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

Traumatic events can happen to anyone at any time. People may experience mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety following a traumatic event. Some may even suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. This is not a sign of weakness. These symptoms are our brain’s normal response to an event that one perceived as dangerous or life threatening. They need to undergo therapy in order to overcome their symptoms and help them heal emotionally. It may surprise you to learn that art can

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

As parents, we are often curious and fascinated by our kids’ art. Art provides children an opportunity to tell a story, express internal thoughts or describe an event. So, every time your child comes to you with a picture he/she has just drawn, make it a point to ask some questions or talk to them for a few minutes before putting their work on the fridge. Here are some tips for talking to kids about their art. Ask the child to tell a story Let’s face it. There are times when

If your little ones are staying up until midnight, they’ll need some craft projects to keep them busy and entertained until New Year arrives. Quick, easy and fun for the kids, this project will help make the hours go by peacefully as the kids anxiously wait to wish in the New Year. Handprint New Year’s Resolutions Have your kids make their own resolutions (I will fix my bed every day, I will not fight with my sister, I will keep my toys after playing). Encourage them to remem

While psychotherapy and therapy comes with several benefits, art therapy has proven to be effective in a variety of ways that differ from traditional therapy. A lot of people are still unfamiliar with art therapy and have no idea as to how it might be able to help. If you haven’t heard of art as a form of therapy, the benefits may surprise you. In this article, we’ll be highlighting the benefits of art therapy. Read on and see if it can aid you in some way or another. Self ex

Art develops important life skills that create successful people. Creating art is an opportunity to “make special”. If you’ve ever received a hand made gift, had someone make you a piece of furniture or painted you a picture you know what this is about. It’s what makes us different from animals, we celebrate and make special and decide that things have significance. Art is an opportunity to express yourself. We all have a voice and we all have the right to express ourselve