POP-UP COFFEE HOUSE ART EXHIBIT
FEATURING
๓ᕱլլԾᏒᎩ ʰꂅᎵცuᏒภ
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At the end of July, I reached out to Delton Glebe Counselling Centre for mental health support - - - I had one session earlier in the year and it became difficult to return until I was nearing crisis mode. The person who arranged my appointment placed me with one of their art therapist interns. I wasn't looking for art therapy but it became exactly what I was searching for; not only the art connection but the connection I built with my therapist. I felt that she spoke my language... I have had some knowledge in trauma therapy and recovery because of my education journey through IWAP at Canadore College (Class of 2022) but what I have been learning and expressing since I have come to the realization that I was a survivor of abuse from my childhood and my young adult years.

Yes, I did write in past tense, as much as it is an amazing connection, my therapist is moving on to new opportunities and we are ending our sessions together next week. Because we are finishing this journey soon, we had planned to display my work in the art room at the center. It is a beautiful bonus to reflect, evaluate and analysis the artworks together.

I was encouraged to bring the projects I created during our session together (August 2 through November 8) and create my own exhibit like my own coffee house art gallery just like the ones I admired at Brazil Coffee House. I never had the opportunity to display my art for others and talk about the process & emotions that have been evoked.

Another beautiful bonus, I found out three weeks ago that I am allowed to bring Miley (my Chihuahua) to my therapy sessions. She came to one art session and my (two) art evaluation(s). It was fun to have her at the art session cause she was able to take part and I placed her paws in a miniature sandbox. I am grateful that as I transfer to new therapist that I will have Miley's support and presence to ease into meeting someone new and restarting to share my story once again.

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Art Series 1:
​rebirth

In 2018/2019, I participated in a mindfulness for chronic illness support group. I was invited to create an art piece to be evaluated by my peers in the group. On April 16, 2019, I created this artwork with no title but it could be a sort of self portrait. Some of the critiques included that the figure had no facial expression so that she could not express herself and that the figure had no legs therefore she could not run away. The finger prints could be represented the people who hurt her and the interlocking colors could be her illness creeping in her body.

I had wanted to share that experience with my art therapist; first off the artwork was the first piece I created for myself since I had taken art class in high school. I found it challenging to be inspired and didn't realize the intent and story I put into my work until I hear my peers review of my work. I was shock and pleased that the message was clear to them... yet it wasn't clear to me until much much later.
I started this coloring page in November last year but wasn't able to complete it until the day before my art exhibit. I wanted to include it to my showcase because it was important to my story - in my blog entry I'm tired of being resilient. I had struggled to keep focus over the past year and it was wonderful to feel inspired to take up my color book again.
I brought some of my photographs from this spring/summer.

Series two:
after midnight

Series three:
​Alignment