Making Art for a Friend

I have found that when someone I call a friend asks me to paint for them I get very happy. There are several reasons for this, one, sometimes us artists want to paint but are at a loss for WHAT to paint, so when a friend brings you a subject, it is a gift. Two, I like to paint. It is fun, relaxing, it recharges my battery and takes me out of this world and into another and three, sometimes giving a person whether a friend or acquaintance, something that you created is just the right thing to do. Recently a veteran asked me if I would do a painting for him of he and his grandson. I was brought up to respect our military so saying no was not an option, however, I love to paint anyway and in this case, I had to paint a horse and people, two of my more challenging subject matter, so I thought of it as more practice and a chance to play as well as a gift to someone who most certainly deserves it. I have been having more fun, experimenting with loosening up my brush strokes and creating marks that represent an eye or a nose or an arm than actually trying to paint an exact replica of those subjects. This is where art meets creative self care or complementary care. when I paint I lower my stress levels, I heighten my awareness of my need for play, and I lower my blood pressure and respiration levels. When I give the art away, I notice, in most cases, it does the same thing for those who are receiving the art work. Creating a work of art, a piece of music a poem or a play for another person is cathartic. As children we create drawings and clay ash trays and paper mache animals for our loved ones. It gives us a sense of pride and brings a smile to the face of the one who receives it. How sad it is that we get away from this practice as we get older. This is what Art in Healthcare is all about. Bringing back into ones life a sense of control, balance, community and peace. I encourage everyone to get back to their hobby, whatever that may be. Take a photography class, paint, keep a journal, join a theatre group or just doodle on a piece of paper while you are having your morning coffee.This will go a long way into bringing your life back to a more balanced place. When you are done creating, always remember to give your creation away! There will always be someone around that needs to smile or just needs to know that you were thinking about them!

(These are works in progress and not finished pieces)

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Shands Arts In Medicine Program

I am looking forward to the UF Arts In Medicine Professional Intensive Next week.

I am honored to be working with the best AIM Directors in the country at a State of the Art facility.

 

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I actually love these creative practice blogs because they force me to focus on my own self~care when it comes to the creative process! It also helps me to come up with ideas for my Art in Healthcare groups and in some cases, allows me to participate along side the great groups of individuals that I am working with! BUT, for today, my creative practice was all about me (sort of). I made a conscious effort today to snuff the domestic duties and take advantage of the Open Painting session at the Beach Art Center. I actually had to drive an hour away to paint in a fun environment with people that I enjoy creating with. When I walked in the room I was given a 5×7 canvas. This canvas was to be used to create a painting that will be auctioned off by the local Rotary Club  to help school children and art programs. The only requirement…….no glitter. For an hour and a half I enjoyed putting brush to canvas. I didn’t really care about what the subject matter was, I just had a great time enjoying the company of other artists, manipulating the paint and creating something that will benefit someone else in the community. I forgot how much fun it is to paint in a group for no other reason than to “make special” (Dissanayake,1988). Art is really about the journey and today the journey was well worth it.

On a side note, it must be the rebel artist in me, but I really want to paint something with glitter now!

The Rooster 5×7 acrylic on canvas

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Merry Christmas!

This past week I had the pleasure of working with my friends at the Neighborly Care Network Day Care Center and we explored Christmases past, why it is so darn hot in Florida and shared many memories, wether we remembered them or made them up, of family and friends. Working with our senior community is a huge blessing! If you are ever looking for a great place to volunteer, please consider working with our seniors. You, as am I, will be richly rewarded with history lessons about our great nation, how to make a perfect pie crust and what it was like to be a fighter pilot or nurse in a past war. The learning never stops!

This week we went walking in a winter wonderland! I am always amazed at how wonderful my students are and how talented they have become in the visual arts. It is remarkable that over the past 7 years, most of these individuals never held a paint brush in their hand let alone painted a winter scene. They have become real artists, mixing paint, developing their own style and working feverishly from beginning to end with personal goals for their finished work. I am proud to be able to work with them.

Below is their finished work with a big surprise from one of the students who also painted a second still life. (He was holding out on me!) Enjoy the holiday season and the beautiful artwork from the Neighborly Care Network “Artist Guild”.

Collage Self Portrait/Creative Practice

This started off as a self portrait collage….It still is, but with a little bit of a “vision board” thrown in. I began the exercise with wanting to go with a theme of fall colors, it’s my favorite season and brings with it most of my favorite colors, but as I printed off photos and cut out magazine clippings it turned into a trip down memory lane with a small glimpse into my future…
I enjoyed the exercise but I was a bit tired after I was done. This would lead me to believe that while it may be a good creative practice for someone confined to a bed, it may have to be done over a few days or in stages. I have done a creative practice like this with my adult day care clients at Neighborly and it was well received. I did break it down into a few days when I was working with them.

first stage

second stage

finished product