This list was inspired by Josh S. Peters’ blog post, 10 Internet Related Things I’m Thankful For.  I thought it was a great idea for a geek like me and wanted to spread the e-gratitude love on this Thanksgiving Eve.  Here’s my top 8 for what I’m thankful for related to my Internet life this year:

1. Facebook- Despite my reluctance to join the world of Facebook, I am really thankful for all the connection it has brought me throughout this year. Through Facebook I have been able to stay in touch with many people I haven’t seen in years and its been a great opportunity to meet new individuals as well.  A lot of my Facebook activity is devoted to sharing art therapy news and resources  for the Art Therapy Alliance Fan Page.  Another favorite group and what inspired me to join Facebook in the first place was Cathy Malchiodi’s International Art Therapy Organization [IATO]  launched earlier this year (Something I am *very* thankful for!).

2. LinkedIn- I am thankful for the professional contacts and connections I’ve made through this professional networking site.  It is also the main hub for the Art Therapy Alliance, where art therapists, art therapy students, and interested professionals can discuss and exchange ideas related to art therapy.  This year the Art Therapy Alliance on LinkedIn grew to several subgroups of different art therapy topics.  I am very thankful for our subgroup’s moderators: Ginger Poole, Amanda Alders, Aimee Rozum, Rachel Schreibman, Cathy Malchiodi, and Don Cutcher for their ideas, energy, and help in making the Art Therapy Alliance a great resource!

3. Twitter- This year I started tweeting and following many interesting and inspiring people and sources related to art therapy, social media, art, and technology. I have much appreciation for the news links, twit pics, quotes, and spontaneous commentary that educate and inspire the geek, artist, and art therapist me.  Thanks to all who have RT’d my content and help spread my tweeting!  Like Josh Peters, I am also thankful for TweetDeck for helping to make my Twitter life a little easier!

4.  WordPress-  I also started using WordPress for blogging this year and love this platform!  Thank you WordPress!  And to everyone who has visited Creativity in Motion, read a post, made a comment or recommended it to others throughout the year…. I am thankful for everyone’s input, encouragement and support!

5. Polyvore- I LOVE POLYVORE!  This site has been an addicting digital art making obsession since I stumbled upon it a few months ago. Something that’s more fun than creating your own sets is seeing what sets have been made by others!  Inspired by this platform was the Art. Peace. Sustainability Interactive Event and where images connected to these concepts have been created and shared within the Art Therapy Alliance and International Art Therapy Organization communities. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far to this collection!

6. Homestead-  My web management and design life would probably not be as easy without Homestead.  I’ve used this hosting site for over a decade and use it for several websites I have created and update weekly, sometimes daily.  Homestead has always had everything I need, makes web design a no-brainer, and super dependable.

7. Animoto- Another great find I discovered this year through a LinkedIn connection was the video making site Animoto.  It’s been a favorite place for me to go to make quick, cool videos and share via Facebook or export to YouTube.  I think in 2010 I’ll finally be upgrading to the $30 unlimited pass for making all the full feature films I want!

8. Artsonia- I’m really thankful for this cool gallery that features children’s art from all around the world. Artsonia allows me to check out my niece’s art  she’s made in school, which is always a delight and makes me smile!

There are other internet things that I could also include such as SlideShare, Skype, Flickr, Youtube, imeem, and YouTube as honorable mentions.  It’s been a good year for my social media life on the grid- personally and professionally.  I appreciate all the wonderful, creative, and meaningful connection and collaboration that I have experienced and look forward to more!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Last week I was in Dallas for a national art therapy conference and wanted to share some highlights from the week about what I most enjoyed during my time away.  The element I always appreciate about going to any art therapy conference is re-connecting with colleagues and meeting new people- and these five days were no exception.  With various Art Therapy Alliance and International Art Therapy Organization meet ups, this provided a great opportunity for art therapists and students from both of these communities to come together in person and spend some time hanging out.  It was great to connect face to face within the art therapy scene for a few days and outside the virtual world of profile pics, status feeds, and chatting on Facebook (no offense to how much I usually love this!). Thanks to everyone who came out to the featured meet ups throughout the week!

I met some of my favorite art therapist bloggers such as Erin Brumleve, Lee Ann Thill and  Elizabeth Beck while in Dallas and was grateful for the opportunity to sit down and chat with each of them on film to learn more about their blogging.  Stayed tuned for more on this as I work on editing and putting together the filming soon.

I also really enjoyed meeting, sharing resources, and ideas with those art therapists and students who attended my focus group on navigating the web and professional e-networking.  Much of our discussion was dedicated to the application of social media in art therapy with highlights on the trifecta LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Ways in which art therapists are using or can use these platforms to further their professional relationships and opportunities were explored among those attending the group.

