After suffering from Lyme Disease Lisa Brown said she found solace in returning to her love for creating art. She then began offering “art-as-therapy” workshops for individuals suffering with illness and adversity, such as those with brain injuries and cancer survivors and their families. She presents her workshops to bereavement groups, therapists, art teachers, children, and the general public. The artist earned a BA in Art and a MA in Creative Arts. Her vibrant paintings, which bring joy to others, have been shown in exhibitions in New York and New Jersey. I am delighted to present her inspirational article about how she turned pain into an opportunity to help others. Lisa is also the author of “Hold the Moments: Creative Experiences in Parenting” filled with hundreds of ideas for creating with children. This article is one in our series of inspirational “Artists Stories”. ~ Renée Phillips
Lisa Brown’s “Artist’s Story”
My career began as an Art teacher in a junior high — a job I had dreamed about since I was a young teen. At the time, there were few jobs and often Art was taken away for other programs and considered not really important to the mental well-being of children. Soon I found out that the school system was not the place for me so I moved into the corporate world as a trainer/teacher on computers. While this job was rewarding and enjoyable once I started to have a family, I couldn’t accept leaving my children for so many hours and decided to change careers. I went back to school for my MA in Creative Arts Education. This took me almost 10 years since I was taking one class at a time and was also suffering with Lyme Disease.
I had Lyme Disease for five years and had IV antibiotics three times for several months which left me unable to do much. I tried to give myself something to think about other than how awful I felt so I started painting again. Suddenly, I found something that was a reprieve for me. In the process of creating, thoughts about pain, loss and sorrow diminished.
That journey lead me to where I am today. I have dedicated my life in the belief that art is therapeutic, and can help you speak words otherwise difficult to say, to relieve stress and suffering, and allow you to escape for a few hours.
With all this in mind, I created my “art-as-therapy” workshops. These workshops have helped others suffering adversity or pain to forget for a few hours as they put their distress into a piece of art.
I have since added to my programs the Creative Journal Expressive Arts method of dialoging with your dominant and non-dominant hand. I am a trained facilitator in these methods originated by Dr. Lucia Capacchione, A.T.R., author of 30 books on journaling with art. Students experience exercises in using art therapeutically and these exercises add a therapeutic advantage to exploring emotions honestly.
Since I started my “art-as-therapy” workshops I have given workshops for the brain injured, bereavement groups, therapists, teachers, art teachers, children, and the general public. I began working with cancer survivors and their families giving them a voice for what they were going through and a chance to create something they were proud of.
For example, I allow those who need to release some anger to pound on clay, beat it, throw it, punch it, and then settle into the creative process. And after they have created a piece they have a chance to use simple tools to journal with its meaning.
As an artist my desire is also to bring color into the lives of those who view my work. I paint large, vibrant “Gardens of Hope” so viewers can experience pleasure and joy from the landscapes that they can imagine walking into.
Visit Lisa Brown’s websites
Gardens of Hope gardens-of-hope.net
Art As Therapy art-as-therapy.com
Join Lisa Brown on social media
instagram.com/lisasartastherspy
facebook.com/njartworkshops
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Ken Patterson says
Glad to hear stories about artists helping out in the community. In my retirement, I enjoy working with other seniors at all levels of capability but especially those suffering from dementia. Whether it’s helping them color, doing art projects, playing Pictionary, or constructing objects or interpreting tangrams with magnetic blocks, these visual stimuli are fun and welcoming. I mainly volunteer with 5th-graders in schools, but I am finding that my lesson plans can be easily adapted to any age. Sharing art and talking about it in a judgment-free environment is rewarding and a wonderful way to connect with others. Thanks for sharing!
Susan says
Art is indeed helpful in managing pain, keep up the good work Lisa! I am glad that you have received help for Lyme disease as well as this is one medical entity that Australia has struggled to recognize as well with many sufferers seeking help overseas in the past. All the best now. Susan
Lisa Brown says
Thank you so much Renee for allowing me to express myself in your articles. I really appreciate the help
Renee Phillips says
Thank you Lisa for your wonderful article and for helping others in need through your workshops.