Art and Healing: art for all: 61

[@TheVirtualPilgrim]

When my son was two years old, I went through a bitter divorce and custody battle. I drew. My mom kept asking if I needed therapy, but I declined. When she and my dad visited and saw my drawings, my father said, "Now I understand why you didn't need therapy." About three years later, as my dad lay dying the the hospital, art saved me again. I appreciate this conversation. I spent ten years in art school, but family, work, the dance of daily living have led to many years without comfortably sitting, sketchbook and pen in hand. It's time again. I hope to have some periods of joy to capture.

[@connie6690]

This has been helpful. I line draw while in waiting rooms. But I always worried about what everyone else thinks. I don't worry about that anymore, thanks to this. I just do it for me. At home, I sometimes just use colours and shapes and marks to express feelings. I don't worry about an end product. I don't even think too much. I found it's easier for me than meditation.

[@SketchBookSkool]

So true!

[@hArtyTruffle]

This is so on the mark gentlemen. Reconnecting with our creativity is key in healing for sure. Nature journalling has the added bonus of reconnecting us with nature at the same time. Reconnecting with nature is another key in healing. ✨🙏✨

[@drgon41094]

Thank you for all of the hardwork you put into your channel!! I've always had that mentality of...well my art looks so ugly..what's the point of even doing it..but since watching your videos. I've finally embraced my art....and rather than calling it ugly...its UNIQUE! I stopped all forms of creativity once I got to High school since my friends were expert level artists..so it seem pointless and discouraging to make something next to their impeccable art. But now a decade later...I'm having fun painting rocks...doodling in a sketch book and painting small canvas for fun! Its amazing to see your own creativity come into play and make a blank canvas into something beautiful and one of a kind!

[@garbledsand-which2321]

Thank you for this comment. It really helps my own journey to accepting my art. Cheers!

[@surgically_fit]

I'm 43 and currently recovering from a spinal fusion. I've always wanted to try and learn to draw, but I've never sat down and put forth the effort until now. I think finding this video is God sent. Thank you guys.

[@KateColors]

Writing healed my ulcerative colitis--I felt the exact moment it was taken out of my body--it was like someone reached in to that raw, opened spot and yanked it right out. Sketchbooking was a great companion the years I cared for my Mom after she was diagnosed with cancer. I have one drawing of a lab coat hung on an IV pole in a hospital room that I love and another really quick sketch I did when she dozed off sitting up on the couch in her living room. I was surprised that they were decent drawings. Tiny successes and vivid memories. Thank you both. Have a great summer! --- KateColors

[@Medietos]

KateColors:That is extraordinarily wonderful that writing healed you! it would be vvaluable and interesteing if you would tell me what your life situation was and felt like at that time, what stress levels and basic safety, what social/intimacy/friendship/love life (fair- good -great?) was like then? Did ypou feel relatively stable sense of hope, belief you could/would heal, or did it happen quite unconsciously while you did what you did, sort of by itself? How long had you had the ulcerative Colitis, and was that your only health imbalance? I have the opposite experience, feeling that my anxiety moved into my body and became locked, bound, incorporated inside. this happened after 24 years disease when I finally got the diagnoses. Idk whether an unfortunate comment by a Dr might have contributed to it, or whether I misinterpreted it: He said that I had not accepted my disease.That was said 10 years before I got the diagnoses. I didn't know what he meant, was not aware of it, and told myself consciously almost obsessive-compulsively about it in order to do the right thing. And thought that it would be easier to heal if I did that accepting. I wish he had said what he meant and helped me accepting in the right way. But he probably didn't see the Aspergers part, nor the heavy metal toxicity and deep stress. He mentioned very high sensitivity. (Later came the d. Ancholysing Spondylitits).

[@Medietos]

KateColors: I also wonder whether it happened at once when you started writing, or after having done it for (quite) a while? Did you write daíly or how often, approximately? How much or For how long? What were you writing about, your personal process and sort of preparing for7 welcoming/ anticipating healing? I would be grateful and glad for your answers. Keep well! I healed many benign hard lumps in my breasts which were claimed to be incurable. I am so grateful for that. Also the painful stage before stomach ulcer, but that was only by changing my diet and possibly the start of giving some loving attention and real care to my stomach.

[@hildybean]

I’m not ready to give up my Monday morning ritual with you two. I’ll be re-listening until I come up with something to transition to, to fill this space. Thank you for all the episodes. ❤️

[@lunaticcowgirl]

Art has allowed me to see the real meaning in my life. Without art, I was blind to all the rather obvious cues to what means most to me. Learning to draw, which is still ongoing for me, opened up a whole dimension to me. Then when I began to paint, it was like getting a color tv! I was living my whole life with a black and white TV!

