Oh I so enjoyed your post. If everyone expressed themselves through ANY form of art, what kind of world would we live in!

As for the "process" of art, as a voice teacher of mine once said, "there is no 'there' there". I learned to love the process... maybe some of that lesson should be acknowledged in other aspects of life, no?

CS

I wasn't sure if this question was just for those diagnosed with PTSD, or if I could respond to it also - so forgive me if I shouldn't have responded to it.

Since I did suffer abuse as a child, I found that being creative helped me through a lot of tough times. Punishments often meant I had to stay in my tiny, crowded room for hours, and sometimes I grabbed my brother's albums and drew the band members and the band logos.

These days, I'm a freelance graphic artist (my own part-time business), I have had short stories published and I write poetry and song lyrics. I've designed the logo and the first CD cover/case for a friend's band, which was a long time dream of mine. In appreciation, they promised to record one of my own songs on their next CD. A few months ago I took up piano lessons (the first time I've ever learned to play an instrument) and after my second lesson I wrote a basic melody for the song they're going to record, so I'll also get a music credit on the CD (that part just blows me away, but they insisted). I've also taught myself web design as well as a few graphics programs on the computer.

I enjoy it, but if I'm not in a good mood I have a hard time being creative, so that's why it's only part-time for me. I just don't want to lose the passion by having to rely on it for my bills.

Hi unbroken,

I hardly know an artist who isn't squelched by a bad mood. For me, if I can just start singing for myself, I'll typically have a banner day - not unlike exercising when you don't feel like it. I'm not sure why it is but maybe our boundaries are not as solid when we don't feel so good. We are better able to access that authentic self more deeply.

Good luck! -CS

i dabble in a bit of everything, but like to hyperfocus when i do, so unfortunately i dont get to do that now with motherhood...
its apparently unacceptable/inappropriate to want to tune out for 3 days at a time while you complete a 'must finish' task..

I am a musician but can no longer play professionally. I can't interact well with band members, management, or fans. As well my physical heath doesn't allow me the energy I need to perform. It's very depressing for me. More or less it's the only thing I now how to do other than labor and thats out of the question now.

I put no, but I really like to paint abstract stuff. I like to paint and create things, build stuff and put stuff back together/fix things. I like to figure things out. I play hockey and I guess thats artistic with the plays and moves I come up with and create. (though it's probally already been done, but I dont know that) :o) Also I like to ski/board and try looking around for jumps and see what I can do with it.

I put no because I might like to do all this stuff, but am not very good at it (except the abstract paintings I guess, and skiing).

I carve, mostly birds but some smaller animals, walking sticks , canes
all in wood

I knit, garden (am a horticulturist...Horticulture is defined as the Art and Science of a Cultivated Landscape), sew, bead, have done pottery, make various things, mix essential oils for massage oils/bath salts/bath scrubs/soaps, write, think.

eta: I like paper too, making artist trading cards (ATC), greeting cards with lovely Art Nouveau decorations, I reconstruct thrift store clothing, I yank old wool sweaters from thrift stores and frog them (unravel) to use the yarn for 'better' lovelier purposes, I used to bake beautimus breads, stuff stuff stuff...oh, lip glosses too. Hmmm, jewelry, so many things, if it inspires I do it. Ceramic coasters are fun.

I draw and paint. I can't say I am any good at it, but it does make me focus on one thing instead of trying to sort the thoughts in my head. It relaxes me.

I sometimes draw and paint.

I only started having flashbacks about childhood a few years ago, I kept a very very tight lid on the denial. But you can see some of it in a few of the paintings and drawings that I did as a teenager - it came out regardless of the denial. When I first started working through the flashbacks a few years ago, I drew continuously for a few months. I filled heaps of sketchbooks. I can see some of the emotional processing in those drawings now.

I also occasionally paint now just for fun. I love the feel of brush on canvas and I prefer bright bright colours.