I've worked with hundreds of adults who are taking art classes and they come to me when they're feeling creatively blocked. They're usually feeling frustrated that the art isn't looking the way they want and it's getting them down. But what I ask often surprises them. I don't want to know what brush they're using or how much water they're adding. I ask, "What is the reason that you're in this class?" And they usually say, "to learn something new." "to get back into art." "to

This simple, mindfulness drawing meditation will help you FEEL into your energy level and assess what you need to be more ENERGIZED and filled up! This activity will help you de-stress through drawing. It will bring you into the present moment and immediately feel more relaxed. Designed by an art therapist, this intuitive drawing bring self-care together with art and mindfulness for an honest & authentic view of yourself in this moment. #arttherapy #artastherapy #artandmedita

Today I'm going to share with you my 5 best tips you should always do when using acrylic paints. And you're gonna wanna stick around because tip #5 is going to go against everything else you read on the internet. Which of the 5 acrylic painting tips in this video was the most surprising to you? Was it #5 or one of the others? Whether you're in an art class, or following along a painting tutorial of mine here on YouTube, these tips will definitely make it a much more enjoyable

Painting can seem hard at first, without guidance or previous experience, it can be easy to make mistakes. So here are some of the most helpful tips I have found for beginner acrylic painters who want to improve their painting skills, and sharpen overall creativity. Learn how to avoid these 10 mistakes beginner acrylic painters make: 1) Not making enough paint. 2) Not using enough paint on the canvas. 3) Spreading paint too thin or squirting paint on top of each other. 4) Not

When you want to draw (or paint) a figure, don't just start drawing head, shoulders, etc... We look at people all day long but when it comes to drawing them, we need a system to help lay down what's really there and truly see. In order to draw or paint a figure we want to begin by laying down the axis of the body to create a "grid."  Axis are: imaginary lines that help divide the body into planes and help explain orientation. In this lesson we drew in axis for the spine, the

Did you know that Hitler banned modern art while he was in power? He declared it was “un-German” and held an exhibition in 1937 called the “Degenerate Art Exhibition” to mock the art and convince viewers to see it as a symptom of an evil plot against German people. The curators even hired actors to mingle with the crowds and criticize the works. Why did he go to such lengths to slander modern art? Hitler was trying to control people’s perceptions through art. He wanted ar

Do you know what the art process is, really? When I want to paint a canvas, for example, what are the steps I got through to complete this task? First, I need an idea. “What am I going to paint?…What do I want to share with the world?” Then I have to visualize it and figure out what it’s really going to look like. Third, I need materials. Gather up the paint, brushes, palette, canvas and any other things I might need to begin. As I work on my painting there will be inevi

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

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

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.

In the summer of 2012 I had just graduated with my Master’s in Art Therapy and could not find a job. 3 years of hard work, introspection and experientials to find that no one thought I was qualified to do the work. So I went to the art store, bought a large, beautiful blank canvas and went home to paint. I did not begin with a sketch or an idea, just yellow paint and movements that felt right. After awhile a face started to form and I went along with defining the features.