1. Mixed media art – being creative and reflective
Dr Bel Youngson
RCOT Conference 20 June @OTBelY

2. To introduce and explore the occupation of mixed media art to experience creativity and to reflect on occupational therapy practice, education or research
Aim:
Session plan:
Creativity
Introduction to techniques and materials
Think about which aspect for reflection
Consider this first as a metaphor
Create artwork based on metaphor
Reflect on and share experience of creativity
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3. “The use of imagination or original ideas to create something”
Creativity
Oxford dictionary (2016)
Occupational therapy and creativity (Blanche 2007; Dickie 2004; Leenerts & Evetts 2016; Schmid 2004)
Creativity
Stepping outside usual habits (Mellick 1999; Riley 2011)
Gives rise to new insights (Myers 1999)
Allows time for thinking & problem solving (Allen 1995; Lydon 1997)
Explores pre-conscious understandings and practice wisdom (McCormack & Titchen 2006)
Visual imagery evokes ideas (Marshall 2007) and helps to make new connections (Cameron 1993; Gauntlett 2011)
Requires flexibility and willingness (McNiff 1999)
Magic and meanings (Jacelon in Hunter et al 2002)
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4. Metaphor
“The essence of metaphor is understanding and experiencing one kind of thing in terms of another” (Lakoff and Johnson 1980, p5)
“the frame through which we perceive, understand and feel” (Bolton 2010, p221)
Eg Life as a journey
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5. Techniques and materials
Collage
Stencilling
Embossing
Paints
Pastels
Wool
Fabric
Paper
Found objects
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6. Reflection
Think about an aspect of occupational therapy practice, education or research on which you would like to reflect.
Metaphor (choose one)
If it was a landscape, what would it look like?
If it was a type of food, what would it look like?
If it was a season or weather, what would it look like?
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7. Create your picture
Let your mind wander - “freewheeling” (Cameron 1993, p130)
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8. Sharing and reflection
Experience of creativity?
What did you find in your picture?
Usefulness for reflection?
Please fill in feedback sheet - thanks
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9. References @OTBelY annabel.youngson@cumbria.ac.uk
Allen, P. (1995) Art is a Way of Knowing. Boston: Shambhala Publications Inc.
Cameron, J. (1993) The Artist's Way.  A Course in Discovering and Recovering Your Creative Self. London: Pan Books.
Blanche, E.I. (2007) 'The expression of creativity through occupation', Journal of Occupational Science, 14 (1), pp
Bolton, G. (2010) Reflective Practice Writing and Professional Development 3rd Ed. London: SAGE.
Davidson, J. (2011) 'The Journal Project: Research at the Boundaries Between Social Sciences and the Arts', Qualitative Inquiry, 18 (1), pp
Dickie, V.A. (2004) From Drunkard’s Path to Kansas Cyclones: Discovering Creativity Inside the Blocks Journal of Occupational Science, 11(2), 51-57
Gauntlett, D. (2011) Making is Connecting. Cambridge: Polity Press
Hunter, A., Lusardi, P., Zucker, D., Jacelon, C. & Chandler, G. (2002) 'Making Meaning: The Creative Component in Qualitative Research', Qualitative Health Research, 12 (3), pp
Lakoff, G. and Johnson, M.M. (1980) Metaphors we live by. Chicago : University of Chicago Press.
Leenerts, E., Evetts, C. and Miller, E. (2016) Reclaiming and Proclaiming the Use of Crafts in Occupational Therapy, The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy: Vol. 4: Iss. 4, Article 13. Available at:
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10. References @OTBelY annabel.youngson@cumbria.ac.uk
Lydon, S.G. (1997) The Knitting Sutra: Craft as a Spiritual Practice. 1st edn. San Francisco: Harper Collins.
Marshall, J. (2007) 'Image as Insight: Visual Images in Practice-Based Research', Studies in Art Education, 49 (1), pp
McCormack, B. & Titchen, A. (2006) 'Critical creativity: melding, exploding, blending', Educational Action Research, 14 (2), pp
McNiff, S. (1999) ‘The Practice of Creativity in the Workplace’, in Myers, T.P. (Ed.) The Soul of Creativity: Insights into the Creative process. Novato, California: New World Library, pp
Mellick, J. (1999) ‘The Natural Artistry of Dreams’, in Myers, T.P. (Ed.) The Soul of Creativity: Insights into the Creative process. Novato, California: New World Library, pp
Myers, T. P. (Ed) (1999) The Soul of Creativity: Insights into the Creative Process. Novato, California: New World Library.
Reynolds, F. and Prior, S. (2006) 'Creative adventures and flow in art-making: a qualitative study of women living with cancer', British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69 (6), pp
Riley, J. (2011) 'Shaping Textile-Making: Its Occupational Forms and Domain', Journal of Occupational Science, 18 (4), pp
Schmid, T. (2004) 'Meanings of creativity within occupational therapy practice', Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 51 (2), pp
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11. Websites and further reading
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