Topic Tuesday//BOTH FORUMS// Creative expression and our wellbeing! // Tues 28 July 7- 8 30pm AEST featuring Special Guest Artist from the DAX Cen

[Mariposa]

self expression

[Former-Member]

Hi there @Mariposa 😊  Welcome to tonight's discussion! 

[Renegade]

@Former-Member creativity does seem to have the effect of putting us in a 'zone' that is relaxing.

[paintingallday]

I see allowing time for creative expression, separate from my professional art practice, as an important part of my mental health management strategy.

I have a professional studio art practice, so I approach the art I make there with a certain degree of discipline, I have objectives, deadlines and requirements I need to fulfil. But I also make sure that I allow time for art-making purely for the joy of it. Having no outcome in mind, I pick up whatever materials I feel drawn to (sometimes at home this is scraps of paper and a pen, or sitting outside I’ll pick up leaves from the garden and will tear them up and arrange them like a nature-collage!), and allow myself complete free rein to play and explore.

It’s almost meditative, but a bit more playful! Haha

Sometimes it’s not, sometimes I really need to get something out.. I feel it sitting inside, and I get the biggest piece of paper or board or whatever I can find and some paint and make big, full body movements, no judgements, no restrictions, doesn’t matter if I get messy

[Shaz51]

@Former-Member, @Renegade , @paintingallday 

it is sooo nice to go out and stop here and there taking photos for the morning or the day 

even when we are at home , i go in the garden and take photos 

my husband who has Bi polar 2 and other diagnosis has made 4 photo books so far with his photos 

[Maggie]

Hi everyone. For me being creative, is finding light in darkness, like mental illness darkness.

[Renegade]

@Maggie, yeah it really helps to pull the curtains back and clear the head

[Former-Member]

Think I could only do that, free flow dance, alone in private, like praying. Guess stretching in the morning is a way of moving the the body the way it needs to.

[Maggie]

@Renegade  yes, it sure does.

[outlander]

welcome @Mariposa