My Creative Life Interview #16 with Courtney Konecny, Creative Arts Therapist in Rochester, NY
Gabrielle Javier-Cerulli
My Creative Life is a weekly interview, with the same five questions, with folks who are living authentically, creatively, and making a living out of their passions.
This week I’m honored to Courtney Konecny, a smart and talented licensed art therapist in Rochester, NY. She loves what she does and wholeheartedly believes in the healing process that can happen when using the creative/expressive arts. Be sure to check her out at www.ArborArtTherapy.com


1. What do you do? (career wise - whatever you want to share)
I am a creative arts therapist working in private practice as well as a painter & mixed media artist

2. How did you prepare for this career? (formal and informal education, books, workshops?)
I obtained my undergraduate degrees in psychology and fine art and during that time I was perfectly ok with the thought of spending my life as a nomadic starving artist. Then one day, can't really say when, someone told me about the field of art therapy and my whole life sort of shifted, and it all just began to make sense! So I pursued my graduate degree in creative arts therapy, went through the long hours that it took to become a fully credentialed art therapist, and threw myself into books and art...it was a thirst for knowledge and alot of self-educating and practice.

3. Besides living according to the values of creativity and independence, what other values are you honoring by following this path?
Healing on one's own terms, knowledge, the right to be an expressive human being and honoring that in others. The value of living outside the box...and then building the box around yourself...that's a biggie.

4. What struggles or challenges do you face, if any?
I would have say there are 2 huge and quite frustrating struggles I have faced since entering this field 7years ago.
The 1st, is the realization that many people do not take my craft seriously...and even more don't even understand what I do! I have had to really put myself out there in the community to educate people because I truly, passionately believe in the healing power of creative expression. And most people do not get it.
The 2nd, is that I do not have nearly enough time anymore to focus on my own work. I honestly, not for a minute, thought that would ever become an issue for me. But, 1 demanding career and 1 toddler later, and it has taken its toll on my ability to find balance for myself. I never thought I would long for the starving artist dreams!

5. Can you give some advice to folks who would like to do what you do?
Never lose sight of the reasons you are choosing this path... the art and your clients. They are both gifts beyond imagination.
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What is Expressive Arts Coaching and Facilitation?
Gabrielle Javier-Cerulli
What is it?

Think of the process as a fusion of creative expression and personal development work. Participants may gain clarity around an issue, such as finding one's life purpose, and/or get in touch with one's creative Self. The process tends to be a place of discovery with Aha! moments peppered throughout a session or workshop.

What forms of creative expression are utilized?
This is a sample list of the different ways coaches and facilitators engage you in the creative process for clarity and self-discovery:

Visual Arts: painting, drawing, collage, clay, masks, sculpting, sand tray, mandalas, mixed media

Writing: poetry, haiku, journaling, memoir writing, creative writing, short stories

Music: drumming, singing, music-making, listening, song writing, sounding

Movement: dance, breath work, authentic movement

Drama: storytelling, theater games, role playing

Who would be interested in a workshop or session?
Anyone who is interested in one or all of the following:

  • unleashing and widening the space for their creative Self to surface
  • finding answers and exploring ideas about their careers, life purpose, self-esteem, and relationships (such as a spouse/partner, family, friends, colleague, or boss)
  • someone who currently works in the creative arts such as writers, artists, dancers, designers who are experiencing a block or who wishes to dive deeper into their art form or explore another
Why would someone choose to attend an expressive arts coaching or facilitation workshop or session?
They are ready to try something new and different, and believe that something can happen while engaging in art-making. They are excited to venture into a deeper understanding of themselves while engaging in the creative process whatever form that may be - writing, collage, drumming, etc.

Anything else?
Expressive Arts Coaching and Facilitation can be therapeutic but it is not therapy. There are expressive arts/creative arts therapists, art therapists, music therapists, and drama therapists who do some coaching and facilitation BUT a coach or facilitator usually is not providing therapy because they are not licensed nor is it the focus of their work. Coaches and facilitators do not diagnose. Some clients work with a coach/facilitator as an alternative to, or as a complement to, their traditional talk therapy.

Lastly, the client does not need to be artistic to reap the benefits of this style of personal development! The focus is on process not product.

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My Creative Life Interview #15 with artist, painter, sculptor, author, creative dude Ted Mikulski
Gabrielle Javier-Cerulli
My Creative Life is a weekly interview, with the same five questions, with folks who are living authentically, creatively, and making a living out of their passions.

This week I’m honored to have the multi-talented Ted Mikulski - painter, sculptor, teacher, author, and web designer. He lives and breathes the creative process. You have to check out his artwork (make sure you take a gander at the murals!) and feel the energy at
www.tedmikulski.com

1. What do you do? (career wise - whatever you want to share)
I consider myself to be a professional artist, painter and sculptor. I have been doing that for several years and have exhibited in galleries throughout New England. However, I also teach art part-time at Tunxis Community College as well as a painting course at Manchester Community College. On top of this I am a freelance web designer and upcoming author of the book 'Art Is Dead'. I also work in business consulting to help companies with their online web branding. I believe having a diverse range of work and jobs keeps me sane and inspired.

2. How did you prepare for this career? (formal and informal education, books, workshops?)
My formal education is in architecture from Norwich University. I have a passion for architecture but realized that the business of architecture simply was not for me. Throughout my schooling I dove into art and web design as further creative outlets. Upon graduation I took the road less traveled and tried my hand at web design entrepreneurship. The company did not succeed but it taught me quite a bit and allowed me to make smarter business decisions which I then applied to art and freelance work. There is a wealth of knowledge available at the click of a button now to teach you about anything you may want to do, you just have to have the will to do it.

3. Besides living according to the values of creativity and independence, what other values are you honoring by following this path?
I think in today's society we often limit ourselves and rely on a single profession. We get a degree in 'XX' and we are told that for the foreseeable future we will work in the 'XX' field. Sure it is stability, but I think it limits our ability to expand our own interactions with the world including our spirituality. I wanted to prove to myself that I was not defined by what is written on my degree and I believe I have done that. I don't think I am the 9-5 type.

4. What struggles or challenges do you face, if any?
I think the route that I am on is the hardest road to find. There involves quite a bit of uncertainty and I would not recommend it for everyone. Jobs sometimes are few and far between and sometimes I won't sell a painting for months at a time. It brings new meaning to the saying 'living pay-check to pay-check'. It also can take years before you have established yourself to where you get enough work to pay your bills. However these challenges often birth new opportunities and it is the struggles and challenges that really keep me motivated. It is a bit like being on a roller coaster and if you are a thrill-seeker then you won't mind the dips and dives.

5. Can you give some advice to folks who would like to do what you do?
My advice would be that it is a challenging life but I believe it to be the most rewarding. I love waking up every morning and everyday is something to look forward to. You have to be self-motivated and you have to be able to cope with failure. The most successful people are also the ones who failed the most times. Explore new opportunities everyday, treat your clients right, and most importantly work hard. You'll work harder than you ever have before, but you'll love every moment of it.
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