Life catches up with you after a while and then you forget what your dreams were really all about.
It has been two years since I did my senior project. I went ahead and published what I had. Too many people are waiting for me to keep my promise. I sincerely apologize. I will update what I just published when I get to it which may or may not be a while. I am on a whole other idea (that still applies exponentially).
I left abroad for a year and with plenty of time on my hands, I took the liberty of needing my own art therapy. While I was playing around with some new ideas and application I realized that my entire world is a canvas and I can create a potentially healing environment so I started my research.
It was through this research that I came across my current pursuit, Design Studies for Human Health through the Boston Architectural College. Lesley University is still a potential I am realizing once again because of my wondering mind and interdisciplinary approach. Even now I am finding it necessary to simply paint, not just to design for human needs like an architectural prescription to a particular person or groups of people integrating art, design, architecture, computer graphics, geography, economics, environmental health, engineering, and many other fields needed for this integrated approach.
I feel that PNI for the Arts is just as applicable and with a little more time and effort I can journal electronically my progress, mindset, profile, successes, and failures.
So here goes round two in my childhood dreams and endeavors of understanding the potential of our world and its intimate relationship with us.
P.S. Any plots missing in my posts, please comment or message me so that I can address it right away.
P.S. Number 2: I need to update my "site" It is absolutely a pain to read! Formatting will be a project added to the list of to-do's!
Friday, August 28, 2015
Prologue to the Art Therapy Workshop
Prologue
My project, although technically is only supposed to
be a semester, started about 2 years ago. At that time I was an art student
looking to understand where my life was headed as a freshman in college. As
most freshman come in, either all or none of the classes sound interesting. For
me, I would have loved to take all of them if I could. Obviously money is a bit
of a restraining order on learning and imagination. I am only permitted to
learn so much before it gets difficult and becomes a waste of time and precious
money.
I had broad interests that needed to be fulfilled and
I happened to find some answers to a class I took called Stress Management
through the physical and health educational department. I had already been
researching into changing my major but I had no idea into what focus. I was
considering a double major in Art and Biology so that I could go into
Alternative Medicine.
I had always been interested in the field because of
how I was raised with the balance between western and eastern medicine. I had
been introduced later on to Yoga which talked about the chakras and energy
levels of the body. That subject I was all too familiar with and started to
build a connection between art and health that I never thought of before.
Through other classes, I started creating this odd tie
between multiple subjects. In psychology, I learned about the development of
the mind, physiology of the brain, and the phenomenon of synesthesia. Synesthesia
is the blending of senses and I started to wonder if because of the plasticity
of the brain, if we could actually train ourselves to control multiple senses
at once to take the senses to a whole new level. The stress management class
introduced me to PNI which is also known as psychoneuroimmunology. PNI means
that the mind and the brain have an influence over the health of the body and
vice versa which takes things a step further from mind over matter. I even found a course on color therapy. I did
not know that such a course existed and it has been the most interesting read
and study I have ever done. I even started to incorporate that into my
understanding.
Never the less, all this work was not a waste of time.
I started to understand my classes better as well as a new way of looking at things.
It was fantastic to learn in this new way that has helped me exceed and gain a
better appreciation for education.
Not only that, but this was only the beginning. I
started looking up grad schools and courses that are normally taught to be in
the alternative medicine field and started making lists of classes offered at
my university. I had a pretty good list going but I knew that it wouldn’t last
long without being in a declared major that would allow me to explore a field
that doesn’t exist. I even tried finding people that studied what I wanted to
study. The conclusion was I was going to be a pioneer in a field that no one
was really in. I sought to research schools that would allow me to make up my
own major and what it would even be called. I even started asking my professors
about synesthesia, PNI, and alternative medicine in general. Only one of them
actually new what I was talking about ironically and that was because there
wife did alternative medicine.
I was alone in more ways than one but then I found the
Interdisciplinary Program where I could claim multiple colleges and not lose
any of the credits I have already taken. I also found out through even more
research that there was an association that had been organized for years with
schools that even provide programs with the exact major that I thought didn’t
exist. Since then, things just started to ease their way through. I now had a
major, a school, a future, and a head start on a project to graduate.
Beginning the Project
When starting a research project I knew that it was
going to take a lot of work so I started as soon as I had an idea of what I was
going to do. It started out really complicated. I personally did not think that
it was but when trying to explain it, it got simpler and dumbed down the more I
did. I thought I could still pull it off with this huge process but alas, my
own mother did not even understand it.
It had then been suggested to me to take all my
questions and start off with the most basic. This was the hardest part that I
have had to do in this whole project. I felt like nothing could be excluded. I
cannot even say how I finally did it but I did.
I had been sending out emails for about a year to the
psychology department, class professors, and the art department to find people
interested in the project that could help me out with this new idea. Having
professional help and a good way to get people was a start but it didn’t go
over well. I had a total of 3 students and 2 professor that replied at all and
it was the students interested rather than any staff. I then tried emailing
specific people rather than mass emails to the departments. No one was either
available, interested, new anyone, or replied. When talking to my advisor I
knew I had to find a professor but the luck of finding anyone wasn’t working.
