Creative Therapy

Sometimes I'm a little slow on the uptake, I know, but I just noticed something. I've used a glowing yellow background on every journal page I've made this month. I'm not alone, when I say that color affects my mood, and I create art based on my mood. I think I must be defending myself against the seasonal affective disorder that assaults me every year during the dreary months of winter. Despite the brilliant scarlet and gold leaves on the trees in the woods, rain has turned my world slate gray, and night comes early in November. So, I plug in my twinkly lights and burn spicy candles, and cover every page in dripping shades of saffron and sunshine.


The image on this page comes from Art Creations Friday, the quote is from Picasso, and most of the border papers are handmade. The journaling was done in my 11th grade lit class while we were studying poetry and color imagery. I always try to write while my students are writing, and sevral became so interested in my art journal that they went out and bought sketchbooks to start their own journals In fact, for the end of unit poetry project, a few decided to make their presentations in an art journal format, instead of on a Power Point slide show or poster, as originally assigned. Now THAT's what fun about being a teacher!