A Day In The Life...of a Graduate Art Therapy Student

Sculpting is Hard

2011-12-09T19:00:00.003-05:00

By: Meah K. Tweh

I recently completed a Beginning Sculpture class led by sculptor Alice Smith. She’s the bomb, and I recommend anyone that is interested in sculpture to take her class. She is one of few African American art teachers at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. I say this because I haven't taken the course of a REAL African American art teacher since I was in grade school. By REAL I mean down to earth...Ms. Smith knows what I mean.

Sculpting is hard. I have a new appreciation for sculptors, metalsmiths and jewelry desingers. To sculpt anything you've got to think...and plan...and draw...and plan...then think some more...then you actually have to do real work...I'm talking manual labor folks! Although it's not easy, it's very rewarding, after all - it's about the process, not the product. Right? Check out the iron pouring process in this video below. It was a long process...6 hours. It was also pretty intense - you will get dirty, it's not for the squeamish. It's for creative spirits that are willing to throw themselves at the mercy of the creative process, all in the name of art.

Artfully Yours,

Meah

Check out my video of the Iron Pouring Process here.

Building Bridges (Self-Processing) ~Lima, Peru (Day 2)

2011-09-05T10:47:00.000-04:00

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Day 2 Lima, Peru

"Building Bridges"

Self-Processing

Mixed Media (pencil, oil pastel)

Wearing Many Hats (Self-Processing) ~Lima, Peru (Day 3)

2011-08-14T12:00:00.003-04:00

Friday, August 12, 2011

Day 3 Lima, Peru

"Wearing Many Hats"

Self-Processing

Mixed Media (pencil, watercolor)

Abrir (To Open) ~Lima, Peru (Day 4)

2011-08-14T01:43:00.000-04:00

Saturday, 8/13/2011

Lima, Peru (Day 4)

Today I slept in. I knew I would be late to the Conference workshops, but I gave myself permission. Waking up at 8:30 am, I washed and got ready for my day.

Today was a day of Open-ness. I think of the men that work at Hotel Sol de Oro, they open the doors for me when I approach them. Do I open doors for others when they approach me (metaphorically speaking)? How can I help other people to open their own doors? Do I have the key?

Today at the Conference I attended a presentation entitled “Transcending the Spiritual Emergency through Open Art Studio”. The idea of an Open Studio with a revolving door (open door) policy sounds inviting, but if the door is revolving, will people ever walk through it?

During one of our afternoon breaks, I allowed myself to participate in a drum circle. Normally, this is something that I would not do (I can be rigid sometimes), but I decided that I would join in and be open to the experience...and it felt good, beating on that big drum! I would also later enjoy spontaneous expression while creating art for an open-ended art experience in the Conference courtyard.

During my afternoon exploration of Miraflores, I ventured out to Larcomar Shopping Center, which is a sort of outdoor mall (see-that word "open," again). I purchased two beautiful silver rings with marcasite, shell and silver, and I went to KFC (believe it or not) and had a big crunch chicken sandwich. I met a man whose father was Cuban and his mother was Peruvian. He was brown like me. We had a conversation about the weather, Detroit, Peru, my poetry, his job, vacations, art. I was sharing, opening myself up to the experience of speaking Spanish. I made mistakes, but that was okay.

The Conference activities ended with an Open Mic. I was pleased when the crowd, complete strangers, showed me love and good wishes with hoops, hollers and claps, while being open to the poetry from my new book Color Me Beautiful.

People are remembering me now. People check for me. I look forward to “Buenos dias” en la manana. I am becoming more comfortable, but, my time here is short. Even still, knowing this, I will attempt the impossible…cramming Lima, Peru into uno mas dia. Es impossible, pero, debo trajer. I must try. I will try to cram a whole city into my back pocket with journal entries, art, pictures, trinkets, sights, sounds, and words so I will have enough to share back home. I want to take pieces of Peru with me. I want to put the pride, dignity, humility, generosity, authenticity, originality and more that I see in the people of Peru into a box; a box that I won’t open until I get back to Detroit.

Finding the Words ~Lima, Peru (Day 3)

2011-08-12T23:22:00.001-04:00

Today was the day of my presentation. Things did not go as planned, but I rolled with the punches, and was still able to present with an intimate group of attendees. I did tape the presentation, so stay tuned…I will post that on YouTube shortly. I was so excited that I met an African-American Art Therapist today! (If you didn’t know already, that is kind of a big deal for me because it is not often that I meet one.) She graduated from a university in Oklahoma that used to offer Art Therapy, but now does not. She also loves to travel and was recently in Hong Kong…wow! I might have found a kindred spirit!

