Transitioning from an overflowing box of creative art materials to a portable case

By Mari Makitalo, June 06, 2021

Unfortunately, I have a ‘habit’ of getting myself into situations which force me to come out of my comfort zone. This time it started from my curiosity about using a portable case for creative arts materials for working with clients. I mentioned it at APCCA and then my task escalated from finding one to writing a blog about it. I know I should think of the process of writing a blog as a chance to develop myself. Instead, however it triggered stress and discomfort. I was aware of numerous challenges with this task, including the ‘small’ problem that I had never written a blog before, and I had no idea how to. On top of this, I had no idea how the portable creative art case should look and where to get it. Instead of welcoming this new challenge with open arms, I was reluctant, clueless and lacked confidence.

After some reflection, I decided to approach the task in the same way as my previous learning curves, which always start with organised mess.  First I did some research on ‘how to write a perfect blog’ (apparently it is like driving a car, good I can do that!). Then I read a few different blogs (not a good idea, I cannot ever write something as good as those). In the end I decided not to be influenced too much with other people’s ideas and work.  I wanted the blog to echo my passion, the person-centred philosophy. This led to a story of my journey, strongly influenced by feelings of choice, ownership and empowerment; feelings which I only recently have become aware of. I hope the challenge of writing a blog and coming out from my comfort zone is a way to grow those feelings and increase my confidence. This blog is about my process and my learning.

Starting at the ending:

My process started at the ending on the last day of the APCCA Therapeutic use of Person-Centred Creative Arts certificate course. Even though the course was challenging, and at times exhausting,

I absolutely loved it and it ended too soon.  I would have loved the course to to continue longer. I wanted to spend more time practising creative art therapy and being creative, as well as really missing the sessions with the group. I felt quite empty, and I was left wondering what was to come in the future.  I was left with my overflowing box of different creative art materials which I collected during the course. I asked myself: ‘Is this the end of my creative art therapy practice?‘. Luckily, I did not need to wonder long. I was given a fantastic opportunity to start in June to work as a counsellor in a place where I could offer person-centred creative art counselling to clients. This offer escalated my process to planning how my overflowing box of creative art materials could make the transition to a portable case. A case which I could take to counselling sessions to offer the clients the choice of the person-centred creative arts counselling which I am so passionate about.

Neutral zone (establishing what kind of case I wanted, what would be in it, researching different options)

A few years ago, as a part of my counselling course, I researched how to integrate creative arts into person-centred counselling.  I came across a wonderful idea. A counsellor had a table with art materials as well as two chairs in his counselling room. A client could choose either a talking or a creative art counselling session. I used this kind of setting when I was counselling volunteers during my APCCA course, and  I also used a room with a small coffee table. Comparing my experience facilitating the session I felt that sitting in a comfortable chair was more relaxing for both of us, as there was not a barrier of the big table between us. This encouraged me to start looking for a stand-alone case which I could use when there is limited space display art materials. I sort of knew what I wanted, it was now a case of finding what I was looking for. 

The internet search did not really bring a great deal of different options. The case (for makeup) that I finally chose caught my eye quite early on Amazon, but I wanted to still research more options. I wanted a case which is a display unit, like an individual ‘cabinet’. Ideally, I would have liked to visit a shop with a selection of cases, but couldn’t find one. I contacted a few different places including the British Art Therapy Association but got nowhere. I also wanted to update my art materials, to get good quality materials which would be only for my clients to use. I wanted different pens, felt tips, oil and soft pastels, water colours, acrylic paints, different colour papers, felt, foam, glitter, clue, buttons etc. I got suggestions from a relative who is an artist. I also contacted an art therapist, and she gave me advice on different materials. Also, I had in mind the current Covid-19 situation so I wanted something that would be easy to clean.  I saw my process as very person-centred as I recognised that what I want from the creative arts kit is not what someone else is after

Finishing with the beginning
(making a decision, ordering, receiving my case and new art materials and organising the case)

I finally got tired of looking at all the different options. I ordered my case and hoped for the best. I was apprehensive as I knew the bottom draw was not big enough for A4 paper but from all the available options I thought this would be perfect as my portable art case. I was so excited when it arrived and luckily it was perfect.  I started to fill it and added pen containers and few other small bits. It all fits, A4 paper does fit inside the case, and I think it looks inviting for clients to start creating.  It is quite heavy (empty case weight 6 kg and 11.3kg fully packed) but that is not a problem as I only need to lift it in and out my car. Wheels are attachable but it is sturdy enough. It is easy to manoeuvre, and the case is also lockable.  All the mechanisms with the four trays and bottom draw work smoothly. So far, I am very happy with it and, at this moment, I can’t think of any negatives. It should be stocked with enough different materials for clients to express themselves in a person-centred way. The transition from the creative art material plastic box to the portable art suitcase is now finally completed.  I hope I have an opportunity soon to find out how it works in practice because that eventually will be the final test.

As of now: Mission accomplished.