Process Oriented Round(s) - Part 2

It’s been several months since I began this journey (yes it sounds hokey, live with it) re-conceptualizing my (much loved) mandalas. As a recap, in the last post I talked about the various surfaces onto which I could see myself extending the visual explorations I am accustomed to. I have never been much of a sculptor and I didn’t plan on working 3D back in January when I started this, but things always have a way of turning out differently when you stop trying to control everything and give-in to the art process.

The outer sphere being sewn.

What attracts me to visual expression and in particular mandalas is their innate ability to provide containment through their properties and the act of making them. In true art therapy fashion I stand by the process. The repetitious nature of applying media to a surface when developing an image or building a shape processes the experience in question. Rhythmic gestures allowing for the distressful event to be slowly worked-through in spite of the final appearance. In time, purposeful art making becomes an un-named maybe even unconscious, ritual.  An often quite predictable pattern of working -- of moving, that gives the maker a sense of comfort through control of media & process.

In making, even when exploring new things we take this control with us. The way in which we approach new problems extend from methods previously used and building on these prior experiences can lead the maker to new discoveries.  When I undertook this task I wanted to expand on the control and comfort that I found in regularly working on mandalas as a means of processing my work as an art therapist.  

In Process Oriented Round(s) - Part 1 I spoke about the various endeavors undertaken towards finding the methods that made sense.  It was an exploratory process which brought with it a variety of “not what I was looking for” moments. Some procedures were so involved that I found no room for processing events. I was making a surface on which to work versus having the artifact be the expression in itself. While neither the final artifact nor the process was portable, in the end the most inviting process required a fresh start from (almost) scratch.

Self-symbol using a Polymita shell from Cuba, gold thread, gold dust, a seed, nacre ('nacar') slivers, and paper pulp.

The final version of the paper sphere artifact utilized paper-pulp from the previous processes and odds and ends.  Working from the inside out I first created a self-symbol that would be contained within the subsequent 5-layers of the piece. From the center each section of sphere is layered with fragments from the previous.  In the outward progression of layers there is a cumulative darkening from intentional inclusions (ie. strands of cotton, yarn, tea, etc).  All layers are incomplete leaving enough space to fit within each other and be seen.  While it’s fragility is evident this artifact is meant to be touched, handled, and moved; each interaction leaving traces on the piece. 

We are changed by that which we experience, and likewise we can create change through these experiences.

A few notes on the process(s):

• The paper used in the pulp of all the paper experiments was recycled from old notes, bills, discarded artwork, etc. The paper was ran thru a diamond-cut paper shredder, soaked in water for over 24hrs and pulped in an old blender in small batches (separated into color families). While not in use the moist paper pulp was kept in sealed containers separated by cling wrap. Before molding, each batch was re-hydrated and mixed with methyl cellulose and PVA glue (rest 30min) then drained until achieving a clay-like consistency. It is at the point of re-hydration that any inclusions were added to the mix.

• To create the spheres I used smooth bouncy balls and plastic ornaments of varying sizes. These were wrapped in cling wrap and meticulously coated in the prepared pulp then allowed to dry (yes, a fan helps).

• If a smooth edge is preferred as with my first set of spheres it helps to create a midline marker by carefully placing a thick rubber-band or heavy string and proceeding to apply the pulp as usual (over the marker). This creates an indentation on the inside that leaves a ‘cut-mark’.
  
  
  
  

A few notes on inclusion(s):

• String/yarn: can be cut into small pieces, strands…separated into fibers, etc. *Never put long strands into the blender.

• Tea bags: can be cut into small pieces or hand shredded and added (but tend to disappear into the mix. If you want them seen add them as a last layer once piece is complete with matte medium or Elmer’s glue.

• Tea: depending on the type & amount the tea tannins may change the color of the pulp as it dries. The change is not consistent as it reacts to the mix, the ambient humidity, and the drying process.
• Black teas – tend to leave a light brown stain
• Mate & Green teas – have more of a light green to yellow stain
• Thai Tea & Rooibos teas – have an orange stain

• Watercolors: as a means to change the color of the pulp this can work, but it isn’t as strong as you expect and it may fade with time.
  
  
  
  

All in all – try it out, once you make the first mess and can’t find half your house under all the preparations you’ll figure out how to cut corners and make it work for you (and in your space). While there is plenty of prep work a simpler adaptation can be made for work with clients under time constraints. On a personal note, after all I found the tactile involvement to be meditative and involved. It served as an outlet in a way I was not expecting and in the same fashion I will not be abandoning my tried and true methods of processing my work stressors; this process just gives me another tool (and excuse to make a creative mess).

