This past week has encouraged me to complete some bilateral art pieces. I have experienced this kind of art making before and now I needed this reminder of healing. There was that familiar stress headache I wanted to heal internally.
Bilateral art making is drawing/painting/molding using both hands at once. I have researched and understand the aspect of exploring “both sides” of our brain. American psychoanalyst and essayist Erikson (1902-1994) has confirmed the play and communication is a form of healing. Creative art therapist Cathy Malchiodi (2012) also encourages the ability to self-regulate with this simple art based activity.
When focusing on the expression and recognizing the time, we as humans can allow recovery to occur (Elbrecht, 2018). Expressing feelings can help us however we do not need to know all the details for it to be therapeutic (Levine, 2010). If you are interested in trying it, please find a quiet space and/or reach out to me.
Find comfort in your space with familiar art materials. You are welcome to choose different colors/mediums for each hand. Please make sure the paper in front of you is secured and in a comfortable distance. You may close your eyes and move your arms (both of them at the same time) as you feel. You may continue as long as you please, there are no images to create and you may change colors. If there is a particular feeling or idea you feel safe to pursue, go for it.
If possible, try some writing before and after. Simple words can help us understand more about the abstract imagery we have created. Recognizing how your body feels can help further self-awareness. Below is a bilateral drawing image I created to help give you some idea.
Curious, heavy, hazy/tired, tangled, removed
Please reach out if you have any further questions.
Elbrecht, Cornelia. 2018. Healing trauma with guided drawing; a sensorimotor art therapy approach to bilateral body mapping. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.
Levine, Peter. 2010. In an unspoken voice; how the body releases trauma and restores goodness. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books.
Machiodi, Cathy (2012) Art Therapy and Health Care. New York: Guilford Publications.
