Find your calm
Art Prompt: Using a page with text, find a word that speaks “calmness” to you and create what comes to mind.
Materials: 6x6 watercolor pad, watercolor brushes, watercolor set
The best part of found poetry, is allowing the words on the page to speak to you without overthinking what the words mean and/or why you feel connected to them. Found poetry has a way of tapping into the subconscious, allowing you to be pulled to the words on the page and allow your imagination to take over. It promotes emotional processing and self-reflection by encouraging mindful word selection that often reveals subconscious thoughts. It requires you to notice what thoughts or feelings you notice, but allowing them to be, without altering them. Found poetry can help you find new meaning to text and creating art in a non-intimidating way.
While creating, I was instantly drawn to a phrase that included the word rain. I love rain, it is calming to me and forces me to slow down. I feel that rain is meditative to me, and always has been: I ran with that word alone within my imagery. When creating raindrops, I was noticing other words that spoke to me, one in particular was “fireplace” and another repetitious sound that has always brought me a sense of calmness. I reflected more deeply in my connection to the word fireplace and explored some thoughts relating to my childhood. For this prompt, I focused on feeling the calmness and the repetitious creation of making raindrops. I opened up the window and allowed for some fresh breeze, fully emerging myself in feeling calm and content.
Other art prompts:
Using a page with text, find a word that speaks to you, don’t try to figure out why, then create what comes to mind.
Using a page with text, string together a poem or multiple words that speak to you and create what comes to mind.
Journal prompts for further exploration of the directive and/or image:
What word spoke to you immediately and why?
Is there a word that you gravitated towards but did not use? Why not?
What brought your calmness within this activity?
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 the process, 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.
