This art activity will focus on tapping into the lingering feelings we may have from a previously challenging event or traumatic experience from our past. Through a safe and gentle process, participants will depict feelings and emotions through the use of art materials, namely acrylic paints on paper, and then transform that depiction into a completely different work of art.

The goal of the workshop will be to allow ourselves to move through the healing process of feeling what might be considered “uncomfortable” and transforming that expression into something that represents “freedom” or “peacefulness”.

Materials will be provided to those attending in person.

If attending through Zoom, you will need to provide your own materials as listed below.

Materials:

(1)    Sheet – 16” x 20” or 18” x 24” sized white drawing paper

(1)    16” x 20” (or size of your choice) wrapped canvas or canvas board

Variety of acrylic paint colors

1-3 paint brushes

Liquid glue (not a glue stick)

Cup of water

Paper towels

Hair drier

Plastic tablecloth or newspapers

Optional – colored markers

Kim is a trained counselor and art therapist with a private art therapy practice in Colorado Springs. She currently works primarily with veterans and active military personnel as an art expression group facilitator at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center and has facilitated several Finding Our Voices workshops in the past.

As an art therapist, Kim invites clients to explore ways to communicate feelings, thoughts and life events using a variety of art materials and expressive techniques, often without the use of words. This can help increase emotional well-being, foster self-awareness, address addictions, develop social skills, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem by enhancing one’s self-awareness. Through the process of creating art, her clients have the opportunity to explore their inner self in visual manner, which can often reduce anxiety and positively influence self-exploration.

Kim has also utilized art therapy for several years to facilitate her own healing from early childhood incest and adult sexual violence.