FEATURED MEMBERS

Acrylic paint on canvas. 2017.

“Mākua valley, located on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, was a vital docking point for canoes in ancient Hawaiʻi, and opened to vital fishing grounds. It was and is still a sacred place for Native Hawaiians. Sadly, during WWII, Mākua valley was (and continues to be) occupied by the U.S. military as an ordnance testing site. The destruction of Mākua valley left ancient temples, fishing shrines and wildlife desecrated. Though the military has not conducted live-fire exercises in Mākua valley since 2004, the valley remains full of unexploded ordnances.

As an art therapist, I hope to act as the mountains that protect and surround a valley; providing a space for safety, acceptance, nourishment, and growth. Like the clients I work with, Mākua survived extensive trauma yet it still stands and continues to flourish today.”

Alcohol ink and metallic pen. 2018.

Mixed media.

“This is a response piece to the continued frustrations dealing with my patients suffering with the broken shelter system. More and more people are coming in dealing with homelessness, and, as a therapist, it is hard not to feel powerless at times. I painted with acrylics, dispelling some frustration and finding it unfinished, found the collage piece that seemed to contain all that energy.”

2018. Acrylic on canvas.

“I started sketching people in public places as a way to pass the time and liven up an otherwise dull commute. What I found was that I developed a remote sense of intimacy with each subject. Public transportation is an odd space in that we all share it, but try our best to interact with others as little as possible.

This scene comprises several sketches from my commute over months. I sketched some of the individuals for almost a full commute, while others were only on the train for a few stops. Even though I do not know anything about any of these people, as I reviewed my sketches and translated them to the canvas, I felt as if I was painting the portraits of long forgotten friends.”

From nursing home portrait series. Pastel on paper. 2004.

“As an artist, my creativity is my voice. It sustains me mentally and emotionally in my best and worst moments. Growing up and in my adulthood, I often find art is my free space in life where I can recharge and gain self-awareness, have a window into myself where I choose to be at ease or be challenged, but ultimately art making for me is a place of change to use to connect with others.”

February 2018. Tissue paper, water-soluble oil pastels, yarn, and cardboard.

Mixed media. January 2019.

“This watercolor was created during a demo for one of my art groups.  The technique we used incorporated wet on wet watercolor painting and plastic wrap.  This technique allows for the beautiful blending of colors while also making space for the emergence of the unintentional and often surprising shapes, marks and patterns left by the lifting of the paint by the plastic wrap.

In a sense, this process invites us to be completely present and intentional while also letting go of control and trusting in the power of the creative process to reveal to us it’s beauty and meaning.  I find that the approach required to complete this project is a wonderful metaphor for approaching life in general: maintaining presence in the face of the unknown and trusting in the outcome.”

Acrylic Painting.

“The sun represents the overpowering pressure of opposition.  Notice the arms and body postures for some individuals in the painting as they enter the struggle.  One individual is about to overcome and in the process begins to sink into the earth.  Another individual notices the person sinking and prepares to help the individual from sinking deeper.

Each individual in the picture represents many individuals who will one day overcome their struggles, but the impact leaves a sting that changes their view.  A view of how they see themselves and the world around them for they will never be the same.”

2016.  Mixed media/watercolor.

“I’m able to create art fairly frequently. Most often I use a mixed media technique that I call reverse coloring.  The first layer is wet-on-wet watercolor that, when dry, can serve as the basis for a design.  It can be as simple as outlining the gradations of colors to create an abstract design – a doodle that results from the outlining of colors instead of coloring in the lines.”

2011.  Oil painting.

“As an artist, one of my favorite things to do is to create self-portraits.  It’s interesting to see how my style and interpretation of myself change over the course of time.  Progression is such an integral part of therapy, so creating art about me helps me as a therapist and challenges me to think about what clients might feel if presented with a similar directive.”

2018.  Acrylic on canvas.

2017.  Mixed media.

“I am partial to collage and mixed media because I utilize these materials so often with my clients. “The Tractor” allowed me to revisit a childhood memory and to reframe it in a more self-empowering way.