My problem was that the art department could help me
with a project but the psychology department could help me with the study.
Neither department would be able to help me with the other so I knew I
technically needed 2 professors, not just one. I found the art department to be
the easiest to work with and the most willing. The psychology department was
much the opposite. I decided to try and work with the psychology department
anyways. I signed up for my last semester the senior project/intern class. I
get online only to find there is no professor, just college advisors that
aren’t going to be your professor at all.
I ended up making a meeting with the college advisor
to discuss my problems in finding professors for the last year, not just that
semester. I was advised to talk to CAPS and see if any of them would be willing
to help me, even a grad student that needs the hours. So, I did just that. The
secretary told me about when they were meeting next and to email the main guy
on the business card to see if anyone could help me or if they had a
suggestion.
I got the fastest reply from the psychology department
than I have the last year. I was so happy and then my heartbeat quickened when
I read that I should have signed up a semester ago, no graduate student could
help me until I went through that training. I couldn’t work with them so I
should talk to FCHD department.
Joy. It was frustrating that I had been emailing for
more than a year and only now do I get help, when it is too late.
I talked to my advisor about my dilemma and the
approaching deadline to change classes and to graduate. I got put under her
advised internship as well and was asked to just write what my project is, do
it, and turn it in. Hallelujah.
When attending my classes, Jackson Pollock was
discussed and his painting style and movement he started for modern painters.
It was similar to what my project would entail so I talked to the professor
about my project and any help that I could get. We decided that a grant would
be my best option. I had completed it, turned it in to my professor to get it
approved and touched up only to find that the suggestion that was given to me,
is not available and that deadline was approaching fast. I decided to try to
get the information I needed anyways and hopefully get it in last minute. My
problem was that the likelihood of being able to get the grant without basing
my research off of something that exists is low because it means my plans and
success are very tentative.
My major doesn’t exist at the university, the research
done on it is not available to me. The art therapy I could find was not journal
articles or studies but ads, magazine articles, and textbooks. In order to find
that info I needed special permission, a lot more time than I was crunching
for, and the resources to find what I needed.
The grant was a no go but at least I was able to do
the research I needed on pricing what I would need for my project as well as
the start of getting things going. I would just be pulling the money out of my
own pocket than getting help from the college.
I then started finding a place to do my project. I
knew that I would need a place to keep everything as well as I would need a
place that would be ok with paint. There are the art studios but there is not
tons of room, there are classes that would be interrupted, and paint could
possibly be beyond everywhere. My other problem was that I also wanted people
not in the art department.
Art Therapy Workshop: Participants and their Work
No information will be given to identify each individual.
Each of the pictures will include the experience that had taken place for the session from my perspective.
The Project
Hopefully you have read my posts about Alternative Medicine, Synesthesia, Expressive Art Therapy, Colors, and PNI. If you have read them or you already have a good understanding of each of the subjects, then you can easily understand where I am coming from with my projects I have in mind.
How I will be combining all these may be a slight mystery. Hopefully I can solve it for you.
Here is the deal, Expressive Art Therapy is a form of Alternative Medicine. I hope to focus on the psychological point of view of art and medicine thus bringing in PNI. Psychologically, art and colors already have been studied to be influential for all patients for all sorts of reasons in clinics, home settings, and academics. Synesthesia comes in because it is associated with the art forms as well as psychology. This brings me to the conclusion and the project of understanding therapy by studying PNI and bringing it about by a form of voluntary synesthesia. Thus, my hopeful development of Synesthetic Therapy.
Have an equation! If that helps at least.
Expressive Art Therapy = (Art + Psychology (P))/Alternative Medicine
PNI= P + Medicine
P = art, colors, psyche, synesthesia
Synesthetic Therapy = Expressive Art Therapy + PNI
That was fun.
So, back to the project.
I do not know if any of you have heard of the theory of multiple intelligences. The theory of multiple intelligences, in short, says that no one is smarter than another, we all have the same capabilities, we just have different ways of learning. Also, one may excel in one area but someone else will in another. We are equally intelligent.
The different ways of learning or intelligences are categorized as the following.
We perceive things so differently that not only can I not be to specific but as a counselor and therapist, people just are different and there is no magic bullet like some people may like to think.
With what was listed, I can honestly say that personally, I fit into many of those categories. It could be because I was trained that way or that happens to be my ability of understanding. I don't honestly know if I excel in one or another area but I do know I can relate to these different learning based on what the situation is.
There are so many ways to go about this that deciding what to do will be difficult.
Here are some ideas of focus
How I will be combining all these may be a slight mystery. Hopefully I can solve it for you.
