"The creative process is a powerful, transformative tool for healing our minds and our bodies, our relationships and our world. Each one of us carries this ancient medicine inside."
Kay Marie Potefield
We all think in images. Keeping a journal that focuses on symbols and images, as well as words, can open up endless possibilities of how we see and experience the world. It also can develop your own visual vocabulary. Discovering your visual vocabulary can tap into the inner wisdom that you hold. Journaling can be a valuable connector to your thoughts and feelings; it can bring needed answers to crisis and change or offer reflection on the day's events.
Reasons and Directives for Creating a Personal Visual Journal
Making images on a regular basis opens up many possibilities for understanding and expressing yourself.By making images several times a week (or daily) you may begin to see similarities in theme, colors or shapes.
You will also begin to develop your own visual vocabulary, your own unique way of working with materials and your own images, symbols and styles.
Give each image a title and remember to date the image. You may want to write a few thoughts regarding what you feel the drawing is communicating in relation to your life or events in your life.
Choose a sketchbook with good quality paper; one that will accept paint without falling apart. These sketchbooks can usually be found in most book stores and will have a much thicker grade of paper.
Find a quiet space to work where you won't be interrupted.You may want to have relaxing music playing while you create or light a candle. Make this time a sacred time that you can reflect upon your day and focus on your thoughts.
Keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way to create a visual journal. Trust yourself and your images to guide you in a needed direction.
Learn to recognize your own resistance. If you have trouble staying with the process and find other things to do rather than journal, then write or create an image about this resistance. Reflect on what keeps you from looking inward and why you may feel resistant to this process.
Create your visual journal with intention. Reflect on what thoughts or fears are most prominent within you. Was there an event during your day or from the past that needs to be looked at in a deeper way to find its meaning?
The following are five examples of different types of journals you can create using art and image.
Mandala Journal
Making a mandala means creating an image within a circle.
Using drawing materials you have selected create a circle freehand or use a plate or similar round object to trace a circle.Then fill in the circle any way you want using colors, lines and forms. You can go outside the lines and create any way in which you feel motivated. There is no right or wrong way to create a mandala.
After finishing your drawing you may want to write down any thoughts or feelings you have about your image or spontaneous thoughts that feel relevant.
Dream Image Journal
Keep a notebook by your bed and, in the morning, write down the dreams from the night prior. Create an image of these dreams each day and add your thoughts about the dreams. Question how the images relate to where you are in your life now. Do they hold any particular metaphor for issues you are dealing with at the present?
Feelings Journal
Each evening create an image of the feelings or emotions that relate to that particular day. This can release powerful emotions and also help to relax and reduce tension.
Spontaneous Art Journal
Do drawings daily -- whatever comes to mind.Ask yourself questions regarding your images:
If your image could talk, what would it say to you?
What don't you like about your drawing and why?
What do you like about your image?
What does your image want from you?
What colors, shapes, lines or images have you used to describe how you feel or what you need?
Collage Journal
Page through magazines and select pictures or words that attract you.Cut or tear them out and arrange them on a page in your journal.Do this for several days, reflecting on how these images and phrases relate to situations that need to be reflected upon in a deeper and or more meaningful way.
These are only a few of the many ways you can use the creative process to access the deeper parts of the self. Developing your own personal style of journaling may open up endless possibilities to your own personal journey. Your creativity will help you express experiences and feelings in a new, expanded way offering you insight into wisdom that is held within.
If you want to use journaling as a healing method but are having trouble getting started or understanding what your art means, art therapy is an excellent way to work through emotional struggles that are difficult to talk about.Symbols, patterns, forms and colors are thought to represent different types of issues, inner feelings and unconscious strugglesthat art therapy can help direct, uncover, interpret and resolve.If you have questions about this process, feel free to contact me at 414-774-6878 ext. 124.
Reference: Cathy A. Malchodi, The Art Therapy Sourcebook
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