Hello, I'm Andrea Robin (she/her). I'm a learning designer and artist in Vancouver, Canada, located on the traditional, ancestral, unceded, and occupied territory of the Coast Salish peoples including the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (Hunkameanumn) speaking xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. I'm exploring the intersection of art, science, and healing. Through Therapeutic Studio, I document my self-directed journey into art therapy, creative health, and neuroarts, sharing insights and discoveries as I progress.

My foundation in fine arts and learning design offers a unique lens for this exploration. As a figurative painter with a BFA from Emily Carr University (ECU), I've long examined how art reflects and influences our internal experiences. 

During seven years as one of ECU's studio technicians, working with over 10,000 students in various creative spaces, I observed firsthand how artistic practice can facilitate personal growth and transformation. This experience revealed something crucial: creative expression offers unique pathways for understanding and healing.

I believe learning itself is a creative act. Just as an artist approaches a canvas with both intention and openness to discovery, I approach this field with structured curiosity. My professional background in learning design helps me organize and share knowledge effectively, while my artistic practice informs my understanding of creative processes in therapeutic contexts.

Therapeutic Studio documents my systematic investigation of:

• Theoretical foundations of art therapy
• Connections between neurobiology and artistic expression
• Evidence-based approaches to creative health
• Applications of therapeutic art practices

As I progress in this learning journey, I share:

• Documented case studies from my therapeutic art portfolio
• Step-by-step arts-based exercises you can try
• Research insights into creative health and neuroarts
• Reflections on my ongoing learning journey

While I bring significant experience in fine arts and learning design to this exploration, I'm not a certified art therapist. This space represents my dedicated journey toward understanding the therapeutic applications of creative practice, informed by careful research and practical exploration.

Through this site, I invite you to learn alongside me as I explore these fascinating intersections in art, science, and healing.

Note: The content shared on this site documents a personal learning journey and should not be considered medical advice or a substitute for professional therapeutic services.