Here is the deal, Expressive Art Therapy is a form of Alternative Medicine. I hope to focus on the psychological point of view of art and medicine thus bringing in PNI. Psychologically, art and colors already have been studied to be influential for all patients for all sorts of reasons in clinics, home settings, and academics. Synesthesia comes in because it is associated with the art forms as well as psychology. This brings me to the conclusion and the project of understanding therapy by studying PNI and bringing it about by a form of voluntary synesthesia. Thus, my hopeful development of Synesthetic Therapy.
Have an equation! If that helps at least.
Expressive Art Therapy = (Art + Psychology (P))/Alternative Medicine
PNI= P + Medicine
P = art, colors, psyche, synesthesia
Synesthetic Therapy = Expressive Art Therapy + PNI
That was fun.
So, back to the project.
I do not know if any of you have heard of the theory of multiple intelligences. The theory of multiple intelligences, in short, says that no one is smarter than another, we all have the same capabilities, we just have different ways of learning. Also, one may excel in one area but someone else will in another. We are equally intelligent.
The different ways of learning or intelligences are categorized as the following.
- Logical-mathematical (much like fluid intelligence and g-factor) logic, abstractions, reasoning, numbers, critical thinking, principles of a casual system)
- Spatial (spatial judgement and ability to visualize)
- Linguistic (words and languages, good at reading, writing, story telling, memorizing, and high verbal ability.
- Bodily-kinesthetic (being able to control the body so acutely that they can handle objects skillfully including a good sense of timing, goal of physical action, train responses, and learn better with muscular movement or in other words, hands on learning experience mostly entailing physical activities from making things to sports.
- Musical (auditory learning or in other words, sensitive to sounds, rhythm, tone, music, lectures, songs, pitch, melody, etc.)
- Interpersonal (interaction with others or in other words, sensitive to moods, feelings, temperaments, motivations, and able to cooperate to be in a group)
- Intrapersonal (self-reflective or having a deep understanding of the self in strengths, weaknesses, qualities, and predicting one's self reactions.
- Naturalistic (nurturing and relating information to one's natural surroundings)
- Existential (spiritual or religious intelligence
We perceive things so differently that not only can I not be to specific but as a counselor and therapist, people just are different and there is no magic bullet like some people may like to think.
With what was listed, I can honestly say that personally, I fit into many of those categories. It could be because I was trained that way or that happens to be my ability of understanding. I don't honestly know if I excel in one or another area but I do know I can relate to these different learning based on what the situation is.
There are so many ways to go about this that deciding what to do will be difficult.
Here are some ideas of focus
- Chromesthesia (sound to color)
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Synesthesia/Ideasthesia
Synesthesia is a somewhat new and interesting study. Some people have this innate ability to do things a majority of us cannot. Generally speaking, synesthesia is when two sensory sections of the brain are crossed, connected, or blended to which it causes a different kind of enhanced sense. It is an involuntary cognitive pathway. There are some studies that suggest that one can temporarily have moments of synesthetic experiences with the influence of drugs, strokes, seizures, or other cognitive stimulating or inhibiting actions.
For example, some people can taste color or see sound. There are some amazing explanations and different stories given by people who have this ability. Them describing it the best they can sounds phenomenal. A gift many would like to have. Those who do have it have also talked about how tiring it can be as well as helpful. I would think that one would get a bit of a headache especially in a high sensory area like the city where there is so much commotion. As for being helpful, imagine being able to tell a word is not spelled right because it literally does not look right or being able to listen to the music and you see what the sounds create and sell your artwork?
Ideasthesia is different and yet the same from synesthesia by one difference. Ideasthesia is caused with a somatic sensory connection rather than just the senses. Basically, if we were to have a conversation about something I would be visualizing it in my mind. It then causes me to feel that sensation without actually feeling it. One example used on wiki was swimming. If we were to talk about swimming I might feel wet.
The two subjects are very similar so although they are both very different, I will be referring it to any blending of the senses because of the many categories in synesthesia that can be ideasthesia also.
There appears to be specific kinds of synesthesia. Each one called by which senses they combine
Grapheme which is a color synesthesia.
Spatial sequence synesthesia
Sound related to colors
Number form synesthesia
Personification
Lexical-gustatory synesthesia which is taste and words/letters.
Official Foundations:
American Synesthesia Association
Australian Synesthete Community
UK Synaesthesia Association
Belguin Synesthesia Association
Russian Synesthesia Community Site
Synaisthesis
Synaesthesia
Intriguing People and Media
http://www.ted.com/talks/neil_harbisson_i_listen_to_color.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Yellow_Sound
Other interesting sites
http://www.mind-expanding-techniques.net/synesthesia.html
History of Synesthesia (Wiki)
Alternative Medicine
Whenever someone asks me my major, and they don't know what I am talking about, I have got to explain it almost every time. Some people understand but they want some clarification because they are unsure. So, I am going to explain it to those who don't know. Please do not feel bad if you honestly don't know because here is the thing, it is such a lost and vague practice that it seems that a majority of people in the United Stated DO NOT know what it is. At least according to my experiences with youth, teens, young adults, and older adults across all races and backgrounds. If you do know, and I offended you, I am sorry. We should meet up so I can say I have met people that did know.
