Art Apps in Therapy: Part 2

In my last post, I shared about using tracing apps to encourage drawing for children who are hesitant or need to develop fine motor skills. Although these apps don’t allow for much individual creativity, other drawing apps can be great for creating original artwork. I don’t feel that digital artwork can or should replace traditional media, but it can provide a great alternative, especially when available art supplies are limited, children are reluctant to engage in traditional art, in order to try something new, or for the therapist or counselor who travels to different settings to see clients. Here are two apps that I think are worth trying out for yourself or with you clients.

MoMA Art Lab:

This app is designed for children in collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art. Users can either create artworks using set shapes and line drawing in a variety of colors or can use the “Activities” module to explore works of modern art from the museums collection. Each activity shows the work of art, explains the artist’s process, and then provides a way for kids to make their own artwork based on the style of the inspiration piece. There is even an audio feature that allows pre-readers to have the text read to them. This app seems great for not only encouraging creativity, but also inspiring kids to learn more about modern art and try a new approach in their own art.

Create a picture from shapes and draw lines for details

Explore the process of famous artists with the Activities feature

Paper:

I have not tried every drawing or artwork app available, so I would love to hear from others if they have art apps that they enjoy using. I would also like to try to find an app that could create digital collage and drawing “mixed media” type artwork.

Also, my apologies for posting less often than before. Life has been hectic and competing demands have pulled my time away from the blog. I hope to return soon to posting more often.

Carolyn Mehlomakulu, LMFT-S, ATR is an art therapist in Austin, Texas who works with children, teens, and families. For more information about individual therapy, teen and child counseling, family therapy, teen group therapy, and art therapy services, please visit: www.therapywithcarolyn.com.

This blog is not intended to diagnose or treat any mental health conditions. All directives, interventions, and ideas should be used by qualified individuals within the appropriate bounds of their education, training, and scope of practice. Information presented in this blog does not replace professional training in child and family therapy, art therapy, or play therapy.

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