Went to lunch with three ladies today at the Crepe & Waffle place again. Today I ate Salmon Roll, which is smoked salmon, avocado, cucumber, cheese, rolled in a crepe with arugula and vinaigrette on the side. To wash it all down I drank Cusqueňa beer (which is like the Heineken of Macchu Picchu). Peru is definitely a place to eat good! San Antonio dessert shop for Tiramisu and a Pecanisma dessert. I really loved the pecan dessert. This is the second time that I walked past this flower market on Calle Reducto with beautiful, vibrant flowers. I will be sure to purchase a blue flower and a sun flower to press before I leave Peru. The sunflowers here are so perfect!

After lunch I returned to the Conference to listen to the keynote speaker. I spazzed out and created some art for the IEATA Social Action art experiential. Once you get a good look at the images, you can tell which one is mine.

I was ready for an adventure, so I went walking. Block by clock I just explored what I wanted. Stopped in antique stores, gift shops, an art store with beautiful paintings, even a furrier.

My most favorite experience of the day, other than the presentation, was my trip to a shop called Peru Hand with handmade alpaca products. My Spanish is not that great, but I found the words coming back to me. I spoke easily with the shopkeeper. I would later find that her name is Ysabel Rojas. She helped me to find an alpaca hat that I liked that fit me. We talked in Spanish for almost 30 minutes about the weather, the IEATA Conference in Peru, alpaca, everything! I was so flattered when she told me that when I came into the store, she was excited to see me. She then went on to tell me that I am the same complexion as her late father, who was from the coast of southern Peru. She shared with me that he was an artist and he loved dancing. I was flattered that she felt comfortable enough to share that with me. It felt like we were sisters that hadn’t seen each other for a long time. I also felt so comfortable there, talking with her. The experience was amazing. We took a picture together and shared our e-mail addresses. She even asked me if I am on Facebook. [smile] So I did get a hat, which was what I was looking for. And while we were talking, she all of a sudden went into a glass case at the back of the store and she gave me a small bag full of red and black beads, or maybe they are beans. She said in Spanish for me to put this in my wallet for “buena suerte.” She said it would bring more money my way. How sweet of her to share that with me, because she did not have many of the beads. I gave Ysabel a hug. I was exactly where I needed to be, when I needed to be there.

Afterwards I stopped at the Sra. Buendia Chocolate Shop for 2 Tejas Pecanas sweets. Then, I would go to the Vivando supermarket to purchase Mate de Coca, which is Coca tea. Ysabel instructed me to drink the tea on Sunday so I would not get altitude sickness from my Cusco trip next week, Monday. I purchased a box of tea, a lime and some banana chips. I am really enjoying my stay. I feel like there is a place for me here…I feel like I belong…

~Meah

Making Connections ~Lima, Peru (Day 2)

2011-08-12T00:44:00.000-04:00

Thursday, 8/11/2011

Lima, Peru (Day 2)

Today was amazing. The group at the International Expressive Arts Therapy Conference is a dynamic group of people! I skipped breakfast at the hotel because I was running late for Conference registration.

Walked down San Martin to Ave de Julio 28 to the Casa Prado where I would register for the Conference. Wearing my Wayne State hat, Columbia jacket and khaki’s I felt like I fit right in. It is Winter time in Peru, you know? I met up with two young ladies I met yesterday, and even introduced myself to some people that I did not know. I was flattered when a woman asked me if I worked here, in Peru? I replied ‘no, I’m just here for the Conference,’ she was baffled at that. She said I looked very confident, like I lived in Peru for years. What a compliment! That made me smile, I wasn’t expecting that. I must say that I feel safe on the streets of Lima. I am not even bothered by the fact that I know little Spanish, but I know how to spell words (believe it or not, if you know how to pronounce letters in the alphabet in Spanish you are almost half way there). If I don’t know how to say something I just say “¿Como se dice…?” which means “How do you say…?”

Wearing my Wayne State University hat, I met a man that was from Warren, Michigan that was in Lima with his wife Ali Shah, a social worker from Maryland. I was so glad to see another person of color at the Conference! We would make plans to later go to dinner. :o)

The Conference began with the pensive, meditative sound of a conch, which immediately settled the crowd down to experience the ritualistic Opening Ceremony, which was followed by Keynote Speakers who discussed the Conference meaning and gave background information about the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association.

