Art card swap #2

I recently participated in my first art therapy-artist trading card swap. I was once again gently reminded by this activity of the awesome power of making spontaneous art. Truly art gives us what we need to survive emotionally and spiritually. Despite being a dedicated studio artist I feel that I’m often asleep to what I really need inside. Yet this simple and meaningful task reminded me of what I do best which is to create from within.

Am happy with how my cards turned out and I am a bit surprised at how peaceful they look. The themes that emerged within my cards are those that seem to have stuck with me during my graduate training thus far which are keeping a drawing journal, breathing, listening, and observing. The guiding theme for the artist trading card swap was collage unleashed so I brought it back to some old school fun by scanning three dimensional objects ( including my face), collaged items, packing tape, text in black ball point pen, and of course some iridescent fabric glitter.

In the art swap artists were instructed to make 4 cards, no bigger than business card size and they would in turn receive four cards. 74 participants involved in art therapy in one way or another participated from across the U.S. including Australia and Canada. Melanie Glassey practicing art therapist & artist was kind enough to coordinate this project. To Melanie and my brothers and sisters in art I extend a heartfelt thank you.



You will be pleased to know we will be doing an art card swap similar to this among our art therapy cohort this fall.