The group also provided a forum to create an understanding about what the social media environment can offer to the art therapist and also considerations about how to thoughtfully use these forums in way that protects ourselves and the client from the exposure that can happen when using these sites. 

I would like to extend a special thanks to Poppy Schiebel who attended the focus group and provided her experiences about how she uses the Internet successfully in her work as an art therapist and marketing coach.

Another exciting opportunity for connection, collaboration, and creativity was the Art Therapy Alliance and International Art Therapy Organization Think Tank that took place on Saturday afternoon.  Lots of brainstorming and good ideas were exchanged and thank you to those art therapists and art therapy students who attended!  Look for more on what developed at this session soon…

As the Art Therapy Alliance communities on LinkedIn and on Facebook continue to grow, I look forward to more opportunities to connect through social media and future art therapy events where we can come together in the real world.  Anyone interested in a social media, art therapy, and technology Symposium someday?

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and as an art therapist who works with children, adolescents, and families impacted by this issue, I wanted to post some resources, newstories, and hopefully other helpful information to help educate and bring awareness about a topic that  is still often masked in silence.

At its core, domestic violence and the cycle of this abuse  is rooted in power and control. The abuse of domestic violence towards an intimate partner can be physical, emotional, economic, and sexual from batterer behaviors such as but not limited to: intimidation, isolation, shattering self-worth through humiliation and tactics to instill control, terror and fear. 

Many domestic violence agencies and programs use the Power and Control Wheel orginially developed by Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs in Duluth, Minnesota to help educate and bring awareness about the bigger picture of power and control in domestic violence.  In addition to the original Power and Control Wheel, there are also other adapted Wheels that have been created to address the specialized needs and issues of  children, elderly, people with disabilities and mental illness, as well as community responsibility, bullying, teen dating violence, and more. 

Domestic violence is an issue that affects us all.  We each have accountability towards creating communities, schools, and supporting families, homes, and our society to be based in safety, equality, and to live without hurt, pain, and suffering.

In President Obama’s Proclamation for this month, he states:

During this month, we rededicate ourselves to breaking the cycle of violence. By providing young people with education about healthy relationships, and by changing attitudes that support violence, we recognize that domestic violence can be prevented. We must build the capacity of our Nation’s victim service providers to reach and serve those in need. We urge community leaders to raise awareness and bring attention to this quiet crisis. And across America, we encourage victims and their families to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. Together, we must ensure that, in America, no victim of domestic violence ever struggles alone.

Below are a couple of response art in the form of magazine photo collages that I previously created for my own exploration and reflection of this issue and how I can help those women and youth through my role as an art therapist and the benefits of trauma intervention and art therapy.

For more information on the power of art, art therapy, and trauma intervention in helping survivors find their voice and heal from the fear and pain of domestic violence, check out these sites. recent articles. and writings:

The Healing Power of Art: Domestic Violence Survivor Puts Abuse to Canvas

Telling Without Talking:  Breaking the Silence of Domestic Violence

The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children (TLC) Blog

Art Helps Heal Pain of Domestic Abuse

Art Therapy and Domestic Violence- International Art Therapy Organization Resources

Breaking the Silence: Art Therapy with Children from Violent Homes

FUSION is here!

This week myself and International Art Therapy Organization [IATO] Founder Cathy Malchiodi launched the premier issue of FUSION, an e-Zine for Planet Art Therapy inspired by members and work of the Art Therapy Alliance and IATO, as well as a voice for news, stories, and the art therapy community worldwide! 

Publishing this e-Zine developed from our common commitment and outlook to provide quality resources and a connection for art therapists everywhere.  FUSION is all about a new energy, excitement, and blend of ideas, cultures, and people for a sustainable future in art therapy.

This 18 page issue includes news, art and feature stories from all over the globe, as well as partnerships, special projects, and events taking place worldwide.  Take a look at some of what’s featured in this first issue below:

Download your free, complete PDF issue here: http://www.arttherapyalliance.org/FUSION.html

If you are interested in submitting content or information to be considered for future issues of FUSION, please contact us at info@arttherapyalliance.org or info@internationalarttherapy.org.  Enjoy!

Last week-end I attended the Morgan Art of Papermaking Conservatory’s Anniversary Celebration and Open House here in Cleveland, which was tons of fun– great music, good food, silent art auction, and papermaking and printing demos.  My main objective in attending the Open House was to connect with Drew Matott, one of the Founders of Combat Paper Project who was traveling to Cleveland for the celebration.  What a pleasure this was!   Check out my Facebook photos from this evening here.

I have been very interested in CPP’s work and mission- Here’s some  information from the Combat Paper website about the project:

The story of the soldier, the Marine, the men and the women and the journeys within the military service in a time of war is the basis for this project. The goal is to utilize art as a means to help veterans reconcile their personal experiences as well as broaden the traditional narrative surrounding service, honor and the military culture.