The smallness of the tin has a secret treasure-feel about it. The altered tin holds my reconstructed memory safely…and tenderly.”

January 2019.  Acrylic and graphite on paper.

“This art piece was made during our first Focus Group on Maggie and as I was trying to keep all the pieces together, facilitate the group, and not freak out about the things that had gone wrong before people showed u., I could see the image of hands appearing around the chaos. I immediately brought them out more with color and felt like I was being held by the strong, capable hands of my Creator and I could rest.”

2014.

December 2018. Watercolor.

“In recent years I’ve gravitated towards watercolor painting as a mindful self-care practice. I find that focusing on the way the colors mix together and flow across the paper keeps me grounded in the present moment. I enjoy letting go of expectations and seeing what unfolds.”

2015. Oil paint.

“In honor of Edgar Degas. The serenity and peacefulness of the ocean is balanced with the incoming storm cloud. This piece was part of a juried art show, ‘Up Jumped Spring’ hosted by New Rochelle Council on the Arts in 2017.”

2017. Watercolor.

January 2019. Double-Exposed Kodak Gold 200 film.

March 2018.

“A painting of my daughter taking a drink of water on a hot day.”

2016. Watercolor.

“I realize as I look at this now, that to people on the West Coast, ‘Comfort’ may not be their title of choice for this watercolor.  However, this painting began as random colors being dripped into a circle. As the colors ran together, a tree began to emerge, and I elaborated on that.  I see it as a Yin and Yang balance of intensity and coolness, passion and peacefulness, destruction and growth.  That opposites can coexist in the same space brings me comfort.”

January 2018. Acrylic paint.

May 2018. Acrylic paint.

2017. Mixed media collage on canvas.

May 2018. Graphic design.

2016. Oil on canvas.

“This is a painting of me and my rainbow baby boy, Jens.  It was a sweet moment between a mother and infant that I needed to preserve. He is our son who was born after losing our first baby, Henry and after 2 other miscarriages.  I think this image also captures the essence of the reasons I started my business.”

October 2018. Chalk pastel on watercolor paper.

“This piece is the most recent process piece I have created after a particularly difficult and fulfilling session with a client. My process pieces always begin as a mark that I then continue morph into what it needs to become.

In this piece specifically I feel like it’s an illustration of the battle between current self and the development of one’s true authentic self — embracing all the strengths and pieces we wish to forget and avoid to accept who we will become. I do not feel this is a self-portrait but rather the perspective of witnessing a client move through this process. Sometimes I find that being the therapist can be most difficult and rewarding when you’re watching someone put together their own pieces.”

2018. Acrylic paint and screen print on paper.

“As a veteran, my work sometimes takes on a military focus. This piece depicts a former soldier who did not survive but is now protecting those currently serving. Veterans look out for each other and I image this continues to happen even after someone has passed.”

2011. Acrylic paint on canvas.

“I created this painting to commemorate the 25th anniversary of my mother’s passing and my own recovery from Breast Cancer. It evokes feeling in me of love, warmth, safety and innocence.”

2016. Color photograph.

July 2018. Watercolor and Acrylic Paints.

“This artwork was born out of a new path that I was beginning by branching out into some private practice work, something I had been wanting to do for years but the right opportunity had not presented itself until now.  I decided to make a mandala and used Stage 3 to reflect the labyrinth/path that I was starting myself on with this new venture.  The changing colors of the spiral pathway reflect both a color pathway guided imagery that I use for relaxation with patients as well as showing how things merge and morph as we go along our journey.  There are always changes as we move forward, but they aren’t always sudden; they segue into each other in ways that can be a gradual transition, showing how various things from the past can all come together to bring you into the place where you are presently.”

2015. Graphite and pencil on watercolor paper.

December 2009. Oil paint.

May 2018. Cardboard and Soda Tabs.

“Art is a way for me to disconnect from reality momentarily and reconnect to myself. I create art to gain insight about experiences, such as trauma, that are challenging to articulate. The type of skills to make this armor promote an attention to detail, patience, and fine motor abilities. I enjoy tedious sequences like beading and repetition. My armor is a symbolic representation of my experience as a training art therapist.

