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In our Arts for Healing program, it is always a joy for me to see and hear the response of the participants. For me, a job well done is not only personal satisfaction but also the resounding positive response from the group. There is no telling when there might be an interaction in the group that changes the perspective or attitude of someone in the group. Today my goal was to ask the simple question:
“Why do you come here and keep returning?” For many of these participants, this is not their first Arts for Healing program nor would I expect it would be their last. I conducted informal one on one interviews with each person who attended today’s class. Here are some of those responses:
Rita- “this is giving me the opportunity to tap into the artistic side of the brain….it puts you into another world and allows for time to relax and interact with others.”
Nancy- “The time goes so fast and it is quality time I give to myself! You have to nurture yourself first.”
Janet- “Before I got married and sick, I did a lot of art…..when I am doing artwork I am actually feeding myself, something I neglected to do after I got sick. Being a mom, I did not want anyone to suffer when I was not feeling well. It’s nice to use energy for myself in this class. I start to feel like I did before I got sick.”
Becky- “I love coming on Mondays just to get out of the house, away from the kids and my husband. It helps to take your mind off your illness…..this is a place to socialize and meet new friends. I enjoy making artwork and it has helped me to discover that I am an artist.”
Ron- “I enjoy people. People are my life. Most of all, I like kids the best. This class takes away the loneliness in my life. After losing my wife, it was even more important for me to be around people. I improve my own life by being here.”
Vicki: “I come to enjoy and learn. How am I going to experience things if I don’t take classes? My husband wants me to take this class because he knows I need this. I enjoy a challenge.”
Jody- “I enjoy the class. There are certain things I would like to do. Some of the things look easy for people and for me they can be difficult. I am left handed and I find that challenging in a world made mostly for right handed people. I don’t give up trying.”
David- “Previous classes provide a bond, it is like a family here. We laugh and cry together. It is a place to catch up with each other. In each class there is time to form a bond. We judge ourselves but other people don’t judge us here.”
Rose Marie- “God’s creation
Beautiful sunflower
Gorgeous butterfly
Look all around you
What has been made
He alone created all”
Cindy- “I keep coming here. The pain has not gone away. When I am here, I don’t feel the pain as much. I can take this home with me. Sometimes rather than taking another pain pill, I can pick up my brush and do some artwork. We are a family. Going to my support group is good, but this is better. Because here…I am Cindy. In my support group I am Cindy with MS. I’d rather be just Cindy.”
Loretta- “It makes me realize that there is more in my life than just pain.”
Monday, November 2, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Oh Sunny Day
So after some horrendous early winter weather....we had some much needed Sunshine today:) What I loved best about class today was how helpful and kind everyone is in this class. Everyone chips in to help and take care of each other. There is a very positive and giving attitude that prevails.
Chris showed me two cinquaine poems that I thought would be nice to share on the blog:
People
nurture, evolve
caring, loving, growing
people help serve others
vessels
Water
cool, refreshing
cleansing, soothing, quenching
water nourishes body and soul
life
Chris showed me two cinquaine poems that I thought would be nice to share on the blog:
People
nurture, evolve
caring, loving, growing
people help serve others
vessels
Water
cool, refreshing
cleansing, soothing, quenching
water nourishes body and soul
life
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Challenging Hope
With the beginning of winter and a damp fall that hinders the spirit; this is always a rough time of year for our family. Each day in October serves as a reminder and a heavy pressure that is coming into the 13th year, the death and loss of Julie. Some years, it seems like a tender wound freshly made while other times it is as if an indefinite amount of time has passed. Clear dreams remind me of how she looked, laughed and cried. Daylight hours she fades from my sight like a wisp of fog. Whether or not we realize or not, her spirit held our family together and sometimes tears us apart. The challenges of hope are knowing that she is safe and like my father reminding us occasionally to "keep the faith."
In my class at the John P Murtha Center for Pain, I can see the tangible signs of faith and hope. The challenges faced within this group are various illnesses that in and of themselves would prove dauntless. Take those challenges and multiply them by 20 or so and yet when you come into the room there is no disheartening spirit. Our Fear baskets are not always full in this room, but our Dream baskets always have a few attainable goals that might seem simple to an outsider. The biggest point to recall is that we are all Alive, able to make choices and that we also have made it through another day.
Do I wish that Julie would have chosen differently......? I have never waivered in my response to my own challenge of hope....she would have found people in this room that she could have connected with in joy and pain. I cannot help but feel that there are times she joins us in the room and vibrates some hope and love in our direction. I hope she can continue to guide me to offer art and hope to this group.
In my class at the John P Murtha Center for Pain, I can see the tangible signs of faith and hope. The challenges faced within this group are various illnesses that in and of themselves would prove dauntless. Take those challenges and multiply them by 20 or so and yet when you come into the room there is no disheartening spirit. Our Fear baskets are not always full in this room, but our Dream baskets always have a few attainable goals that might seem simple to an outsider. The biggest point to recall is that we are all Alive, able to make choices and that we also have made it through another day.
Do I wish that Julie would have chosen differently......? I have never waivered in my response to my own challenge of hope....she would have found people in this room that she could have connected with in joy and pain. I cannot help but feel that there are times she joins us in the room and vibrates some hope and love in our direction. I hope she can continue to guide me to offer art and hope to this group.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Windy Monday
Aside from windy weather, we had a very full class today. Moving chairs and tables around allowed for three more artists to join our group. How nice it is to welcome more into our Arts for Healing program. Today, I did a quick demonstration using saran wrap and kosher salt techniques. Further discussion brought about the use of a water spray bottle and possible use of mask to hold white areas.
