Art Therapy: Where Science, Spirituality, and Art Unite
- jagodaj15
- Dec 9, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 10, 2024
Art therapy is a powerful method where science, spirituality, and art come together to help us heal and grow. It’s not about creating perfect works of visual art. It is about exploring our inner selves and discovering new paths to self-awareness. It is a practice that nurtures our creativity and mental health. It also improves our perception, attention, and focus. Like music therapy, it helps us connect more deeply with our consciousness.
Through art therapy, we get to experience something extraordinary. The freedom to express ourselves without judgment or fear of making mistakes. This method, as a form of therapy, is based on the idea that creating art can be healing. This connection helps you gain a deeper understanding of who you are. Art becomes a mirror of the soul, reflecting your inner self.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve never held a paintbrush before. The effectiveness of art therapy can be experienced by anyone. The only requirement is a willingness to dive into the creative process. One fascinating approach in art therapy is fractal painting—the "mother of art therapy". It is a method that taps into the beauty of nature’s patterns and connects us to the deeper rhythms of life.
But What Are Fractals?
Fractals are everywhere. They are the endlessly repeating patterns we see in the nature. From the veins of leaves to the spirals of galaxies. These intricate designs may look random, but they’re governed by simple rules and repeat themselves at different scales. They are the language of nature, describing how everything grows, changes, and connects.
The entire Planet operates through fractal patterns—constantly changing and growing. Trees branch out in fractal arrangements. Rivers carve fractal paths through landscapes. Even the patterns of clouds and lightning follow fractal geometry.
Fractal is the painting that tells the story of the process that has created it. Similarly, the reality we each face is shaped by the patterns that have repeated themselves over time. The way we live, think, and experience the world is the culmination of repeated patterns throughout generations, trapped in our subconscious mind.
How the First Fractal Painting Was Created
In 1975, mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot "the father of fractals", introduced a revolutionary idea: that the seemingly chaotic structures in nature could be described with simple mathematical formulas. He used a computer to plot images that emerged from simple, yet repeating mathematical formulas. And the Mandelbrot set was born. At their most basic, fractals are a visual expression of a repeating pattern or formula. It starts out simple and gets progressively more complex.
He referred to himself as a "fractalist" and is recognized for his contribution to the field of fractal geometry.
Mandelbrot created the first-ever "theory of roughness", and he saw "roughness" in the shapes of mountains, coastlines and river basins. The structures of plants, blood vessels and lungs; the clustering of galaxies. His personal quest was to create some mathematical formula to measure the overall "roughness" of such objects in nature. He then created the term "fractal" from the Latin word "fractus" - meaning irregular or fragmented.
Mandelbrot’s discoveries reshaped our understanding of the Universe. Because everything in nature is built from fractals, and anything can be calculated using simple formulas. This is why many scientists love to say that “God is just a brilliant mathematician.”
Self-Similar - Repeating Patterns We Can Notice in Fractals
All fractals show a degree of self-similarity, which is a concept often discussed in creative art therapy. This means that as you look closer and closer into the details of a fractal, you can see a replica of the whole.
A fern is a classic example. Look at the entire frond. See the branches coming out from the main stem? Each of those branches looks similar to the entire frond. They are self-similar to the original, just on a smaller scale. These self-similar patterns are the result of a simple equation or mathematical statement. You create fractals by repeating this equation through a feedback loop in a process called iteration. Here the results of one iteration form the input value for the next.
For example, if you look at the interior of a nautilus shell, you'll see that each chamber of the shell is basically a carbon copy of the preceding chamber. Just smaller as you trace them from the exterior to the interior. Fractal patterns often have dimensions that are not whole numbers, like 1.5 or 2.7. This reflects their space-filling and self-replicating nature.
Examples of Fractal Patterns in Nature
Nature is full of repeating patterns that reveal its deep connection to the underlying processes of life. Fractals, the endlessly intricate designs found everywhere, are not just beautiful—they are the foundation of growth and structure. These repeating patterns highlight the unity of creation and the interconnectedness of all living things.
Examples of Fractal Patterns in Nature:
Ferns: Look closely at a fern, and you’ll see that each frond is a smaller version of the entire leaf—a classic fractal pattern.