Practicing Western therapeutic perspectives that contradict my Indigenous values felt like I was challenging what was being taught. Once social justice counseling was introduced at my internship site, I fell in love with being an advocate or social justice warrior. The fiery anger that manifests inside me from unjust historical events makes communicating conflict difficult. I want to continue to practice choosing my battles and strengthen my ability to cope with unfair situations. I also want to incorporate action for change as an art activist. This armor is a reminder to stay true to my values as an American Indian, as a social justice advocate, and as a therapist.”

2016. Acrylic paint and mixed media.

“It reflects the busy, mysterious and ever changing world we live in.”

Friends and colleagues who have gathered to support Marty have used this art piece to illustrate her current journey and created a Facebook group.

August 2018. Linocut.

Soft pastel.

December 2017. Mixed media fiber.

“ As an art therapist/practitioner my work involves holding space for those who need a sense of safety. As an art activist my works represent my belief in the power containers have in creating a welcoming environment for upholding another’s dignity and humanity. My art studio can serve as a therapeutic container for art creation. However, art making by itself is not the only thing to consider; my container (present, compassionate self) must be able to hold the space.

Each new day we cope with the realities of life which surround us including threats that attempt to disrupt our container’s balance. Tragically, those who have experienced trauma live in a state of unresolved pain unable to recognize the damage to their container. The pieces here present the viewer with real-life issues depicted in a comical, whimsical way. How do we see ourselves resolving imbalance? How do we hold space for ourselves or others?”

May 2018. Watercolor & Ink.

” In my response, Witnessing the Wash Cycle, clotheslines evoke a time in the past, when things were simpler. A machine was not necessary to dry our clothes, for the wind from Mother Nature provided the movement to naturally dry and freshen. The very act of taking dirty clothes and making them “new” again, metaphorically describes the unspoken action of art in therapy; for, each blemish, smell, and stain can be washed anew as client and therapist work the load.

As a clothes-timeline, each article depicts my earliest infant blanket; white towels as I become myself in my young adult skin; and then concrete ideals are challenged again as I unite with my path to becoming an art therapist.  My shadow side falls to the ground but necessarily balances the needed oppositions to propel my current growth. The skies and winds of change harken in a new skin. Again, I fall back into my wash cycle, using art as therapy, dropping into my basket, the muddy laundry of past transgressions, forgiveness needs, familial balances, and societal concerns.  I accept that dirty laundry never ends, but is my process of continual self-renewal, an opportunity to start again.  Seeing the totality of life, a simple clothesline prepares for rejuvenation and dreams of a new day in my practice of art therapy.”

Water-soluble oil pastels and water color pencils.

“My creative process has transformed since I became an art therapist. It is much more process-oriented as well as self-exploratory. My work is more abstract now. Continual transformation and presence with ambiguity emerge frequently. Before coming into this field, my work was figurative. I am interested in exploring archetypal themes in future work”

December 2017. Acrylic on canvas.

“Inspired by Bruce Perry’s writings about attachment and trauma. This is an image of my mother holding me as a baby.”

2015. Ink Pen on Paper.

“It’s about the process not the product.”

Sugar, food coloring.

“An exploration of normalizing a psychological fetish”

Sugar, food coloring.

“An exploration of normalizing a psychological fetish”

2015. Oil and acrylic paint and oil pastel on canvas.

“My artistic works explore a parallel connection within individuals and their eclectic existence.  My work is developed through ‘The still not language of an idea’  that for me are all my thoughts in the form of sketches, sketches that are learning to have a defined voice, strength and power to be an incredible painting.  I believe that everything and anything can become a source of inspiration and creation.  Ugliness has its beauty and poverty its wealth.  The uneducated have education, the unloved have love, and the unhappy can claim happiness.

Through a personal dialogue between my emotions, experiences and points of view of the world, I explore transcendence and invite my audience to experience a moment of wonder. I encourage viewers to observe, question and ingest a sublime light of love, but above all to explore self-understanding and the virtues of oneself by presenting their own responses and projections through my conceptual images, brushstrokes, textures and colors that are created in my artwork.”