I have enjoyed the process of blogging and exploring different research methods as a form of learning over the past few months. I have learnt to filter information faster when reading articles and books. I have had the chance to combine theory and experiential learning. I have looked at articles, books, exhibitions, produced art, started a placement in a school, been to therapy, taken photos, watched documentaries and attended workshops. All have been useful sources for different reasons.
I am an intuitive person and I like exploring the unconscious and making it conscious and seeing where it leads, like a sign system unfolding. The project has given me time to develop my process and reflect on what is important to me. I have learnt a lot about myself in the past term and feel like I still have a lot more to explore. The project has given me a structure to work with, being dyslexic I often find it hard to do this.
I enjoyed the art making exercises, I no longer had to be concerned with how it looked to other people as I often feel judged when producing work, in art therapy it feels non judgemental and non competitive. The process has freed me up to explore many different mediums. I have used pastels, pens, watercolour, acrylic, found materials, photography etc. I am now much more experimental and playful in my approach to art and I feel more of a connection to it emotionally.
A combination of all my different learning methods has informed my research. The methods have been a mixture of objective and subjective content. My research has been quite broad as the subject of art therapy is still new to me. I look forward to continuing with my research.
MA Art Therapy Blog 