from an early age. I've enjoyed drawing from as early as I could hold a crayon. In elementary I would be so proud when they decided to display my art in the school or at chesterfield. I remember I used to check out a Nintendo drawing book from the school library back in first grade and draw Mario and Donkey Kong. I also remember checking out Halloween drawing books. This helped me learn about from and foundation when it comes to drawing which has helped a lot. Over the years I've tried my hand at different forms of art, such as painting, ceramics, sculpture, graffiti, and so on. My dad is a great artist and inspired me to draw from an early age. He used to draw pictures for me and just sit there in awe, never believing him when he said I'd one day be better than him. He's also really good at 3D art and sculpture. He spent 11 years working for Bass Pro, building things out of spray foam like rocks and trees, both in the store and the Wonders of Wildlife. I hope that I can find a job one day where I can be creative and use some form of art.
Art to me is a way a could relax and express myself. When I'm going through something whether it me being sad, mad, or even bored I know that I can always rely on art because when your doing something creative your mind wonders to something else and release all the energy you were holding inside. That why when you go somewhere and you start getting anxious or nervous they give you paper and crayons before coming back to you cause by then you will be more relax and easier to talk to cause it set your mind at ease.
ReplyDeletei think that art is a waste of tie and a waste of money that you have to spend on art thing like paint and paint brushes. i once argued with an art teacher that being a artist is not a real job and is purely a hobbie. he said that hi being an art teacher is a job. and then i said one thing and he did not have a response and that one thing that i said was "is the school paying you to doodle, or are they paying you as a teacher to teach?" now something like a car that you touch beat the shit out of, use every single day of your life and get your moneys worth out of, that is what i think real art is.
ReplyDeleteArt has a crucial significance in my life. As much as I can admire the technical skill required to create traditional art, such as painting and drawing, I find myself more interested in other arts. Music absorbs the majority of my time. Whether it's analyzing, writing, or playing music, it is what I would prefer to do if I were creative enough to be an artist. I am also very intrigued by film making. I would love to make a short film or such some day.
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