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matter such as glass and sand
and throwing or splashing them
onto the canvas.
“
It was a way to let people
come over and splash colors
together, however they wanted
to do it, and find a creative
outlet. It’s great for families to
do together and have fun. Messy
maybe, but still fun. Kids love it,”
she said.
Her own daughters are into art,
as well. Brea draws in ink and
Meriah paints. Both are musical,
as well. “I encourage them all the
time,” she said.
After earning her art therapy
degree Fearon continued taking
art classes herself, mostly at
Illinois Central College. “I kept
learning and improving. I felt
I needed to if I was going to be
more effective in my art therapy
work, if I was going to help my
clients gain insight from their
own artwork. Art touches a part
of the brain that words don’t al-
ways reach, so I needed to be able
to help them analyze what they
draw or paint.
“
My clients often don’t realize
things about themselves until we
do that. I do believe I am usually
in tune with their thoughts and
often I help them get this emo-
tional release. They usually leave
here enlightened.”
Art therapy can also be used to
help people reach their creative
potential and overcome fears of
expressing themselves. “It really
is very insight-oriented. I am very
client centered and work very
intensively with my clients. I do
a lot of cognitive therapy because
learning new ways to think about
things can itself be healing.”
A flier she produced about
her practice describes how art
therapy can be used to help peo-
ple resolve issues, reduce stress,
improve self-esteem and develop
and manage behaviors. “People
of all ages can grow and develop
personal insight from the healing
power of art. Art allows a person
to express oneself symbolically,
in ways words may not be able to
describe,” the flier states.
It also points out that art skills
are not necessary. “Art therapy
is about the process, not the
product. The point is not to create
the Mona Lisa but to use artistic
expression to learn about oneself.
Any piece of art that is a catalyst
for insight is beautiful for that
reason alone,” it said.
Fearon said she never criticizes
a client’s art. “A person has to
find what they like and work it.
It’s part of the process. I’ve al-
ways said art is a happy accident.
But even if you don’t like some-
thing you’ve done, paint over it.
We can’t start our lives over usu-
ally, but we can with our art. It’s
a way to find out about yourself.
That’s what is important.”
