color theory presented by dr. amanda pike from the florida art therapy association
DESCRIPTION
Learn how colors affect mood, reflect your energy and help heal. Dr. Amanda Pike from the Florida Art Therapy Association explained how colors affect mood and cognition. She also provides samples of a mandala with a take home exercise.TRANSCRIPT
Color Theory &Art Therapy
Amanda Alders Pike, PhD ATR-BC
President of the Florida Art Therapy Association
Founder of Art Therapy Consulting & Services
About this Presentation
Objectives
10 minutes: How colors affect mood and cognition
15 minutes: Discussing/ viewing a mandala (participants)
5 minutes: Discussion on the creation and mandala experience
TOTAL 30 minutes
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a mental health profession
that uses the creative process of art making
to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of
individuals of all ages.
Who are Art Therapists?
Master’s-level professionals; credentialed: ATR, ATR-BC Degree in art therapy or art therapy related field Skilled in the application of a art modalities for assessment and treatment.
Job Classification
U.S. Department of Labor Update to its Code Classification System for “Art Therapist.” It Now
Provides an Accurate Reflection of the Status of the Profession
Art therapists will now be included under 21-1000 Counselors, Social Workers, and Other Community and Social Service Specialists with professions closely aligned with the levels of education, training, scope of practice, and stature of the profession of art therapy.
Collaborationshttp://www.floridaarttherapy.org/
Home.html
Colors and Emotions
Creative self-expression through art-making often involves combining colors based on decisions, preferences, mood, and emotional responses.
Primary Colors
People cross-culturally tend to choose color-emotion pairings
"Cool" colors, such as blue, may be associated with alpha brain wave related states
"Warm" colors, such as red, may relate feelings associated with beta wave states;
Yellow is said to be a "mind-color“ and may relate to gamma brain wave states
Brain Wave Experience Effect
Gamma Enhanced memory, speed of thought, improved learning, intellectual functioning
Assists memory, provides inspiration
Beta Energy, excitement, focus, attention, activities and interaction, concentration
Increases cerebral blood flow; creates motivation
Alpha State of balance, meditation, enjoyment, pleasure
Calms the mind and body; aids visualization
Ueda Y, Hayashi K, Kuroiwa K, et al. (2004) Consciousness and Recognition of Five Colors—Using Functional-MRI and Brain Wave Measurements. J Intl Soc Life Info Sci 22: 366–371
Color and the Brain
Color has a profound impact on the brain. Color is a fundamental aspect of human perception, and it influences cognition and mood. Color affects performance on cognitive tasks such as memory, and different colors elicit different cognitive skills
Research on Color
Red has proved helpful in gaining attention and/or problem solving.
Blue aids exploration, risk-taking, and imagination.
In older words, individuals exposed to red are better able to recall details, while individuals exposed to blue are better able to come up with new ideas (Mehta and Zhu, 2009).
Mehta, R. and Zhu, R. J. (2009). Blue or red? exploring the effect of color on cognitive task performances.
Science, 323(5918):1226-1229.
The Continuum
The materials themselves and how they are used vary along a continuum.
Multi-Dimensional Variables
simple complex
structured unstructured
fluid resistive
Lusebrink, V. B. (1990). Imagery and visual expression in therapy. New York, NY: Plenum Press.
Art-making Experiential
MANDALA MAKING
MATERIALS: cardboard rounds, markers, oil pastels, pencils
Mandala is a circular form that represents wholeness. Mandala art is used throughout the world for self expression and for symbols for meditation, protection, and healing.
Examples
Considerations
IMAGE FROM: Gussak, D. & Virshup E. (eds.). (1997). Drawing Time: Art Therapy In Prisons And Other Correctional Settings. Chicago: Magnolia Street Publishers.
