Jan 19 2009
Mental Health Humor: Portrait of My Mother
MentalHealthhumor.today.com By: Chato B Stewart
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Mental Health Humor
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Mental Health Humor:
Portrait of My Mother
Today was my second class with my one on one art mentor. This is my mother from a old picture from the late 50’s early 60’s. It was done with just paint. Different tones of blue… Yes, I did have help with it but this was just my second class. Most of the students don’t have this type of result really for 8 weeks or more even with his help… That made me feel great… I even got choked up when he told me I had such a gift and I’ve wasted it for far too long! He knows I’m having money issues so he said there is no way he is going to let me waste it anymore… He is putting me to work around his house to work off my classes.
I know I’m a bit cryptic about the 83 year old Master Artist who is tutoring me. This is because I’m going to build a basic website for him as a way to say thanks! I want it to be ready before I show you his work.
O.k. Robin wants me to share what I have learned from my art class… First thing, I am learning to find the shadows and to draw with line not curves… I know that is a different concept. It will take me some time to get it right. With the painting, I learned that I have to work with light colors and work to dark… With this painting of my mother I was working on making it softer.
At this point, let me just tell you a little about Art Therapy. Better yet, I let the AATA do it below. All I know is when I was painting today, I felt my mind quiet and I was able to focus.
Art therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.
Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms), and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy. Art therapy is used with children, adolescents, adults, older adults, groups, and families to assess and treat the following: anxiety, depression, and other mental and emotional problems and disorders; substance abuse and other addictions; family and relationship issues; abuse and domestic violence; social and emotional difficulties related to disability and illness; trauma and loss; physical, cognitive, and neurological problems; and psychosocial difficulties related to medical illness. Art therapy programs are found in a number of settings including hospitals, clinics, public and community agencies, wellness centers, educational institutions, businesses, and private practices.
Art therapists are masters level professionals who hold a degree in art therapy or a related field. Educational requirements include: theories of art therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy; ethics and standards of practice; assessment and evaluation; individual, group, and family techniques; human and creative development; multicultural issues; research methods; and practicum experiences in clinical, community, and/or other settings. Art therapists are skilled in the application of a variety of art modalities (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other media) for assessment and treatment.
Dr. Bob Bob, Meds, Suicide, Bipolar, Chato, Depression, Anxiety, Schizophrenia, Mixed Bag
Thanks for dropping by:
Chato B. Stewart
Mental Health Advocate - Cartoonist - and a few other things!
http://www.mentalhealthhumor.com
“Using Humor to Heal and Educate with badly drawn cartoons.”
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via e-mail:
Dear Chato,
I am watching, as I knew you would do this thing with greatness. Your second class and I can feel your wellness happening. It is a joy that is indescribable, isn’t it?
It is common for students to rise above the ability of their teachers in a very short period of time, as the mental relief is so profound.
I was thinking that you would have to change the title about ‘badly drawn cartoons’, but it’s what drew me to you, so if you can manage it, please keep the name and let people wonder and ask as part of the story we are seeing unfold.
You are an encouragement to us all and I am sure, with no doubt, Art Therapy is the where we must go for mental health casualties to become survivors.
Drawing on the right side of the brain is what I have taught for many years. Although, I have never been paid, I have always just done it, even before it had a name. It was in the early 70’s, as a really bad art student in college, when I began thinking of art as the brains way of resetting itself. From your words today, I am sure of it.
Please, know that your purpose is here. You are part of the new country we are living in. We, as a country, are beginning to see with different eyes. We need to show them the way through this art therapy. Be sure of this Chato B. Stewart; You are a link to the future of healing mental illness.
I have a great passion to learn more and to serve further in this capacity. Grateful and encouraged. Robin