Wall Venting
I’ve been writing a lot lately about the power of journaling, but what about the power of just coloring?
Today I taped these three huge pieces of drawing paper to the wall in the hallway, pretty much the only big wall in the house I haven’t hung a quilt on because you couldn’t step back to look at it.
This giant coloring board is technically for James, who is needing an outlet for his emotions after a long day of school. We’ve been having some behavior issues and the teachers suggested this idea because he will be able to color how he is feeling.
Those words, that idea, struck a chord with me for some reason. I know very well that art is an excellent conduit for emotions, but I never added it up that James’s chaotic scribble drawings were his way of venting.
I also didn’t expect the overwhelming urge to cover this wall with my own silly drawings, or the host of weird questions that popped into my mind. What color is happiness? How can I express contemplation?
I have only one rule for this wall: no judgement. No matter what James, Josh, or I draw, there will be no judgement, no criticism, no condemnation.
We all feel. That is what this wall says. We all feel and we all have a right to our feelings. We all feel, even if we can’t express it all with words or actions properly.
We all feel and this is a safe place for those feelings to be shown.
Let’s go draw,
Leah
PERFECT! Love this post, Leah. Thank you for sharing it. What a great idea this is.
Wondered if you have ever done 'drawing' to music. Its quite a common design exercise, but its surprising how the marks made or the colours used immediately speak of the emotion of the music, or speed or volume. Btw, remember a tv prog where a child's drawings were being analysed because of having issues… the adults getting hyper, why is every house X colour, where is this house its not their home, worry worry. Ask the child, simple, Y colour isn't in the box of crayons!!! 🙂
What a great idea! I love that you've set up a judgement free drawing zone in your house.
Lots cheaper than therapy!
My Many Colored Days – Dr Seuss
Some days are yellow.
Some are blue.
On different days I'm different too.
You'd be surprised how many ways
I change on Different Colored Days.
On Bright Red Days how good it feels
to be a horse and kick my heels!
On other days I'm other things.
On Bright Blue Days I flap my wings.
Some days, of course, feel sort of Brown.
Then I feel slow and low, low down.
Then comes a Yellow Day and Wheeee!
I am a busy, buzzy bee.
Gray Day….Everything is gray.
I watch. But nothing moves today.
Then all of a sudden I'm a circus seal!
On my Orange Days that's how I feel.
Green Days. Deep deep in the sea.
Cool and quiet fish. That's me.
On Purple Days I'm sad. I groan.
I drag my tail. I walk alone.
But when my days are Happy Pink
it's great to jump and just not think.
Then come my Black Days. MAD. And loud.
I howl. I growl at every cloud.
Then comes a Mixed-Up Day. And WHAM!
I don't know who or what I am!
But it all turns out all right, you see.
And I go back to being…me.
ciao Leah ti ho mandato più volte la mia email sulla questione di poter acquistare lo slider ma volevo delucidazioni se andava bene per la mia Bernina 440QE….
a presto!
Several years ago we remodeled our home and decided to remove a wall that separated our living room and dining room. I used a marker and wrote "remove wall with a happy face" (Drawing is not my forte). My daughter and high school friends asked if they could draw something. My older daughter came home from college and she wanted to draw on it. Next my college age nephews came by and almost embarrassingly asked if they could also contribute. I loved that wall and was sad to see it come done. My thought was "whoever made up the rule that you can't draw on walls"! They were giddy with excitement. It was such much fun to watch.
I know you will enjoy your wall!
Very good idea Leah. What a great outlet. Lane
Brilliant!
Brilliant! I have heard of mothers doing that for their kids with measles and chicken pox (dating myself there), but for everyone! Such an excellent idea!