Art for healing

My story...

Art has been a healing and comforting force that has helped me transcend the distress and periodic grimness of ill health.  Recently, I had a bad do in hospital, 10 days in ICU at times hovering between life and death. In the hovering, there are many many hours where its just you and your thoughts. When I was a bit more lucid, I would watch youtube videos - especially of watercolour artists, and they soothed me so much. They helped pass the hours and took my mind to a place of light, colour and joy. I especially loved videos by Kirsty Rice, her joy and playfulness were a tonic, and helped me reconnect with painting when I was home.

I discovered the magic of art about a decade ago; I was supporting a colleague who was leading an art and wellbeing project with people who had suffered from a range of traumas and mental health conditions. I went along to a session to help, and very quickly realised my colleague pretty much had it all covered, so I took a seat around the table and starting painting, obediently following instructions. And then some magic happened - I just loved it! As soon as I could, I bought some paint and canvasses, studied techniques, and making all the mistakes an amateur makes. But I loved every moment, and was often surprised at what seems to flow from an unknown place. 

Art has helped me so much, as I’ve experienced big physical and emotional challenges over the past few years. Painting has been an important part of my healing and spiritual development,

It feels like my artwork comes from some place deep within and beyond me that I can’t explain.  That tap has turned on and off over the years, and had felt stubbornly elusive. But I'm happy to say it's fully on now, and I'm happy to share it, if it brings comfort to anyone reading this.

So what is this about?

My intention is to share the healing power of art.

I'm not sure where this will lead, it may just be that I share images of my paintings on here,  or it may develop into something more, but it felt important to make a start.