Media: Mini El Duende
Population: Adults with substance use and addiction disorders
The process of the miniature El Duende still confuses me because it is done in such a short amount of time. I painted, collages, embroidered, and wove to create a multi-media piece and enjoyed the process as I like working in mixed media, but it was unclear to me how this differed exactly from a regular mixed media piece. Perhaps I should have covered each layer more before moving on to a different medium for more of a transition. One thing that did somewhat differentiate it from a typical mixed media piece for me was that I didn’t plan things out in advance and did not set out to create a self portrait. The phrase “process painting” was presented as an alternative in class, and it resonates with me more and seems somewhat less daunting. I would most likely offer this phrasing to a client if necessary.
I do appreciate the different processes involved with an El Duende painting and how each layer is contingent on an individual’s mood, state, affect, and cognition. For this reason, I would be interested in using this technique with adults with substance use and addiction disorders. Chilton et al. (2020) report that having a consistent process creates a safe and predictable routine for sessions, which I imagine this population will appreciate. It also can create a sort of “ritual” which allows for clients to freely and safely express themselves that eventually leads to transformation, both in the artwork and in the individual (Chilton et al., 2020). I would want to do a lengthier El Duende with these clients; I think one layer per session gives a necessary boundary of time between processes as well as opportunity for reflective distance. I would hope to provide a range of materials to allow for a range of self expression, reflection, and externalizations such as oil pastels, plaster, and sand (which could be mixed with paint for texture). Three dimensional elements such as plaster or sand add an interesting layer to this process in that it can be painted over but still seen, and I would be curious to see how the client reacts to and/or problem solves this. I did not personally choose to utilize such elements in my piece, but the use of other media and the someone three dimensional processes of sewing and weaving kept me engaged and grounded, so it is something that I would want to try with others.
References
Chilton, G., Lynskey, K., Ohnstad, E., & Manders, E. (2020). A case of El Duende:
art-based supervision in addiction treatment. Art Therapy, 1-9
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