Going to bed the night after entering my poster into the fire prevention poster contest I drifted off to sleep feeling sure of winning the contest. Weeks went by, and one day a news reporter came looking for me with a big blue ribbon. When asked about being an artist, I replied "Yes, I want to be one when I grow up". I still have the cut out article and picture from the newspaper. I wish an art therapist had been there to tell me that I already was an artist, and to see the stress in my life that was depicted in the poster. Art Therapists do powerful work in schools across the country. I now make spontaneous, involved art that is multi-media because I feel limited when I am working with just one material. Sometimes a song accompanies it when it is coming out particularly well. Being an art therapist was the dream I didn't know about until I was 19. My dreams have always been in color. It's been quite a multi-textured, differently composed path that at times appeared to vanish into the forest or the city. Draw It Out (DIO) Counseling is an extension of my work in King County with youth, young adults, and adults who want relief from emotional pain among other important reasons to enter therapy. Keep coming back to DIO's blog to read more about mental health, art therapy, substance abuse counseling, and pics of art will be coming soon. Thanks! ...read more