Editor's Note from Karen Adler: This short video illustrates the power of art to assist military familes whose sons and brothers have committed suicide, to illustrate and thereby come to grips with their grief. The film highlights the different ways in which grief is felt and symbolised. The tone is one of great sadness and loss but is also tinged with hope.

Arts & Art Therapy

by Ellen Joseph

Expansive, peaceful views of nature, with calm waters and verdant trees and colorful flowers, are some of the most psychologically beneficial images for patients who are recovering from surgery, according to the findings of Roger S. Ulrich, PhD, Director of The Center for Health Design. Dr. Ulrich's research proved that such positive scenes of nature can substantially improve patient outcomes...

Editor's Note: Using evidence-based design, artist Ellen Joseph combines research and art to produce paintings and murals that reduce the negative emotional and physiological effects of stress.

Arts & Art Therapy

Editor's Note from Marie' Sakai: Uplifting sunset pictures to remind you of your artistic endeavors, your hopes, and dreams. Beautiful photographs with soothing music for the spirit and heart.

Arts & Art Therapy

Curator's Statement from Marie' Sakai: The power of Cynthia Rose Young's paintings will invigorate your soul. Using sacred geometry and the illumination of light, these paintings will speak volumes to your soul. In its artistic aesthetics, her spacial depth of a deeper understanding that goes beyond the veil, heightens the subtleties of her midtone range in her paintings, which contrasts strikingly with the white light. Etheric and volumetric, her work shines as a beacon of the Divine in all its symbolism and gestures of her nuances in communing with The Spiritus- the breath of spirit.

Ascent of the Light
Oil on Linen,  30x40

Arts & Art Therapy

Editor's Note from Karen Adler: This film highlights the use of art as a therapeutic tool. Two perspectives are showcased within this film: the perspective of an art educator who works with adolescents and the perspective of an art therapist who works with the adult developmentally disabled population.

Arts & Art Therapy

Editor's Note from Karen Adler: NIAD (National Institute of Art and Disabilities) is an innovative visual arts center in the San Francisco Bay Area assisting adults with developmental and other physical disabilities.

Arts & Art Therapy

Curator's Statement from Marie' Sakai: John Van Dreal has shown in numerous shows and has collections in museums and in universities in the United States. His work demonstrates the figure in all its illumination, specifically how light illuminates the figure from within and without. In his "Work in Progress" there is a definite continuation that recalls the realistic artists of European and early American artists. His subtle warm neutrals create a sense of timelessness that not only creates luminous figures, but also conveys a deepening to symbology of the figure's gestures. John Van Dreal's paintings are full of complex and simple lay-outs that bring the composition to its height and gives light to his subject matter. Realistic yet dream-like, these images hold a purity and continues a dialogue between the figures and the flora motifs. Emblems of white roses and women draped in cloth bring to mind feminine beauty in all its glory and love. Allegorical references and specific motifs speak to a narrative of beauty, purity, and hope. Thus, John Van Dreal weaves all of these elements together successfully to create a sacred space for his figures that embues a sense of realization of Beauty Herself.

Figure Polyptych 1 in Progress
30 x 30

Arts & Art Therapy

Editor's Note from Marie Sakai: Sometimes it's easy to forget the simplicity that life is. It's easy to believe that we don't have everything. But this movie by filmmaker Louie Schwartzherg reminds us that life is a gift and most importantly our life, our world, each other-we are all part of this amazing creation that is art. Inspirational narrative spoken from Brother David Steindl-Rast will speak to your heart, as he says, "Open your Heart. Open your Heart to the World." And there, you will find the transformation you are yearning to become. We all have this deepness inside of us. Cultivate it. Nurture it. And we will all grow in the artwork of our dreams coming true. 2012 is all about seeing your dreams realized. Be blessed.
 

Arts & Art Therapy

Editor's Note from Karen Adler: A documentary of the Cottage Studio in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada where those with serious mental illnesses may pursue art. The artists had the opportunity to prepare for and hang a show of their work at an opening at a commercial gallery. The documentary deals with their preparation for the show, the show itself, and in-depth interviews with three of the artists. While the story is about the preparation for a serious gallery opening culminating in that opening, the interviews explore the very issue of schizophrenia, the lives of the people it affects and the role of artistic expression in their recovery.

Arts & Art Therapy

by Marian Kraus

Transforming an environment, whether it is your or your client’s home or workplace, into a more tranquil space, can be as simple as investing in a few well placed pieces of art. Designing the artwork that graces your walls is as important as the architectural blueprints that created them...

Editor's Note from Marie Sakai: Marian Kraus gives a clear and conclusive outline of how to make your workspace or your client's home (or your home!) full of healing energy. This is a how-to that gives you the basics of how to create and cultivate a place that holds a sense of peace and harmony to all who enter. Simply put, easy to understand, and great results are ensured for you if you follow these guidelines. We all need healing spaces, Marian Kraus gives you the basics of what you need to create a professionally welcoming environment.

Arts & Art Therapy

Editor's Note from Karen Adler: I view Art Therapy in a very broad sense, some of which comes under the banner of 'the creative process is a healing and empowering act of self-love and selfhood, of making an internal process visible in the external world.' This video, made by a person recovering from an Eating Disorder, is a beautiful example of that. The video caption reads ... 'So I thought I'd share with you all some of the wonderful things that recovery has taught me. Hopefuly this will inspire some of you and remind you to KEEP FIGHTING EVERY DAY!'

Arts & Art Therapy