Alternative Medicine is basically anything that can support, compliment, change, and differ from Western Medical Practice most commonly practiced in the USA. Most common forms of Alternative Medicine are as listed.
Depending on the practitioner, they may be very one or the other and sometime neutral. Some prescribe medicines and others suggest different medicines.
All of these forms have their own way of coping, enhancing, or in some patients to even allow independant from certain drugs. Each person is different and there are many ways to go about health.
Some people may need drug enhancements and that is all drugs are supposed to do. Drugs are meant to enhance different functions of the body to go back to equilibrium (wellness and good health). They do not "cure." They help the body overcome illnesses and faults that are occuring in the body or they help cope with them such as pain killers.
Although it is very dependent on the patient, if someone were to tell me that Alternative Medicine does not help them, I will most likely tell them from personal opinion and understanding: "Bull!"
The reason why I say 'bull' is because there are more than 400 different kinds of other forms of medicine. There are so many focuses and unique practices that I doubt anyone could actually try them all.
Each person, as an individual, even responds differently to different medications and that is the same way with something like herbs. What may be good for one, may not be good for another.
Now, I really do think that Conventional Medicine (AKA Western Medicine) has a purpose. For one, sometimes we really do need help with that broken bone, dental care, and even cancers. There is a reason for technology and herbs cannot help the body with those problems.
However, Alternative Medicine has a way of even preventing health problems by means that don't even contain the word supplements.
Exercise and Eating in smart ways can be just as preventive as taking an herb or a supplement for that missing item in your diet.
So if that is all Alternative Medicine is, then why is it is own separate category?
Well, in all honesty, I couldn't give you anything factual at this current time. However, I can say this. It's just like any other subject of study. Everything can be science and then each practice is called something different. What makes Alternative Medicine so different from Conventional is the sought for independent nature of practicing therapy and healing outside of a clinic.
Alternative Medicine is that want to be able to live life without relying on something that we used to go so well without.
Each person is to their own and people choose to see Alternative Medicine in many different ways. Which is one reason why it has received nicknames as "Witch Doctor," "Shamanism," "Snake Oil," and being "Hippy." Which is very comparable to the names given to Conventional Medicine as "Poison," "Lies," "Chemical Drugs," and "Not Natural." There is truth in all names as well as it is interchangeable.
My hope is that you can see past any bias issues and understand the importance of both and to make your own opinion and to respect each practice in its own way. No one said you had to practice it or like it, but there is a reason why some things just don't die out. There is truth in both sides.
I believe this is why CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) has come about, because of this wanted distinction and positive influence Alternative Medicine can have on conventional medicine.
If it were my choice, I would put them both in the hospital, have unbiased doctors, and let the patients decided what they want to try based on their own personal situation. They may even find that combining the two different areas is better than just one. Also, it allows complete communication between doctors and patients as to what other contents are in their system before making final decisions on the direction of their health situation.
So, now that I have gotten off my soap box, I will state in my final conclusion that I chose Alternative Medicine because I feel there is great potential and knowing and finding other ways to enhance the healthy body with or without the use of conventional medicine. I want to work in a clinic or therapeutic office where I can help patients find what works for them no matter what form of practice they choose.
Alternative Medicine is basically anything that can support, compliment, change, and differ from Western Medical Practice most commonly practiced in the USA. Most common forms of Alternative Medicine are as listed.
- Eastern Medicine
- Chinese Medicine
- Herbs
- Holistic Healings
- Natural Healing
- Chiropractor
- Acupuncture
- Midwifery
- Massage Therapy
- Art Therapy
- Music Therapy
- Auras
- Crystal Healing
- Yoga
- Meditation
- etc.
Depending on the practitioner, they may be very one or the other and sometime neutral. Some prescribe medicines and others suggest different medicines.
All of these forms have their own way of coping, enhancing, or in some patients to even allow independant from certain drugs. Each person is different and there are many ways to go about health.
Some people may need drug enhancements and that is all drugs are supposed to do. Drugs are meant to enhance different functions of the body to go back to equilibrium (wellness and good health). They do not "cure." They help the body overcome illnesses and faults that are occuring in the body or they help cope with them such as pain killers.
Although it is very dependent on the patient, if someone were to tell me that Alternative Medicine does not help them, I will most likely tell them from personal opinion and understanding: "Bull!"
The reason why I say 'bull' is because there are more than 400 different kinds of other forms of medicine. There are so many focuses and unique practices that I doubt anyone could actually try them all.
Each person, as an individual, even responds differently to different medications and that is the same way with something like herbs. What may be good for one, may not be good for another.
Now, I really do think that Conventional Medicine (AKA Western Medicine) has a purpose. For one, sometimes we really do need help with that broken bone, dental care, and even cancers. There is a reason for technology and herbs cannot help the body with those problems.