Process Oriented Round(s) - Part1

First-off I want to thank those who read our as-of-late infrequent posts. As can happen from time to time we've come into some time-constraints with our life-job-responsibilities. I wanted to re-assure not only myself but anyone who reads this that despite the lack of consistent posts we3 of the Mandala Exchange are still taking care of ourselves. Are you?

In the last 2 months I have begun to consider alternate means of creating mandalas. Personally, I am partial to painting and drawing my mandalas save for the occasional collage. As some of you know my methods developed out of a necessity to work small and keep it portable. Currently I keep a small journal in the form of an altered book (begun in the fall of 2012 and which I expect to have finished by this summer). It is by all means an exploration in visual research as it pertains to my life & my self-care endeavors. Sadly, it has not been a place for mandalas as of yet. However, with the new year I was asked to expand on my concept of the visual journal/book which brings me to this post.


Before I visited the Books Arts collection at FSU I did quite a bit of online research. This  began the exploratory process shown here and thus-far culminating in 3 concepts for elaborating on my explorations of mandalas: Paper-Spirals, making my own paper rounds, and paper spheres.

I conceived of a paper-spiral as cutting and sewing several circles together in order to create a spiral form similar to a scroll in the way it would be viewed-- one continuous surface.

These circles were torn from thick Arches watercolor sheets. After marking them with pencil I used a watercolor brush and water to 'trace' outside my pencil lines several times before slowly hand-tearing the circles. The process was meditative forcing me to control my breath and be mindful of my movements in order for the tears to be clean.

After tearing and folding and tea-dying all those circles... Hand making my own paper seemed like the next viable means (tho not easy) to further explore the relationships between the materials and my creative process.

The visit to the FSU Book Arts Special Collection got my wheels a-turning. I found this intriguing "book": Necessary Disclosures. A book composed of nesting spheres. The following links will provide more information and some images. (unfortunately, the images I was allowed to take cannot be posted online).

http://www.newpaltz.edu/museum/exhibitions/hvvacc_wsw_necessary.jpg

 http://www.newpaltz.edu/museum/exhibitions/exhibitions_2.html

http://susceptibletoimages.wordpress.com/page/2/


Of course I had to try and make circles/rounds so after much searching here's what my set-up looked-like. I used knitting hoops and patio mesh (left-over from a project) to make molds/deckles. 

By the time I had what I needed to pull sheets of paper I had also started to think about how to create 3D cast paper shapes. The balls in the photo were the beginning of the experiment.

Some of the paper I pulled. The light sheets are mostly from old notary ledgers and music sheets and the dark sheet is brown construction paper scraps and grey egg carton bits.

After pulling sheets an entire afternoon and realizing that it took them days to dry and even then they were not quite what I was looking for... I turned to paper casting. This is an ongoing project so the next few images are not the final piece and I will not go into details about it in this post (so stay tuned). Lets just say that I lost 1 to my cats thinking it was a play-thing for them and that this project has grown to take-over my house as it is a space hog.

The Paper Spheres are emerging as a means of exploring the mandala in the round. I am at a fork in the road of sorts and I can see how both options may end-up at the same destination so I am not distressed (yet), just enjoying the process. When I began to create these spheres I envisioned my 2D mandalas growing-up, being represented quite literally in the round. After making these halves I have also begun to contemplate the concepts of "self" & safety [specifically for the art therapist] and how it may be expressed through these nested shapes. But, like I said these are just some ideas I am 'playing-with' that I wanted to share in the hopes that you may be inspired to think differently.

7 and a quarter half nested recycled paper spheres - from beginning to end each one can take over a week to make and dry. The larger ones even longer. The largest sphere pictured was made on a large hamster ball which appears to be about the size of a bowling ball.

Its a NEW YEAR consider your resources when planning for that spring cleaning. Recycle papers and old works by making something new.

Walking the Circle

If you haven't ever traveled through a labyrinth you should add it to your bucket list. 

I took this image of a contemplative colleague at a conference. 

I was reminded of the powers labyrinths (walking mandalas) hold.

A labyrinth is not a maze, as many people suspect, but rather, it is a spiral path that folds back on itself creating a journey to the physical and metaphorical center and then through the same path unfolding to a new and refreshed sense of being. 

