Drawing out emotions, one colour at a time

Some feelings are difficult to explain, especially when you are sitting across from strangers and being asked to put them into words.

For counsellor K Aahrthi, colour and paper can sometimes make that first step a little easier. She uses Japanese Pastel Nagomi Art as a relaxed way for participants to explore and express what they are feeling.

Also known as the “art of hope”, the approach does not demand advanced drawing skills. Participants work with colour using simple techniques, with the emphasis placed less on producing a perfect picture than on the process itself.

“In Malaysia, therapy and counselling are still perceived as difficult or intimidating by some people,” Aahrthi told Bernama. “So, I use this space to allow them to express their emotions in a relaxed manner.”

She said the activity can help participants reflect on their feelings while becoming more comfortable with sharing them during counselling.

Aahrthi first encountered Pastel Nagomi Art at a workshop and initially imagined using it with her own counselling clients. She later saw potential for taking art therapy beyond the counselling room and into community settings.

One of the first hurdles is often convincing people that they do not need to be artists. “At first, participants tend to be reluctant and say they cannot. But by the end of the session, they usually realise they are capable of creating artwork,” she said.

Some participants, she added, have found that working through colours and images encouraged them to look at themselves from perspectives they had not considered before.

Since 2024, Aahrthi has conducted workshops around the Klang Valley for more than 100 participants, including senior citizens, children and residents of People’s Housing Programme (PPR) communities.

She said she is particularly interested in making these sessions accessible to those who may not otherwise seek out counselling or wellness activities.

Aahrthi also believes there is often a gap between talking about mental health and actually doing something to support it.

“People talk a lot about mental health today, but what matters most is whether they take action. Providing the tools and space to discuss mental health in a community setting is important before someone seeks counselling services,” she noted.

Keeping the workshops affordable is another practical challenges. Aahrthi raises funds through the sale of keychains and interactive mental-health tools to help pay for art supplies, allowing some sessions to be offered free or at minimal cost.

She hopes eventually to take the programme beyond the Klang Valley, particularly to more senior citizens and lower-income communities.

For participants such as Khor Jun Yi, the appeal lies in having time to focus inward. The 28-year-old told Bernama that the workshop helped her feel more connected to herself.

Fellow participant S Shankari enjoyed hearing the stories behind other participants’ artwork as well as learning techniques she could continue practising at home.

For the 30-year-old, the session was simple enough to leave her wanting another. “I really enjoyed taking part in the session and hope to join more workshops like this in the future,” she said.

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