Process Over Product: Simple Questions to Ask Yourself When Making Art to Focus on Process Over Product

“The creative process involved in the making of art is healing and life enhancing.” 
American Art Therapy Association, Mission Statement
As stated in The Art Therapy Sourcebook by Cathy Malchiodi

Process over product. This is an essential pillar of art therapy.

Focus on the process of making art instead of the product that’s created at the end. Shifting the way you approach your art making will make it a more therapeutic experience. It can help you feel more grounded, find meaning in your art, gain insight into your life, and support being more intentional not only in your art making, but also in other areas of your life. How you show up with your art will transfer to other areas of your life.

Here are some questions to consider before, during, and after making art to help focus on the process over the product:

Before:

• How might I alter my space to make this a more enjoyable experience?
• How do I feel in this moment?
• What is my intention for this session?
• What would I like to get out of this art making session?

During:

• What do I notice in this moment?
• What interests me?
• What might be interesting to add next?
• Is there anything I love or dislike that jumps out to me? What might this be telling me? 
• Where can I take this from here?
• What does the art want me to do next?

After:

• How do I feel after making art?
• What did I gain out of this experience?
• What is interesting to me?
• What is my art trying to share with me?
• What message of hope would my art share with me?​​

​Download this free cheat sheet that you can print out and have next to you for future art making sessions.

What other helpful questions might you ask to focus on process over product? Share in the comments below.