The Art of Play: Ignite Your Imagination to Unlock Insight, Healing, and Joy

At forty-two, Joan Stanford-a busy mother, innkeeper-discovered, to her surprise and delight, a creative process for insight and healing that allowed even her, a self-proclaimed "non-artist," to start making art. In The Art of Play, Stanford shares her journey through art and poetry as an example of how taking-or, more appropriately, making-time to pay attention to the imagery our daily lives presents to us can expand our awareness and joy, and she offers readers suggestions for how to do this for themselves, inviting them to embark on their own journey.

“" The Art of Play is an invitation to a surprise party celebrating your own creativity. Joan Stanford's whimsical and wise exercises will walk you through thresholds you've been waiting to cross. I recommend it wholeheartedly!" -Jan Phillips, author of Marry Your Muse , The Art of Original Thinking " The Art of Play does, as its subtitle invites: Ignite Your Imagination to Unlock Insight, Healing, and Joy. It is a delightful, creative, and warmly personal experience of art as a means of delving more deeply into the fullness of life and consciousness. Richly illustrated with Joan Stanford's own explorations through art, journaling, and poetry, exercises in creative play allow the reader to connect with the exuberance of the inner child, to give light to old wounds, and to examine the wondrous mysteries. It is a gift of sharing that encourages the seeker to rediscover innate creativity and ignite the connection to inner knowing." -Cheryl Canfield, author of Profound Healing " The Art of Play is a gift to a world in desperate need of healing. A highly personal and moving portrayal of the inner life, it also leads us back to our own child spirit. Joan speaks the first language of all humans, the arts, with eloquence and grace. She turns darkness into light and helps us give voice to the truest and most beautiful within ourselves." -Lucia Capacchione, PhD, ATR, REAT, Author of The Creative Journal and Recovery of Your Inner Child " The Art of Play is an inspiring example of the power of art to heal. The book is also a valuable tool for those desiring to utilize art making for self exploration and healing, offering learning, wisdom, and a fascinating journey to health and wholeness." -Linda Chapman, MA. ATR-BC; Director, Art Therapy Institute of the Redwoods "Joan Stanford is magical. Her work brings greater joy and passion into your life. And it brings healing. I know this first-hand, and am deeply grateful for both the woman and the gift that is her book, The Art of Play . Use this book to map the pathway to the intersection of play, passion, and purpose in your life. Happy adventures!" -Amanda Enayati, columnist and author of Seeking Serenity: The Ten New Rules for Health and Happiness in the Age of Anxiety”

“The Art of Play is an invitation to a surprise party celebrating your own creativity. Joan Stanford's whimsical and wise exercises will walk you through thresholds you've been waiting to cross. I recommend it wholeheartedly!”—Jan Phillips, author of Marry Your Muse, The Art of Original Thinking“The Art of Play does, as its subtitle invites: Ignite Your Imagination to Unlock Insight, Healing, and Joy. It is a delightful, creative, and warmly personal experience of art as a means of delving more deeply into the fullness of life and consciousness. Richly illustrated with Joan Stanford's own explorations through art, journaling, and poetry, exercises in creative play allow the reader to connect with the exuberance of the inner child, to give light to old wounds, and to examine the wondrous mysteries. It is a gift of sharing that encourages the seeker to rediscover innate creativity and ignite the connection to inner knowing.”—Cheryl Canfield, author of Profound Healing“The Art of Play is a gift to a world in desperate need of healing. A highly personal and moving portrayal of the inner life, it also leads us back to our own child spirit. Joan speaks the first language of all humans, the arts, with eloquence and grace. She turns darkness into light and helps us give voice to the truest and most beautiful within ourselves.”—Lucia Capacchione, PhD, ATR, REAT, Author of The Creative Journal and Recovery of Your Inner Child“The Art of Play is an inspiring example of the power of art to heal. The book is also a valuable tool for those desiring to utilize art making for self exploration and healing, offering learning, wisdom, and a fascinating journey to health and wholeness.”—Linda Chapman, MA. ATR-BC; Director, Art Therapy Institute of the Redwoods“Joan Stanford is magical. Her work brings greater joy and passion into your life. And it brings healing. I know this first-hand, and am deeply grateful for both the woman and the gift that is her book, The Art of Play. Use this book to map the pathway to the intersection of play, passion, and purpose in your life. Happy adventures!”—Amanda Enayati, columnist and author of Seeking Serenity: The Ten New Rules for Health and Happiness in the Age of Anxiety

Joan Stanford is a board-certified art therapist and full-time innkeeper who has been facilitating creativity groups for over twenty years encouraging people of all ages, especially non-artists, to expand their awareness through playing with art materials. She has been recognized with the Soroptimist “Making a Difference For Women” award for an art-based curriculum she co-created and taught in local schools. Her poems have been published and her art exhibited. She lives in Mendocino, California with her husband, and offers imagination playshops and creativity retreats at their inn and wellness center. Her website is

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.