Expressive Arts Tools

Visual Arts

You do not need to be an artist to benefit from Expressive Arts. Simple stick figures or lines can help you depict your mind and body’s imagery. Ruth will have several visual art mediums available for you. The art medium you choose will assist you in exploring your personal imagery. You’ll be given some basic instructions in technique but the Expressive Arts session is not an art class. The visual art you create is personal and will not be analyzed by Ruth. You are the only one that knows the meaning of the symbols you draw or the colors you choose. Ruth will guide you to further explore your visual art through dialoguing or transforming the picture.

You are encouraged to keep a daily visual journal. This is like a diary but also contains sketches and colors that extend your images. You’ll learn to use the visual journal to reach insights, to establish intention, and to process life challenges. The visual journal is a simple artist pad and is best 11” by 14” or larger. When working in a visual journal, it is best to work fast and not place a lot of emphasis on the artistic technique. It is more important to depict feelings and images and not just create a “pretty” picture.

Circling up with Mandalas

The word “mandala” is from the Sanskrit word for “circle”. Ruth Hamilton uses mandalas in most Expressive Arts sessions. You will have an opportunity to use watercolor or other art material to create your mandala.

Why mandalas are useful:

* The regenerative and curative power of the mandala activates the latent power of the mind.

Creativity Mandala by Ruth Hamilton

* Healing may occur because the mandala making process has a calming and relaxing effect on the mind.

* The circle design becomes a container for feelings and sensations that may be difficult to express in words.

* Universal symbols often appear in mandalas that may give you insights to your soul’s wisdom

Weaving with Peaches by Ruth Hamilton