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Mindful Drawing

Art Therapy Meets Mindfulness

Presented by Samantha Abdallah

M.A. Creative Arts Therapies

Art Therapist and Psychotherapist

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Grab a drawing tool and first lets take some deep breaths!

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What is Mindfulness?

“Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally,” says Kabat-Zinn.

https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/

thE GREATEST GIFT mINDFULNESS GIVES US IS SPACE. iT HELPS US PUT SOME SPACE BETWEEN OURSELVES AND OUR REACTIONS SO WE CAN BREAK DOWN OUR CONDITIONED RESPONSES.

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Attention and Awareness = mindfulness

https://betterhumans.pub/stop-obsessing-about-focus-heres-what-your-mind-really-needs-3c190906a1cc

Where your focus is

What is being processed in the background (both inside and outside your mind!)

When they are balanced the mind becomes stronger, more stable and, more relaxed

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Art Therapy: WHERE ART AND PSYCHOLOGY COMBINE

Art as THERAPY = the creative process, or simple act of making art, is therapeutic and can encourage personal growth

· Art as PSYCHOTHERAPY = “embodies the idea that art is a means of symbolic communication and expresses personality, emotions, and other aspects of human experience.”- Malchiodi, Cathy. Defining Art Therapy in the 21^st Century: seeking a picture of health for art therapy. Apr 02, 2013. Psychologytoday.com.

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Some Key points to remember

Observation

Let the mind be fully active with observation
Use all your senses to create awareness

non judgement

see, but don’t evaluate as good or bad
Judging creates emotions that carry us away.
do not judge your judging!

Acceptance

know that the present moment is as it should be
Let go of the need or desire to control, to change things

Be present

Use your breath and senses to keep you present
Do one thing at a time
let go of distractions

Non-competitive

LET GO OF THE NEED TO PERFORM
LET GO OF THE DESIRE TO IMPROVE OR GET IT RIGHT
BRING A SENSE OF INNOCENCE TO THE PRACTICE

sTÉPHANE bENSOUSSAN, WWW.PSYSANTE.COM

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Zentangle pattern ideas

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Art materials: a continuum of self-expression and control

EAsily Controlled materials

- Examples: Pencil and eraser, pens, pencil crayons, markers, collage (magazines), stencils, origami, etc.

- much less messy and fluid, more details and precision

- Pros: can make you feel more in control and more confident/ safe, can increase focus and concentration, can increase one’s sense of calm and relaxation, feeling contained.

- Cons: CAn feel too restrictive and stifle creativity, shows mistakes more and can encourage self-criticism, can reduce emotional expression/connection.

Less easily controlled materials

-Examples: paint, watercolour, oil or soft pastels, clay

- Messier and more fluid, can be harder to achieve details, oriented towards expressive and play, tactile and stimulating

-Pros:Encourages high self expression, connects with emotions, can be freeing and fun, cathartic release

-Cons:Can feel too chaotic and overwhelming, lack of precision can be frustrating and discouraging, can activate sensory sensitivities.

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Time to let go of some control!

(but let’s remember to be kind to ourselves and create in a nonjudgemental mindset)

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The brain dump

What do you need to get out of your head?

Thoughts, feelings, fears, fixations, etc…

You can use words, icons, symbols, etc…

(Fill me up!!!)

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Time for a transformation

Using various materials, colours, and techniques transform your brain dump.

-it can be done in a controlled way (like with the zentangles, collages and magazines)

-it can be done in a less controlled way (like with scribbles, colours, playful messy materials)

-It can be more concrete (like covering it with brainstorming solutions or self-care needs)

-It can be more abstracted (focusing on play and expression over “making sense” or finding meaning)

Have fun!!!!