I'm so thrilled that we are now stepping forward and launching our new business:
Creative Wellbeing Workshops, LLC is born! Our dream of getting to do this work in more places and with more people is becoming a reality! Though I've been busy studying creativity, art therapy and research at my doctoral program at Drexel University
http://www.drexel.edu/artsTherapies/research/studentResearch/ Rebecca and I have also manged to get our LLC and we are IN BUSINESS! We wrote this snazzy press release, what do you think? Let us know-and, if you need speakers and would like your organization to be happier & more creative, send us an email!
Press Release for Creative Wellbeing Workshops, LLC
November 2010
Gioia Chilton, MA, ATR-BC and Rebecca Wilkinson, MA, ATR-BC have just launched their new business, Creative Wellbeing Workshops, LLC. Creative Wellbeing Workshops provides interactive training and workshops that blend the cutting edge research of positive psychology, the “science of well-being,” with the benefits of art therapy.
Gioia and Rebecca started this work several years ago, after being introduced to Positive Psychology by Lani Gerrity. Rebecca and Gioia were struck by the relevance of positive psychology to art therapy and the complimentary potential of the two fields.
Positive psychology is the study of positive emotions, positive character, and the positive institutions and communities that facilitate their development. Positive psychologists suggest that the prevailing model of psychology, with its focus on illness and symptoms, does not reflect a balanced view of human potential and that focusing on strengths, increasing positive emotions, and identifying meaning and hope may be more effective in increasing wellbeing. These principles fit naturally with art therapy which has long been valued for its ability to showcase and develop clients’ strengths and to improve quality of life.
Gioia and Rebecca have suggested a new term, “Positive Art Therapy” which combines the healing potential of art therapy with the empowering focus of positive psychology. Positive art therapy utilizes the creative process to enhance positive emotions, identify and develop positive character and strengths, and foster positive communities. They are looking to partner with other art therapists, artists, mental health practitioners, positive psychologists, community organizations, educational and governmental institutions, who are interested in promoting the connection between creativity and wellbeing.
Creative Wellbeing Workshops works with individuals seeking to feel happier, more engaged, more creative, in their personal and professional lives; with organizations and employers wishing to foster greater job satisfaction and higher productivity in their employees; and with mental health practitioners who wish re-energize their practice by incorporating state of the art research on well-being and creativity into their practice.
Gioia and Rebecca, who have been friends since attending GW in the early 90’s, are enjoying the new direction their work is taking them. “We love doing this work and our participants can tell. They really enjoy the fun we have together—and it’s really fabulous seeing the transformation that people undergo as they explore these new concepts.” Visit Gioia and Rebecca’s website at
http://www.creativewellbeingworkshops.com/
, or contact them directly at either
r.wilkinson@creativewellbeingworkshops.com
or
g.chilton@creativewellbeingworkshops.com. or 202 352 5225.
References:
Chilton, G. & Wilkinson, R.A. (2009). Positive art therapy: Envisioning the
intersection of art therapy and positive psychology. Australia and New Zealand Journal of Art Therapy, 4(1), 27-35.
Gerity, L. (2007). The Artist’s Happiness Challenge Condensed Version.
Warmly, Gioia
Then, I found incredible information and support though Laura Dessauer's "Fill my Pratice Now" system 
You could do a drawing like this, in your journal, at home, or even on your lunch hour…I think there might be benefits like Reecca sees at her work. Because we have found, art can be a door to happiness. What's been your experience?
twist wire into arms and legs. Wrap any extra wire around the torso. At this point, some folks like to put a unique bead, bell, shell or rock inside, 
or write a poem or intention on a special scrap of paper to tuck inside. You could really tuck any object that means something to you within the torso. 
Select some fabric and a fine gauge wire. Use the fine gauge wire to wrap around the fabric to hold it in place, and cover body and arms and legs if you want with more wire wrapped fabric. Add details like hair, and decorate to suit yourself! 
Cover
Inside Pages
Cover
Inside Pages
This book ties closed with shiny ribbon, and says, "hope more' when opened.
These photos are not as luminous as the scans but show the pages better-books are a challenge for me to photograph. I wish you could hold them, and turn the pages yourself. There are very soft fabrics right next to the hard crunch of the fused dyed paper towels-I like that. Again many thanks to Traci Bautista for the inspiration-these books are sort of the opposite of her "Book of Ruins" (page 106 of Collage Unleashed, published by Northlight.) Hey, Northlight, come publish me!-I am getting ready, with more hope, more joy and more discoveries.
A few years back I researched symbolic meanings of dragonflies for an art project. I love how the Internet makes researching potential meanings so easy..I found a lot, and learned dragonflies represent the powers of light and transformation, and the ability to see through illusion. They are thought to bring prosperity and harmony. The dragonfly totem is said to teach skillful action while maintaining a free and joyful sense of being. Dragonflies are associated with illusion, dreamtime, and water & springtime. Also considered a messenger, the Dragonfly can bring instruction on breaking through illusions (especially those that are self-created), gaining power through dreams, imagination, revealing one's higher aspirations, and depict a carefree nature.
s are from artwork I made in a dragonfly shaped altered book swap made with some 14 secrets friends. This artwork was done in my friend Gena's book. I like how the scanner photographs them. My former student Kate B. taught me how to use the scanner as a camera, and I love how you get the feel of the fibers attached to the book. When I made the dragonfly fairy or goddess, inspired by artwork my friend Lore and done in Gena's book, I felt visited by a messager and blessed throughout the art process which became skillful action while maintaining a free and joyful sense of being...
