Title: Tribute to a Color
Source: Sara Crafton
Materials: Primary-12X12 white cardstock. Optional materials-Lots of colorful media: May include but not limited to watercolor and acrylic paints, paint brushes, markers, crayons, oil pastels, precut magazine images and words, colored pencils, tissue paper, and glitter.
Directive: Make a visual tribute to a color of your choice. Choose a color based on: your current mood, your favorite color, a color associated with a memory, the favorite color of someone close to you, etc. Use whatever media you would like to use, and mixed media is encouraged!
(See Adaptions section for optional steps.)
Processing: Did you have a reason for choosing the color you chose? If so, what was the reason. What was this process like for you? Are you happy with your tribute to your chosen color? Did you explore any media that you haven't used much before? If so, what was that experience like for you?
Rationale: This intervention encourages media exploration, and playful risk-taking. If your only objective is to portray "blue," for example, then the creative mind is called on to figure out the best way to color the page and meet the objective.
Adaptations: One additional step that adds an element of uninhibited expression is to tell the participant(s) to try to avoid getting overly attached to their artwork because the piece will be somehow altered after the "tribute" is created. Then after the participant is satisfied with their color, tell them to alter their artwork/create something new/ collaborate with other members to create a unified piece. Altering the piece encourages creative problem solving and adaptive thinking/reacting. If you (as the facilitator) want to encourage team building, the collaborative piece is an effective option.
