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Art Expression Exercise

To begin, let's think about how the physical form shows anger (as our first example), and how individuals show their anger.

 

Empathy (as a skill) grows as we learn about how emotions are experienced and expressed, by ourselves and others. We're building that skill through the following exercise:

• Create (through your chosen medium) an angry expression on one side and a peaceful expression on the other. 

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​BONUS ACTIVITIES:

• (if you feel able to, try this activity too! *as shared by Sharon):

  • Take a moment to yourself, sitting comfortably, feet on the floor, and eyes closed. Bring to mind a memory in which you feel anger. Let that anger fill you up, let the memory wash over you, and when it’s filled your body, and is bursting to escape your physical form, create (through your chosen medium) an expression of what you feel, let the energy match the art, without judgement. 

  • Then, take a moment to clear your mind.

  • When ready, bring to mind a memory in which you feel joy. Let that joy fill you up, let the memory wash over you, and when it’s filled your body, and is bursting to escape your physical form, create (through your chosen medium) an expression of what you feel, let the energy match the art, without judgement.  

• (if you feel able to, try this activity too! *as shared by Rick):

  • Draw the image of the center of an onion, and then add some layers.

  • Layer your onion with the emotions you want to break down, like anger, with the feelings that make up the emotional experience, such as: frustration, disappointment, respect, hopelessness, disillusionment, desperation, painful, trust.