However, Alternative Medicine has a way of even preventing health problems by means that don't even contain the word supplements.
Exercise and Eating in smart ways can be just as preventive as taking an herb or a supplement for that missing item in your diet.
So if that is all Alternative Medicine is, then why is it is own separate category?
Well, in all honesty, I couldn't give you anything factual at this current time. However, I can say this. It's just like any other subject of study. Everything can be science and then each practice is called something different. What makes Alternative Medicine so different from Conventional is the sought for independent nature of practicing therapy and healing outside of a clinic.
Alternative Medicine is that want to be able to live life without relying on something that we used to go so well without.
Each person is to their own and people choose to see Alternative Medicine in many different ways. Which is one reason why it has received nicknames as "Witch Doctor," "Shamanism," "Snake Oil," and being "Hippy." Which is very comparable to the names given to Conventional Medicine as "Poison," "Lies," "Chemical Drugs," and "Not Natural." There is truth in all names as well as it is interchangeable.
My hope is that you can see past any bias issues and understand the importance of both and to make your own opinion and to respect each practice in its own way. No one said you had to practice it or like it, but there is a reason why some things just don't die out. There is truth in both sides.
I believe this is why CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) has come about, because of this wanted distinction and positive influence Alternative Medicine can have on conventional medicine.
If it were my choice, I would put them both in the hospital, have unbiased doctors, and let the patients decided what they want to try based on their own personal situation. They may even find that combining the two different areas is better than just one. Also, it allows complete communication between doctors and patients as to what other contents are in their system before making final decisions on the direction of their health situation.
So, now that I have gotten off my soap box, I will state in my final conclusion that I chose Alternative Medicine because I feel there is great potential and knowing and finding other ways to enhance the healthy body with or without the use of conventional medicine. I want to work in a clinic or therapeutic office where I can help patients find what works for them no matter what form of practice they choose.
Visualizing Color
When someone thinks of a color, they may normally think of there favorite color. We go back to kindergarten and learn the basics. There are complementary colors (Orange, Purple, Green) and primary colors (Yellow, Blue, Red). Later on, possibly in a high school art class, that there is a difference between additive (Green, Blue, Red like LEDs) and subtractive colors (kindergarten colors). Then we reach another level. This level could be most commonly found in different forms of art or business.
Art uses color techniques in prints, calligraphy, clay work, painting, theater, photography, etc. We learn these techniques with cameras (film and digital), Photoshop, liquids effected by kilns (ovens that cook clay and like materials), and different mediums like chalk, pastel, oil, acrylic, and watercolor. There is obviously tons more that I have not listed. In art we learn the effects of light and technology manipulation. In some cultures you learn about certain dyes used in painting, fabric, and tattoos. When one takes an art class, they are not even stepping into the world of art, they are only looking at a mirror but have not entered the other side yet.
Then there is the psyche of color normally used in business. Interior design, graphic design, psychologists, military, and other forms of businesses use the technique of color in a completely different way. Yes, lighting and Photoshop can be used and easily manipulated but it also has a certain effect on the human species. Each living being is effect differently by color and there have been many studies about the effect of color. We have even associated color with moods because of the fancy heat sensitive material in mood rings.
Here are some pieces of color research that you may or may not have known.
Purple- Don't put this color in your kitchen. It is a negative environment for eating and even cooking food.
Red- Do not use this as your main color in a logo design. It can be a great accent but something that is boldly red tends to give off many different vibes. It can make you feel hungry to power hungry. You need to be sure that it is giving off the vibe you want it to give. Sometimes in not just about design.
Orange- stimulates the appetite. In construction we have learned it to be a caution color.
Green- is a neutral color, it complements almost everything.
Blue- in some cultures signifies death unlike black in other cultures.
Yellow- is a joyful happy color, it lightens a mood.
Obviously there are more effects and significant differences in colors depending on each person and the usage. To one person, red may be their favorite color and green may drive another crazy. We like to look at colorful in depth things about the world around us. It influences our moods and has been used in many ways. You may even notice that in certain rooms and during certain moments, color will look different to you. This is caused by something that we can learn in color theory.
Now my mind, when I think of color it turns into a whole new world. I don't really have a favorite color because certain colors influence me in different ways. For example, when I think of the color green I think of the rainforest and how it makes colors pop. I also think of the beautiful Rocky Mountains because of the luscious green forests of pine trees and aspens and then I think of fall time when all the colors are changing and there are beautiful golds, yellows, and brown mixed in a magical like scenery. When I think of yellow, I think of laying out in the grass watching the clouds as the sun's rays kiss my skin giving me a warm glow and feeling of comfort and joy. I just can't pick a favorite color because it is tied into so many other sensory experiences that to just call it a color is almost impossible for me.
