Sharing experiences
I am in my second week of a 12 week "Open Studio" facilitating Td to Parkinsonians and Caregivers. We meet in one large room and seperate the two groups with tables. Last week a caregiver came whose husband was at home with Hospice.
She began painting with light yellow as an intention. After 2 or 3 Td's she changed to a darker color. When we were sharing she explained that she used the yellow to try to put some sunshine into her despair. As she was drawing she realized that the yellow was not working for her and that her despair was stronger than sunshine. Giving in to that she changed colors and was content with the more nuetral color that came out. Her outcome was a lovely shade of pinkish brown that she called calm.. She went on to tell of her difficulties with living with a husband that was for all purposes dead even though his body was still there. I witnessed her sense of calm. As she spoke, you could see that she had in many ways already said goodbye to him. She had made peace with that. It was a profound experience.
My question for discussion is: I usually ask participants to start with a dark or nuetral color. I feel that this helps them to get into the raw image without interference from color/design. if I had done this with this woman it would have altered her experinece. What are your thoughts on the use of color when starting out with a group or individual ?
She began painting with light yellow as an intention. After 2 or 3 Td's she changed to a darker color. When we were sharing she explained that she used the yellow to try to put some sunshine into her despair. As she was drawing she realized that the yellow was not working for her and that her despair was stronger than sunshine. Giving in to that she changed colors and was content with the more nuetral color that came out. Her outcome was a lovely shade of pinkish brown that she called calm.. She went on to tell of her difficulties with living with a husband that was for all purposes dead even though his body was still there. I witnessed her sense of calm. As she spoke, you could see that she had in many ways already said goodbye to him. She had made peace with that. It was a profound experience.
My question for discussion is: I usually ask participants to start with a dark or nuetral color. I feel that this helps them to get into the raw image without interference from color/design. if I had done this with this woman it would have altered her experinece. What are your thoughts on the use of color when starting out with a group or individual ?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Deborah Koff-Chapin on -
Victoria, this is an interesting question, and relevant to all facilitators. (I plan to set a general group just for facilitators soon) What I do is suggest people select a color that seems to match or express their feelings in the moment. I do emphasize being simple with color and not getting caught up in mixing multiple colors on the board, etc, but stay with expression of mood. It sounds like that is precisely what she did. I am glad to hear that you make the basic pont that Td is not really focusing on color but on the 'raw image' as you say.
Anyone else have any thoughts?
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