This is a ten-part series in reviewing and experiencing through art experiential’s, the book by Cathy A. Malchiodi, The Soul’s Palette, the book we are studying in my Intro to Arts and Healing art therapy course.

Chapter 4: Knowing Materials and Creating Space

This chapter, at first was somewhat predictable, in that it was all about materials and the many ways to use them. However, the way the materials were described makes those said materials less threatening to the reader (if the reader has no prior experience in using that material). Malchiodi was able to accomplish this through the many activities to use the materials she wrote about. I really liked her approach in that the materials had personalities. It shifted my perspective when picking up a pen, pencil, or paintbrush.

The concept of drawing or painting the heart of the image humbled me. It taught me that there is a purpose for everything. That by connecting with what I see and more importantly, what I sense, can change the way I create an artistic piece. It is one thing to just draw a flower, but, quite another, to channel the scent, the movement of the flower when in the wind, and even feeling the actual vibration, its very lifeforce. To do that, and somehow encounter my own core through this approach in the creative process, is what humbles me. This tells me that art, on its own, is a form of prayer and devotion to the Divine.

Having just been introduced to collage, I love how nothing goes to waste in this art medium. I ended up doing a vision board of what my love life will encompass and even wrote a list of attributes of my future significant other. But I would not have been able to even envision this collage piece if it were not for the information in this chapter on making a sacred studio space. I took the advice and installed shelves in my storage closet. Having my supplies organized and easy to find made it more enjoyable to stay in the moment for something that needed me to tap into being creative. The best part of this chapter was the focus on treating supplies with love and respect. It made absolute sense to do that with all supplies. I do this with my car so why not thank my art tools.