The first session I attended was called Healing Hurts, Who Cares, by Carrie Herbert, which was a very powerful session. Carrie works in Cambodia as a Director of the Ragamuffin Project with children who have experienced great trauma in their lives. Between her presentation she shared with us some original songs which were accompanied by her guitar playing which were representative of what children in Cambodia experience, from homelessness to human trafficking and other unfortunate expereinces.

For lunch four of us ventured out to Crepes & Waffles on Ave. Vasco Nunez de Balboa. I was so glad that a Peruvian woman who was also attending the conference reached out to us, inviting us to sit with her Peruvian friends, which made eight of us…the more the merrier. We sat with four women from Peru and learned more about each other. I enjoyed the cultural exchange while also enjoying a Crepe Jamon Ahumado, Queso y Champiñónes-ham, cheese and mushroom crepe with that Inca Kola that I was dying to try, which, by the way was great! (Think Faygo Crème Soda meets Faygo Peach). After lunch we took coffee from the Pasteleria –Panaderia on La Esquina de San Antonio across the street from Crepes & Waffles. Their desserts are to die for!!! I had a Milhoja Fresas, strawberries with cream on a wafer...so yum.

Back to the Conference for “From Broken to Beautiful a Pathway to Healing” led by art therapist and licensed professional counselor Sara Jordan Skowronski. With an immersive experience with clay and the creation of a mosaic the group was able to function as a cohesive unit, working together towards the common goal of the mosaics creation. By sharing our ideas in the creative space, we left ourselves open to experience the unknown as we wondered how our mosaic would take shape. From breaking tiles to forming a dynamic mosaic we gave ourselves the permission to play and enjoy ourselves.

Afterwards, I went to a photography exhibit with the woman and her husband. Our plans were to go dinner, but it was getting late, so my dinner tonight would be Pollo y Champiñónes Quiche-chicken and mushrooms and a dessert to go. It was a very long day, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

Tomorrow, Friday, August 12, 2011, I will present The Incredible Journey: 10 Tips for Art Therapy Abroad at 11:00 am GMT (12:00 EST). I hope attendees find my first presentation entertaining and informative. Wish me luck!

~Meah

Nueva Sol (Self-Processing) ~Lima, Peru (Day 1)

2011-08-12T00:43:00.000-04:00

selfWednesday, August 10, 2011

Day 1 Lima, Peru

"Nueva Sol"

Self-Processing

Mixed Media (oil pastel, charcoal, ink)

Settling In ~Lima, Peru (Day 1)

2011-08-11T00:16:00.000-04:00

Wednesday, 8/10/2011

Lima, Peru (Day 1)

Traveling to Lima, Peru to present at the 9th Annual International Expressive Arts Therapy Conference hosted by TAE Peru in Lima, Peru from Aug 10-Aug 14, 2011.

Got into Peru and cleared customs at around 2am after delayed flight. Was picked up by Lima Tour operator driver who showed me places I should see while here on the way to the hotel. Showered, slept, went to breakfast at Sol de Oro Hotel Suites (nice hotel). Pineapple juice, white bread, ham, edam cheese, cinnamon roll.

Went to lunch by myself at a place that was on Google Maps called Saqra. Delicious Pisco Sour Lima alcoholic drink, appetizer Chicharron de Pollo (fried chicken pieces served with housemade chili with yellow/orange peppers and chinese onions), Entree Lomo Saltado (tender steak with red bell pepper and onions with bits of carrot, served with thick steak fries with light salt and rice). Became familiar w/ streets. Streets are Calles or Avenidos, Blocks are Cuadros. Very simple.

Went to the grocery store Vivanda at Ave Benavides 495. Beautiful store. Way better than all grocery stores in Detroit, Michigan. Very clean. I would argue that it rivals Western Market in Ferndale, Michigan due to the layout and how the store is arranged. Purchased San Carlos (because it had the Aquafina logo and said "de Pepsi Cola"), and Munz brand Swiss Gourmet Milk Chocolate bar...delicious. I would later find out that the water I purchased was carbonated. I should have known. on the bottle it said clear as day "Agua con Gas"..oops.

Went to a the volunteer meeting at the Casa de Prado for the International Expressive Arts Therapy Conference. Met two young ladies: Leah going to Leslie University in Boston, Mass. for Dance Therapy-also traveling alone. She is doing a homestay with someone she met on couchsurfing.com. Met another young lady Catherine, originally from Texas, she just arrived in Peru on Monday and is on a post-graduate fellowship. The conference seemed interesting to her, so she came.

