Transformation Through Drawing

by Clément Boily…

I – The need to create

Creation is a fundamental need for all human beings. Whether through the arts (painting, writing, music), work or even cooking, humans are driven to create and express themselves in one way or another. This need has inhabited our species since the dawn of mankind. You need look no further than our Neanderthal ancestors, and the prehistoric cave drawings they left behind, to be convinced of this fact.

This text is a first in a series of texts in which I will address this ever-present need within us, and its effects on our psyche. I will discuss artistic expression as a means of transformation, namely art as therapy.

I am not referring to art therapy merely in the sense of a therapist using drawings to analyze and understand the inner psyche of a client. I would especially like to explore the use of art as a therapeutic and transformative tool. Because all creative activities can fulfil our innate need to create and express ourselves, they can be defined as “therapeutic” since they provide well-being through self-expression.

This article will also address the conscious use of intuitive drawing as a means of self-knowledge and self-transformation. Drawing is featured here mainly because it is the most accessible and easy medium to adopt. Also, expressing ourselves through drawing has greater power than words, as conveyed in the expression “a picture is worth a thousand words.”

We can express ourselves on two levels through drawing. The first is the conscious level, when we know what we want to communicate. For example, I want to illustrate my holiday by the sea. As I am consciously aware that I am drawing images from my holiday, I would likely draw a beach, an umbrella, a beach chair etc. I would in fact draw all the elements that represent my holiday.

In most cases, people remain solely on this level. Their drawings are interpreted in terms of “artistic quality” or “drawing ability”, on whether they successfully illustrated their objective. This is where people inhibit their desire to create, with thoughts such as: “I would like to draw or paint but don’t have enough talent” or “if only I were able to paint.” The simple joy of creating can help overcome this mental block.

The second level is the subconscious. Anything expressed on this level is done so unwittingly; revealing what the drawer cannot consciously reveal. The self would be expressed in this level instead of a one-dimensional illustration of a seaside holiday. Here there is a deeper exploration of the self, depicted in the shapes, colours and tone within the drawing. Drawing ability is not the issue. On this level, a therapist can interpret the drawing and discover paths to explore with the client in therapy.

When drawing at home for personal enjoyment, we do so on the conscious level, therefore the unconscious meaning of the drawing is not readily evident. However, it is possible to uncover a few secrets using simple techniques that will help an observer “read” what ordinary eyes can’t see. I will explain these techniques further in coming articles.

There is also a third level of expression through drawing: the relationship between drawing and artist. It is a type of “retrofeedback”, an effect that the drawing has on the artist and the artist’s reaction to that effect. The resulting state of mind provides intimate information about the artist that is accessible if one is paying close attention. This is when drawing can become a powerful transformative tool.

In future texts, I will address topics such as: what inhibits our desire to create, accessing the subconscious through our creations, using drawing to create change and how drawing is a therapeutic exercise.

Clément Boily
clementboily@videotron.ca
Life Coach
Creativity Coach

(Note from Arlene Taveroff: The drawing you see at the top of this article was done by me during one of Clément’s creativity courses! It hadn’t drawn at all (much less in front of others!) since I was a child. This course felt safe, comfortable and fun. Most of all, I discovered so much about myself!)

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