Next week we will come up with a working title for the book and possible ideas on writing and claiming it as our own:) Everyone's input will prove to be valuable and with our new camera in hand, we will be able to put together a great book to showcase our work.
Next week we will come up with a working title for the book and possible ideas on writing and claiming it as our own:) Everyone's input will prove to be valuable and with our new camera in hand, we will be able to put together a great book to showcase our work.
Monday, October 5, 2009
First Monday in October
Our class met today and everyone was a busy, busy painter! Today, students were encouraged to make a sketch, transfer their drawing and learn a little bit about mixing color. Their trays hold primary colors only with warm and cool blues and reds. Smaller pieces of watercolor paper served as experimental areas to try out brush strokes and prospective colors.
My favorite part of the day is when someone, anyone has success with their piece. Also, the unbounded enthusiasm of the class allows for banter and play and true companionship. This is a lovely group of people who can shed their pains and isolation at the door and find friendship and a learning experience.
I am always grateful to be able to teach this class. The response for this class has been wonderful to see. I hope they will continue to attend.
My favorite part of the day is when someone, anyone has success with their piece. Also, the unbounded enthusiasm of the class allows for banter and play and true companionship. This is a lovely group of people who can shed their pains and isolation at the door and find friendship and a learning experience.
I am always grateful to be able to teach this class. The response for this class has been wonderful to see. I hope they will continue to attend.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Rainy Monday
It is a rainy day in Johnstown but the weather did not subdue the exuberant mood of our class. Welcome hugs greet all of us to our second day of the residency. It is as if we can shed our troubles at the door and for three hours enjoy a day of laughter, art lessons and companionship. We are a family for those hours and like any family banter back and forth and make friends.
Today the main point was to go over the basics of color, composition and design. I spent time at the board confirming basic knowledge about Primary Colors, Secondary and Complimentary Colors. We also worked a little on our writing by composing our own simple Cinquain Poems! Some simple watercolor techniques using wet and dry brush were facilitated. Students learned how to mix colors on paper and palette. Our goal is the process of creating our own works as well as a final result of putting together a group book.
Next week, students will work on their own designs and I will teach them the use of kosher salt and saran wrap as effects in watercolor. It was a good day and I hope to continue in this vein to help build confidence in the artistic abilities of my group.
Today the main point was to go over the basics of color, composition and design. I spent time at the board confirming basic knowledge about Primary Colors, Secondary and Complimentary Colors. We also worked a little on our writing by composing our own simple Cinquain Poems! Some simple watercolor techniques using wet and dry brush were facilitated. Students learned how to mix colors on paper and palette. Our goal is the process of creating our own works as well as a final result of putting together a group book.
Next week, students will work on their own designs and I will teach them the use of kosher salt and saran wrap as effects in watercolor. It was a good day and I hope to continue in this vein to help build confidence in the artistic abilities of my group.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Arts For Healing
I am thrilled to start another residency at The John P. Murtha Center Neurological and Pain Center. Today is September 21, 2009 and I will be teaching a watercolor and writing workshop for the next 9 Mondays. In our first meeting today, I met an intriguing blend of adults with various illnesses. Most at least suffer from chronic pain and yet find the fortitude and need to attend the Arts for Healing workshops offered by the center.
Our class will consist of over 20 participants with one of the group goals to create a "book" with paintings and writings with each participant having one page for their individual work. It will be one of my jobs to put the book together....BIG learning curve for me and I am excited at the prospect!
Today, I bought two different colored baskets so everyone could write a FEAR or DREAM....I was thrilled to find the DREAM basket full and only four in the FEAR basket. Here is what I found in the DREAM basket.
To provide for my wife the way she deserves (by being the voice of the Pirates)
To be healthy enough to take care of my grandson starting in November
To be successful enough to be able to focus on helping others
A home built of the pines and rocks on my land, my trailer home is not in great shape and much repair is needed. I dream that one day that I could build a home there.
I want to own a house in Cape Cod. I hope my children grow healthy and strong and come to visit me and my husband there. I want to work.
Better food choices and portion control
I would like to marry Bono in Washington as my nephew worked there some day
Mealtime always comes
My physical and mental pain will go away
Relive last 30 years
Learn all of the arts, it is also fun what you do good or bad
I have a dream to do some thing or make some one happy or help them every day
I would like to write novels successfully
A job I love that will help others
Becoming a writer
Write my parents life story
Happiness
Fly a helicopter
If I win the lottery, I'll give at least a portion of it to our church...to have our own independence and to get a car
Our class will consist of over 20 participants with one of the group goals to create a "book" with paintings and writings with each participant having one page for their individual work. It will be one of my jobs to put the book together....BIG learning curve for me and I am excited at the prospect!
Today, I bought two different colored baskets so everyone could write a FEAR or DREAM....I was thrilled to find the DREAM basket full and only four in the FEAR basket. Here is what I found in the DREAM basket.
To provide for my wife the way she deserves (by being the voice of the Pirates)
To be healthy enough to take care of my grandson starting in November
To be successful enough to be able to focus on helping others
A home built of the pines and rocks on my land, my trailer home is not in great shape and much repair is needed. I dream that one day that I could build a home there.
I want to own a house in Cape Cod. I hope my children grow healthy and strong and come to visit me and my husband there. I want to work.
Better food choices and portion control
I would like to marry Bono in Washington as my nephew worked there some day
Mealtime always comes
My physical and mental pain will go away
Relive last 30 years
Learn all of the arts, it is also fun what you do good or bad
I have a dream to do some thing or make some one happy or help them every day
I would like to write novels successfully
A job I love that will help others
Becoming a writer
Write my parents life story
Happiness
Fly a helicopter
If I win the lottery, I'll give at least a portion of it to our church...to have our own independence and to get a car
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