Art during Covid-19
ART BLOG 2
By Leidy Moreno
I found something quite relevant from the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT)
Also Thinking of some of the tips from what the NHS Every mind matters recommends STAY CONNECTED WITH OTHERS & KEEP YOUR MIND ACTIVE
By looking at a Henri Matisse postcard, I thought of his amazing cut-outs work that he produced in his late 60’s until his death, what he called his second life!
As one of his friends said “If he couldn’t go out into the world, he could recreate it in ART, colour and beauty”
Why don’t we give it a go!
Here is an exercise we can do to be in touch with members of the PEX group or in general with family, friends and of course with nature!
Stay inspired while staying at home, when you go for a little stroll, look around and rediscover nature, or even looking through your window…
Here are some images that show the sequence of the process for making these postcard images
POSTCARD 1 SEQUENCE SHOWING DIFFERENT STAGES
FIRST POSTCARD DONE
POSTCARD 2 SEQUENCE SHOWING DIFFERENT STAGES
SECOND POSTCARD DONE
Here are the Steps to follow to make a post card if you want to try
1. collect some flowers or leaves for inspiration
2. if there is no access to a garden look in your cupboards and fridge for bay leaves, coriander, basil. They work nicely too.
3. Press the leaves or flowers; put them in between 2 sheets of newspaper, let them dry for 3 days.
4. Start making some quick drawings, don’t go into detail, look at the overall shape and colour.
5. Be playful, think of light and dark and composition.
6. After drawing some leaves or flowers with different colours, cut out the ones you like
7. Find old magazines or pieces of coloured paper and cut out different shapes (circles, straps etc)
8. start arranging, making your composition, gluing all the pieces/shapes you want to include, shapes onto a piece of coloured paper background (or paint a coloured background if you only have white paper/carton (think cardboard) to choose from).
9. Be as playful and free as you want
ART Blog 1 by Leidy Moreno
We have been using art to help with wellbeing and pain in the sessions. By offering an open space to invite people to journey with their imagination we share a space in a creative way. We create an environment where we can share ideas, memories, be creative and be playful. Art and the creative processes can bring focus and help us to be mindful. We can think in the here and now by observing the shape of a leaf for example.
As mentioned in the International Journal of Art Therapy
"art-based activities had a positive impact on cognitive processes, in particular on attention, stimulation of memories, enhance communication and engagement with creative activities." International Journal of Art therapy, volume 24 June 20019
We have enjoyed working together and doing art in a in a community setting. Let us try and continue with art during this time of isolation. Even though we are physically isolated we can feel the strength of our community through our faith and art. Art can be a great companion for life , especially when feeling isolated.
As the TATE commented:
“ART CAN LIFT OUR SPIRITS, BRIGHTEN OUR DAYS, AND SUPPORT OUR MENTAL HEALTH”.
Using art is one a way to exercise our brain by finding new ways of thinking new ways of looking and finding new discoveries. By sharing our art work we feel valued.
Here is one idea about what we can do during this period
If we have a garden or a chance to go to a park. Why don’t we look at some branches or twigs. If we have a smart phone take some pictures, for example: zoom up, look at the shades, look at how inter-twined they are. Or even you can pick some, take them home.
Find a piece of paper (A4 for example) place the twigs on top of the pieces of paper and arrange them and make one or various compositions. You can be adventurous and creative and playful
Be ready to draw, try to copy this image on another piece of paper by using graded pencils, inks or food colouring. Remember there is not a right or wrong way to be creative, have fun and keep your mind distracted and your brain working.
Tips:
Look out for lines, rhythms, directions: vertical, horizontal, dark, light and shadows
When drawing the shadows don’t spend too much time be quick, 5 minutes the most.
Attached are some photos of images I have done
Images 1 and 2
Collect twigs I arranged them and make a compositionI placed them on colour paper. In this picture, I painted a colour background by using 2 hues of blue watercolour.
Images 3, 4 and 5
I found more interesting and complex set of twigs ,
Playing with the twigs, the light and shadows , I found the right angle to draw the effect of the shadow of the twig on the paper
using a marker I made a quick drawing, don’t be too precious about it, experiment making different marks and lines .
Images 6, 7(some of the materials used) and 8
Arranging thin twigs I make a composition on a piece of watercolour paper. I placed the paper vertically this time.
With a pencil I traced softly where the twigs are, now take the twigs off and start painting over the traced lines with the food colouring (yellow and blue), use a thin paint brush.
Using the big brush I painted the background (red, blue and white watercolour).
Adding little blossoms and viola!