Jo Logue 8/12/25 Jo Logue 8/12/25

Art Therapy – Is It a Thing? Does It Work?

A personal view by Jo Logue

I’ve always loved painting. I find it calming and relaxing, it focuses my mind and gently takes me away from the worries of the day. For years it was just something I enjoyed personally, and it wasn’t until I opened my shop and started teaching that I really began to wonder whether it could help others too.

It’s not always easy to quantify whether art therapy “works.” But after five years of running creative workshops and observing hundreds of students, I’ve come to believe that almost everyone can benefit from the simple joy of creating.

A Typical Workshop Painting Scallop Shells and Pebbles

The sessions often follow a familiar pattern. Students arrive full of chatter and curiosity, donning aprons and settling around the workshop table. They begin by choosing their favourite shades from a table full of bright, cheerful paints. Using soft, wide brushes, they apply the first coat to a scallop shell , slowly, methodically. This part of the process seems to naturally quiet the room and create a calm, focused atmosphere.

I then teach dotting and various painting techniques forming patterns on black ceramic tiles. This is where the concentration deepens. Although I demonstrate the same steps each time, no two ever look alike. l like that beautiful individuality always shines through.

Then comes my favourite part: the freedom stage. Students decorate their shells and pebbles however they like, using the techniques they’ve just learned. Some ask for a little guidance, but most become completely immersed in their own creative flow and often, the room falls completely silent. That silence is special. To me, it’s a sign that everyone is fully in the moment. I think this is art therapy at its very best: creativity, calm, and connection.

A Defining Moment

One workshop that really stayed with me was for the Brain Tumour Charity. I was invited to run a session for the “Buddies”- a group of individuals and carers connected by shared experience. We painted ceramic tiles together, and at first, many of the attendees were hesitant. Some said they weren’t artistic or wouldn’t be able to take part. But with gentle encouragement, colourful paints, and a relaxed, welcoming environment, everyone joined in, in their own way, at their own pace.

What unfolded was magical. The room filled with smiles, conversation, and creative energy. By the end, every tile was painted, and many of the Buddies were proud to have tried something they thought they couldn’t do. One piece of feedback I received summed it up beautifully:

“MANY MANY THANKS for a great morning. The Buddies certainly enjoyed it — even the ones who said they weren’t artistic and didn’t want to paint a tile! Jo, your enthusiasm for what you were doing was tremendous. It filled the room and encouraged everyone.”

What the Research Says

While my perspective is based on personal experience, there is also growing research that supports the therapeutic value of art. Studies in the field of art therapy suggest that engaging in creative activity can help reduce stress and anxiety, support emotional expression, and improve overall wellbeing. It’s not about being “good” at art , it’s about the process itself: the rhythm of brush on canvas (or shell!), the colours, the freedom to create something personal.

Even short periods of art-making have been linked to measurable benefits, from lowered cortisol levels to improved mood. In clinical settings, art therapy is used with people managing grief, trauma, illness, and mental health challenges. But you don’t need a formal diagnosis to experience the positive effects. Sometimes, a quiet moment with a paintbrush or colouring pencils is enough.

My Conclusion

After years of teaching, I believe that anyone can create art and that most people who give it a go benefit from it. Whether it’s a workshop in my art shop, a session with a local charity, or simply painting at the kitchen table, art has the power to soothe, uplift, and connect us.

And that, to me, is what art therapy is all about.

Jo Logue 7/1/25 Jo Logue 7/1/25

It’s Never Too Late to Follow Your Dream

If you had told me ten years ago that I’d one day be running my own little art shop, selling my colourful artwork, I would have smiled politely and said, “I wish.”

Back then, I was deep in the world of finance-spreadsheets, deadlines, corporate meetings. It paid well and gave me stability, but somewhere along the line, I stopped feeling excited by any of it. I found myself watching the clock every day, counting down to lunchtime, and then again until it was time to go home.

I’d always loved painting, but it was just a hobby, something I never truly believed could be more than that. After all, I had responsibilities. It didn’t feel financially realistic to step away from a secure, well-paying career just to chase a dream.

Then something unexpected happened. My company organised a workplace well-being workshop. We were asked to write down our goals, what we really wanted out of life and what was stopping us from going after them.

I still remember scribbling on that piece of paper:
“I want to be an artist and have a little shop selling my artwork. But it’s probably not financially possible.”

We then passed our papers around anonymously for others to write words of encouragement. When mine came back to me, someone had written:
“If you’re passionate and good at what you do, you might be surprised at how things could work out financially.”

I don’t know who wrote it, but that one sentence stayed with me. It planted a seed , a small, hopeful voice that said, “Maybe you could.”

In my middle 50’s , with a small amount of savings, I decided to take the leap. I was given the opportunity to open a pop-up shop for just one week… (I could always go back to finance if it didn’t work out). But one week turned into a month, a month turned into six, and now five years later I have a permanent arrangement.

I’m not jetting off on fancy holidays anymore, and I’ve had to learn to budget carefully. But in return, I’ve gained something far more valuable: purpose, joy, and the freedom to create. The shop pays for itself and even gives me a little extra. Most importantly, I wake up every day looking forward to what I do.

Following your dream doesn’t mean it has to be big, perfect, or profitable from day one. Sometimes, it starts with a simple sentence scribbled on a piece of paper and the courage to believe your life can change at any age.

So if you’ve ever wondered if it’s too late to follow your dream, I’m here to tell you:

It’s not.