A fabulous moment happened to me recently in my journey, which I thought would be important to share. Living with modified and unpredictable days there are simply moments of time which I use to my best abilities for my favourite practices. One practice being art, the most coveted of all. These moments add up and over long long periods of time and much stored energy pockets I am rewarded with successes. On a day when I had some time for thought I began adding up my moments, pockets of energy and successes coming to the realization that I have developed not one but three series of paintings.
I should be clear that in the beginning of my healing journey I was not sure I would be of the ability to hold and manipulate art materials with any type of mastery as I had in my past. I had no idea if I would hold a paintbrush ever again. It took two years just to begin to practice an extremely modified art practice again. Thus the realization that I have painted over the past two years three series of paintings is remarkable. This momentum forward in my painting practice has been my most rewarding experience in my new life and it truly is just beginning.
Furthermore, I need to talk of cognitive dysfunction which severely limited the ability to focus, think and process. Hampering any deep creative thinking ability as well as critical thinking skills which are essential to my art practice. When the brain fog began to lift, I had quick flashes of moments of deeper creative thought. Nothing remotely close to my prior ability. In fact, my writing process came back to me before my painting process.
Here I am over four years into my healing journey writing and painting to express myself and be apart of the larger world that revolves outside of my house. My first series of paintings was the Garden Paintings. Striking and tranquil these paintings inspired by the essence of colour in my garden flowers, summers big blue sky and the simplicity of nature. The dry brushing, colour trapping and layering create depth and intrigue within each painting much like the ever changing layers of flowers that make garden magical.
I still recall the moment in my garden when I had a flash through the ever present fog in my brain. I was sitting on a lawn chair down on the grass watching the flowers in my garden. It was almost as if a flower looked at me with its leaves held towards me and said, “I am your muse”. I began seeing the garden differently, closely and intimately. The flower colours became so intense to my eye and I was pulled to look deep within. I began painting pieces that were inspired by the essence of colour in my garden. I preferred inspiration found on a bright day with bold blue sky and crisp natural sunlight. This is what brings a ‘Garden Painting’ to life.
As time went on I was presented with small but more pockets of energy, with a clearer head I was able to ruminate on what was of intrigue in my art. The essence of colour greatly intrigued me, I began reflecting on colour quite profoundly. I had much prior interest and knowledge of colour theory as well as colour psychology. In fact, I often reflect back as I had wanted to be an Art Therapist choosing the route of Art Teacher instead. I began exploring in my studies the relationship of colours with a focus on saturation and luminous colour. This was the beginning of a series of energizing and invigorating paintings, known as my ‘Vivid Colour Paintings’.
As I stepped into my fourth year of healing I was presented with reflection, a celebration of a milestone birthday and a revelation. My life had come full circle, living back in my childhood home, my studio being my old bedroom and an invitation to be part of events and exhibitions in my neighbourhood where I learned art, taught art to the children and now have begun to show my art to other residents. I had also been writing often with truth and receiving incredible feedback. I thought of how I could translate truth from word to paint. It came rather quickly and with much ease through the purity of colour and form. Hence, the birth of an electric and refreshing series, ‘True Colours’.
There you have it, my three series of paintings. Would it surprise you if I told you I am in early thought process and mind mapping of my fourth series ? I speak the truth. In fact, when all is said and done I will have five series of paintings. The concept completely worked out and super exciting, the fifth series will be a multidisciplinary series and something different for both me and you.
In the next few months, I will share more with you of what I am working on. New works will be uploaded to Etsy for purchase. I have two more exciting confirmed events to share with everyone, possibly more but time will tell and an opportunity for people to view my paintings in person. There is no limit to what one can accomplish in life whether you are able bodied or disabled. It just means that the later takes much more time, determination and courage, all characteristics I have deeply ingrained within my body and mind.
Jane Holden - Contemporary Artist 