Art Without Boundaries™
A consortium of dedicated artists creating a circle of compassion

Art Without Boundaries™
A consortium of caring artists creating a circle of compassion

Directed Painting



The  Art Without Boundaries Foundation has tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code

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without written permission from AWBF

Art Without Boundaries Foundation, Inc.
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"Come on...did she
really do that?"

Most people find it hard to believe that the
paintings they see on this website are actually the
work of Alzheimer's patients and autistic children.

Once they see the process of MnemeTherapy™,
however, they begin to understand how directed painting
works. The perfect example is a putting on a play.

The Play's the Thing

To stage a play, you must have a script, a director, set
builders, stage hands, some actors and an audience. If
you take away any part, it becomes something quite
different. Without a script or director, it's improv. Without
an audience, it's a rehearsal.
The Actor
(The Role of the Client)

Each part is integral, but the success or failure of a play all
hinges on the actors. You can have a wonderful, witty script,
excellent director, a lovely stage and an eager audience, but if
the actor gives a poor or indifferent performance, the whole
thing goes down the tubes.

Each step of the MnemeTherapy process is integral to the
success of the session, but it's the client , playing the role of the
"actor" who drives the performance. The first thing we need is
their cooperation. Willingness to participate is our only criteria.
Without that, nothing can happen.
The Director
(The MnemeTherapist or MT)

As Director, the MT must become the master of time and
illusion, quickly drawing the client's attention and keeping it.
The Director's job is to move the actor smoothly and
seamlessly through each "scene".  

The Director coaches from the "house" (stage slang for the
seats), giving instruction, demonstrating a stroke or
movement, shaping the painting by providing expertise in
color and composition, just as a  director molds the play
with his or her own insight and experienced eye. It's not our
job to get up on the stage and take over the actor's role
We follow a strict criteria about intervention.. We can correct a run, straighten a vase, establish a "guide line,"
which is important in instructing the brain about "straight," and patterning a stroke. Painting on a client's work is
prohibited. Our job, like any good director, is to insure the actor's success
Patterning a stroke
The Script
(The process of MnemeTherapy)

MnemeTherapy is a multi-modality process. That means we use not
only art, but singing, movement, patterning, painting, sustained
attentive focus, story-telling and praise to achieve our goals.

It's the act of painting that does the work of engaging and reorienting
the brain through multiple means of communication.

The paintings are instructional, not expressive.

Our goal is not to uncover emotions, interpret the art or help our client
get in touch with hidden feelings. That's the job of a trained and
licensed Art Therapist. Our process is about creating sustained
attentive focus to initiate neuroplasticity, or the brain's ability to
change.
Even though each painting is done with the same steps, the work is
creative and full of wonder, as the artist enjoys the experience of
painting without the fear of outcome. It's a pure form of art, full of
discovery and freedom.
An example of "creative" or
"expressive" art by one of our clients
Take a bow

Would anyone put on a play that wasn't going to be seen by an
audience? The need for recognition and approval is a basic human
requirement. It's also strong medicine. By sharing our talents, we
insure the success of our client and we are rewarded with the best
ending of all, a happy smile.
The Curtain Call

Although our goal is to provide a rewarding experience,
documented testimonies show significant improvement in
some clients in verbal skills, mobility, combativeness,
spatial acuity and understanding instructions.

Click here to read our documented testimonies or about
the amazing changes in our autistic students
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