Tag: infographic

cathARTic explorer

Posted on by Maria Bo in content creation, design, elearning, healing, mindfulness, Nature, Photography, tiktok, youtube
Logo of cathARTic project

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:

  1. are not to here to seek clinical counselling and diagnosis
    • but requires listening and compassionate guidance
  2. want to explore natural forms of healing
    • through mindfulness and ecotherapy
  3. are seeking to explore creativity with digital tools
    • using a digital device, Canva, TikTok, YouTube and apps
  4. are looking to tell a cathartic story
    • through image, video, card making
  5. want to establish a ritual routine going forward
    • combining nature, creativity and catharsis

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:

  1. image capture through digital device & manipulation with apps
  2. producing experimental videos & vlogs for TikTok and YouTube
  3. blogging with WordPress
  4. collage and (story / oracle / tarot) card production with Canva
  5. nature-based handcrafting / Lego building

Outcomes:

  1. identify creative project goals
  2. establish mindful & nature therapy practice
  3. apply creative and digital tool training
  4. produce cathartic art
  5. implement a personal craft ritual

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

Visit project development here

Mindfully Creative Infographic

Posted on by Maria Bo in content creation, design, elearning, mindfulness

There are many ways to be creative. I have suggested here just a few that you can get started with. You do not need to be an “artist” or professional of any kind to engage in creativity. I believe we are all creative. The idea is to anchor your mind in the present moment and keep you fully and 100% engaged in the activity. If you find your mind wanders off, acknowledge it and then steer it back to your activity. Being creative is an effective way of staying in the present moment as our brain so easily drifts off into the past and the future. The goal is to leave the “doing” mode (automatic pilot) and be in the “being” mode of the moment, allowing ourselves to rest from stress. Notice how you feel during the process of creating and then how you feel about what you created. Celebrate your results – there is no good or bad results, only the reward of finding out you are creative. In my next post, I will share an example of a digital montage I made using the collage idea.

infographic of mindfully creative

Online Learning Styles Infographic

Posted on by Maria Bo in design, elearning

Next time you set out on a learning endeavour, think about the ways in which you learn best. We all have learning styles that we prefer over others. Although I learn through all styles, my strongest learning happens while doing. Do you have one learning style that you have recognized to be stronger than the others?

I have revamped a previous infographic to match the design and style of the new ones, and this time I also added visuals.

Infographic of online learning styles

Autism Challenges Infographic

Posted on by Maria Bo in content creation, design, elearning, Health

I will continue to design a variety of infographics that align with the themes and values of Careful Crafters. They will all carry a similar style as the last two, each with a different colour.

I decided to put together a simplified version of some of the challenges I face with being (diagnosed) neurodivergent and likely autistic. Although there are many more challenges, these are the ones that seem to be the most prevalent for me on a daily basis, and why I “don’t work” in the work sector like others do. Explaining my experience to people, has also been challenging and so sometimes it’s just easier to give them something to look at. I am also doing this to remove any stigma that comes with autism; I am not incapable, I just operate differently than other people. While this infographic looks at the challenges, I will produce another that looks at some of the qualities that comes with autism. I hope that by producing this infographic to communicate on behalf of my own challenges, that it also helps someone else. For more read my blog post: Learning with an Invisible Disability