I was recently reminded that a journey through a labyrinth is somewhat like a journey through the seasons. As you begin the journey with an intention it can be much like the "shedding" process of fall. Letting go of those things we don't need or want in our lives so that when we reach winter, the center, there is a sense of crisp clarity combined with emptiness, nothingness - the still.

The journey outward takes on the feel of spring. A rebirth into a new understanding, realization, or just refreshment of the old. When you reach the end (which is actually also the beginning) you're into summer. A time to celebrate and prepare for the next adventure. 

For those of your who've never experienced a labyrinth before here are some simple steps to get started:

1. Find or Make a labyrinth: Labyrinths can usually be found in parks, healing gardens, spas, and church courtyards or sometimes in churches. Check out this website to see if there is a labyrinth near you www.labyrinthlocator.com. If you aren't able to find one, try making a finger labyrinth. You can learn how to draw your own www.wikihow.com/Draw-a-Labyrinth or  download one off the net. Google search images for "Finger Labyrinth" 

2. Meditation/ Contemplation Journey with a labyrinth: 

a. State an intention

b. Center yourself with a few deep breaths, prayer, or other ritual of your choice

c. Begin your walk - think about if you'd like to move fast or slow. Try to be reflective, mindful, playful, or something else that fits the mood of your intention as you walk. Clear your mind and be open to what the labyrinth journey has to offer.

d. When you reach the center pause. You may choose to sit, meditate, journal, or just be.

e. When you're ready, walk out the same way you walked in. Notice if you've received any insights with the experience. When you come back to the place you started offer a thought or gesture of gratitude for your journey. 

Happy labyrinth walking to you all!

Change is in the air..

After the crushing heat waves and drenching rains, there is a change in the morning air. With the refreshing breeze I am reminded that life is in constant motion. Tho I may feel stuck or burdened it is only temporary.  

The following mandala has been on my mind for the length of the summer. I was able to "get-it-out" only by chance while preparing an activity for my groups.

I'll preface this by indicating that in preparation for collage activities with clients I sift through magazines and cut-out the images myself. Its turned into a soothing practice to raid through a magazine or two every two to three weeks and add to my collection. In the search I came across a picture or two which I couldn't dare part with; these became the focus of the mandala. In this case as in most others I went with my instincts.

In the making of "in Pieces" it was important and part of the creative process for me, to continue my search for colors, textures, sheens, that suited me & the original thematic content (ie. the emotion trying to be expressed). I ended-up with several sheets of magazine pages (most from national geographic). Slowly and methodically tearing at the images I was mindful of the fibers becoming exposed and the ink crackling off, the unevenness of the edges and the sound of separation. To me, creation and mindfulness go hand-in-hand. Adsorption in the process is what makes it therapeutic both for my clients and for myself.

"In Pieces" was solely created by the layering of magazine images that were primarily torn and glued to a black sheet of card-stock (8.5x11). I used a scissor to cut the elongated shapes that make-up the hair of the figure. In finishing the piece I wanted to include one last element from my 'dream'; stars. Crushed eggshells served my purpose and added the final touch. All in all, it went well, this is my first 99% collage piece where I refrained from any drawing media or paints.

"in Pieces"

Which brings me to my challenge, or point to contemplate: Fall is time for change. So lets CHANGE things-up! Try a new media or configuration of themes, try something new. Wake-up from the dog-days-of-summer!

Sheila

Tree Ring Mandala

While browsing the site findartdirectives.com, a site I contribute to regularly, I came across a wonderful idea from fellow Florida Art Therapist Reina Lombardi. I contacted Reina and with her permission I'm sharing her idea here for the Mandala Exchange followers...

TREE RING MANDALA - Begin by introducing the concept of dendrochronology; the process by which scientists date the age of a tree through analyzing patterns in a cross-section cut of a tree-trunk. Each ring in the cross-section represents a particular year or set of years in the tree's life cycle. Ask the client to use the metaphor of the tree-ring to create a life map mandala where each ring represents a significant stage in their life. Ask them to use line, shape, color, and collage materials to represent who they were and how they felt at each stage. This directive can be adapted for different age groups and identified goals. For example it could be tailored specifically to career or educational experience, significant relationships, or as related to substance abuse, etc... It can be used in either group, family, or individual therapies. The time allotted for this experiential can vary depending upon whether it is completed in a group or individual setting.

