About The Project…..
Upon enrolment of our courses, all of our students are invited to be part of our exclusive Art Therapy community. Here is where you can share and support one another as you experience your own Art Therapy journey.
This weeks community project was titled: “Create A Mask Representing Your Inner and Outer Self”
Using any form of materials and in the style of your choosing, create a mask that represents your inner and outer self.
The outside of the mask should represent the parts of you that you are comfortable to share with the outside world. The inside of the mask should represent all those parts of you that you keep private and don’t share so readily with people.
The purpose of the exercise is to explore the various aspects of your personality and character so you can better understand yourself.
After being voted the winner by her classmates, we invited Amy, to share with us, her own art therapy journey and her experience of studying with us.
Artist name: Amy Syrad-Hardy
My journey as an artist:
Since GSCE A which I thoroughly enjoyed, although I did not follow on this path initially with educational training, Art, Creatively, self expressions and works has been a big part of my daily life. I had some Art Therapy as a client over some difficult years. I followed the path of Psychology & Sociology as a BA (hons) at University with a view/ambition to becoming an Art Psychotherapist. I have completed a Post Graduate diploma in Art Therapy.
I need and would like more practice with techniques and guided Art tuition. After completing various training around counselling and Managing difficult and aggressive behaviour, I am now attending a weekly Art Group in my local Village and I am since February, running a Creative Arts Group monthly for a Charity supporting Victims & Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse.
I have applied to do a BTEC Art Foundation starting this year and really hope to embark on my dream, part time study training as an MA in 2019 October to Qualify as an Art Psychotherapist.
Art has saved my soul through darkest times. Brings me comfort and fills my time meditatively and with passion. With a chronic Pain condition and complex PTSD, Art is my distraction and my life. I must give to those in need, as I have been blessed to have had myself.
Title of your artwork:
“Intertwined hidden faces, Disguising thy Recovery, Madness Prevails”
What was your inspiration behind your winning piece?
The inspiration was to challenge myself through Art Therapy, creating a piece facing myself felt this challenge of creating an image of our inner and outer selves through making a mask hugely challenging. To actually look in the mirror within so to speak, inspired me to show the real. The real of how I feel I am seen. The words I believe about myself. Felt really releasing and inspired by bravely exposing myself using the collage and painting effects to add this powerful challenge to show my Self. Inspired to face this challenge with truth, very revealing to myself. This was a great community project. Thank you.
What’s your favourite medium and style of art?
Painting mainly with acrylics. Acrylic pastels, pastels are getting easier as is painting with water colours. Working and making Collages is my main…Creating wild and quirky images using recycled materials, natural materials I find walking and pieces of things I seem to collect and find around the house. Bringing them all together. Would like more practice with drawing, currently working on this with and in the Village Art Group.
Courses I’m enroled in:
– Art Therapy for Self Healing
– Art Therapy for Self Exploration
– Art Therapy: How To Use Art Therapy With Others
Thank you so much. Humbled. Really enjoying and learning from Libby’s Courses.