Gallery Rag Painting Workshops Story Board - Seymour Special School: Jamie Daddo Rag Painting Workshop Rise Symposium July 2008 27 Yr old About my experience of art therapy: "Going to art therapy is like giving a gift to myself. I'm able to express and explore my inner most feelings, often ones that are unconscious. Amanda begins a session with conversation then guides me to do a piece of art work about any issues that might have come up. The process of doing the art work is lovely and relaxing - like basking in 'me-time'. We conclude the session by reflecting on the artwork I have produced, any themes, feelings, associations, etc. that have come up. Together we work to understand the piece. I walk away feeling like I've really been validated, both by myself and by Amanda. That's what makes it feel like a gift. Through these sessions I've learned to work with art in a whole new way that is both freeing and nourishing. About her artwork: "This painting was recently done in an art therapy session with Amanda. I was inspired by the fairy tale of Baba Yaga. It is an old Russian fairy tale about a witch who lives in the forest. I'm going through a phase in my life where a lot of relationships have ended and related to the archetype of the lone, crone-witch. It is a time where I am gaining wisdom in relation to myself. I painted her with wings, sort of like a bat or a butterfly, the latter being a very strong symbol for me representing myself. She has a heart which I interpret as the self-love I'm cultivating at the moment. Amanda has given me the confidence to hang my pictures up, regardless of their artistic merit, and keep dialoging with them. This picture hangs above my bed and continues to give me strength during a time that could be very lonely. With my Baba Yaga I don't feel so alone, I feel like I have myself - expressed through her. The piece has been an incredible source of strength for me".