[@ChaiCatSays]

Please continue with the podcasts! I just found you not very long ago but will continue to think positive while listening to past episodes. You've helped me think differently about art; especially my art!

[@constancewalsh3646]

I am my own scientific study. It's the only one I need. That art-making is healing cannot even be questioned. Just discovered you - it's wonderful, thank you!

[@amandasymon4363]

Seeing what is can make things bearable and stop the rumination - Art has saved me from myself.

[@ulliliu]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I love these conversations, they are full of insights and inspirations. And encouraging a lot.

[@SketchBookSkool]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lauryreed7468]

Thanks for the thought provoking conversations. Wow ! I hope there will be more seasons with the two of you.

[@selenep1193]

100% Creativity heals/alleviates dis-ease, challenges, and trauma. My masters degree is in Transpersonal Psychology with a focus on Creativity.

[@jillhuhn1129]

I don’t really draw very much because I don’t feel confident but if I never doubt coloring does the same thing for me it’s 1:21 AM my time right now and I’m sitting up and coloring and watching this podcast and I just feel a whole lot better I’ve been very sick for a long time is just helping me feel better and I just recently took my blood pressure and it’s pretty much perfect where it’s been very low other days so thank you all for putting everything out here that you do.?❤

[@Iknotya]

I started painting this Spring (somewhere in Feb) and it was such an eye opener how it worked for me. It's defo not about the end product it's all about the process. Thank you so much for your uplifting video's and I love the storytelling in every episode :) Your personal views and takes make it Wonderfull :))

[@Spinsagoodyarn]

I have loved all three seasons of Art For All and have just finished listening to them all for the second time. I particularly enjoyed Season Three with the addition of John Muir Laws. The conversations between Danny and John were so thought provoking and I really thought a lot about all the different subjects that you spoke about. I hope that you will continue your conversations together into the future. Thank you both for your honesty and letting us know that we are already good enough to make whatever art we want to!

[@marypanich9880]

A great conversation on this topic! Thanks for posting it! I am sorry to see this season end. I enjoyed learning more about Jack Laws’s world and works! Thanks so much! I look forward to next season!

[@SketchBookSkool]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sharonramsaran2477]

For me art and journaling worked hand in hand for my healing. Thank you really enjoyed listening

[@afiah2o]

Thank you Danny and John, This is a helpful and thought-provoking conversation. I am wondering if the two of you would consider sharing some of the work you mention here (i.e. in hospitals with loved ones drawing to process) maybe in another episode? And maybe talking about the work? Just a thought. Bestestly, Lorih2o

[@JF-kv1gm]

Another wonderful listen! I try to listen in a situation where I can dedicate the attention that it deserves because your conversations are always full of observations, balanced considerations, personal experience and humility. Sad to arrive at the conclusion of this season. Looking forward to the next. Wishing Danny, Jack and their families (and fellow followers here) a great summer.🙏😊

[@italiabernhardt6542]

Thank you! I came across this video exactly at the time I needed to hear this! God Bless! Art for the heart! 😀

[@oodlez_uv_doodlez]

I really love your videos! I'm so glad I came across them. For the past few months I have been battleing stage 4 metastatic cervical cancer and lymphoma...on top of that I am in a custody battle that is pretty intense,but getting better. I absolutely love art . It's a huge passion. I also love doing art with my 7 year old daughter. It has helped me cope with so much...I don't think many understand 😕 recently i have been so obsessed with urban sketching...just sketching in general. It makes me Happy ..so I don't feel thats bad. Since iv seen some of your videos ...it's helped me alot. I don't have to be a perfect artist in order to make art.

[@SketchBookSkool]

Im sorry to hear about your struggles. Im glad art can help you cope.

[@diariodeunartista]

I just found this podcast and this episode is amazing, thank you

[@christineoosthuizen4388]

Your talks are so inspiring... Thank you!

[@kristinstewart5556]

I am re-watching these in anticipation of a new season. I am making some sacrificial “pancakes” right now! This is just perfect for a re-frame and re-set I need so much this week, month, etc!

[@glorisyoung9696]

Laughed out loud at the conversation following Danny's suggestion that drawing a piece of toast can be meditative. John: "And if you get a crummy drawing, that's actually the point." Gregory: "Then you can toast your drawing." John: "Then you're out of a jam." Thanks, I needed a good laugh today. Haha.

[@ruthieclarke9125]

Thank you.

[@gloriart6558]

"teenagers may be drawn to art 'unconsciously' " .... I would change each time you say that to 'subconsciously'. it's hard to do something unconsciously, except sleep and breathe, being unconscious ... but we can pick up on a lot of things subconsciously, right? ha ha - we all need to realize (subconsciously) what we are really saying. and I agree, after teaching high school art for years; many students who were struggling, were doodling or wanting a viable outlet for their feelings.

