When people come on my Powertex workshops, one of the things they can be sure of is that they will walk away with a piece of art that is unique to them.
From my experience as a therapeutic counsellor I firmly believe that art is good for our mental health. Whether we use it as a form of expression, as a means of communication or simply as a cathartic exercise. Much as I love to see the finished product. I honestly do think that the process of creating is in itself just as important
The process of creating, I believe, is just as important as the end result
Many years ago, I took a group of students to a workshop celebrating World Mental Health Day.
There were many varied and interesting activities to participate in, all designed to both challenge and inform attitudes towards mental health. The day itself was wonderfully engaging and enlightening.
However, there was one activity which I felt disappointed by. The students were invited to make a picture using scraps of material. The problem for me though, was that they were told where to place each piece of material that they had been given. The end result was a number of very impressive, but absolutely identical works of art. Each and every one looking exactly as someone else had envisaged they should look.
It may well be that I have to question myself as to why I was so disappointed by this. Why did it matter so much to me that the students weren’t given free reign to express themselves? Was it just my rebellious inner child sticking two fingers up at being told what to do.
It felt very much the equivalent of painting by numbers. And my question is, who has the right to dictate what colours go where? OK, so the end result may have been more instantly recognisable as to what it was supposed to represent. But if it didn’t represent the person who created it, I personally wonder what the point was?
I always encourage people, both adults and children, not to be afraid of making mistakes.
Don’t be afraid of mistakes – they are how we learn
The beauty of Powertex is that there are no mistakes. If you don’t like what is happening, you simply start again.
More than anything I want people to be able to express themselves fully when they come to my workshops. I am simply there to show you how to use Powertex. Where you go to from there is entirely up to you and your imagination.
I will always give honest advice and guidance. But I never ever want the end result to be my vision. I want it to be yours.
I am immensely proud to be a Fellow of the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneur Scheme. The main ethos of my application for this scheme was my belief that engaging in creativity can really help promote positive mental health wellbeing.
Testimonials like this one reiterate this:
‘I suffer from a lack of confidence. Donna’s workshops give me an amazing sense of accomplishment. I leave them feeling incredibly proud of myself’
S, Southampton
If you’re looking for an artistic workshop with a difference, that will encourage your individuality why not come along to a Powertex workshop.
If you are interested in coming along to a Powertex workshop with me, please feel free to email me on info@artandmurals.co.uk
