POLISHED FEET FIRMLY ON THE GROUND.
It’s OK to “let go”, “drop the mask”, “say no”, “have me time”…….
in
fact in Art Therapy anything goes.
This was my first brush with Art Therapy; I had done something similar
a hundred years ago through the Buddhist Center in Johannesburg when a
therapist from Samye Ling in Scotland tried to get our untidy minds into a more
peaceful state. But that’s all just a blur now.
So it was with some excitement to learn that Deanne Kim Jordaan from
Sacred Space in Kaapsehoop was in Pongola to run a course. We were sent our
shopping list for materials. The most unlikely items are required, most of
which are not found in an art shop. So, here’s the thing: Slip out of your
comfort zone, don’t pretend to be what you are not, do what you want, let the
inner child come out to play and have some fun.
Armed with a huge sheet of paper, shoe polish (yes, that’s right),
kiddies oil pastels, some meths (to blend with, not drink), sponges; and an
apron and gloves if you don’t want to get too down and dirty.
Deanne Jordaan extracted information from us, just to get the feel of
the group. We were a nice tight group made up predominately of exhausted mums,
craving a little escape and some ‘me’ time. Never having had kids I have
probably missed the step of knowing what it’s like to have the life sucked out
of you by little people!
Our first step was to take a piece of paper with “IT’S OK TO…………….” with
each of us being given various messages to contemplate for the next couple of
weeks. Mine was “It’s OK to let go”………….and that I shall. We proceeded to do a
couple mind maps with the central words being “BIRTH” and “SELF”. All these
elements, I supposed, would influence how we expressed ourselves with a
combination of shoe polish and sponges!! We could then choose an image to
project onto our paper.
Then…………..we painted upside down!! We were given no techniques to
follow, although a little guidance slipped in every now and again………I sneaked a
look at my neighbour and was envious of her ability to transform shoe polish
into a medium closely resembling water colours. But alas, served me right, I
proceeded to make a nice mess trying to copy her.
Once our art was complete Deanne analysed our work, with our
permission. Judging by the nodding affirmations she hit the nail on the head
for some of us, and for others gave us food for thought. Speaking of which, we
were then rewarded with a lovely lunch and a glass of cold white wine, plus the
pleasure of making new friends.
We look forward to Deanne coming back to Pongola in July. If you wish
to participate contact Deanne on deanne@xwi.co.za or follow her on Sacred Space facebook page.
Other blogs by Lois Kuhle:
SMOKE RINGS IN CUBA. A TWO WEEK JOURNEY FILLED WITH SALSA, SUNSHINE AND SILLY PEOPLE: http://smokeringsincuba.blogspot.com/2013/10/smoke-rings-in-cuba-journey-filled-with.html
'LIFE'S COOL'. MY NEAREST AND DEAREST BECAME THOSE THAT GRUNTED, BARKED OR BIT.
COOL THOUGHTS – LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE: http://loiscoolthoughts.tumblr.com/
FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/loiskuhlescribbler
