As promised, here is the creative activity I contributed to Rayne Lacko's new book for Teens, Dream Up Now!
I share more about my personal life as a teen in the book.
"Teens feel a wide range of sometimes-overwhelming, often-fluctuating, intense emotions. To help teens understand, manage, and channel their emotions into passion for the life they want to live, this guided journal with a convenient lay-flat design includes 36 creative activities. Crafted by community leaders across North America, these activities encourage teens to create, draw, listen to music, and put pen to paper as they process emotions, discover more about themselves, and pursue what they want out of life."
I FEEL . . . PERFECTIONISM
insecurity / unreasonable demands on self / comparison with others
I Feel . . . Perfectionism
The purpose of this exercise is to create a piece of art that represents the “perfect” face that you show the outside world to try to fit in—your social mask. The face you choose will be decorated with words and images that show how you present yourself to others.
Choose a face from a magazine that represents perfection for you. Also look for another face that represents your authentic self. (You will need to have two faces to alter and expressively draw on for this activity and the next one. Set aside the face representing your authentic self for now.)
If you prefer to create your own face, draw an oval. Then draw eyes, a nose, and a mouth inside the oval.
Altered Magazine Photo I—Perfectionism
What you’ll need:
Magazines; scissors; a glue stick; permanent black, colored, and white markers for doodling and coloring (permanent markers work best for altering magazine photos)
What you’ll do:
1. Cut out the face you chose that represents perfection and glue it onto a piece of paper
2. This “outside face” is the perfect face you show to others. Consider all the ways you try to gain approval from others as you work on altering this face.
3. Expressively draw and color on your face in any way you like. Add patterns, words, and symbols to represent what your public self looks like to the outside world.
4. Suggestions: Glue on other magazine images and words to illustrate your theme. Outline and draw over and around
your magazine collage with a black permanent marker. Color your doodles. Embellish your altered drawing with a white paint marker or gel pens.
I FEEL . . . WORTHY
self-acceptance / positive self-image / courage / self-respect / honor
I Feel . . . Worthy
Create a collage/drawing that represents the authentic face you express when you feel safe or when you are alone. The face you choose will be decorated with words and images that show how you genuinely feel on the inside. Your “inside face” expresses
who you authentically are. This activity can help you increase self-awareness and self-acceptance.
Use the second clipped-out magazine face you set aside in the I Feel . . .Perfectionism activity.
Or, if you prefer to create your own face, simply draw an oval.
Then add eyes, a nose, and a mouth inside the oval.
Altered Magazine Photo II—Self-Worth
What you’ll need:
Magazines, scissors, a glue stick, permanent black, colored, and white markers for doodling and coloring (permanent markers work best for altering magazine photos)
What you’ll do:
1. Cut out the face you chose that represents your authentic self and glue in on a piece of paper.
2. This “inside face” will be about the private face you do not yet show to others. Consider these questions as you draw: Who am I? Where do I belong? When do I feel fulfilled?
3. Expressively draw and color your face in any way you like. Add patterns, words, and symbols to represent what your private self looks like to your inside world.
4. Suggestions: Glue your magazine face onto your backing paper. Glue on other magazine images and words to illustrate your theme. Outline and draw over and around your magazine collage with a black permanent marker. Color your doodles.
Embellish your altered drawing with a white paint marker or gel pens.
I'm featured in DREAM UP NOW: The Teen Journal for Creative Self-Discovery. This journal offers teens 12-18 36 fun, creative activities to process emotions, and transform darkness into light.
I had so much fun creating my creative activity for this book!
For 35 more expressive arts directives for teens, you can purchase the book on Amazon HERE!
