
This is something Alexandra J Walters calls Self-Guided Art Therapy, and you can see all kinds of examples of it at her blog of the same name.

This is just one of the many amazing pieces Alexandra has shared there. Each one has meaning. Each one has its own story that work together to tell Alex's story, whether it is a military themed piece like the above, or an ode to and everyday object like the spoon below.

I could try to tell you more about her and what motivates her, but Penny Nickels recent interview with her is probably the best way to gain that insight.
If you have ever dabbled in self-guided art therapy and would like to share your work in a supportive environment, I definitely recommend checking out Alexandra's blog for details on how to submit a project. You'll be glad you did.