Thursday 17 May 2018

Jo Ann Danchik And The Use Of Art Techniques As Emotional Therapy

By Dorothy Hughes


Art is truly an expression of self and truth. Well, that is something that many artists attest to be true, one such form of expression that has gained popularity is the art form of watercolour painting therapy. Yes, according to Jo Ann Danchik, art as a form of expression can be used as a therapy tool for most children and adults. Art is a non-invasive way of posing questions and getting the answers, you need without the individually affected feeling vulnerable or manipulated.

This, of course, has meant an increase in the search of finding new ways of self-expression, with most seeking out artistic ways of expression. This is sometimes done through art in various forms. One such art form is the use of poetry and written word. Where the artist simply puts their feelings, thoughts, emotions, and ideas into words. This can be done by either telling a story or through the use of inference.

The addition of water colours is a form of psychological programming. Colours are a brain stimulus that is taken in through sight. Using colour helps the individual to associate feelings to specific colours and as such attach them to certain aspects of their memory. Often when a traumatic event or situation occurs it is the brain s default to protect itself from the feeling linked to that particular event. This is when you will find cases of temporary dementia after a traumatic incident, where people report not being able to recall specific details or occurrences within their story. This is because the brain has decided to supress those emotions and thoughts in an attempt to protect the person from the pain and fear they experienced.

Another art form that is used as a form of emotional therapy is music, music has the ability to transcend emotion and feelings, and sometimes may feel like a translator and decoder of one s own personal emotional struggles. Most artists tend to write their music from their own personal experiences. When these artists do this, they act as an anchor of emotional release, which again is a form of art therapy.

When the desire to share one s emotions through art bubbles up it results in those efforts needing to get out and be shared. This means that more and more artists are compelled to share their feelings and emotions through expression. This can result in one or two things those efforts being cheered on or dissed. However, the reward of using art techniques as emotional therapy is that more people than less are going to relate to those same emotions and as such the cycle of inspiration and emotional therapy just continues.

In a number of cases, displacement of emotions tends to occur. Where the individual will place blame on themselves. Using painting allows individuals to correctly asses the event without dissecting it. Although some argue that art doesn t fully get to the bottom of the issue, many therapists disagree.

Colors emit emotions, they stir up certain memories, thoughts, and feelings by the mere sight of looking at them. This is called association and using a colour in one s artwork helps you to emote. Paintings tend to be a security blanket of emotions where you can simply tell how the artist was feeling on the sole basis of the colours they chose to use.

Our emotions are bound to come out, no matter how hard we try to bottle them up and store them away. Using art is truly an inspiring way to let those feelings and emotions out in a way that can help others too.




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