Fetal Development: The development of a fetus follows a universal fractal-like sequence. Early in growth, all fetuses look strikingly similar. They are all progressing through the same stages that reflect the shared design of life.
Shells: The spiral of a nautilus shell perfectly showcases a fractal design. Each chamber is growing in a pattern that reflects the whole.
Fractals remind us that the patterns we see in nature are not random. Just as these patterns shape the natural world, the patterns we create in our lives—whether through actions, thoughts, or art—shape who we are. In art therapy, fractals become tools for exploring and transforming these personal patterns. We use art to help us grow and heal in harmony with the natural rhythms of the Universe.
Fractals in the Human Body - The Unique Artwork of Mother Nature
Our bodies are filled with fractals too. From the branching of blood vessels to the spirals of our DNA. We can find the same patterns repeating themselves at every level. These fractal designs allow our bodies to work efficiently. This is how the information and resources were being carried out where they’re needed. Even further, to our offspring. And this is the most fascinating thing here. This is how these patterns carry information across generations.
The behaviors, beliefs, and even traumas of our ancestors can become part of our own psychological and physical realities. But here’s the good news: patterns can be changed. By understanding them, we can break free of cycles that no longer serve us.
The Healing Benefits of Expressive Arts Therapy to Mental Health
Art therapy—and particularly fractal painting—can help us interact with these patterns in a direct and transformative way. When you create a fractal painting, it is a reflection of your subconscious mind. That is the reason why art therapists love to say that it is a "portrait of a one's Soul". It shows where you are right now, emotionally and mentally. From there, you can begin to change those patterns intentionally.
Humans are the only species on Planet Earth that have the ability to rewire our brains. We are the only ones that can build completely new synapses in the brain. This process is known as neuroplasticity. It allows us to build new neural connections and rewrite old patterns. Fractal painting engages both sides of the brain—the logical and the creative. It brings balance and unlocks new possibilities.
In art therapy, the first painting you create may reveal where you’re stuck or what’s holding you back. But as you continue to paint, guided by your therapist or your own intuition, you can begin to shift those patterns. With each new shape and a paints combination, you’re teaching your brain new ways of thinking and feeling.
How You Can Repaint Your Inner World with Art Therapy
Art therapy begins with the creation of a diagnostic painting. This is a powerful reflection of a person’s current mental and emotional state. This initial painting reveals areas where an individual may feel "stuck" or out of balance in their life. From here, the transformative process begins. Guided by art therapist, the individual receives instructions to create intentional, guided paintings using new shapes, patterns, and color combinations.
This is not just art; it’s a deliberate act of "repainting" the inner self. It is a unique mental health care. Art therapy uses shapes and colors to send a signal to the brain to adopt new patterns. This way brain is "learning" healthier ways of thinking and processing emotions. Through this guided creative process, the brain begins to rewire itself. It replaces old, limiting patterns with new, empowering ones. Over time, these changes in the art become changes in life. Thus individual moves toward a more balanced, fulfilled, and harmonious state of being.
Altering Reality Through Art Therapy Work
Art therapy doesn’t just help you heal; it empowers you to shape your reality. With a use of art, you’re giving your brain a “blueprint” for new ways of being. You’re sending a command to your subconscious: “Let’s try something different.” Over time, this process helps you break free from limiting beliefs, heal past traumas, and build a future aligned with your true potential.
Fractal paintings are more than just an art. They are mirrors of your inner processes and guides for transformation. By engaging with these patterns, you can:
Heal emotional wounds.
Break free from intergenerational cycles of trauma.
Unlock creativity and build a deeper connection to yourself.
In this way, art therapy can help you build a bridge between your inner and outer worlds. Just like painting a simple artwork, you can paint the canvas of your life with the colors you desire. It’s a powerful reminder that just like the fractals in nature, you too are capable of infinite growth and change.
If you're ready to repaint your world and explore the transformative power of art therapy, contact me today and let’s begin this journey together. Art therapy may reshape your reality and embrace a life of healing, balance, and endless possibility.
Jagoda Jovanović
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