The Healing Power of Art: Navigating Hard Times

Embracing Change and Finding Strength

I am weary... body and soul. The last month has been particularly challenging. I’ve faced constant problem-solving, form-filling, and the need to pivot in my life. My plans for the year have been rejigged and reorganised due to a tree falling on my house during the aftermath of Cyclone Alfred.

Dancing Damsels Mixed Media, Ann Russell 2025

In the grand scheme of life, I know I don't have much to complain about. Still, the experience has been gruelling, and I feel spent. In the last month, I’ve moved twice. Initially, I went to emergency accommodation, living out of a suitcase for four weeks. It was a significant adjustment, all while feeling as though my life was on hold.

After that, we had to join the lengthy queue for rental accommodation as advised by our insurance company. They indicated we might need it for up to twelve months. We consider ourselves lucky to have secured a house not too far from our property. However, going back to being renters has presented its own set of challenges.

I miss the birds at home

I miss many things about our home. Each visit brings a swell of grief. The house is filled with precious memories, but for the next few months, I cannot create new ones there. I deeply miss the trees, the birds, and the other wildlife around my home. I also miss my studio. Despite it being undamaged, I cannot work there as our property has turned into a worksite. H&S regulations prevent us from being onsite during the building process.

Finding Joy in the New Space

Despite these challenges, the rental property offers some advantages. Firstly, it's spacious enough that I can create a dedicated workspace, allowing me to continue making my art. For me, like most artists, creating art is akin to breathing. The thought of reducing or halting my practice for months is daunting. It’s essential for my health and well-being!

The second advantage is that the walls have numerous picture hooks. I won’t be stuck looking at blank walls for the next few months. I’ve brought several pieces of my artwork and others. Being able to see them brings me some peace amidst the chaos.

In their book, Art as Therapy, Alain de Botton and John Armstrong emphasize that art serves as a therapeutic outlet. It acts as:

1. A corrective of bad memory

2. A purveyor of hope

3. A source of dignified sorrow

4. A balancing agent

5. A guide to self-knowledge

6. A guide to the extension of experience

7. A re-sensitisation tool

   
   

Source: de Botton, A & Armstrong J, (2013), Art as Therapy, London: Phaidon Press, pp. 58-59.

The art I've managed to hang on the walls performs all these functions beautifully. I've displayed portraits of three of my cats that I painted. They provide balance and hope, even though I have two of them here with me. Additionally, the portrait I created of my kids as mer-people serves similar purposes by correcting negative memories.

Among my collection is a weaving I completed about 40 years ago during school. Until recently, it has been at my parents' home, which they left after moving into a nursing home.

Painting of my old cat Matilda is here with me

I also hang works by other artists. One is a limited edition print from Shaun Tan's The Red Tree. It resonates deeply, capturing my feelings on tough days. There's also a photograph of a powerful owl taken by a photographer friend, a reminder of our visits from these beautiful creatures at home. Lastly, I display a small landscape by an artist friend, which evokes memories of both her and the nature I'm missing.

From The Red Tree, by Shaun Tan

The Role of Art in Our Lives

Art is proving to be invaluable during this uncertain and stressful phase of my life. Engaging with art—both through creation and viewing—is vital for my emotional well-being. Its worth transcends mere aesthetics; it’s beyond just matching the couch or carpet in color.

Recently, I’ve written several articles highlighting how little artists earn compared to other professions. For me, making art is not a hobby; it’s my profession. Like nature, it provides me comfort and hope, balancing my memories and allowing me to function in this unpredictable world. Surrounding ourselves with art serves functions few other things can achieve.

I highly recommend investing in art that speaks to you. If a piece resonates with you, consider buying it and hanging it on your wall. This not only supports your emotional needs but also helps the artist who created it.

In conclusion, while times may be tough, art remains a beacon of hope and comfort. Embrace its healing power; it may just help you navigate your own challenges.

Artwork in Arana Hills Library