This morning I was confused because I thought I would not be presenting because I did not see my name on one space that I thought I was presenting in. I was told not to worry, they will put me somewhere if I'm not scheduled for a presentation room...great news! I will also help with moving tables & chairs. After the meeting I also went to the Casino. Won 146,000 Nueva Sol ($73) from only 10,00 ($5), but trying to figure out how to play with the game repeating the same bet one after the other and the buttons being in Spanish, I lost more than half of that. [tee-hee :o)].

On the way back to the hotel stopped at a gift shop. Purchased homemade Pisco Sour in a bottle with a beautiful genuine white leather upper, and a small white keepsake box with a monkey on it.

Food places, bars, clubs and casinos are open late if not 24 hours. Folks drive a bit fast here, but try to cross the street when others are crossing, and you're alright. Lima, to me, is a combination of San Francisco's nightlife with Fort Lauderdale's layout. Even if alone you can feel secure walking the streets at night because there are a lot of people out and about doing things so long as you stay alert.

Things I must do: try Inka Cola, go to the Love Garden with the Mosaics. Making the best of it.

New Art Therapy Book Cover Revealed!

2011-03-21T00:00:00.002-04:00

Art Therapy Study Abroad: A Guidebook for Students is a book for students who are interested in an art therapy or art education study abroad experience to learn about the arts, diversity, multiculturalism first-hand in another culture.

Studying art therapy abroad is not only useful to complete a course requirement, but is also a means to build relationships, experience other cultures and gain a more expanded world-view of art-making and community. This is a book that is highly recommended for students interested in art therapy or art education studies abroad.

The book is set to release at the end of March 2011 by ZEALOT Press.
ISBN-13: information coming soon
Title: Art Therapy Study Abroad: A Guidebook for Students
Author: Meah Tweh
Cover: Full Color
Interior: Black & White Interior w./ pictures
Page Count: 74 pages
Publisher: ZELAOT Press
Date of Publication: March 2011

PRE-ORDER your copy today by clicking here!

New Articles!

2011-03-12T18:50:00.002-05:00

Visual Journal: "The Siren as Femme Fatale" 2/25/2011

2011-03-11T10:00:00.000-05:00

"The Siren as Femme Fatale"

Watercolor Pencil, Pen on Paper

Meah Tweh

2/25/2011

After reading a brief text on Odysseus and the Sirens, I created this image to depict what I thought a siren might look like. I chose not to focus on the negative aspects of the depiction of Sirens, rather I chose to focus on a more positive image of the Siren, as a rather confident woman that knows her power.

When presenting the piece I also read a poem I wrote entitled "I Am Femme Fatale", which can be found on the Yahoo! Contributor Network:

I am femme fatale

Beautiful with charm

I can be your obsession

Want me on your arm?....

Visual Journal: "Blind Contour" 2/19/2011

2011-03-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

Blind Contour

Watercolor Pencil, Pen on Paper

Meah Tweh

February 19, 2011

This blind contour began as a hand drawing, then I did a contour of a woman sitting next to me, choosing to accentuate certain features during painting the image in. The result is a unique spin on someone's contour. There is a bit of the woman that i drew, and a bit of my hand.

Visual Journal: "On Malina's Table" Collage

2011-03-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

"On Malina's Table"

Collage

Meah Tweh

3/28/2010

Going along with the myth of Malina & Annigan from a previous entry, and using an older poem as a template, I depicted the myth of Malina & Annigan from that viewpoint with the idea that on Malina's table there would be food to distract Annigan so that he would never gain on her during their chase. Since he forgets to eat and gets skinny, Malina is sure to set out a wonderful place setting of food, and he eats to his heart's content, temporarily forgetting about the chase.

Visual Journal: Malina & Annigan Mythology

2011-03-08T10:00:00.001-05:00

Malina "Mia" & her Brother

Watercolor Pencil on Paper

March 26, 2010

In mythology, Malina was the Goddess of the Sun, and her brother Annigan was the Moon God. One day she p layed a trick on Annigan by spreading black grease all over his face, afterwhich she ran from him. Annigan is always chasing Malina but never catches her which is why you always see the moon after the sunsets. Annigan is so busy chasing Malina that sometimes he forgets to eat,which is why you sometimes see a waxing and waning moon. When When Annigan begins to get too close to Malina, she distracts Annigan (while waxing/waning) with food, which he eats, then the moon becomes full again, and he is ready to continue the chase.

