‘Not Just a Painting Class’ This article originally appeared in a CAMA newsletter by Vibeke Ball Two years had passed since I completed the ‘Art for Life’ course at Arscura, School for Living Art. I had been painting with cancer patients as well as working with grieving children at Hospice. In spring and fall I facilitated art classes for Arscura using Nature as inspiration. I very much enjoy helping others unfold their creativity. Vibeke facilitating a painting session with Hospice-King Aurora staff. On the first evening of the ‘Growing with Nature’ spring course I realized with some interest and surprise that this course was ‘not just a painting class’; that these evenings of engaging with the living world of plants and the flowing world of colour through wet-on-wet painting could have a therapeutic aspect for these adult students. One woman who had suffered with debilitating back pain for the past year stepped into the artistic process with great enthusiasm. On the first night she exclaimed, “I didn’t know I could paint like this”. After searching out supplies she painted at home, proudly bringing her work to class. “When I work on my art I feel no pain” (see footnote), she confided to me one evening. Through observing Nature unfold her beauty in spring and by engaging with the wonder of nature through drawing and painting, this woman had connected to the etheric realm of life and health. Another woman, anxious and critical of her artistic attempts, was hesitant to take on the painting exercises. Socially, she did not interact well with the other students and was possessive of the supplies she had been given to work with. By the end of the 5-week course her paintings showed more flow and spontaneity and she was less anxious (see footnote), in fact it was obvious that she was enjoying herself during the painting sessions. On the evaluation sheet she wrote, “I grew through interacting with others in the course and I grew a little more confidence in expressing myself through painting”. By being in a nurturing and supportive environment, these adult students, both men and women were able to ‘let go’ and find the courage to explore their artistic nature while developing confidence and artistic skills. The wonder inherent in the world of plants and Nature, the miracle of colour and its movement in wet-on-wet painting, the social connection of painting with other people, all these elements contributed to a feeling of hope and well being so needed today. While I know first hand the transformative capacity of art, this simple painting course was such a confirmation. In facilitating these courses I learn about myself, art, Nature, people, and relationships. Working with others in this way is an enlivening experience I am most grateful for. Footnote: This is interesting in light of the study briefly described below. A four-month study by researchers at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago showed that Art Therapy helped patients alleviate symptoms of pain, tiredness (several subjects in fact found it energizing), depression, anxiety, drowsiness, appetite, breathlessness and well-being. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. Vol. 31 No. 2 February 2006. Relieving Symptoms in Cancer: Innovative Use of Art Therapy.

‘Not Just a Painting Class’

This article originally appeared in a CAMA newsletter

by Vibeke Ball

Two years had

passed since I completed the ‘Art for Life’ course at Arscura, School for Living Art. I had been painting with cancer patients as well as working with grieving children at Hospice. In spring and fall I facilitated art classes for Arscura using Nature as inspiration. I very much enjoy helping others unfold their creativity.

Vibeke facilitating a painting session

with Hospice-King Aurora staff.

On the first evening of the ‘Growing with Nature’ spring course I realized with some interest and surprise that this course was ‘not just a painting class’; that these evenings of engaging with the living world of plants and the flowing world of colour through wet-on-wet painting could have a therapeutic aspect for these adult students.

One woman who had suffered with debilitating back pain for the past year stepped into the artistic process with great enthusiasm. On the first night she exclaimed, “I didn’t know I could paint like this”. After searching out supplies she painted at home, proudly bringing her work to class. “When I work on my art I feel no pain” (see footnote), she confided to me one evening. Through observing Nature unfold her beauty in spring and by engaging with the wonder of nature through drawing and painting, this woman had connected to the etheric realm of life and health.

Another woman, anxious and critical of her artistic attempts, was hesitant to take on the painting exercises. Socially, she did not interact well with the other students and was possessive of the supplies she had been given to work with. By the end of the 5-week course her paintings showed more flow and spontaneity and she was less anxious (see footnote), in fact it was obvious that she was enjoying herself during the painting sessions. On the evaluation sheet she wrote, “I grew through interacting with others in the course and I grew a little more confidence in expressing myself through painting”.

By being in a nurturing and supportive environment, these adult students, both men and women were able to ‘let go’ and find the courage to explore their artistic nature while developing confidence and artistic skills. The wonder inherent in the world of plants and Nature, the miracle of colour and its movement in wet-on-wet painting, the social connection of painting with other people, all these elements contributed to a feeling of hope and well being so needed today. While I know first hand the transformative capacity of art, this simple painting course was such a confirmation. In facilitating these courses I learn about myself, art, Nature, people, and relationships. Working with others in this way is an enlivening experience I am most grateful for.

Footnote: This is interesting in light of the study briefly described below.

A four-month study by researchers at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago

showed that Art Therapy helped patients alleviate symptoms of pain, tiredness

(several subjects in fact found it energizing), depression, anxiety, drowsiness, appetite,

breathlessness and well-being. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.

Vol. 31 No. 2 February 2006. Relieving Symptoms in Cancer: Innovative Use of Art Therapy.