The end is just the Beginning

I am looking for the words to summarize the experience. I have found many new questions, which I will spend my near and distant future answering - and questioning. This experience has been so rich and I strongly feel that it was one of those 'meant to be things' Above all that I have learned - I am happiest to walk away knowing that this is the right path for me.

When looking for the volunteer opportunity, I was searching for any chance to see art therapy - I would have carried buckets of water from a well if someone was letting me simply observe their sessions! I was not looking for a particular patient population, although I have an idea of what population I want to specialize in - which is not what I was working with at FREE (MRDD and Autistic). What is so wonderful about working with a population that is not my ideal/goal population is that I know I can still be happy and believe in it! After graduate school I will most likely not be able to work with the population I want immediately. It will also take years before I can establish a private practice. This is so wonderful because it will allow me to explore this field - who it can help - how it can help -with what - and why!!

I am so eager to learn more! I want to read and question and research! I am hoping to find an opportunity to assist/volunteer/intern with an art therapist or art specialist - or even work in a community art group with the goal of healing or nurturing through art.

I feel so fulfilled - this experience has made me so happy! Everyday has been exciting and interesting. I finally feel like I am able to give back what I got. At the same time I have been rediscovering at! I have not drawn this much in at least a year - in fact I've always disliked drawing because I can't get what's in my head, out - on the paper - not the way I want it anyway. Drawing what I feel - what is inside my heart just comes right out! It pours out in bright purple and pink and green and blue! Having realized that artistically expressing myself can be done as purely emotional expression - without the academic mumbo-jumbo that I am hindered by in school - I will continue to draw at the end of each day - or right when I need to!

I am also Excited to cross the boundary and bring some of these pure expressions into my ceramic art! The expressive release won't be restricted here because it already exists on paper - its pure feeling can remain there, while existing in the ceramic work as well - but this art-making will just be a wonderful experience that I love and can't not do - but it doesn't have to be my outlet entirely! My outlet does will not be restricted by an assignment!

There is so much joy pulsing through me at the moment that it is hard to face the sad elephant in the room - the experience is coming to an end - but right now it just feels like just this experience is coming to an end and there are so many more waiting around the corner - this was just the beginning!