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This piece of art was created by one of the clients at the center where I work.  Collage is a common technique used in expressive arts but I have often thought about it as simplistic and possibly not all that interesting or complex.  When I looked at what this client did I was blown away.  His ability to use images from a variety of resources to create a cohesive and powerful image hit me square between the eyes.  He graciously gave this piece of art to me. 

He explained to me that he is the young figure in the center foreground of this piece and that his guide was behind him and eagle flew above him to help him in his recovery.  He is grounded in nature because that gives him strength and hope. 

I often hear from people that "troubled" kids can't do this kind of work or that they don't care.  It is my experience that they have deeper and richer life  experiences than most people I come in contact with.  They have more to overcome,oftentimes, but once they decide,  they are incredibly strong and determined.  This young man was just that sort of person.  He taught me never to set limits on what can be done within any medium or to limit what people could get out of that work. 

I am amazed each day by the places that this kind of artwork can take us.  I wish deeply that people  see that this process isn't about "art"....that the creativity is the gift that shows us where our work is and where to proceed.  This process takes us into places and shows us insights and connections that we might never be able to make with the use of our mind only.  I invite you to try some of these techniques:  collage, sand tray, sculpture....hold a question in your mind and then let your mind go.  Cut out images that call to you,  shape clay anyway that your hands want it to.  Don't think.  I promise you that there is a gift in it for you.  More to come...
 


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