Through papermaking workshops veterans use their uniforms worn in combat to create cathartic works of art. The uniforms are cut up, beat and formed into sheets of paper. Veterans use the transformative process of papermaking to reclaim their uniform as art and begin to embrace their experiences as a soldier in war.

The Combat Paper Project is based out of Green Door Studio in Burlington, VT and has traveled throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, providing veterans’ workshops, exhibitions, performances and artists’ talks. This project is made possible by a multifaceted collaboration between artists, art collectors, academic institutions and combat veterans.

Through ongoing participation in the papermaking process, combat papermakers are attempting to progress from creating works specific to their military experiences to expressing a broader vision on militarism and society. The work reflects both the anger of the past and hope for the future. Through this collaboration between civilians and veterans, a much-needed conversation is generated regarding our responsibilities to the returned veteran and an understanding of the dehumanizing effects of warfare.  ~ From About Combat Paper Project

Combat Paper Project

Art from destruction, resistance, pain, and opposition that is then altered and re-constructed into something that is freeing, healing, and with a new life and meaning  has always interested me in my work as an art therapist. With many of the traumatized and grieving youth I have worked with,  I have witnessed what the process of tearing, ripping, destroying, and breaking down a material (paper, clay, wood, fabric, etc.) and the emotions, memories this can surface… then guiding the same de-constructed material into re-constructed art that can be experienced at a different perspective, as well as tell or show a new story rooted in hope and resiliency.

The highlight of the MPC Open House was meeting Donna– a veteran who participated in CPP workshops this summer in Cleveland @ MPC and had some of this art included in the silent art auction. Donna was able to share with me her experience  about being a Combat Papermaker and the transforming power the process had for herself and the group of veterans who participated in the workshop.  To listen to  her testimony and memories while  looking through and holding a book completely made of paper from her  military uniform was humbling and an honor.   

You can hear other testimonials of veterans who have been involved in this process by pre-viewing the film Iraq Paper Scissors by Sara Nesson below. This film currently in production tells the story of Combat Paper Project and the Combat Papermakers who have found healing and reconciliation through this incredible process:

If you are interested in following the updates, travels, and work of the Combat Paper Project, you can find them here on Facebook or visit their website http://www.combatpaper.org – which includes information about the artists, exhibits, residencies, upcoming events and workshops, sponsorship opportunities, and how to donate to the cause.

This morning I woke up to Mashable’s tweet on 6 Incredible Twitter Powered Art Projects and was inspired to check out and try some of these fun applications. Here’s a couple:

Twitter Mosaic- This application takes the avatar of your Twitter friends or followers to create a tiled mosaic. Then through Zazzle, you can take your Twitter Mosaic and create your own merch. Print your Twitter Mosaic on everything from shirts, coffee cups to mousepads and bags. Here’s a small mosaic featuring some of my Twitter followers:

Portwiture- This application combines my love for Flickr with Twitter. Your latest tweeted statuses are matched up with photos from Flickr, creating a visual art expression in mosaic form. Portwiture describes this application as “Your Twitter Status in Photos”. Check out my “Portwit” at http://portwiture.com/gretchen_miller to see what Flickr photos describe my Twitter state of mind.

In addition to what was mentioned in Mashable’s article, there are also other creative projects that have been inspired by Twitter. Here are just a couple:

Twitter Data Portraits- Created by Alex Dragulescu, trending words from an individual’s tweets are used to create patterns and a portrait of the tweeter. As described on the Vitmeo site, “the words on the left side of the silhouette show the daily rhythm (one day is two seconds) while the right side shows a cumulative view”.

This project is currently off-line while its being re-tooled, but here’s a video of one of the portraits created:

100 Days of Fry- This illustration project by artist Morgan Ritchie followed and visually responded to the tweets of British actor Stephen Fry through creating a daily drawing and then posting it to TwitPic. See the collection of Ritchie’s 100 drawings here.

It’s really exciting to see how technology and creativity are crossing paths via social media platforms such Twitter and what is being created through followers, uploaded photos, art, and status updates. Something as simple as 140 characters has inspired many neat ideas, projects, and creative self expression. This awareness makes me think more about how I could use my growing affection for Twitter in more creative ways! Hmmmm…

Since the launch of the Art Peace Sustainability Interactive Event, postcard size art has been steadily coming in to the International Art Therapy Organization and Art Therapy Alliance.  Images inspired by these concepts have been very thoughtful, creative, and inspiring- I can’t wait to see more as the collection grows!  

There is a gallery building on the Art Therapy Alliance website and on the International Art Therapy Organization site, there’s a slide carousel of sets submitted through Polyvore if you are interested in checking out what great art has been created and become inspired to submit your own. Thank you to everyone who has participated so far in this global project and also helped spread the word!  Check out this inspiring “Creative Peacemaking” reflection from Silky Hart’s Wishcasting and this mention from Jamie Ridler Studios.

