artOsphere

Art helps to deal with our stressed brains?

Metamorphosis

In November 2005 I was part of a group exhibition, here in Kobe City. It was an exhibition of an artist collective I was involved with from 2003 until 2007. I had issues and left the group after that. I found belonging to an art group very time consuming and too much personal politics.

The title of my part of the exhibition was "Metamorphosis: Stress Therapy for a Butterfly was based on the Envision that we all need somekind of healing and that art can bring healing.

In 1995 in Kobe City there was a huge earthquake. Today, there are still many who have mental problems. Many of the visitors' to both my studio and my exhibitions express that they feel healed or less stress after viewing my works. I thought about Metamorphosis in that we can all change from our suffering self into a beautiful life, just like a small grub becomes a beautiful butterfly. I liked the title and the idea of changing into another, with human revolution. I decided to use the name for my web site and then to turn the web site into more of an artblog. I suppose my web site had it's metamorphosis. This was the time I started by art blogger, which is now called artosphere.

Many years ago, back in the UK I did some work with Art Therapy. The time for the exhibition was very short and I needed to create several new works. This was more of a beginning or first step rather than a body of work. The short talk I gave was my artist statement. The exhibition was very well received and I got positive feedback.

Dreamlines, Art Therapy

On the 17th June 2006 I held a 'Creativity Workshop' my first in Japan. Most likely, we are all blocked, at least from time to time. Blocked against our natural creative energy, because from early childhood through our school years we are encouraged and taught to use our left brain. The left brain being our logic objective one, while our right brain, our creative subjective one is given both less attention and importance.

Many of us experience serious problems in the journey of our lives. Stressed out by work, family, dreams that become abandoned. Our natural creativity can help to deal with the stress. The workshop had five participants, all had blocks against their creativity. None had been encouraged in their early years. The workshop which lasted for four hours was a great success. The participants had taken a first great step to unblocking their natural creative energy. They also enjoyed the opening up experience. The workshop will be followed by a series of 'individual sessions'.

One of my early therapy teacher's was Gerda Boyesen who taught me Biodynamic Massage. Gerda Boyesen was widely regarded as the leading European interpreter of the psychology of Wilhem Reich. I recently learnt that she had passed away at the end of last year, at the good age of 83. Good-bye Gerda! Thank you for the life! [ Gerda Boyesen 1922 - 2005]

Prayer means different concepts to different people. I am a Buddhist and have been for almost 40 years. I have no belief system with a 'central God figure.' Prayer, for me is a means to 'center myself' and connect to the 'Universal Force of Creativity and Love.' This series of paintings are based on prayer. I pray before beginning the work, try not to think about what I am painting and just let my natural creative energy flow.