Art-making and creative practices involve three living entities: the artist, the viewer, and whatever it is you’ve made.

That’s right: Art therapy teaches us that the art image – or whatever it is you’ve made (even those painted pinecones:) can be a potent source of healing.  When you focus your creative, life-force energy into “making” something, the result is a living thing that contains part of you.

FEATURED ART

When we tap into our creativity, the things that come out reflect and reveal conscious and unconscious experience: our environment, what’s going on for us emotionally, what’s happened in the past and a whole slew of other things embedded in our psyche. We may not have words to share this information, but our creative by-products can tell a visual story…possibly bringing deep, healing insight.

Discover Healing Messages in Things You’ve Made

1. Find something you’ve made:  a piece of art or a craft you created at any time in your life
2. Quiet your mind:  Find a quiet spot, take 2 – 3 minutes to sit down, close your eyes and connect with your breath
3. Sink into your creation: Look at it, feel it and even smell it: When did you make it?  What was going on in your life at the time?  Were you alone or with anyone?  Do the images, colors, shapes or textures remind you of anyone or anything? How does it “feel” to you now; is it heavy, light or cozy? Happy or sad? Write down the answers.
4. Become your creation:  Whether it’s a wreath, a scarf, your garden or a painting, take a moment to pretend you are the thing you’ve made. If there is a chair in your art image, “become” the chair.  If it’s made of yarn, “become” the yarn. Would the chair “say,” ‘I’m so worn out from everyone sitting on me?’ Or, would it be grateful to be supportive? Would the yarn feel all “wound up” or be happy to be interwoven into something bigger?
5. Notice the answers:  whether your answers contain joy or sorrow, everything has value.  See if there are areas in your life where this wisdom can be applied.  If the message is that you were happily alone when you created something, make sure you have enough “alone time.”  If something tells you it feels “wound up,” it could be useful to dig more deeply.  If you gaze at your creation and feel warm and comforted, you might indulge in other things that generate these feelings.
6. Create something new: things you make today may offer insight that applies to your life right now…or, they may guide you in all of your tomorrows.

Whatever comes up, remember: Creative time is your time: it’s a gift that you deserve!

Spread Your Wings with Wingman!

We are excited to be building our next pair of massive pair of Angel Wings as a fundraiser in partnership with Wingman, an incredible foundation that was borne from the Sandy Hook shooting.

“Spread Your Wings” broke all fundraising records at Dell Children’s Hospital ,“Art of Giving” event in 2019.  We painted hundreds of feathers with all of the hospitalized children that I was blessed to integrate into professional art.

On 10/17/19, we’ll be painting over 400 feathers with the kids at New Fairfield Middle School in Connecticut, one of the many participating Wingman schools across the nation.

     Dylan Hockley

Wingman was founded by Ian Hockley, in honor of his beautiful little boy, Dylan, who lost his life in the Sandy Hook shooting. For Ian, “There is an epidemic of social isolation in our society today, manifesting in daily headlines of violence, mass shootings and suicides. The benefits of social and emotional learning are well documented.  “Spread Your Wings” is a perfect fit with the mission of our Wingman program that really had its beginning at New Fairfield Middle School.”

We are in awe of how Ian has transformed this tragedy into something positive.

My incredible artist husband, Bobby Jacobs, is sculpting a beautiful stone Angel Wing to commemorate the event, similar to the one dedicated at Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin, Texas.

Our goal is to bring “Spread Your Wings with Wingman” to all Wingman locations, helping kids everywhere feel more included and cared for. 

We are honored to incorporate the healing benefits of the arts and help kids everywhere.   Learn how to sponsor angel wing feathers here, and thank you so much!

About Elizabeth Bryan-Jacobs and
Creative Awakenings Retreats

Elizabeth Bryan-Jacobs has been a nationally recognized Earthworks Artist and Creative Behaviorist for over three decades and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Art Therapy.

She specializes in awakening the creative process in individuals through proprietary practices that integrate spirit, science and nature. The result is an enduring, personalized toolbox for transforming life experience into life success, providing an abiding sense of joy along with a newfound freedom of expression that arises from living authentically. Visit www.creativeawakenings.net  or www.elizabethbryanjacobs.com to learn more.