Below is a blend of Māori and Aboriginal Australian influences having lived and worked in both countries. It incorporates dots and koru (swirl) designs where two indigenous cultures meet. Koru conveys movement, new beginnings, life and hope.
You don't have to be an artist to do art therapy...these are my own personal examples of that. I don't consider myself an artist as such, however, I enjoy making art and experimenting with different techniques and materials. Being Māori influences my work on both subconscious and conscious levels.
Below symbolises my oceanic cultural mix of Māori/Samoan/European DNA.
There are two modes of thought...art in therapy and art as therapy...these pictures are an example of the latter and I have used both modalities in my work. Introducing creative ways for clients to express themselves using a wide range and selection of art materials helps to stimulate the creative juices. Including clay, collage and sandtray in my work, offers clients another world of tactile, sensory and symbolic stimulus to tell their stories in a creative way. Interest is heightened and more insights drawn from a wider range of materials to work with.
Heart below made from clay represents my Māori primary identity with prominent koru design imprinted into the clay.
Regularly engaging in creativity can lead to discovering abilities that weren't previously realised. Client's who initially say they can't draw, later enrol into art courses as a result of showing real skills they never knew they had. For me, it is the process rather than the end product that is important however, with practice it is possible to develop a personal style that produces great artwork as a sellable commodity. There are art therapists with art degrees who help people develop their skills for the purpose of exhibiting and selling finished works.