Art for Healing 

The rendered image above shows a small part of the X-ray of my spine, which has been severely curved and twisted since my teenage years. This condition, known as scoliosis, is believed to have genetic roots and is more prevalent in girls than in boys. Although my spine will never straighten up, there are things I can do to rewire the way the rest of my body supports it. By training my brain to remember new corrected posture and by training my body to respond to it, I can hopefully live a highly functional life.

Although taking action to improve my condition was empowering, I still have a lot of work to do in terms of accepting it. Art has become a way for me to process and connect with my spine. When I first saw my X-ray this past October (after 20 years of not having one done), I felt sick in my stomach. It got so much worse. I wanted to ignore the image and the pain so badly. In time, I started to look for treatment, but it wasn't until I began drawing what I saw on the X-ray, one vertebra at a time, that I began making a transition from denial to acceptance and awe. I was transformed by the beauty and resilience of each of these building blocks that keep me upright. Through drawing, I allowed myself to connect deeply with something that I had been trying so hard to ignore. It's still a process, but one that I'm progressively enjoying more and seeing parallels in the rest of my life.

My recent experience only reinforced my belief that art is not just a luxury, and its creation is not limited to artists. For centuries, art has been instrumental in promoting physical and emotional healing, fostering resilience, and building connections with others. Whether one is creating art or simply immersing oneself in its appreciation, it provides a means of rejuvenation from the daily stresses of life. Art has the power to transform. And it is the mission of Artful Mindscape to facilitate you in the process of learning how...