To do art has helped me when I am feeling down and it has helped me to focus on it instead on of my intense emotions due to the trauma tha I experienced. Art therapy exercises have helped me to understand better what is going on inside myself and to express it. I don't know much about how art is a healing tool yet.

I also have used art to sometimes say things I can't say about my trauma and my past. I think that is what is so powerful about it. Pablo Picasso said "Painting is another way of keeping a journal" and I think it's true. There is something in the creation of art, the grit, the smoothness, the chalkiness or the sliminess, the sensory part that goes along with the art that makes it so helpful. I always used to tell people, that art saved my life. In truth I think it only kept me sane. Thanks for posting:)

Yes, I also like the sensory part of the art. It is helpful to me in some way. But in order to do art therapy exercises, one needs to have some balance which I don't have often. Thank you for your comment. :)

I totally agree with you Miles. I love the smell of sawdust and the look of a straight cut line in wood. I also love carving with my chisels. I get out some aggression and that will show in the work. Or I treat the wood gently and use precision and that too will show in the work. It's like my mood and my focus pour out into the project.