I finally finished a non-Polyvore image that I have been working on for this event:

While reflecting more about the concepts of art, peace, and sustainability I was drawn to these definitions of creativity, trust, and vision. For me, these words are closely linked and are basic components to the event’s concepts:

Art –> Creativity: Able to imagine and create; using originality, stimulating the imagination; extending beyond the normal limitations.

Peace –> Trust: To have confidence in something or someone; to know something in your heart.

Sustainability –> Vision: Creative insight or imaginative foresight and wisdom; something that is seen in a dream.

I believe in the integrity of these words.  While there would be many more I might include, I know that I could have not done probably 99% of the work I do out there without paying attention first to these three. 

Focusing on creativity, trust, and vision this year in particular has had a significant impact for me in a positive way.  Cultivating this potential through connection, collaboration, and actioned intention has been liberating, energizing, and has given me the freedom to be in an entirely different space and with a growing new perspective about what’s really important.  

And finally, I continue to be grateful for the opportunities and people in my life that have contributed to and keep me on this rewarding path towards art, peace, and sustainability.

Yesterday the Art Therapy Alliance and International Art Therapy Organization launched a global interactive art event called “Art Peace Sustainability.” The event includes submitting postcard-sized art works reflecting these concepts or making response art inspired by the following questions:

The image below was inspired by this work and values I try to inspire in the kids I work with in the Peacemakers Group:

Make Art, Make Peace by Gretchen Miller for the Art Peace Sustainability Interactive Art Event on Polyvore.com

I have been experimenting with Animoto, the on-line application that allows users to easily create hip, fun, and creative videos. I have really been enjoying what it has to offer and look forward to lots more “animoto-ing”…

Here’s a break down from the Animoto website:
“Animoto Productions is a bunch of techies and film/tv producers who decided to lock themselves in a room together and nerd out.

Animoto’s web application automatically generates professionally produced videos using their own patent-pending technology and high-end motion design. Each video is a fully customized orchestration of user-selected images and music. Produced on a widescreen format, Animoto videos have the visual energy of a music video and the emotional impact of a movie trailer.”

There’s also this brief Animoto How-To:

Just like the tutorial above describes, Animoto makes it easy to create very cool videos and share. You can send your video to your contacts via Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, embedd on your website or blog and even export to YouTube. I started making a few videos using photos of my art with the freebie 30 second short option.

Here’s an Animoto video featuring some of my collages here on Creativity in Motion:

This week Animoto took the fun to the next level and introduced a new application that allows users to incorporate video as well. This includes uploading video via your camera, phone or using some from Animoto’s collection provided by iStockphoto and Getty Images. You can read more about this buzz here via the Social Media site Mashable.

Short 30 second films can be made for free and an unlimited pass that allows you to create full length films is available for an annual $30 fee. If you are a teacher or educator, you can apply for a free unlimited pass to share the creatvity and joy of Animoto with your students. Animoto also supports non-profits and other humanitarian efforts through their “For a Cause” program.

Currently Animoto is partnering with Search for Common Ground and inviting people around the world to submit Animoto videos that answer the question, “What does common ground look like?”. Check out Animoto’s blog for more details. It makes me wonder what I would put together….What would your video look like?

It’s nice to discover something that brings together many of the things I love in life: creativity, technology, and social good!

In September, myself and Cathy Malchiodi will be presenting on the topic of social media and art therapy at The Buckeye Art Therapy Association’s 28th Annual Symposium. I am really looking forward to this, as presenting on how art therapists can navigate and use the web is one of my favorite topics.  And it’s a pleasure to be presenting with Cathy again!

The dynamic digital landscape of the Internet is continuously in motion, making it essential for the modern day art therapist to remain up to date on new advancements and resources emerging in the art therapy community’s web presence. Obtaining and acquiring information on-line, as well as building and sustaining connections with colleagues and professionals through e-mail, e-groups, blogging, and social media sites are important resources that not only help decrease isolation for the art therapist, but can cultivate new opportunities.

Our presentation will highlight the potential and benefits for art therapists interested in using the Internet for professional networking to enhance their career, strengthen support, as well as discuss how social media can promote art therapy and bring art therapists together in a global web community to share experiences, exchange ideas, and collaborate on projects.

Attendees will be introduced to and learn more about how we use our social media trifecta: Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to promote art therapy, as well as other on-line tools and applications that are available to art therapists for professional networking, development and communication. Social media’s role in developing and building communities such as The Art Therapy Alliance and the International Art Therapy Organization will highlight how developing a strong web presence can support the many professional needs and interests of art therapists in an accessible and cost effective way. 

Come and join us for this presentation and many other interesting topics on art therapy at BATA’s Symposium in Dublin, Ohio during September 11 and 12, 2009.  For more information, visit http://www.batasymposium.org.