Association
Art Prompt: Choose a picture that speaks to you today and create an art response.
Materials: Watercolor paper, watercolor, paint brushes, deck of images, deck of images 2, magazines, scissors, exacto knife (Google safety precausions), glue sticks, collage materials, collage material words, collage materials 2, any other found materials to use with collage.
I promised I would bring in more materials! This is a mix between watercolor and collage - feel free to use any materials.
Start by flipping through pictures, whether a deck of pictures that are linked above or browsing a magazine. Go with a picture that speaks to you today, for any reason. Use that picture as your jumping point for your image. Use the picture within your image or just to spark your inspiration. Create your response or thoughts about why that image is standing out to you today.
For my image, I chose a puppy swimming from the deck of pictures. This brought me back to when I was in graduate school and how different my life was back then. I sat with the varying feelings of raising a puppy (good and bad) and struggles and triumphs of my life at that time. I used the picture in my image and painted the puppy a bit darker brown to match my dog. I added a branch to the puppy’s mouth, as a specific memory I had. I created a hand holding a bunch of squares to symbolize different feelings that this image and that time period brought up for me. Around the image, I added more words, affirmation and collage materials that spoke to me. Each material added has a meaning or a memory attached to it.
Journal prompts for further exploration of the directive and/or image:
Explore some of the memories that you feel are attached to the initial image that you chose.
Why is the image you chose important to you today?
Is there a memory or thought that came up through this association process that was difficult or uncomfortable for you to think about? Explore why.
Tips:
I am vague in my description of my image for two reasons: A.) this is an example to help people see the progression and thought behind art therapy prompts, B.) so that my image and description does not stifle your own creative exploration within this prompt.
Do not overthink the art directive. Jump into creating with your first thought and allow the image to form itself.
Explore the artwork when you’re completed and see what you notice in your colors, method, imagery. Sometimes you’ll have new insights once you’re finished creating.
Materials will be suggested, use whatever you have access to or materials you’d prefer.
Work as little or as long as you’d like.
Don’t create thinking of a product, focus solely on the process. This may not be something you’d like to hang on the wall and that is perfectly fine and often preferred 🙂
You may not always be able to reflect on your image and understand what it means. Sometimes just simply engaging in the art process is therapeutic enough.
While these directives are designed for deeper exploration of self, sometimes they may cause one to feel overwhelmed. These prompts should not replace therapy. If any of these prompts bring up unsafe emotions and you feel you are a danger to yourself or others, please call 911 or go to your nearest hospital.
