Lesson: Art and creativity should not be forced!

I HATE painting and drawing for art therapy classes. I am expected to produce some deep visual representation of my feelings about a random topic that I don't particularly want to paint about such as " How you feel about your second year internship"

I understand that as an art therapist my professors are concerned that I will not be able to maintain my self care methods, one of which involves painting about my feelings. I also understand that these painting assignments assist us to address important issues that perhaps we would have avoided if left to our own accord not to mention assisting us to develop our visual vocabulary.

However, tonight when I am tired, suprisingly, I would love to write a two page paper instead of painting two pictures about my supervisor-supervisee relationship and then writing a two page paper on how I feel about what my paintings express. Blah! Don't they understand that art needs to be spontaneous and free?

I know that art therapists have varied opinions about this, but I truly believe that if a client does not feel like doing visual art then they should not have to. Not everyone, not even all artists, feel that they want to express themselves through art all the time! The problem is that as a painter I have to admit that I do care a bit too much about the aesthetics. I want my painting to be "good" I want to spend time on it. My painting for Bali was rushed and rough. That was for a class as well but it was emotional and free. This is very rare for me. I guess I may separate myself from my emotions in my painting as well as in other creative mediums. Hmmm. . . OK off to paint something.