My visual art practice comes from an intuitive and need-based place. That is to say, I attune myself to varying emotional or physical states as they arise and make time to create based on these experiences and critical times for processing though art- making. Ethereal pieces primarily done in paint explore “parts of self.” I embark on interpersonal discovery as it relates to the practices of yoga, meditation and dance to incorporate my firm belief in the mind-body connection. Medium and modality are not limited to two-dimensional works, or painting. Occasionally, I incorporate collage. I use three-dimensional sculptures, vessels and performance when they appear to be more appropriate for the intention, content and mood of a concept. Past parts of self come into play when performance, spoken-word, storytelling, and body-adornment or costume pieces feel fitting.

 

     My work as a therapist stems from a similar intuitive response to the needs of my clients. I prefer the individuals I work with to have access to as wide variety of art materials and modalities, as I would in my own art practice. The artwork is typically client-directed unless there is lack of experience with materials, or goals informed by clinical information is received prior to the onset of sessions. I encourage my clients to be as flexible in their approach as I am with myself. There is always the opportunity for the client to reevaluate the effectiveness of a concept and the materials being used to execute a piece. When appropriate, I like to incorporate meditation techniques or discussion of the relaxing qualities of art and the mind-body connection in session. Because of my personal repetitive and ritualistic practices that inform my artistic practice, I feel it is important to, at the very least, introduce the option of sequencing art making and other mindful activities to my clients. This desire stems from a realization that the forms of one’s creative expression are malleable from one day to the next, and that clients and clinicians alike can learn to be more flexible in what they incorporate into the conversation occurring between their self-care and artistic practices.