Mid-term reflection

*This post is acting as my one page refection of where I'm at in the course thus far.*

Well, in the past 7 weeks or so I have contemplated a slight shift in my possible future career choices. Currently I am finishing up the master's program here in Art Education. I have notice a lot of my art educational theories and practices have therapeutic elements to them. Such as my current thesis work with homeless youth creating community-based activist art. Some aspects I'm investigating are participation and acknowledgment of identity through art making to promote personal and social change. I think these can pertain to art therapy as well. When I applied to SAIC I was torn between the Art Education program, Art Teaching, and the Art Therapy. The only thing that hindered my admission to the Art Therapy was my lack of Psych classes. I could have easily taken them over the summer at a community college. Thinking of taking them this summer. I've been considering a certification in art therapy once I graduate. It's a bit pricey though. But first... gotta finish this thesis!!

I am really enjoying the book, "Introduction to Art Therapy" by Bruce Moon. Right away he expresses his definite role as an artist as well as a therapist. He even mentions that the artist role may be more important than the therapist. I found this so intriguing and refreshing. As an art educator, the idea of being an artist is not as prevalent. I would like to be more in touch with my artist responsibilities but feel like I haven't been able to make the time for them. I am also intrigued by his practice of creating art along side his patients. This is something educators definitely do not do for the most part (unless it's a collaborative project). I am enjoying his vignettes of his past patients. Some of them are more descriptive than others. Some of the experiences he describes with patients seem so minimal but I realize that every little bit of response/reaction he gets from a patient is progress. As an educator I am use to being with students for a short period of time. As an art therapist much more time is needed to build those trusting relationships and to create gradual success. I think I would enjoy spending longer time with students/patients.

The guest speakers we have had so far have been great. I've been loving the different perspectives and practices within the Art Therapy realm. It is really encouraging for those seeking a possible education and/or career in art therapy. And each of the guest have expressed and/or shown their own art making practices and it's importance in their therapeutic careers. I have greatly appreciated the art making activities we do each week. Not only have we seen different methods of art making it has been therapeutic for us as students. I haven't made my own art work in such a long time. I am usually very meticulous and prefer a lot of time to work on one piece of art work but it has been an appreciative challenge creating these smaller and less time consuming pieces. I never use collage type of elements in my larger paintings and it's something worth considering now after the little works i have created in class.

I am excited for the rest of the semester and creating a final creative response. It will most likely be a painting. Possibly a painting that can be incorporated into my thesis. Lets hope that finishing up my thesis doesn't kill me :)