Glossary of Terms
General Art & Art-Making Terms
- Abstract Art: This style uses shapes, colors, and gestural marks rather than an accurate depiction of visual reality. It can be non-representational or derived from a recognizable object.
- Acrylics: These are versatile, water-soluble paints that become water-resistant once dry.
- Collage: An assembly of different materials like paper, fabric, and found objects to create a new whole.
- Found Objects (Objet Trouvé): Ordinary items not originally meant for art that are selected and presented as part of an artwork.
- Mixed Media: Artworks that combine more than one material, such as paint and ink with collage elements.
- Process Art: This philosophy focuses on the journey and actions of creation rather than the final finished product.
- Texture Paint: Paint applied to create a tactile, three-dimensional surface.
- Zentangle: A method of creating images through structured patterns, serving as a form of mindful doodling to reduce stress.
Art Therapy & Mindful Concepts
- Art Therapy: A discipline that uses the creative process to improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
- Neuroplasticity: The brain's ability to form new neural connections; engaging in new activities, like using your non-dominant hand, can promote this.
- Non-Dominant Hand: Using the hand you use less frequently can bypass analytical thinking and encourage a more intuitive, less controlled approach.
- Inner Critic: The internalized voice that judges or doubts your abilities; art therapy offers tools to recognize and quiet this voice.
- Process Over Product: A principle stating that the insights gained during creation are more important than the aesthetic perfection of the final piece.
- Therapeutic Expression: Using creative means to convey emotions and thoughts to promote healing and personal growth