When a person is diagnosed with illness, our first instinct is to focus on the physical health and alleviate the pain. In addition to the physical health, we should also keep in mind that these individuals also suffer emotionally. Concerns about health can be a source of stress and anxiety, not only for the patient but his family and loved ones as well. The good news is, patients and their families can get through this emotional turmoil with the help of art therapy. Today, ar

A birthday is so special to a child. Looked forward to for months and hopefully remembered long after, its importance cannot be overstated. MBodied Art Studio loves helping make birthdays special by providing a beautiful venue, kind teachers, awesome art materials and lasting memories. For the preschool age birthday (3-6 years old), MBodied knows the excitement and energy of this age group and enjoys hosting art exploration parties. Multiple project ideas and materials are

What is the number one thing that prevents you from creating art? Time or the lack thereof. After all, nobody has free time. School, work, family and all the other responsibilities we juggle on a daily basis offer enough excuse for skipping art sessions. But how do you find time for art when you already have a full schedule? Read on and check out the suggestions below. Not only will you start making art, but you’ll also start changing your mindset. Set limits for computer tim

Many of you have probably heard about profound the benefits of meditation. But sometimes, people are just too busy they don’t even have time to relax and meditate. They rush through the day trying to multi-task, not even realizing that they need to take a break. This prevents us from becoming aware of our body, let alone our breathing, which are 2 of the most important aspects of meditation. If you are one of these people, you are not alone. This week, we’d like to change tha

Art therapy, also referred to as creative arts therapy, uses visual arts to communicate feelings that cannot be expressed by words alone. A lot of people have little understanding about the purpose, principles and origins of art therapy. We decided to write this article to broaden your knowledge of art therapy and see how it can benefit you. Art therapy dates back to 1940 Margaret Naumburg, the founder of art therapy, was the first to define art therapy as a distinct form psy

There’s something about a new box of crayons that I can’t help but appreciate, even at the age of 30. I was a big fan of coloring as a child. Every time I see a box of crayons, I think back on my childhood and remember the countless hours I used to spend choosing the right colors for my masterpieces. Imagine how excited I got when I saw a bunch of adult coloring books on Amazon. Coloring has been making headlines lately, especially in Europe. Apparently, adult coloring books

Sexual abuse is an ongoing concern in the United States. In fact, one out of five women reported that she has experienced sexual abuse at some point in her life. Survivors have been known to face significant physical, emotional and social ripples from the trauma they have experienced. Aside from that, they also struggle with changes in personality and relationships. There is a tendency towards shame and secrecy related to sexual abuse. Studies revealed that 52% of women repor

Children naturally love art. Unfortunately, school curricula in the United States have shifted heavily in the recent years, and are now focused on subjects such as Math and Reading, but what about the arts? While we agree that it is important to focus on academics, we should also keep in mind that art, in childhood education, is also essential. Here are 5 reasons why art is good for kids. Encourages creativity Art opens a child’s mind and heart to possibilities and fuels imag

Regardless of your kid’s natural artistic talent, it’s likely that you feel that every drawing, painting or collage your child produce is a masterpiece. Yes, they are cute, but the refrigerator can only hold so much. Kids have no shortage of inspiration and creativity, and if your kids are like mine, then there’s probably a mini avalanche every time you open the refrigerator. Here are a few ways for decluttering the fridge, preserving your child’s most cherished work of art a

Have you ever wondered how doing a simple art activity like drawing, painting or listening to music helps you relax after a long and stressful day? This is because art is therapeutic. Art therapy is not only used as a form of treatment, it can also be used to relieve stress or tension. Consider these exercises if you are looking to feel a little more laid back. Draw using your non-dominant hand Pablo Picasso once said, “All children are artists”. But as we grow older, we tend

Sometimes, marriages do not succeed. For some people, divorce can be a relief. But for most divorcing couples, it can be a very stressful and heartbreaking process. The stress level can even be higher if there are children involved. Whether you wanted it or not, divorce can trigger all sorts of painful and unsettling feelings such as anger, guilt, grief, anxiety, shame and confusion. It can also turn your world upside down. Art after divorce At this stage, you might feel like

Each year, approximately 1 million children in the United States experience divorce of their parents. Due to the prevalence of divorce in our country, this shatters a child’s concept of family and spurs a host of reaction from guilt to anxiety and rebellion. For children, divorce is often a traumatic and life-changing event. In fact, a few studies reveal that children who are coping with the separation and divorce of their parents are experiencing sleeping problems, decreased

MBodied Art Studio is a special place where art takes on new meaning. Owned and operated by an art therapist, the vision of MBodied is to provide a safe space for personal reflection, community and healing. Art becomes a path for self-discovery, for pushing through boundaries and bonding with others. Within this vision, MBodied is proud to offer Art after Divorce, a free meetup group for parents and children of divorce. The studio will be a gathering place for parents and chi

Photographs, drawings, paintings, any of these can instantly warm up a space and transform it into a home. It’s time to liven up those empty walls and add color and life to your space. Here are some tips to help you fill your walls in a welcoming, homey way. Buy art that you love Follow your heart. It may sound cheesy, but it’s actually a great advice. The key to successfully investing in art lies in knowing what you want. Remember, the art is for you. So be sure to get somet

Art therapy can be beneficial for children, even at such a young age. As with most therapies, art therapy is also used to help improve a child’s emotional state or well-being. It is an effective way of working with kids who may be going through a difficult time. While kids may also benefit from traditional therapy, they often find it scary especially if it is done in a clinical setting. Art therapy provides kids an easier way to express themselves and be creative. Plus, it g

A gift really is as good as its wrapping paper. But when it comes to giving gifts, there is one area where most of us are hesitant to splurge on - the gift wrapper. Oftentimes, you would choose the prettiest gift wrappers on the store, but it still doesn’t have that Martha Stuart touch that you’re looking for. Now, you can bid farewell to the typical wrapping paper and boring gift tags. These clever DIY gift wrap ideas are sure to impress your family and friends. Plus, you ca

Every child is a prodigious Picasso. As a parent, you are likely to feel that every drawing, painting and macaroni collage is a masterpiece. You are so proud of your little artist that you want to showcase every artwork on the fridge. You are hesitant to toss any but your fridge is starting to get too cluttered. Here’s a system to help you save, sort and share your child’s masterpieces with family and friends. Create a photo book of your kid’s artwork If you have already coll

A lot of people believe that creativity is an inborn talent. But the truth is, creativity is more of a skill that can be harnessed. And you, as a parent, can help them develop this skill. By fostering your child’s creativity, you are helping him/her mature emotionally, mentally and socially. These ideas will provide them with an opportunity to explore their artistic side and even develop their analytic skills. Ditch the usual art materials While it is important to provide you

“I am so stressed out!” Most of you have probably uttered this phrase a number of times. While exercising, trying to focus on the positive and deep breathing exercises are all helpful in reducing stress, you might want to try something a bit different this year like art therapy. If you are about to stop reading this blog post thinking you don’t have a creative bone in your body, then we would like you to know that you don’t have to be an artist in order to embrace the benefit

...continued from The Origin of Tiger Woman After many months of contemplation, I was ready to change “mediocre woman” into “tiger woman”. Working with the shape of a human’s face and a tiger’s stripes, I added dark markings to her face and toned her skin orange. The marks felt definite and permanent; she would never be the same again. Once the marks were down it became easier to go along with the new identity. I gave her tiger-like eyes and kept her human nose and lips.