The Art Journaling Workshop

With the question of “What is an Art Journal?” on our minds, we entered the Community Room in Washington Park. Nadia met us with a warm smile and explained that she is an Art Therapist who works for Project Hope. She went on to describe how the Art Journal is a space that safely holds everything - our thoughts and feelings of all kinds. Then she explained that her Art Journal was so useful in helping regulate her feelings that it had become her regular practice.

Nadia gave each of us a small book with blank pages. These would be our records of the journey through the creative process. Each week there were different materials available - markers, paint, collage - to vary our experience. She reassured us that the making was much more important than the finished pieces.

We had time to experiment with the art materials and were asked to notice what kind of marks we made and at what rhythm or tempo we worked. This helped us to begin to understand aspects of our creative process that many of us had not known...

To focus ourselves, Nadia suggested that we each set an intention, perhaps a question, that we wanted more information about. Then in order to relax us, we started with a deep breathing exercise followed by a short meditation. In one session, Nadia led us on a guided imagination journey like picturing ourselves going down steps and through a door into a safe space. What we imagined then was up to each of us, and we painted or drew it. Another time we each silently asked our art piece for advice regarding the intention we had set. There was an unhurried, relaxed feel to the group as we each became engrossed in our own process. 

At the end of the work time, Nadia brought our attention back to the group and asked if anyone wanted to share what they had learned. One said that her painting told her it would be easier for her to make art if she approached painting in a playful way. Another talked about her safe place and how important trees were to her feeling safe. Some people shared their journals, and others did not. As each person spoke, others nodded in agreement, and later they described how it felt to know that each one of us is not alone in a particular feeling state. We shared a sense of relief at expressing strong feelings safely in paint or collage and being able to close the journal and put the feelings away. Art Journals give us the opportunity to hear our inner voice – the one we so often disregard.

At the time of publication of this newsletter, there will be two more Art Journal Sessions at Washington Park: May 7 and May 14, 2-3:30 p.m.  See you there!