What about picking colors based on things you can't see visually? One way to think of this question is what about music? If you were to listen to music, do you visualize playing the instrument, singing on stage, or dancing? If so you may have even already started to imagine the light show, the setting, and even a costume. You picked those colors for a reason. You felt music, you saw it. You automatically connected it with a color without even realizing it, didn't you? Isn't color amazing?
For some starting points of research and links, you may like to look up the following list. I know that the links are wiki and wiki is not a reputable source but if you look at the bottom of the page after reading a simplified summary, there should be external links of resources that are reputable and you can read into more depth and a better focus of the subject. Because my posts are only basic information to get you acquainted with the idea of PNI, I feel wiki is OK to link because it has other sources linked on.
Expressionism
Symbolism
Visual music
Graphic sound
Color Organ
Music visualization
Cymantics
Synesthesia in art
Sound art
Sound sculpture
Sound installation
Concerning the Spiritual in Art by Wassily Kandinsky
Art uses color techniques in prints, calligraphy, clay work, painting, theater, photography, etc. We learn these techniques with cameras (film and digital), Photoshop, liquids effected by kilns (ovens that cook clay and like materials), and different mediums like chalk, pastel, oil, acrylic, and watercolor. There is obviously tons more that I have not listed. In art we learn the effects of light and technology manipulation. In some cultures you learn about certain dyes used in painting, fabric, and tattoos. When one takes an art class, they are not even stepping into the world of art, they are only looking at a mirror but have not entered the other side yet.
Then there is the psyche of color normally used in business. Interior design, graphic design, psychologists, military, and other forms of businesses use the technique of color in a completely different way. Yes, lighting and Photoshop can be used and easily manipulated but it also has a certain effect on the human species. Each living being is effect differently by color and there have been many studies about the effect of color. We have even associated color with moods because of the fancy heat sensitive material in mood rings.
Here are some pieces of color research that you may or may not have known.
Purple- Don't put this color in your kitchen. It is a negative environment for eating and even cooking food.
Red- Do not use this as your main color in a logo design. It can be a great accent but something that is boldly red tends to give off many different vibes. It can make you feel hungry to power hungry. You need to be sure that it is giving off the vibe you want it to give. Sometimes in not just about design.
Orange- stimulates the appetite. In construction we have learned it to be a caution color.
Green- is a neutral color, it complements almost everything.
Blue- in some cultures signifies death unlike black in other cultures.
Yellow- is a joyful happy color, it lightens a mood.
Obviously there are more effects and significant differences in colors depending on each person and the usage. To one person, red may be their favorite color and green may drive another crazy. We like to look at colorful in depth things about the world around us. It influences our moods and has been used in many ways. You may even notice that in certain rooms and during certain moments, color will look different to you. This is caused by something that we can learn in color theory.
Now my mind, when I think of color it turns into a whole new world. I don't really have a favorite color because certain colors influence me in different ways. For example, when I think of the color green I think of the rainforest and how it makes colors pop. I also think of the beautiful Rocky Mountains because of the luscious green forests of pine trees and aspens and then I think of fall time when all the colors are changing and there are beautiful golds, yellows, and brown mixed in a magical like scenery. When I think of yellow, I think of laying out in the grass watching the clouds as the sun's rays kiss my skin giving me a warm glow and feeling of comfort and joy. I just can't pick a favorite color because it is tied into so many other sensory experiences that to just call it a color is almost impossible for me.
What about picking colors based on things you can't see visually? One way to think of this question is what about music? If you were to listen to music, do you visualize playing the instrument, singing on stage, or dancing? If so you may have even already started to imagine the light show, the setting, and even a costume. You picked those colors for a reason. You felt music, you saw it. You automatically connected it with a color without even realizing it, didn't you? Isn't color amazing?
For some starting points of research and links, you may like to look up the following list. I know that the links are wiki and wiki is not a reputable source but if you look at the bottom of the page after reading a simplified summary, there should be external links of resources that are reputable and you can read into more depth and a better focus of the subject. Because my posts are only basic information to get you acquainted with the idea of PNI, I feel wiki is OK to link because it has other sources linked on.
Expressionism
Symbolism
Visual music
Graphic sound
Color Organ
Music visualization
Cymantics
Synesthesia in art
Sound art
Sound sculpture
Sound installation
Concerning the Spiritual in Art by Wassily Kandinsky
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Surveys
Surveys
It helps to go in order as they are developed or as given on here. There are no specific evaluations based on questions like some social media website quizzes. This is for statistical use based on participants as well as for your own interest. Statistics (graphs/percentages/etc.) will be posted about every 20 participants/results received, deal?
Most of these can be done by nearly all ages assuming they can answer and understand the questions clearly meaning you can't answer for a toddler who cannot communicate clearly to you what they would do in the questions given. For elementary age kids and science, let's say, they do have interests in different subjects and learn faster about different things. They may not be a professional or even understand the conversations conducted around the subjects, but stars and cars are easy categories to understand.
