Fredricka Brooks, LCAT, Art Therapist

A handmade card I made for a colleague who is leaving.

Spreading some enthusiastic holiday cheer. These started with donated holiday cards, and grew into a cacophony of winter/holiday images. I had much fun putting this together. There are old and new ornaments ❤️🌟🎄🤶🏻🕎🧑🏾‍🎄🎄🎄❤️❤️💟👼🕊🌟⭐️✨✡️🦌🦌🦌🦌🛷❄️☃️⛄️☃️⛄️❄️❄️❄️⛷☃️ so kitsch & really fun!!

Fall flowers🍁🍃

Art from my process

I updated the displays at work. Despite others skepticism of the importance for the environment to reflect the seasons or holidays in an area where residents are not allowed because of COVID, I believe that it is important for everyone to be around art at home and at work. The art influences staff and staff interact w residents, therefore the art affects the residents. I also enjoyed the opportunity to make art.

Art tx display in progress

Making art for the season meant to be uplifting for staff at work. It was a helpful for me to do especially during my first days back at work. I’m excited to keep working on it and see how to involve others in the project.

Special notes for residents from volunteer students and residents. I suggested they write things they would like to hear. People who received and made the gifts both enjoyed the experience.

Making art to process aspects of work is a very important non verbal way to get out and work with material and energy. It can be cathartic and helps me organize and give structure to my inner experience.

I made this drawing today using color pencils and marker on paper.

Inspired by stars and haiku. Star project

Haiku poems for the Winter holiday season project. Playing w ideas that might hopefully inspire creative expression.

New weekly practice of drawing.

I'm not sure who authors this blog but it interests me as a resource for art therapy articles.

http://www.arttherapyblog.com/c/art-therapy-seniors/ #.XQPvNS3MzaY

Art Therapy for Seniors & Elderly | Using Art to Help the Elderly

I'm bookmarking this article to explore down the road, looks potentially like a good resource.

https://intuitivecreativity.typepad.com/expressiveartinspirations/top-50-art-therapy-blogs.html

Top 50 Art Therapy Blogs

Some art making for myself today.

Focusing on self care. Spent a few minutes knitting, being mindful and taking things slowly. Listening to calming sounds and have been enjoying special teas. I bought a few teas recently especially calming teas and I’m enjoying the Roiboos Chai the past few days. Slowing down and getting extra sleep has been very helpful for switching off work (for the most part) and turning on me time. Part of my goals are to relax and give myself a break from being overstimulated. So calming my mind and body are key. I’ve been easing pressure and tension to feel better.

I’ve been working on managing work stress for years. Coping in different ways, training to find out what works for me. So far mindfulness and active meditation has helped. So does getting spa treatments and sitting with my cat.

🐈🐢🐟

Detail of display, group, and TR office.

Had been prepping for the lunar new year celebration @ MMW.

Knitting for self care project in the works. 🧶🧶🧶💗

What a fun and accessible diagram showing symptoms of anxiety.

Thinking about a new knitting project.

I'm currently working on a communal collage incorporating residents artwork into a triptych. I'm thinking about how to photograph the work to be able to show an example here. I am enjoying the process of creating the group art, and it's been particularly exciting to see how the residents and companions are enthusiastically creating and donating art for the project.