Art therapy, shoes, self portraits and thrift store quests

Ideas can come from the most random places can't they?

As an Art therapist I am always on the lookout for unique ways to spark creativity in my clients.

I want to find ways to help people explore their lives and not just limit them to drawing or painting their feelings on a page.

Well, a few weeks ago while watching YouTube, I stumbled upon a video about shoe painting. This video lead me to a charity shop quest, which then lead me to devising a way to artistically represent the self in a pair of shoes.

I know that may sound like a step too far (oh the puns) but stay with me while I explain.

Our shoes say so much about us don't they?

They not only hold us as we go about our day but they hold memory and meaning. Some shoes bring to mind a time or a place and some shoes can even remind us of jobs, hopes, or challenges we faced.

We have so many phrases around shoes including two that kept coming to my mind 'if the shoe fits' or 'imagine walking in my shoes'.

So our shoes are a kind of self portrait aren't they!

Then came the creative bit.

Why not use a pair of shoes as a canvas, to place words which describe our lives, our emotions or our experiences.

We could write then glue our selected labels including the good, difficult and the in between on our chosen shoes.

So in the video that is exactly what I do.

I truly did go on a bit of a journey with this but I loved every minute. In fact I enjoyed it so much that I kept going with several pairs of shoes in my house. No shoe was safe that afternoon!

I realised that this might be a nice way to depict the complexity of being us. I am certain this idea is not original but it was new to me and I have never seen it done in art therapy before.

So I am sharing it for several reasons:

1. for all the people out there who are intrigued by art therapy

   Be assured that there are infinite ways to be creative and explore your life. Your therapist will love nothing more than to come up with unique, creative methods to support you through it all.

   
   

2. To other professionals

   I would love for you to take this shoe idea and run with it lol.

   If you do please share the results. I hope it adds to your creative toolbox.

   
   

3. For me

   Remember that a spark of interest can take you on a weird and wonderful journey. Let yourself go with it and play.

Go ahead and watch the video if you haven't done so already. Give it a wee like and share it with anyone who might benefit.

Take care,

Ellen