Notes from the Field: A New Spin on Beading

        Today I start with a new project.  Patients love to bead but I want to change things up and make the experience a little more creative.  I decide we will make our own beads by rolling up magazines pages and newspaper.  I take the project to the waiting area to see if I can get people interested. I’m elated that so many people want to participate. Pretty soon, I have a large and diverse group of people engaged in this project.  As an AIR, it’s so gratifying to see the transformation from an ordinary, often tense waiting area into one filled with positive energy. 

      Teresa returned to the waiting area even after her appointment.  She is so into the projects that she insisted she finish the beads before she goes home.  She is very methodical about each bead and I can see that her focus on this seems to relax her. 

      She tells me she is tired but wants to continue later. I offer to put the beads and string into a bag and explain how she can finish the bracelet at home. I like to imagine this will bring her a welcome sense of distraction.  As she is leaving she says, “You better have another creative idea when I come next week.”…and I will.

Notes from the Field: It’s a Family Affair

       Today I’m working with an entire family; husband, wife and son.  The little boy, Marshall is seven years old and is very excited when he sees my supply cart.  He says art is his favorite class in school.  His parents, Sandra and Tim tell me he’s quite talented and gush over him in the most loving way.  I can see how strong the bond is in this family. 

       Sandra and Tim seem very nervous about dealing with Sandra’s recent diagnosis and how Marshall will handle it.  They are so thankful that he has a distraction while Sandra is waiting for the doctors.  Marshall begins one painting and then another and then another. Tim makes a painting alongside Marshall but decides to make a necklace for Sandra.The family will be here all day so I imagine Marshall will put a dent in my supplies, but I love it.  It’s great seeing someone so young in an environment that is not exactly upbeat actually having a good time. 

       Sandra is in and out of the art room between appointments but when she is waiting, she’s is working on her painting.  Tim stays with Marshall the entire time.  Tim tells me stories about his wife and how they met eleven years ago and how their marriage is “so beautifully successful because she is constantly surprising me.”  He tells me he didn’t know Sandra liked to paint until today.  He smiles and says, “Even under such stress, she surprised me yet again.”   

Notes from the Field: Christmas in May

         Maggie is super excited, that I am there to offer her materials. It's as if she’s been waiting for me. I tell her my cart, full of supplies, is. Her eyes get big. She wants to see it---She is SO excited-“The fun cart is here!”  She keeps her hands to herself, thinking about germs because she is a bone marrow transplant patient. She asks me about certain supplies and I start a pile for her. She has stencils, paper and tons of markers and pens to keep her busy. Maggie says she loves optic art. She loves the fine line markers I give her and the pattern books. She says that I have to come back at the end of my day to see what she makes.

       When I return hours later, a doctor is meeting with her. She is asking direct questions to him, speaking up for herself, advocating for herself. She sounds knowledgeable and confident when she speaks to him.  She has such a good attitude and disposition. I wait for the doctor to leave before I go in.  I knock on the door and take one step in and she exclaims, “NO NO I'M NOT DONE YET. DON'T LOOK!!! DON'T LOOK! Did you look?”  I quickly cover my eyes. “I didn’t see it.  I promise.” Her roommate Samantha is laughing hysterically.  Maggie and Samantha get along really well!!  Maggie decides it's okay for me to stay if I sit down and promise not to peek until she is finished. It’s clear her drawing is for me. Her mom tells me about the piles of artwork she has at home and tells me that Maggie loves art and has been working on this all day. 

       Maggie announces that she's finished and asks me to read the note on the back first. “THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME MAKE THIS DRAWING. I HOPE YOU LIKE IT.” I flip it over. It's so nice: stippled lines, a lot of color, squares and different shapes. She starts criticizing it.  She tells me what she would do if she had more time.  I tell her it's wonderful and point out the strengths of it- she has a good eye. I leave supplies for her to use during the week and tell her that I can't wait to see the results!

       I finished my rounds for the day and think back to all the different people I've seen.  Maggie made my day!  She keeps saying today is like Christmas. Today IS like Christmas- for both of us!

Notes from the Field: It’s All Part of the Process

        Sometimes a patient wants to talk about the work I do as an artist outside of the hospital.  I usually tell them I’m a painter and try to relate the patient’s interest in my work to that of a famous artist. It’s a nice segue into the possibility of a patient wanting work with me.  Max is back today for his second to last infusion.  I look forward to seeing him because he is so educated in art and a lot of fun to be around.  He’s the kind of person that walks in a room and suddenly everything seems brighter. 

        Max announces that today he will finish the painting he started on his first day of treatment because he wants to begin a new painting on his last day.  I bring the cart to his chair and set him up with a palette of paint.  He looks at me and says, “Can we talk about your process as an artist?”  I’m flattered and explain a little about process in general.  I’m reminded of the fabulous Matisse exhibit I saw a few months ago at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  I tell him that the main thing I took away from the exhibit was that for Matisse, the process was as important as the completed painting.

        Max tells me that painting with me has helped him through treatment by passing time in a meaningful way.  I tell him that the process of painting helps me mark time, documenting the moments I spent on it. He agrees, and says that his completed painting will help him remember this time and by starting a new one he'll be able to “see life beyond treatment.”

Notes from the Field: Straddling Life as an Artist and an Artist-in-Residence….

           As an artist, I try to only share art ideas.  This is who I am as an artist.  When I step out of that role it can be difficult because sometimes it feels like I’m engaging patients in craft rather than art.  I have to remind myself that while I’m an artist in my own life, my job is to help patients by tapping into their creativity whether it is my definition of “art” or if it is craft. I am struck every time a patient thanks me for the experience they have and it takes me back to what is really important, creativity as a vehicle for distraction.  In taking one’s mind and placing it fully into the arbitrariness of art-making I am helping patients and giving them the tools they can use to float away from reality even if it’s only for a short time. 

          I know it seems crazy to think art can solve everything, and I know it can’t, but there is something to it when I see someone develop an art practice and experience pleasure over fear and anxiety.  By locating some aspect of a patient’s life in a way that is outside them is similar to the reason I like being a professional artist.  Despite the medium, as a successful artist-in-residence, I help to rekindle the creativity within others in much the same way I am inspired in my own work.