While serving as a volunteer in a leading mental hospital I was horrified to see patients being routinely injected by Thorazine as they continued to stare into oblivion. I saw no signs of rehabilitation being offered to these unfortunate individuals who spent most of their time in isolation. I felt frustrated and disillusioned with the profession and the … [Read more...]
John Sabraw: Eco-Conscious Artist and Alchemist
Update: 2020 Since this article was originally published in 2015 much has happened. In an article about John Sabraw in Time.com, August, 2020, writer Arvind Dilwar wrote: "Sabraw’s idea inspired not only a line of his paintings but also a collaborative effort between artists, researchers and community organizers to turn Sunday Creek’s AMD into paint pigments via an … [Read more...]
Healing Art from the “HerStory” Exhibition
Manhattan Arts International presents an annual "HerStory" online exhibition of women artists from around the world. It features art in all styles, subjects and mediums. For more than 20 years I've had the pleasure of curating the show. In this presentation you will view healing art from a few of the "HerStory" exhibitions. The art you see here either addresses spiritual, … [Read more...]
Using Art to Help People With Autism
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences. There are many types of autism, caused by different combinations of genetic and environmental influences, and the symptoms and their severity vary widely. … [Read more...]
Meg Black’s Hospice Commission “How Paintings Tell A Story”
Meg Black, megblack.com, has been a practicing artist using fibrous pulp for over 30 years. As one of a handful of artists working in this exciting medium, she is something of a pioneer, internationally recognized by galleries and collectors alike. Her focus on nature and the environment yields stunning landscapes, seascapes, New England scenes and garden views. We are proud to … [Read more...]
Betsy Cole Finds Herself Again in Art
Betsy Cole is an artist who expresses her feelings in free-flowing colorful abstract paintings. She reminds us of the importance of letting go and states, "I meditate and there is no planning or thinking, no judgment and no expectations." After experiencing a series of traumas and challenges, she finally found the joy in art that she once knew as a child. In this article she … [Read more...]
The Art Memorial As Storyteller
The Memorial Tells the Story of Steven Sotloff’s Wish for Peace By Tracy Ellyn Throughout the history of art, memorials have always been both a reflection of their times and the power of the image to shape our remembrance. Ancient Egyptian memorials evoked not the pharaohs’ facial likenesses, but rather their impossibly larger-than-life power and strength via the imposing … [Read more...]
Barbara Rachko’s Life and Art After 9/11
Barbara Rachko, barbararachko.art, is an internationally exhibited American contemporary artist best known for her pastel-on-sandpaper paintings that are inspired by Mexican and Guatemalan cultural objects. She is also the author of “From Pilot to Painter,” (available on Amazon.com), and maintains a popular art blog “Barbara Rachko’s Colored Dust” which has more than 28,000 … [Read more...]
The Zen Tov Project: An Oasis of Healing Through the Arts
Tracy Ellyn is an internationally acclaimed artist who lives in Miami, Florida. She works in layers of 19th, 20th and 21st century techniques, often all within one piece. Her website is tracyellyn.com. Her art work has been exhibited at The Louvre, SCOPE/Art Basel, The Jewish Museum of Florida, Wynwood, and other venues around the world. She is also the founder and director of … [Read more...]
An Experience With Digital Art in Pain and Illness Management
By Dr. Shanali Perera MBBS, MRCP Editor's note: A few days ago Dr. Shanali Perera shanaliperera.wixsite.com/digitalart from the U.K. sent me an email and expressed her interest in sharing her story with The Healing Power of ART community. It's a pleasure to present her article "My Experience With Digital Art in Pain and Illness Management". Dr. Perera's message is personal and … [Read more...]
The Rewards of Being An Art Therapist
In this article by artist Christine Jolly we gain tremendous insight about the rewards of being an art therapist and about the many benefits art therapy brings to people of all ages. Christine obtained her diploma as an art therapist from the medical university of Lille and the Tours School of Art Therapy (AFRATRAPEM) and has cared for individuals and groups of … [Read more...]
Let’s Keep Our Hopes Up
An Inspirational Message from Ober-Rae Starr Livingstone When you visit the website of artist Ober-Rae Starr Livingstone, ober-rae.com, you are greeted with breathtaking paintings that lift you to a place of bliss and serenity. You will also find his equally inspirational words on his website and his social media messages. He extends a hand overflowing with hope, peace, love … [Read more...]
Anniversary Celebration for The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS
In 2018 The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS celebrated the beginning of its Third Anniversary with "Anniversary Celebration 2018", an exhibition that featured more than 80 artists from around the world. This online exhibition ran from February 15, 2018-August 24, 2018. Shown above is a sampling of the extraordinary art on view during the show. ABOUT US: We are a … [Read more...]
The Healthcare Art Market Needs Art
If you're an artist who creates art with positive images you may be interested in selling your art in the ever growing Healthcare Art Market. Art is being installed in wellness centers, medical facilities, general hospitals, pediatric medical spaces, senior residences, acute care hospitals, surgery centers, medical office buildings, physicians’ offices, rehabilitation centers, … [Read more...]
It’s Never Too Late to Become An Artist
Mary Mirabal, www.marymirabalart.com, is an artist from Tampa, Florida, who transformed her life when she began painting after spending 30 years in Corporate America. She paints exuberant contemporary abstract expressionist works of art that have been shown in many exhibitions including those at the Tampa Museum of Art. The artist also has a "Mary Mirabal Art VIP Circle" on … [Read more...]
Art Exhibition “Beyond Borders: Stories of im/Migration”
Beyond Borders: Stories of im/Migration is a powerful and timely group exhibition that runs through April 6, 2018, at Santa Clara University, Edward M. Dowd Art and Art History Building Gallery, 755 Franklin Street, Santa Clara, California. It has been organized by the curatorial team of Gutfreund Cornett Art. Karen Gutfreund and Sherri Cornett are Curator/Exhibition Directors, … [Read more...]
Nancy Calef’s Healing “Peoplescapes”
Nancy Calef creates highly dimensional and powerful mixed media paintings titled "Peoplescapes", that incorporate sculpture and found objects and her “plane slashing” technique. They confront a range of social, political and spiritual issues and have been exhibited widely throughout California. She is also the author of Peoplescapes -- My Story From Purging To Painting (Babu … [Read more...]
Mark Allen Finds Comfort in Drawing “Proper Mental Attitude”
Mark Allen's humorous and cynical cartoon series titled "Proper Mental Attitude", came out of a need to create something positive while his older son succumbed to cancer. During their grieving process, he and his wife Donna found insight in the realization, "We can live until we die or we can die until we die." His works of art remind us that “nobody gets out of this life … [Read more...]