Arts For Healing

Right after my accident, I started teaching again for the Arts For Healing Program at the John P. Murtha center. This is my third year and each time working with this group of people is such a great reminder of the Good People there are in this world. This program provides an opportunity for people with various illnesses and levels of pain to come together for an afternoon each week to paint, draw, laugh and simply forget about their pain. The love and true friendship that permeates this room is almost visible to the eye.

This week we began our class with a simple writing assignment. The poems below are from each of the participants.

Love
Friendship, Trust
Giving, Forgiving, Honoring
Never having to be sorry
Honor

Paint
Color, Freedom
Flowing, Glowing, Moving
My canvas explodes with beauty
Release

Love
Sharing, Giving, Laughing
Forever and ever together
Dream

Beach
Blue, Yellow
Sweating, Running, Splashing
The sand around my feet
Life

Faith
Trust, Innocence
Believing, Praying, Chanting
It is what it is
Hope

Winter
Snowy, Icy
Playing, Shoveling, Blowing
Warm by the fire place
White

Life
Hard, Worry
Wondering, Promising, Beginning
I have a great family
Spirit

Art
Talent, Colorful
Relaxing, Healing, Feeling
Your innermost feelings and thoughts
Draw

Baseball
Running, Sliding, Throwing
Kiss it good bye
Bob Prale

Jesus
Savior, Healer
Praying, Believing, Hoping
Died on cross for our sins
Love

Birds
Feather, Alive
Flying, Singing, Eating
Joyful in the air
Trust

Love
Respect, Honor
Talking, Walking, Listening
It makes our lives one
Endless

Vacation
Unscheduled, Unhurried
Relaxing, Refreshing, Renewing
A time to unwind
Retreat

Watercolor
Warm, Cool
Creating, Revealing, Refreshing
Somewhere over the rainbow
Reflection

Smile
Contagious, Happy
Laughing, Loving, Caring
Good for the soul
Open

New Impressionist Piece IRISES

This started out as a tough summer for me. After a horseback riding fall, I thought I had simply dislocated the right thumb. Unfortunately, that was not the case and I have had surgery on that thumb to reattach the torn ligament and also have suffered some nerve damage in the thumb. I am now in a cast for the next four weeks and very frustrated with what I can and cannot do.

The good news is that I can paint with my left hand...news to me! The Iris painting is a large one and 95% of this piece was painted with my left hand. I have a few finishing touches but for right now, I am leaving it alone for a day or two. I hope people like this one!