Direct Links to Websites (in Quiz and how to). Some give direct results, others are your own opinion. The links are also included in the questions asked in the description so you don't have to navigate through here. This list contains all links for all the surveys throughout the project.
Psychological Descriptions of Personalities (ABCD):
- http://www.2knowmyself.com/a_b_c_d_personality_type
- Just read and decide for yourself what you feel fits you best. There have been many studies and this is just a general choice. It changes for each person often, especially on different scenerios.
- You can also search through your own choice of websites to understand the different personality types.
Carl Jung Studies
- http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp
- Take the Carl Jung test. Fill out all if you can for a more accurate result.
- You are welcome to click on the other links. They are not bad or corrupted sites.
- http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/overview_temperaments.asp
- Take your results from the above link and match to the column on the side. You will find your quiz/survey answers there as well as for your own benefit, a description of your result.
Color Code
- http://www.colorcode.com/personality_test/
- Take the quiz, fill out the profile (that includes your email) to get the results. All the email does is set up your profile account so you can return for your results later. They DO NOT spam. It has been two years and I still have not received anything I did not request.
Scientific Understandings
- http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-different-types-of-science.htm
- This just gives you the basic categories. Under the descriptions they also give examples with very little navigating. Just pick what best describes you personally.
- Feel free to look up other websites of your choosing.
Expressive Art Therapy
I had what I wanted to do in my mind but I just could not put it into words. I guess that is a common characteristics of most creative/artistic people. Visualizations is our understanding and our communication is actions rather than words.
I had a lot of background and learning in many different areas and it was all blending together quite nicely in my brain but to find schooling to comply, or fit perfectly was going to be difficult.
I honestly cannot even remember how I came upon IEATA, except maybe through researching artistic alternative medicine and therapies.
Whatever the case, I found it.
IEATA described it to a 'T' and they provided schooling and information on certification. This is how they described it.
Wiki simply defines the therapy almost word for word of my own definition when having to explain to others.
Basically, Expressive Art Therapies is different from Art Therapy based on the fact that the 'instructor' is a counselor rather than a psychologist. Expressive art uses psychological knowledge, studies, and understanding but one does not become a psychologist of any sort but a therapist. You do the instructing and direct yourself through personal choices and direction. Choices are not made for you but a therapist is there for support and as guidance. Not saying that a registered therapist could or could not be a psychologist, it just is not a necessary step.
"The expressive arts combine the visual arts, movement, drama, music, writing and other creative processes to foster deep personal growth and community development."
Wiki simply defines the therapy almost word for word of my own definition when having to explain to others.
"Expressive therapy, also known as expressive arts therapy or creative arts therapy, is the use of the creative arts as a form of therapy. Unlike traditional art expression, the process of creation is emphasized rather than the final product. Expressive therapy is predicated on the assumption that people can heal through use of imagination and the various forms of creative expression."
I personally feel that those in the Alternative Medical field are more so therapists rather than papered doctors. Although schooling is becoming available, it is not necessary although credit ability can be helpful. From personal encounters with those in the CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine), there is a different mood or vibe about them. They understand the body as much as any other doctor does but in a different emphasis, understandings, and point of view. One generally "prescribes" and the other "suggests." It does depend on the person and other factors but once again, this is a general and personal perspective on the fields similar and yet opposite of CAM and Expressive Art Therapies.
To read on, click here:
Alternative Medicine
PNI
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Wednesday, October 31, 2012
PNI (Psychoneuroimmunology)
For the basics of understanding PNI, a good website I found helpful in explaining what is psychoneuroimmunology, is http://www.nfnlp.com/psychoneuroimmunology_quinlan.htm.
Basically, PNI came about about 40-50 years ago. It was an interesting thought that did not really go far past a certain period of time. That or it just was not that popular. It is rare enough that all my psychology and biology teachers I contacted had no idea what field or study I was talking about.
Strangely enough, the people that I was able to talk more about the subject with were health knowledgeable professors, specifically my stress management/health and wellness online teacher (where it was mentioned in our textbook, thus my sudden interest) and an anthropology teacher up here on my campus.
In short, PNI is about how the mind (psycho-), brain (neuro-), and immune system (immun-) is studied (-ology) through its interaction and relation to each other. The best way to describe what that means is by giving a relative example.
Let's say that you are enjoying life through your everyday routine when something happens and causes stress, for exam, an exam. You start to stress over it, worry, and study exclusively to the point where you forget about eating nutritious food, or at all, you lose sleep staying up late ours, you don't relax because relaxing is for after the test, you then start to feel sick and you come down with the flu blaming it on bad luck.
Now, let's give another example. let's say you have been diagnosed with cancer or a disease that effects your daily life in extreme ways. You decide that instead of letting this challenge become a downer, you decide to look at the bright side and smile about something new everyday (all of us know at least one optimistic person like this).