APPLICATION - (Short disclaimer: a person should have education, training, and supervision in art therapy before attempting to utilize this intervention with another person.) I tried Reina's tree ring mandala intervention with two different Veterans' art therapy groups; a substance abuse outpatient group and an outpatient group for those with chronic, severe mental illness.  I pulled various images of tree rings from the internet and found references that helped define different patterns that appear in the tree rings. The colors, widths, and breaks in patterns can reveal fires, droughts, long winters, hurricanes, insects, and more. Some of my patients were really interested in incorporating these aspects to relate to different themes of their lives.
I let the patients determine where their timelines started and ended. What emerged were incredible, therapeutically significant mandalas that empowered and helped participants define different aspects of their lives and put them in perspective. I have some Veterans in these groups that I've worked with for over 3 years. Some of what came out in their mandalas were personal things like loss, grief, realizations, and emotions that I have never seen from them before. We discussed how mandalas and how the group itself can serve as a container for thoughts and feelings. After the groups, some of my Veterans took their tree ring mandalas with them to show their psychologists and psychiatrists in individual sessions, saying their mandalas will help others understand them.

ABOUT REINA LOMBARDI....

She has been engaged in the arts since childhood. Reina holds a BA in Fine Arts and a MA in Expressive Arts Therapies. She specialize in art therapy and mental health counseling working with children, adolescents, and families. When she's not working as an art therapist, Reina spends her free time creating out of a small studio at her home in Fort Myers, Florida.

Over the past twelve years Reina has shown work in a variety of shows in St. Petersburg and Tampa Florida, as well as in Cambridge Massachusetts. She currently consigns original artworks at Tarpon Bay Explorers located in Sanibel Island and at Green and Groovy located in downtown Fort Myers.

Please visit this fabulous artist/ art therapist's online marketplace to see her hand-pulled original prints: thereinmaker on ETSY

                                    Thank you for the inspiration Reina!

It happened in the South!

Art Therapists rocked the boat! (more like the Savannah ferry) this July 9th to the 13th at the annual conference. It was a hot one, with temperatures in the high 90s and a wide array of overlapping workshops and presentations, panels, and meetings. There was something to do every day either at the conference center or in Historic Savannah. Truth be told, this is one of my favorite places to stroll-shop-&-eat. Everywhere you’ll find a southern charm-ish attitude and a nice slowed pace (or maybe its the heat?).

Although I attended many informative sessions and got nice goodies at the vendor tables if I had to choose 1, it would be the topic near and dear to my heart (and prospective dissertation):

How the Art of Art Therapists Informs Their Practice
Panel by: Becky Olivera, MA, ATR-BC, LCPC
Barbara Fish, PhD, ATR-BC, LCPC
Cathy Moon, MA, ATR-BC
and moderator Randy Vick, MS, ATR-BC, LCPC

Quite honestly, I don’t remember what my expectations were before the panelists began speaking because I was quickly swept away by the art. The visual representations of their own explorations, struggles, and achievements were marvelous to behold. Hearing the accompanying stories about what sparked this image, and that sculpture, made it all the more fascinating.  

Becky Olivera, used the acronym GREAT in reference to visual expressions:
Grounding - Response - Engaging - Authentic - Teaching
I liked the idea of doing a ‘standard’ art response at the beginning or ending of a supervision session. Say a manageable piece of paper 2x2 or 4x4.

“Art is at the core, we must find ways to keep it there.”

Cathy Moon’s insights were particularly poignant. She spoke about how art therapists strive to fit art into their already busy schedules (wait, was she talking about me?, us at M.E.?). How we strive to bring meaning into our lives and how for her (and a lot of us) art is the glue that helps keep things together. To that end, she began a long-term project, a promise to herself to make art and meaning. I believe she calls it the Intimate Connections Project (this is on top of any other short term expressive task she takes-on).

What: The project: to create hand-held items about loved ones.
How: She obtained 3 containers each representing a different category
1. names of loved ones
2. adjectives
3. names of materials

When she wants to create she grabs one piece of paper from bag #1 and 2-3 from bag #2 & #3.

Aim: Cathy aims to make 365 pieces, one for each day of the year. She is also keeping an ‘honest’ journal where she’s documenting what/when she creates, the idea development, relationships, etc. She keeps track of when she doesn’t also.    

Furthermore, Barbara Fish voiced something I believe is worth considering for ourselves: “I turn to my art when I don’t know what to do...it’s always been my first language...it parallels my life and my life parallels my art”.

It seems that reflection was true not just for Fish, but for the other panelists and the audience as well. We at M.E. have brought forth suggestions (and will continue to do so) for making art-friendly “spaces”. Keeping small sketchbooks or loose sheets, pencils or pens, any mark-making tool of choice available. Yes, my purses could be lighter and smaller but then, they would not have what I need to create.

