"Heart" woman: I will always remember Gretta for the way she loved her family and loved life.  She lived every moment with a full heart.

"Tree" woman: Eleanor was an elderly woman that I only saw one time but she made an impact on me.  As I sat with her and we used collage images to review her life she looked out the window and said, “That tree looks like my husband who died.  I love sitting here where I can see it, it makes me feel that I’m not alone”.  This simple statement was a reminder to me that nature is our ever present companion comforting us through every season.

Flowers in pot: Elsie was blind and living in a nursing home. She was very unhappy about her living situation, her blindness, and the fact she could no longer garden or enjoy nature as fully as she used to.  Together we made felt lilies and placed them in a vase.  Although she couldn’t see the colors and was too sick to go outside she used her time in Art Therapy to engage with nature as she could.  Every session I would bring nature to her, whatever flowers, leaves, stones, etc. that I had found outside for her to feel before making our lilies for the day.  By the time she died she had several vases full of lilies that every Aide and Nurse in the home would compliment her on.  The art not only allowed her to engage with nature but it gave her nursing home staff something to converse with her about.

Man in chair: John could not speak anymore due to his disease but loved to draw.  What I remember most about John was every time I entered his house, he would be sitting in his green recliner chair, with his legs crossed…he would look up at me and a wide grin would spread across his face as he waved me hello until I sat down next to him.  His smile brings a smile to my face whenever I think of him.

Letter: Tony had lost contact with his family over the years and spent his time in Art Therapy reaching out to them.  He made cards for his children and wrote them letters with his love and advice for the future.  Although we tried over and over again I’m still unsure if his letters ever reached his children.  I wanted to make this memorial for Tony so that I would remember to continue to try to help people fulfill their last wishes despite any obstacles.

Dinosaur: Chris was an 11 year old boy who had been fighting cancer since he was 5.  I met with Chris twice and these sessions were experiences I will never forget.  During my first session with Chris he did not want to draw, but he retained control of the session by telling me what to draw.  He wanted me to draw Godzilla (his favorite character) and we spent the entire session filling two full pages with a drawing of Godzilla.

Hands/pencil: Ling was an elderly Korean woman who did not speak any English, but her son felt she would benefit from art therapy.  We began an interactive drawing, starting with me drawing a line and then giving Ling a chance to draw.  In the beginning Ling was hesitant and looking to me for direction and checking to see if her drawing was ok.  After a short time Ling began to direct me with motion and smiles.  We spent a full hour filling a page with a conversation of color, form, and line.  At the end of the session Ling smiled with pride as her son took photos of us with the drawing.  This experience is a reminder to me that the art process can break through any language or cultural barrier.

Boxer:  Dan never sat still, he paced around the house and hardly ever said a word.  He seemed to constantly be fighting his illness and the anxiety it brought him.  This was very difficult for his wife to watch.  During art therapy, relaxation and communication with his wife were the goals.  The art process was facilitated with the both Dan and his wife. During the creative process Dan was able to sit still for short periods of time and focus on the process.  Dan’s wife was incredibly grateful for the periods of quiet that she could spend with her husband. 

Ankh: Jay was a middle aged man dying of AIDS.  During his time in art therapy he spoke of his interest in Egyptian culture and art.  He made art to help him distract from all of the pain and heartache he had experiences in his life.  Art therapy was a time for Jay to enjoy himself and speak of his interests.  I made this Ankh to remember both his pain and his joy.