Sharing cathARTic explorer project at https://catharticexplorer.wordpress.com also found under the “Course” tab above. This therapeutic arts project will be a work in progress. I am starting to move examples into the site. I have also added an extensive “My Story” page outlining my own path and why/how this project came about. Eventually I will have learning modules both free and paid along with real-time therapeutic art services.
33% of people live with sensory disorders. People from all walks of life experience these. The disorders become more problematic when there’s an underlying condition. I’ve lived most of my life impaired by a sensory disorder. The most problematic being vertigo followed by temperature, auditory and vision. I’m happy to find this resource where I can better inform myself and improve my environment and work so that I can make better for others either in person or virtually. With so much lived experience, I already have built-in strategies and coping mechanisms but it’s been very helpful expanding the learning of this for better quality of life. Spending my life masking and hiding this has only made it worse. It’s time to embrace it. This is my first step in the learning process.
As someone who has been living with sensory disorders my entire life, it’s no wonder it’s been nearly impossible trying to fit in somewhere – when constantly dealing with impairment. I recommend that ALL take this training. Not only for my physical experience, but as a content creator who strives to make sensory friendly content, I can make even better informed choices going forward. Course 1 of 6 completed and with a year subscription to the platform, I have access to a supportive community and this is so important.
At a later time, I plan to go into greater detail, explaining my own sensory disorder and how it’s changed my life.
I have incepted a new project called cathARTic explorer. This is a combination of nature and creativity to reach catharsis for healing, so the pathway is called ‘cathartic explorer’ via cathartic art. Think of this like being an arctic explorer – both dangerous and thrilling at the same time as that is what it feels like to face an uncharted territory. I have been practicing cathartic arts for years and have finally decided to take it up a notch and to inspire others to do the same. No, I don’t hold a degree in art therapy however it is not necessary to have to experience creative catharsis on your own, nor do I need one to share my ideas with others. I have designed a brochure for this project but it also works as stand alone infographics. Below you will find some videos I composed YouTube. Essentially, my videos are a form of healing art coming from a mindful baseline.
More about my background
In my training I have learned I need to “walk the talk”, I also need to prove it, and I have. I am not coming from a clinical counselling background but rather a designer who has experienced life-long anxiety challenges. So I feel called to share with others, what helps me.
For the creative, technical and delivery aspect of this project, I pull from all of my academic training: BA in Image Arts, MA in Communication and Technology, Certificates in e-Learning and Digital Media. This is combined with my wellness training: Mental Health Ambassador using the REAL-SF framework, Ecotheraputic Guide focusing on indoor and outdoor sources, Healing with the Arts for addressing the self critic, mindful training: MBSR practices for catharsis, and Reflexology for self-applied tension relief. Additionally, I integrate my self-directed studies of Scandinavian cultural history and archeology. I also have drama and theatre arts production training.
I am a peer-to-peer facilitator in what I practice – cathartic art – using mostly digital technology and handcrafting. I do not provide clinical counselling or treat for mental health disorders as that is not my area of training or expertise.
This training exposé is the backbone for my life’s work and proves my learning commitment and capability to you. Living my life with an anxiety disorder, I have found that through nature and creativity comes an incredible form of relief, enjoyment and purpose. I spent my earlier years as an experimental filmmaker whose films about mental health transited the film festival circuit and independent TV (Hot Docs nominee for Neurofeedback about mental health, Victoria Film Festival gift recipient for Breaching about orca captivity, Canada Arts Council for Sea of Souls about animism, as well Images Film Festival, Zed CBC, Knowledge Network, W Network and others). Visit my past portfolio site for more examples. I have returned to these roots to bring you with me into this uncharted territory, you will find your capabilities are limitless.
Who is this for and what to expect
Various types of mediums and outcomes are possible through this pathway and the process will be delivered both in-person and through e-learning. You will have the opportunity to produce your own cathartic stories through nature art, experimental videos, images, cards, and crafts. See my previous post about the Luna Saga for an example of my own story where you will have full exclusive access to that work through a video version, so you can see the outcome of a 20 years in the making cathartic story. Also, completing my masters thesis helped me to resolve my anxiety with a traumatic situation I faced so that I could finally write my Luna Saga. So from my own personal experience, I feel this pathway could be beneficial for those who want to learn how to creatively bolster digital tools to address stress, fear, grief, self-esteem, discrimination, bullying etc but is open to anyone who wants to manage personal / professional well-being. So to recap:
You:
You will be trained in the digital medium(s) of your choice through the process, given the support you need to see it through and fun rituals for going forward. To recap my areas of creative expertise are:
Digital and natural mediums:
Outcomes:
Delivery: 1 to 1 online or in person
Prerequisite: Recommended but not required Wellness in the Digital Age
Required: A digital device
Cost: By donation
Disclaimer: This pathway is intended for adults and is not a diagnosis, treatment or replacement for medical treatment, clinical mental health counselling or art psychotherapy.
Banner photo: Greenland glacier by Maria Peronino ©2023
Simple yet eye catching moving and still images can be produced in Canva. There, you can select a variety of sizes and formats for your different social media platforms. Here I have created two versions of two images: one as a motion gif (since my WordPress plan doesn’t support video) and the other as a static jpeg. These are produced to be shared on LinkedIn and Instagram, as they support square formats. Along with various graphical formats, Canva also provides a link to the external file that can be viewed by anyone such as this one. Reach out to me if you would like to learn how to harness the power of Canva for your project needs or would like content produced for your company or eLearning project. I work with the professional paid version and have access to 10’s of thousands of images and graphics. I also produce my own original images and video as seen below. Please wait a moment for the page to load.
Put aside 1 hour for this but there is no time limit. This activity is meant to keep us in the “being” mode where we can give our mind a break (parasympathetic nervous system) from the stress of always “doing”.
Here is a digital collage I created using Canva. For this exercise, I didn’t have anything in mind, I just placed random images and text onto my canvas. Once complete, I spent time looking at the themes that emerged such as travel, animals, and the colour yellow. While doing this, my mind is present while observing, turning this into a mindful seeing practice. If my mind wanders, I am aware of it and guide my mind back to the image.
Combined in this activity are three practices:
There are two ways you can approach this exercise:
How to produce a digital collage:
Alternatively you can also make a paper collage by cutting and pasting clippings to a sheet of paper or scrapbook. I use the digital format because I don’t have access to clippings to work with.
Be sure to come back to your collage whenever you want to do a seeing practice. You can print it out, move it to your device or place as your computer wallpaper.
There is much more you can do with Canva than I have outlined here but this will get you started and exploring the ecosystem. Have fun and feel free to share your finished collage!