Both of these relate to PNI because your thoughts influence the immune system by sending neurotransmitters, hormones, lymphocytes, etc. to fight off the stress, the sickness, or whatever your body and mind deems necessary. You may not even realize you have helped cause some of your bad days to become bad days. Your emotions also follow how you feel. If you feel crumby, you will be crumby and your body will respond to that to return to equilibrium. To bring in a familiar understanding, they say that laughter is a medicine in itself. Well, it's true. Laughing releases different chemicals that signal the body positively, thus improving health.
One of the main figures bringing back psychoneuoimmunology back to life is Candice Pert, a neurologist who discovered the hormonal, neural, and other chemical signals from the brain influencing the body and vice verse as described.
It goes into a lot more depth but it is a good introduction to what PNI is about.
However, I personally had a hard time researching a lot of information on the subject. I was able to find a psychology school in California that uses PNI as part of their subject matter and studies, but not as an actual field or degree. It just is no that big yet apparently. I tried researching people with a degree in it. I was able to find one professor teaching at Utah University that received her education some where else but it was a particular emphasis, still not a degree. Thus I came to the conclusion that I would do my own studies.
There is a research program/membership one can have called PNIRS (PNI Research Society). They make it difficult to be a member including high membership fees for the funding of research. I could not contact them either, that I can remember, to talk to someone part of the society to talk to me about the subject area.
There are many therapies and studies done on "mind over matter," but not many, that I can tell, talk about it the other way around. Many stress relieving techniques discuss this way of health and improvement. One of the few, that I have realized is through the studies of alternative medicine or CAM (complementary and alternative medicine).
Once I decided to make it my own study, I started to realize and notice how much art, which is already a big part of my life, has influenced me therapeutically. Thus, the beginning of my search for a perfect career, with a degree, professional schooling, and in an all new area where I may be the only explorer.
That is when I found ieata.org.
To read on about the beginning please click here.
Go Home
About Main Menu
Basically, PNI came about about 40-50 years ago. It was an interesting thought that did not really go far past a certain period of time. That or it just was not that popular. It is rare enough that all my psychology and biology teachers I contacted had no idea what field or study I was talking about.
Strangely enough, the people that I was able to talk more about the subject with were health knowledgeable professors, specifically my stress management/health and wellness online teacher (where it was mentioned in our textbook, thus my sudden interest) and an anthropology teacher up here on my campus.
In short, PNI is about how the mind (psycho-), brain (neuro-), and immune system (immun-) is studied (-ology) through its interaction and relation to each other. The best way to describe what that means is by giving a relative example.
Let's say that you are enjoying life through your everyday routine when something happens and causes stress, for exam, an exam. You start to stress over it, worry, and study exclusively to the point where you forget about eating nutritious food, or at all, you lose sleep staying up late ours, you don't relax because relaxing is for after the test, you then start to feel sick and you come down with the flu blaming it on bad luck.
Now, let's give another example. let's say you have been diagnosed with cancer or a disease that effects your daily life in extreme ways. You decide that instead of letting this challenge become a downer, you decide to look at the bright side and smile about something new everyday (all of us know at least one optimistic person like this).
Both of these relate to PNI because your thoughts influence the immune system by sending neurotransmitters, hormones, lymphocytes, etc. to fight off the stress, the sickness, or whatever your body and mind deems necessary. You may not even realize you have helped cause some of your bad days to become bad days. Your emotions also follow how you feel. If you feel crumby, you will be crumby and your body will respond to that to return to equilibrium. To bring in a familiar understanding, they say that laughter is a medicine in itself. Well, it's true. Laughing releases different chemicals that signal the body positively, thus improving health.
One of the main figures bringing back psychoneuoimmunology back to life is Candice Pert, a neurologist who discovered the hormonal, neural, and other chemical signals from the brain influencing the body and vice verse as described.
It goes into a lot more depth but it is a good introduction to what PNI is about.
However, I personally had a hard time researching a lot of information on the subject. I was able to find a psychology school in California that uses PNI as part of their subject matter and studies, but not as an actual field or degree. It just is no that big yet apparently. I tried researching people with a degree in it. I was able to find one professor teaching at Utah University that received her education some where else but it was a particular emphasis, still not a degree. Thus I came to the conclusion that I would do my own studies.
There is a research program/membership one can have called PNIRS (PNI Research Society). They make it difficult to be a member including high membership fees for the funding of research. I could not contact them either, that I can remember, to talk to someone part of the society to talk to me about the subject area.
There are many therapies and studies done on "mind over matter," but not many, that I can tell, talk about it the other way around. Many stress relieving techniques discuss this way of health and improvement. One of the few, that I have realized is through the studies of alternative medicine or CAM (complementary and alternative medicine).
Once I decided to make it my own study, I started to realize and notice how much art, which is already a big part of my life, has influenced me therapeutically. Thus, the beginning of my search for a perfect career, with a degree, professional schooling, and in an all new area where I may be the only explorer.
That is when I found ieata.org.
To read on about the beginning please click here.
Go Home
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