PINWHEEL, 2019

Britt Enggren
12" x 9" x 10.5"
scratchboards, air dry clay, wire

I doodle. I’m drawn to people and faces. I think of being overwhelmed, spinning cells, and how damage can happen if your cells start spinning too fast. So, I etched a spinning cell, and then another… they became the eyes.

Origami, 2019

Britt Enggren
16" x 32"
collage

I am aware that we often want quick resolutions and certainty. Before we have an experience, we want to know how it will go, what it will bring, and how it will end.

But a good story requires a different kind of attention. It asks for us to invest our trust in it. It requests that we focus on finding the right questions rather than on getting the right answers. Be patient. Be present. Be courageous.

This is a story with a beginning, middle and a happy ending.

REVOLuTion, 2019

Britt Enggren
15" x 11"
oil sticks, marker, collage

I am in no way advocating self-blame, but in my case there was serious self-neglect that I believe weakened my immune system and eventually changed my DNA.

I come from people that have trouble taking the blame.
I now take responsibility for my part.

I see where I failed myself.
I should have learned self-care before my body got too weak.

Untitled (Series 1 of 5), 2019

MM (The Warrior)
14" x 11"
mixed media

Going through cancer is not an easy feit. There are surgeries and treatments that are extremely challenging physically and emotionally. Even after surgeries and treatments one is never rid of physical and emotional scars. Reminders of past experiences and dread of future possible recurrences are always at the base of one’s consciousness. To move forward with a life of joy and happiness takes a constant effort in which one seeks activities that physically and mentally provide strength, courage and a sense of well being. One of which was art therapy for me.

Though one remains grieving the loss of innocence, there is life after cancer.

Untitled (Series 2 of 5), 2019

MM (The Warrior)
9" x 24"
mixed media

Going through cancer is not an easy feit. There are surgeries and treatments that are extremely challenging physically and emotionally. Even after surgeries and treatments one is never rid of physical and emotional scars. Reminders of past experiences and dread of future possible recurrences are always at the base of one’s consciousness. To move forward with a life of joy and happiness takes a constant effort in which one seeks activities that physically and mentally provide strength, courage and a sense of well being. One of which was art therapy for me.

Though one remains grieving the loss of innocence, there is life after cancer.

Untitled (Series 3 of 5), 2019

MM (The Warrior)
9" x 12"
mixed media

Going through cancer is not an easy feit. There are surgeries and treatments that are extremely challenging physically and emotionally. Even after surgeries and treatments one is never rid of physical and emotional scars. Reminders of past experiences and dread of future possible recurrences are always at the base of one’s consciousness. To move forward with a life of joy and happiness takes a constant effort in which one seeks activities that physically and mentally provide strength, courage and a sense of well being. One of which was art therapy for me.

Though one remains grieving the loss of innocence, there is life after cancer.

Untitled (Series 4 of 5), 2019

MM (The Warrior)
15" x 8"
mixed media

Going through cancer is not an easy feit. There are surgeries and treatments that are extremely challenging physically and emotionally. Even after surgeries and treatments one is never rid of physical and emotional scars. Reminders of past experiences and dread of future possible recurrences are always at the base of one’s consciousness. To move forward with a life of joy and happiness takes a constant effort in which one seeks activities that physically and mentally provide strength, courage and a sense of well being. One of which was art therapy for me.

Though one remains grieving the loss of innocence, there is life after cancer.

Untitled (Series 5 of 5), 2019

MM (The Warrior)
4" x 7"
mixed media

Going through cancer is not an easy feit. There are surgeries and treatments that are extremely challenging physically and emotionally. Even after surgeries and treatments one is never rid of physical and emotional scars. Reminders of past experiences and dread of future possible recurrences are always at the base of one’s consciousness. To move forward with a life of joy and happiness takes a constant effort in which one seeks activities that physically and mentally provide strength, courage and a sense of well being. One of which was art therapy for me.

Though one remains grieving the loss of innocence, there is life after cancer.

Cancer Art Therapy Journal, 2019

Valerie Graniou-Cook
16" x 32"
watercolor on paper

I took the pilot art therapy class! Every week has brought major self-awareness and learning opportunities, as Drs. Linesch and Metzl introduced us to the language of our souls with so much compassion and love! Everyone was blown away by the tremendous healing that occurred within our group. So much depth, so constructive and healing! Art has a unique way to open doors and defy reason, to bring forth deep emotions that promote awareness and consciousness shifts. This is true powerful healing of the mind and soul!As an example I have attached a picture of the artwork that I created in our last class. This art piece summarized my key take aways and is meant to be read from left to right.The first square represents the experience of cancer and its treatment, its pain and suffering that cracked open my soul, which with my connection to spirit (upper square 2) leads me to ignite the gears of transformation within myself (lower square 3). Allowing meditation and grounding to become part of my daily life (middle square 4) to find my balance and choose to trust and believe in the goodness of life (upper square 5), which brings forth the metamorphosis of my soul (lower square 6) to surrender, let go and soar (middle square 7). This consolidates the realization of what my life is truly about: Love, my family, my boys, my husband, my friends and all the joys I have to share my life with them (Upper square 8). What I really want to do in my life: paint and be successful with my art (lower square 9). The last square is the sum of my journey, which is teaching me that this cancer experience and the healing I am doing is redefining my inner self, creating a new vision for how to live my life. I am learning to live in the now and I understand that pain, hurt, fighting for my health, all coexist with listening within, transforming to create more life, love and joy. All of it is part of the now and is what life is about. This artwork is a very powerful vision board, that serves as a daily reminder of my healing and where I am heading.

I hope that sharing this artwork and the journey it represents will offer a small glimpse of the transformation accomplished in a mere 12 meetings during my Art Therapy class. I feel that healing happened at a core level within me and will set ground for a much better life moving forward. Since this class is a pilot class I truly hope that it can be replicated and offered to as many cancer survivors as possible as I believe that if we can uncover the hidden messages of our cancer journey we may have a chance to set forth a new pathway toward better health. 

Gratitude, 2019

Valerie Graniou-Cook
40" x 30"
acrylic

Gratitude is about gratefulness and letting emotions pour into the river of life, while centering around the realization that life is simply beautiful.

This is the first painting I did after finishing my treatment. Life became overwhelmingly beautiful. I discovered that what feels good are the small things available to me everyday. And I chose to appreciate and be present in the moment. I chose to trust that there is a design into life and that what I am experiencing has a purpose and a reason even if I could not see it yet. And with that there was less stress, more joy and gratefulness. One moment at a time.

Continue to
Expressive Workshop

EXPLORE EXHIBITION

• Hands to heART Introduction

• Art Psychotherapy Group

• Expressive Workshop

• Artists Make Art in Treatment

• The Imagery of Art Therapists Impacted by Cancer

  • Personal Experiences of Cancer

  • Loss of a Loved One

  • Patients in Clinical Work

VIEW EXHIBITION CATALOGUE