[@BJSORAYA]

You guys are 👍🏼 great!

[@SketchBookSkool]

Thank you! 😃

[@neelumahendra4695]

the example , that comes to mind ,while painting one feels …… for me , is a comic book of superman, where he takes the watch of his friend Jimmy Olsen ……. for the signal, to focus on, when he went into multidimensional space ,,, the sound of that alarm made him to keep his focus. to come out of that confusing area which was pulling him in every direction. ……. I feel just like that while drawing n painting. ……. just wanted to share 🎨⭐️

[@romaisblooming]

Hahaha @JOHN! Love the Dad jokes!

[@melanieklarofficial]

Me too!! I really needed a laugh today!

[@Dewwood100]

As a teen I used to have a habit of doodling and drawing characteurs of classmates and teachers at school. On my exercise books and also on desktops! Oops!

[@jillhuhn1129]

You inspire, I get your essays but they get lost in the shuffle. I LOVE to color, ill do it daily if I can! Colored pencils and I want gel pens that glitter. I adore Johanna B as for d's work. : D

[@elisabethseeger5837]

There have been books and studies on the impact of time spent in nature on the healing of soldiers with ptsd

[@beckymartin1810]

I really enjoyed listening to this. I would do better bedside drawing rather than journaling. Such an interesting conversation.

[@SketchBookSkool]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@RKHageman]

@Danny -A prestidigitator is a person who does magic!

[@cherylamcdaniel8407]

yes...being an awkward highshool student was a difficult time, I drew a lot during that time as well

[@TambriaMoore]

My 15 y.o. grandson Elijah Gomez was murdered May 9, gunned down walking home from high school school. Even though my very beginner watercolors are muddy and every “rule” of technique is willfully ignored, it has been thought calming for rumination this third week of anger and grief.

[@RKHageman]

Oh, that is so tragic and appalling. I am a complete stranger, but I can at least offer my sympathy to you. 🦋

[@JF-kv1gm]

I don't know what to say...words fail me. Sending a virtual hug to you and your family. Keep on painting, no matter what.🙏😔

[@SketchBookSkool]

I'm so sorry, Tambria! How terrible.

[@christineoosthuizen4388]

Words fail! So so sad! Will pray for you... 🪔

[@afiah2o]

So sorry for your tragic loss. ❤️

[@Medietos]

Hello, I didn't much like the 1st video I listened to, but now after 3 more, I subscribed.Thanks, I am so glad for you that you found that creative relieving, fulfilling outlet and expression..

[@SketchBookSkool]

Those first three are a test. I’m glad you made it through the gauntlet and now I can give you the good stuff.

[@Medietos]

@@SketchBookSkool You replied, how nice! I wonde whether the 1st I watched was really your 1st one.? About perfectionism. Anyhow, if those were your very 1st drawings, - gosh! I tried today, have got an Ignatian soul guidance with a priest (1 hour every 2-3 weeks, started 3 daysa ago.) It includes drawing/painting. I was so inhibited ,unpractised and paralyzed, and had forgotten how to, my mind, soul and limbs weren't there anymore. I have let it be unused for to many years, wanting to solve my fatal unlivable probelems first. But they have only got worse. And I have been severely harmed , was made 3d stage burnt out for decades,apart from serious enough disease from before, getting my self-help sabotaged and no professional as needed. Probably the effects of all this plays a part in my initial inability . I won't give up although it was a disheartening, tensing and depressing experience. Idk how you say it is liberating even if bad. mAybe if one is relaxed adn believes one is going to liv... Your podcast with the comrade' about art being able to be healing is sth I am going to open myself to. Thank you.

[@Firefly-tf8gu]

I’m rewatching and just heard this is the last one. Noooooo! Can you at least do it 4 times a year? (I’m in the bargaining portion of my grief)

[@melanieklarofficial]

This was so helpful! I get stuck with decisions. Do I start a nature journal it a life journal? (Ps does John also go by Jack?) Thank you for inspiring!

[@aroncheek5092]

I think there are aspects of art that can cause you to burn out

[@jillhuhn1129]

I Journal too.

[@cherylamcdaniel8407]

its a way of PROCESSING

[@azalea1404]

Hi Danny! Could you perhaps provide us with a link to that Met podcast about art and healing you mentioned ? I've tried to look for it at their site - but unfortunately in vain.

[@SketchBookSkool]

Sure! It's www.metmuseum.org/perspectives/series/frame-of-mind/

[@romaisblooming]

🤪 @ John! ❤️ Dad jokes!

[@Immumar]

Your first wife?

[@SketchBookSkool]

What about her?