PTSD Diagnosis and Recovery: A Personal and Spiritual Perspective Part 4

This is part 4 of a 5 part series on PTSD. The page to the series can be found here: PTSD series.

Part 4 addresses healing and recovery as it relates to accountability; self-image and self-esteem; learning to trust God; learning to trust others; connecting to self and others; letting go and grieving; intimacy with God; and deliverance. In case the video doesn’t show up on the wordpress reader here is a link to it: PTSD Diagnosis and Recovery: A Personal and Spiritual Perspective, Part 4.

Art project: For the art project we chose a symbol to represent ourself currently. Then we depicted words, symbols, or images which depicted what God is currently saying to us about who He created us to be; maybe particular areas He wants us to focus on. We used 9×12 watercolor paper. Stencils were provided, but not necessary. There is no set way to do this. One thing I suggested was collage.

I used some of my own geli prints and offered this up for others to use as well. Two of them did. There were 8 people total, but I was worried about getting done in time for the movie group following it, and forgot to get pictures, except on the way home in the car I got a few, and a couple of others messaged me or tagged me with them. I also had stamps available to use and stickers and print outs of various words or things that could also be collaged.

My example is the first one with the dragonfly. After I did my geli print collage for the background, I covered it over with clear gesso and then I used pan pastels over it with oil pastels on my borders. I used gel pens to write out my words on separate pieces of fiber and decorative papers I purchased at the dollar tree then arranged them and glued them on. I also added some metallic water color. I used acrylic ink as well for the part where I wrote, “Redeemed from the curse.” I have a tendency to go over-board, and I tried to keep this one simple. I had a stencil for the dragonfly, but they wouldn’t be that hard to draw. I was very pressed for time, however, and opted to keep things simple-as simple as possible for me, since I tend to make everything overly complicated.

The group members used watercolors, gelatos, gel pens, permanent markers, tissue paper, decorative papers, printed word cut outs, stencils, and stamps, etc.

I think they turned out great, and each one is very unique. I’ve seen my group branch out in creativity and their ability to take art risks. I love watching them grow.