The Soul's Palette: Drawing on Art's Transformative Powers for Health and Well-Being

by Cathy A. Malchiodi

Book Overview

Making art, according to Cathy Malchiodi, may be as important to your physical and spiritual health as balanced nutrition, regular exercise, or meditation. Expressing yourself creatively--through... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1570628157
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Shambhala
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.6" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Little gem!

I loved this book! It's a fast read, but rich - full of great advice and suggestions for art activities that tap into the inner self. The author tells of her Catholic upbringing, but shares information on a variety of faiths and how they explore self through art. I'm teaching art to adults, and found it a very relevant resource. I also recommend it to anyone seeking to explore art in a playful, low-pressure way.

Excellent book

I realy liked this book. It made me think about how art really helps people. Including me.

Wonderful Spiritually Juicy Book!

This book is an inspiration! On every page, in every section there is something to draw on to expand one's spiritual and artistic expression. The mandala information is very good. The pocket shrines are also wonderful to make with or for children. They really respond to them. I was encouraged, uplifted, and inspired to create more art, and as a result learned more about me in 40 days, than I have in 10 years. If there was one art/spirituality book (that wasn't a single technique) that everyone needs for their bookshelf...it is this one. Don't miss it!

Really great!

This is a great book for tapping into that inner voice, taking some time to be quiet with ourselves and just plain have some artsy-craftsy fun. The book sarts with some intro chapters that provide short stories/examples of the healing power of art through the ages - from Buddah to present day folks. From there it talks about "being mindful" - here there's discussion of drawing things from your dreams, using your imagination, etc. I love the section that talks about the difference between "curing" (where you remove all evidence of the disease) and "healing" (a more spiritual transformation of repairing and connecting, gaining a peace.) Again, there are lots of stories andexamples within the text which makes it interesting reading. The next few chapters go into getting in touch with your soul's palette - rediscovering what you see as "art", remembering your own personal history as an artist,paying attention to symbols. Next there's a whole chapter on different mediums to play around with (water color, clay, pen & ink, chalk, etc. Then she gets into playing around with art, being creative, letting ourselves free to create. There are short exercises throughout to help get you rolling and there are great discussions on things like howe to talk to your images/embrace them and create meaning around them. Then there's the healing aspect - one excerise is "paint or draw your emotional response to illness" another is "use color to sooth your symptom." There's also a section that talks about keeping a journal. Overall a really excellent book that I've enjoyed. Its fun, and there are so many interesting ideas/information woven in. Symbols have always been of interest to me and there's some interesting info on that in here too.The chapters in the book are as follows:- Rediscovering the Soul's Palette - Creativity as a Healing force- Knowing materials and creating space- Visual symbols as messengers, guides and friends- Letting your images tell their stories- Images as a path to physical well-being- Art as reparation and restoration- Nuturing the sacred- Sharing the Artist withinI definitely recommend this book for someone looking to open up/get in touch with that quiet voice. I have a clay cup that has a saying written on it - "When in doubt, listen quietly to yourself." This book helps you listen to that quiet voice.

beautifully written, best book on this topic to date

I have read all the books on art and health and this one surpasses all of them. The author writes beautifully and sensitively about art making and why it is helpful to one's well-being. The exercises suggested in this book are easy to do and have great results, for both the beginner as well as more advanced. While I loved No More Second Hand Art by London and Trust the Process by McNiff, this book is much more clear in its writing and message. The book is particularly useful if you are going through a physical illness or emotional distress-- you will find that the author offers many creative strategies to help. And if you are interested in spiritual aspects of art making, you can buy no better book on why art and spirituality are closely connected.