Two More Bundles

Here are two more bundles, created today while discussing my research direction and what is most important. It was great to be in the studio with my colleagues and I think I have found a way to keep on track- looking forward to January to revise my pilot study and literature review- I also think I have a strong idea of who I'd like to have as the third person for my committee, which is a relief. I 'm also realizing again how important it is to meet with my cohort to review where I am both personally and professionally with the research design. After reading Dissanayake's "Homo- Asestheticus" and Modell 's work in " Imagination and the Meaningful Brain" I'm compelled to bring other components into the mix; adding neuroscience and art as a biological behavior with children's art making, metaphor, and attachment. The conversation widens and expands !

"Recognizing art as a biological need can give us not only a way to better understand art, but by understanding art as a natural part of us, we can understand ourselves to be part of nature" (Dissanayake, 1995, p.34)

Dissanayake, E. (1995). Homo aestheticus. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press.

Bundles with Natural Found Objects and Fiber

I created these bundles with a vigor, quickly and whilethinking with my hands. It was a very kinesthetic experience, it was so enjoyable to wrap and to swaddle these materials. I think this is a part of continuing my materials exploration in finding the just right materials to offer my research participants, it keeps me connected to the work in a spontaneous yet aesthetic way.

Artist/Therapist International Post Card Exchange

As a way to re-enter my blogging for research I'm going to begin with art that I created as a part of an exchange with other art therapists around the globe, this was organized by Art Therapy Without Borders. I created a total of 23 postcards, I worked on them, in part, while I was at the AATA conference in Sacramento the first week of November. I stayed with the materials as I created these small works and let the materials lead me, I enjoyed the mixing of media, especially the graph paper, white watercolor crayon and pencil. There are some forms that relate to nests, pods, weaving and connecting, protection and communication, these are all concepts I am exploring in my pilot study and contributes to the final qualitative research design.