With that in mind the CHALLENGE is to further consider how reliable is the time we make for our own visual-self-reflections? and what will we do about it?

WeavingTides

I began this mandala while at conference. Intending to illustrate the feeling of coming & going between sessions, life, the mainland and the ferry, school & work, wife and friend, therapist & artist, everything. I finished it the week following the conference and now see in it that I am not alone, there are plenty who get stuck at various intersections or that get bogged down here and there. It ultimately reminds me to take a breadth, see what is, and keep going. Every time I get asked “How do you do it?!” I shrug, one semester at a time. Sometimes its a week at a time, or less, but the idea is to keep moving. The art helps me see that, and helps me waddle and drag myself out of the tough times when I question my resolve. Yep, still here, still going.  

iMandala

My new work journey - working in a hospital as an Art Therapist where Artists in Residence, Arts in Medicine Volunteers, Child Life Specialists, Social Workers, and volunteer groups all use art as tools to connect with patients has proven to bend me, challenge me, and redefine me in ways I never thought possible. It has been at once a frustrating and an incredibly beautifully cultivating experience.

In the midst of this new chapter I have picked up a new art-making tool.

Yep - you guessed it: the iPad!

I am bucking the system of artists and art therapists who say that genuine art-making can't happen on a computer. It has become my magic wand.

I've quickly learned:
How do you connect with a 6 year-old who is glued to his family's iPad (because the parent's need a break and it becomes a "babysitter")?
Voila! Show him how to make art on an iPad.
Where does the magic happen? Well, throw in some rapport building, with a sprinkle of him feeling like he's in control and next thing you know I've pulled a rabbit out of my hat - or better - I've transitioned from "marble painting" on the iPad to marble painting in real-life before this tech-savvy 6 year-old even knows what hit him!

Scenario two:
I scratch my head as I've just been referred to work with a patient who, due to an illness, can't sit up, can't move her hands enough to hold any writing or drawing materials. In fact she really only has mobility in 1 finger. What do I do? Reach for the iPad.

Or how to I work with a severely neurologically damaged patient? And why have I been called in on this case?! Because "they" know I have magic (or at least creative thinking). This patient can't talk, can't hold a writing utensil and can't move most of his body. What can he do? "Splatter paint" on the iPad!

Does this relate to mandalas you might ask?
Absolutely: there is a plethora of mandala apps out there just waiting for you to click "install".
Some are for meditation, some are for interaction, and some are for mandala creating.

Here's my short-list of apps that I've found and like so far:
Mandala HD (free for lite version) 

Mesmorizing and groovy mandala-like images that rotate and swirl on the screen. It is motion sensitive so if you move the iPad the images change with the movement. There is also relaxing music that plays - so it is great for meditation and de-stressing. Also - if you plug

Mandalas (free version) 
Choose your background color and the "mode" that allows you to create your own mandala using patterned strokes. You have control of the paint color and size to make alterations to the pattern. No two images will be alike! You can save it to your PhotoAlbum and print if you like it. Easy for all ages and levels of mobility to make a beautiful mandala

Coloring (Mandala Four) Seasons (free version or buy more mandalas for 1.99)
The free version allows you to color 1 pre-made mandala from each "season" category. For only 1.99 you can have 48 unique mandalas at your fingertips. There is relaxing music that plays while you're coloring your mandala. You can easily turn the sound on your iPad off if the music isn't for you. You use colored pencils to fill in the mandala. You're able to overlay colors and do some blending - although the program seems to keep you "within the lines" so this might not be for the more creative rule-breakers.

Mandala (free)
I want this app to be so much more than it is! The concept is there, but the programming leaves a little to be desired. This app has you "fill in" tiny squares with sand to create a "Tibetian sand mandala" the music is meditative and bells chime when you've completed various sections of the sand tracing. The best part. At the end you can "wipe the sand away" just like the monks do...a remembrance of our impermanence. An excellent meditation tool, but the graphics and logistics of the app leave some to be desired.

I'm sure there are many more good ones out there - I just haven't found them yet! Please post if you have some we should add to the iMandala list.

...in keeping with the theme of iPad apps, also check out my friend's blog site: http://www.dylanklempner.com/blog/. The site is awesome just out of general principle (he's a Writer in Residence with the Arts in Medicine Program and a musician and visual artist extraodinaire...in his spare time). I recently contributed to his postings with a list of the other "Art Apps" I've been using with patients. Happy downloading!