Expressive Painting Activity Guide (Memory Mapping & Emotional Layering)

Overview

Use non‐verbal visual language (shapes, colors, strokes) to explore and gently process a specific memory and its associated emotions. This trauma‐informed activity is divided into two phases—Memory Mapping and Emotional Layering—with built‐in check‐ins and choice points.

Materials Needed

• Canvas or heavyweight paper
• Acrylic paint set (including your three chosen “safe” colors: #9E5E7C, #B57D95, #CC9CAD)
• Assorted brushes (thin, medium, wide)
• Water cups & paper towels
• Pencils & erasers
• Artist’s Reflection Journal

Phase 1: Memory Mapping (≈30 minutes)

1. Invitation:
   • “Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and bring to mind a specific memory you feel ready to explore.”
     
     
2. Shape Selection:
   • On your canvas, lightly sketch 2–4 basic shapes (circles, triangles, lines) that symbolize key elements of that memory.
   • Prompt: “Which shapes feel most connected to the ‘where,’ ‘who,’ or ‘what’ of the memory?”
     
     
3. Color Assignment:
   • Choose a color for each shape (you may pick beyond the three ‘safe’ colors if you feel comfortable).
   • Prompt: “What feeling does each shape carry? How does the color echo that feeling?”
     
     
4. Base Painting:
   • Begin filling in shapes with paint, focusing on calm, intentional strokes.
   • Trauma‐Informed Check‐In: Pause at halfway. “Pause your brush. Notice your body—what tension or calm do you feel?”

Phase 2: Emotional Layering (≈30 minutes)

1. Emotion Identification:
   • Reflect: “Which emotion underlies this memory right now?” (e.g., sadness, anger, relief).
   • Note it briefly in your reflection journal.
     
     
2. Color & Stroke Choices:
   • Select 1–2 colors that represent this emotion (intense, muted, warm, cool).
   • Choose brush strokes that mirror its energy (e.g., swift lines for anger, soft dabs for sadness).
     
     
3. Layering:
   • Apply emotion‐focused paint over or around your memory map, letting strokes overlap and interact.
   • Prompt: “Allow the paint to express what words cannot. What emerges when you let go of control?”
     
     
4. Mid‐Session Pause:
   • Step back, set your brush down. Breathe deeply three times.
   • Check‐In Question: “On a scale of 1–5, how regulated do you feel right now?” (Record in journal.)

Closing & Grounding (≈10 minutes)

• Invite the student to place their brush down and notice any bodily sensations.
• Lead a brief grounding exercise: 5‐4‐3‐2‐1 Sensorial Check.
• Prompt journaling: “What did tonight’s painting reveal? What felt most challenging or healing?”

Artist’s Reflection Journal

Use this journal to explore your thoughts, feelings, and insights after each session. Take your time and respond honestly.

Session 1: Orientation & Grounding

1. What were your initial feelings when you entered the art space today?
2. How did the grounding exercise affect your body or mind?
3. Why did you choose your three “safe” colors, and what do they symbolize for you?
4. What intentions do you want to hold as you continue this project?

Session 2: Expressive Painting – Memory Mapping

1. Which memory did you bring to mind, and what shapes did you assign to its key elements?
2. How did sketching those shapes feel—easy, challenging, comforting?
3. What did you notice in your body or emotions when you paused at the halfway check-in?
4. Looking at your base painting, what stands out most to you right now?

Session 3: Expressive Painting – Emotional Exploration

1. Which underlying emotion did you focus on layering over your memory map?
2. How did your choice of colors and brush strokes mirror that emotion?
3. Describe any surprises that emerged in your painting process.
4. What was the most challenging part of letting paint express what words cannot?

Session 4: Artist’s Reflection & Insight

1. What shifts in feeling or perspective have you noticed since Session 1?
2. What new insight or understanding about yourself arose during your writing or drawing?
3. Which coping strategies surfaced naturally in your reflection?
4. How will you carry these discoveries into your everyday life?

Session 5: Self-Assessment & Closure

1. On a scale of 1–5, how well do you feel you expressed emotion through your artwork? Explain your rating.
2. In what ways did this project help you understand or regulate your emotions?
3. What aspects of creativity or insight are you most proud of?
4. What self-care or next-step commitments will you make moving forward?

Artwork Self-Assessment Rubric

Use this rubric to reflect on your final painting. For each criterion, choose the column that best matches your work and circle or highlight your rating.