Retired Art Educator of 23+ years. Certified in New York State K-12. Since I retired I have spent time working in animal shelter, but education was calling me back! So I have been a Teaching Assistant in various capacities for the last almost 3 years. I decided to take some time off and try and get back to my own art aspirations. Being a full-time parent and a full-time educator, left little time for my own art work. Its been a few months and very little has been created in my opinion, in terms of art. It has been slow going. Almost like a mental block of some sort.

I started reading the book, “The Artist Way” by Julia Cameron. It’s been extremely helpful. Journaling daily and various exercises. I started taking photographs in my area and community using digital and an old 35 millimeter that was my Dads. That has been fun! I actually submitted a photo for a local contest and won 3rd place. So that was exciting! I have all the support from family and friends, but I still have a hard time putting my pencil or paintbrush on the page to get started.

I have always wanted to try Art Therapy, but to earn a degree would at least be another 4-6 years. Do not want to finance or go back to school. When I saw this opportunity for Art Therapy Practitioner, I thought what a great way to see if these courses will not only help me, but hopefully in the future I can help others.