Art, Movement and the Body: An Art-Based Research Exploration of Slow, Gentle, and Repetitive Painting Movements

Author

Melissa Hedlund Nelson, Lesley UniversityFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-16-2020

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

PHD - Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Expressive Therapies

First Advisor

Shaun McNiff

Second Advisor

Nancy Jo Cardillo

Third Advisor

Pat Allen

Abstract

Art-based research explored the effects of using slow, gentle, and repetitive painting movements paired with pauses during this painting process. Five participants completed four painting sessions that were filmed; sessions consisted of painting with acrylic paints on canvas or Bristol board and reflective writing. Embodied response paintings were created by myself in response to participant paintings. A reflective research process consisting of documentation, reflection, and examination, was used to help in the materialization of outcomes. The inquiry yielded the following outcomes: it was challenging to paint slowly, there was an increase in connection to present moment awareness and immersion, a meditative painting state was induced, there was an increased connection to self and embodiment, the role of the witness and being witnessed was significant, and the refinement of methods allowed for an accurate exploration of the art-based inquiry.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.

Language

English

Number of Pages

131

Recommended Citation

Hedlund Nelson, Melissa, "Art, Movement and the Body: An Art-Based Research Exploration of Slow, Gentle, and Repetitive Painting Movements" (2020). Expressive Therapies Dissertations. 99.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_dissertations/99