Make your own 'healing hands'

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

Express the essence of your past, present and future with this Art of Healing therapy project courtesy of the Ormond Memorial Art Museum.

Taking time to let go of the clutter in our heads and put it all out there on paper should be an essential part of everyday. Art and creativity have been proven to improve positivity and reduce depression in people dealing with aging, ADHD, traumatic brain injury or those suffering from a tragic event.

Kristin Heron, curator of education and outreach for the Ormond Memorial Art Museum, came up with the Healing Hands idea after seeing a photo online.

Here's what you'll need to make your own:

Your hand to trace
Decorative collage, scrapbook paper and magazines to cut up
Scissors
Glue
Some kind of board or thick paper to mount the hands to (Kristin used pieces of matte board)

Directions:

Draw and cut out three tracings of your hands to represent the past, present and future self
Cut out words and images that evoke a memory, represent your present situation and symbolize a vision for the future. Heron says you can use metaphor and symbolism when choosing images to illustrate feelings or concepts you want to portray. Quotes may help with inspiration.
Arrange your collage and glue it to your mount.
Display your artwork somewhere where you can see it and be inspired everyday.