I chose to depict this myth because it reminded me of my relationship with my younger brother.

New Art Therapy Book to Be Released this Spring 2011!

2011-03-08T00:00:00.001-05:00

New Art Therapy Book to Be Released this Spring 2011!

Art Therapy Study Abroad: A Guidebook for Students is a book for students who are interested in an art therapy or art education study abroad experience to learn about the arts, diversity, multiculturalism first-hand in another culture.

Studying art therapy abroad is not only useful to complete a course requirement, but is also a means to build relationships, experience other cultures and gain a more expanded world-view of art-making and community. This is a book that is highly recommended for students interested in art therapy or art education studies abroad.
The book is set to release at the end of March 2011 by ZEALOT Press.

ISBN-13: 978-0615460123

Title: Art Therapy Study Abroad: A Guidebook for Students
Author: Meah Tweh
Cover: Full Color
Interior: Black & White Interior w./ pictures
Page Count: 74 pages
Publisher: ZELAOT Press
Date of Publication: March 2011

PRE-ORDER your copy today by clicking here!

Visual Journal: Sketching Ideas

2011-03-07T10:29:00.001-05:00

"Annigan Sketch"

This was a sketch I did for a mythology course.

3/27/2010

Watercolor on Paper

Meah Tweh

Visual Journal: "While You Wait" #1

2011-03-02T13:59:00.000-05:00

"While You Wait" Drawing by Meah Tweh

Activity facilitated by Nancy Wolfe.

Random shapes with value shadings to pass the time.
The crazy lines are the chaos that life throws at us, and the shading is us trying to build from that chaos and make something out of it.

Visual Journal: "Fly Ass Nails" Haiku

2011-03-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

"Fly Ass Nails"

My nails are so fly

Look at these bomb ass colors

Wish your nails looked hot?

Haiku by Meah Tweh
April 2, 2010

Sign up for UPromise, Save on Student Loan Repayment

2011-01-20T12:46:00.000-05:00

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What the heck is Poetry Therapy?

2010-10-21T13:12:00.001-04:00

How many people have thought about integrating poetry therapy into their art studio workshop/art therapy practice? I would argue that poetry therapy is a great way to further express creativity within any art intervention setting. Of course, one must remember that all poems need not rhyme. Check out a book that I found to learn more about poetry therapy. I am compiling various articles of interest related to creative therapeutic-based interventions for use in an upcoming art workshop I am hosting for minority adolescent females ages 9-14. For more poetry therapy information, check Google Scholar.

Meah Tweh Receiving Blessings from Lakshmi the Elephant (Part 2)

2010-08-14T16:50:00.001-04:00

Meah Tweh Receiving Blessings from Lakshmi the Elephant (Part 1)

2010-08-14T16:50:00.000-04:00

Multicultural Art Therapy - Meah Tweh's Video Journey to Chennai (Part 2)

2010-08-13T17:46:00.000-04:00

Journey to Chennai, India (Part 2)

Multicultural Art Therapy - Meah Tweh's Journey to Chennai India (Part 1)

2010-08-13T17:45:00.000-04:00

Journey to India (Part 1)

Wednesday, July 21, 2010: LETTING MY LIGHT SHINE

2010-08-10T13:23:00.000-04:00

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Meah on the last night in Chennai pictured next to her rangoli-like drawing.

Today was our last full day in Chennai. For our last art ritual we met on the roof of the Footprint Inn. With chalk we made art on the roof of the bed and breakfast. Our personal chalk drawings grew into a larger more complex art piece as we walked around the roof adding to each other’s drawing.

Close-up of Meah’s rangoli-like drawing during the last Chennai art ritual drawing.

Next we lit candles and were instructed to name something that we were not afraid to leave behind in India and to place the candle somewhere on the chalk drawing. I decided to leave my fear of becoming who I was born to be in India and I placed my candle on the bust of a chalk drawing of a bold looking woman with a mask.

Image of a drawing made by Monica that Meah identified with.

After everyone placed their candle we were instructed to then name something that we will take with us. I decided to take with me personal courage, and the ability to recognize the good in others. We all made a unanimous decision to leave the candles burning on the rooftop of the footprint inn to let our lights shines in Chennai until they burn out, which would signify that our time in India was over.

Meah and classmates later on that night at our last group dinner.