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After participating in the first artist trading card swap, put on through the Art Therapy Alliance on their LinkedIn subgroup for Materials and Media in Art Therapy, a second swap was proposed. After taking a vote amongst those interested in participating the theme was chosen: Collage Unleashed. This time around Melanie Glassey volunteered to host the swap. The guidelines to this swap was simple: create 4 artist trading cards and you will receive 4 artist trading cards created by other members of the trade. This time around I felt much more relaxed in creating the cards focusing on the process not the product. These were created using regular sized playing cards, acrylic paint, metallic acrylic paint, stencil, and magazine images/words. It’s amazing how such a small space can make such a powerful statement.

My favorite one is called Beyond. The definition of the word beyond is: to a degree that is past the understanding, reach, or scope of. When I made this card I was spending many hours studying for my last CA MFT licensing exam. It was hard for me to imagine life after the exam, a life that seemed out of my reach. I love the dancer on this card because she looks so graceful and relaxed as she reaches to the side of her. The card Today was made as a reminder to allow my body, mind, and spirit to recover from this CA MFT licensing process! After my exam I found myself to be completely exhausted! I needed a lot of sleep, alone time, and quiet time. I needed to just focus on today instead of immediately moving towards the next steps. The card Clear-Mindedness represented the feeling of too much information, inability to make decisions, and feeling overwhelmed with my possibilities. This was how I felt about a week after passing the exam. See It is a card I created while deciding what my next steps are as a newly licensed MFT. Sometimes I don’t see things clearly after an accomplishment because I’m just exhausted! This card reminded me to look at my options and keep  moving towards the future.

It’s amazing to me how the different art forms always connect me to what is going on in my immediate life. This swap helped to remain focused on my MFT exam while helping me process my next steps. I highly recommend participation in these types of community art projects as a way to enlighten yourself and to share yourself with those in your community.

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