Process vs. Product – Exploring the Healing Power of Art
By Kerry Evitts – Artist & Art Therapist
In every creative journey, there are two equally important parts: the experience of making art (the process) and the outcome or finished piece (the product). As an artist and art therapist, I witness how both elements can offer powerful moments of reflection, healing, growth and joy for adults and children alike.
What Do We Mean by Process and Product Art?
Process art is about the journey. It’s when we let go of the outcome and immerse ourselves in colours, textures, movement, and sensation. It’s art for the sake of creating not for perfection, but for presence. I often paint this way myself, without a plan, letting each stroke led to the next. It feels like play, and in that playfulness, something very therapeutic happens. Time slows down. Thoughts soften. The inner critic quiets. This is where mindfulness lives, and this is one of my happiest places to be in.
Product art, on the other hand, is when we create with a specific goal or vision in mind, such as replicating an image, learning a technique, or crafting a finished artwork. This can be equally valuable. It builds confidence, fine motor skills, attention to detail, and pride in achievement. I personally complete a lot of commission artworks, and I have to say there is something deeply affirming about saying, “I made this.”
Why Does This Matter in Art Therapy?
In therapeutic settings with children, but just as importantly with adults’ process art holds incredible potential. When we remove expectations and simply allow ourselves to create, we activate imagination, relieve stress, and open a gentle space for expression. This is especially important for people navigating anxiety or emotional overwhelm. In my work, I create mindful art environments that are welcoming, calm, and playful spaces where both adults and children can feel safe to explore, be themselves and have fun.
Engaging in process art can reduce anxiety, increase self-awareness, and improve emotional regulation. This is wonderful for children, it can support developmental milestones while offering a joyful, non-verbal way to express what might be hard to say with words. For adults, it can be a return to curiosity as a reminder that creativity isn't about "getting it right," but about reconnecting with yourself.
One artist who beautifully embodied the spirit of process art is Jackson Pollock—his spontaneous, expressive mark-making was less about the finished painting and more about the movement, emotion, and freedom behind it.
But Don’t Dismiss the Product
Structured or guided art activities have their own benefits, too. They provide a container with a sense of direction, for those who feel unsure about where to begin. For many people, having a visual goal feels comforting and safe. It can help build focus, introduce artistic techniques, and develop a sense of achievement. Seeing a project through from start to finish builds perseverance and self-esteem.
In my workshops and sessions, I often blend both approaches. I’ve found that the most empowering art experiences are the ones that honour both the joy of exploration and the satisfaction of completion.
How to Blend Process and Product in Creative Spaces
Here are a few gentle ways to merge these two worlds, for use at home, in class, or in therapy:
-Start with structure, allow for play: Introduce a theme or prompt, then invite freedom within it. For example, show sample artwork then remove the image and create your own version using only the materials provided. No “right” or “wrong” way.
-Divide projects into process and product stages: One idea I love is making bookmarks. You can freely create patterns and colours (process), then follow simple instructions to laminate the work (product).
-Offer mindful moments: Use short mindfulness techniques at the beginning of sessions. Even just a minute of breathing or noticing colours and textures before starting can anchor yourself in the moment.
-Use open-ended materials: Loose parts, clay, collage pieces, and natural elements invite imagination and tactile exploration without expectations.
In Conclusion: Let Art Be What You Need
Art can be fun. It can also be powerful, soothing, and transformative. Whether you are splashing paint without a plan or carefully crafting a detailed piece, you are engaging in something deeply human and healing.
As both a therapist and an artist, I invite you whether you are five or fifty to enjoy the process, celebrate the product, and most importantly, keep creating. That is where the magic is.
Kerry Evitts
Art Therapist | Artist | Creator of Mindful Art Spaces for All Ages