How Art Became Part of I Am Story Studios . . .

Originally, I couldn’t figure out how art fit with psychology and story, other than the fact that I really, really liked it, and have dabbled in art my whole life.  I’ve had formal training in both psychology and writing, but not in art, unless you count working for ten years as an Art Literacy volunteer. For this reason, I felt more timid about making it the third leg of a three-legged stool.

The more I thought about it, however, the more I realized it made sense. Besides just loving to make art and look at art and drag my kids through museums in an effort to get them to appreciate art, there is a valid connection between art and both psychology and story.

First of all, one definition of the word “Art” is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. A focus on art is a focus on creativity, which has roots in both storytelling and psychology. For more on this, visit this site’s page on Creativity.

There are other, more specific, ways that Art can help us understand and share our life experiences.  This section outlines these different ways to look at Art.

STORYTELLING IMAGES

When people talk about art, they are often talking about visual imagery–painting, photography, drawing or, my favorite, collage.  This type of visual information helps tell a story with an emotional immediacy not found in other forms. Click here to explore why visual imagery is so powerful and how we can use it to amplify the message of our stories.

ART FROM WITHIN

Although we often identify with the verbal accounting of our lives, most of us intuitively know that if we can tune into the non-verbal imagery floating around in our brains, we can learn a lot about what we are thinking, feeling, deciding or needing. Check this section for ideas about how to access this cache of information.

HINTS AND TIPS

Having trouble getting started?  Don’t know which project to take on, or what materials to use?  The options and opportunities are unlimited, and this can sometimes be overwhelming.  I sometimes find it helpful to create some structure to get me started. Some of the ideas on this page may help you find a way into your project.

GALLERY

To get ideas or inspiration from images others have created, click here.

FROM MY BOOKSHELF

For more ideas on creativity, art projects, or techniques, check out the resources on this book list.

LINKS

You’ll find links to some of my favorite sites on psychology, art galleries, lectures, and a host of other resources here.