Spring vibes

Spring vibes (100 x 80 cm) is a large painting created with acrylics and tempera and pieces of collage. It was painted after a long and challenging winter, following sickness with COVID, pneumonia and bronchitis. Previous to that, I had been struggling with a mindset I wished to transform and transcend. When spring finally arrived with a sense of renewal, I was grateful to have overcome both mental and physical challenges that had lasted for many months. My inspiration for the painting was: melting snow, bright sunlight, green vegetation emerging, running water and renewed energy.

Ingeborg P. Bodzioch
Follafoss, Steinkjer, Norway

Ingeborg is a Norwegian artist and art therapist who works in several media. She holds a Master’s degree in Art & Design from Scotland, UK, a Bachelor’s degree in Art History and Philosophy from University of Bergen, Norway and studied Art Therapy at the Institute for Art Therapy in Denmark.

Different moments in the same space

These photos were taken at Notting Hill Park, in the city of Oakville, Canada. Both photos were taken in the same place, but at different times: the first photo was taken in winter 2023, and the second photo was taken in spring 2023. I have always thought that great life lessons can be extracted from the observation of nature.

The first thought I can make about the combined photographs is that in life nothing lasts forever, neither happiness nor sadness, nor health, nor illness, nor life itself. All life is a constant learning and although sometimes it seems that we do not see the light, the sun is always present. In the third image, I was encouraged to take a photo of the maple tree that I have in my garden. I wanted to take a photo of the treetop blocking the sun and use the photo as a metaphor, since in life there is always a solution for all: although sometimes we have moments of darkness, there is always a way to find the exit and reach the light. I don't know lives without mistakes, without pain, without obstacles, without battles. Life is a constant effort and struggle. Effort and perseverance ensure success.

The second thought that comes to mind when I look at the combined first image is that everything changes in life. Our bodies, our tastes, and our environment change over time, so the question arises, why do people resist change? even many of the people who come to therapy have cognitive, emotional, and behavioral barriers to change. Art therapists must, together with patients, break emotional barriers that include the fact that the patient does not want to have a good disposition towards the new, cognitive barriers that include the fact that the patient does not know how to change, and behavioral barriers. that implies a change of habits and actions towards a new scenario. Art therapy is magnificent, it helps people to express what they feel and to be more human and happy people. Every child is an artist (image 4) and they should never stop being one when they grow up.

Lourdes Rossell de Almeida, BSc, MNeuroPsych, MDO
Oakville, ON

Lourdes Rosell De Almeida has extensive experience as a clinical and organizational psychologist, applying various art therapy techniques to her patients and companies in which she has been a consultant; as well as her students from the University where they worked for several years. She has a Master's degree in neuropsychology from the Villanueva University Center, attached to the Complutense University of Madrid, and a Master's degree in Organization and People Management from the ESAN University of Lima. She currently lives and works in Oakville, Canada.

Rinse & Repeat

This artwork attempts to capture the art therapist’s current experience supporting individuals newly diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Coming from a strong theoretical background in attachment theory, the lived experience of the client attempting to “destroy” the therapist (stand in – attachment figure) and see if the therapist can withstand this strike. The art therapist conveys the feeling of repair and rupture as he lays in a creek that provides a source of rejuvenation while at the same time always experiencing the distress that this replenishment is never enough.

Dillon Lewchuk, MA, BA, B.Ed, RCAT, RCC, CCC
Sooke, BC

Dillon (he/him) is a queer, (dis)abled art therapist (RCAT) and counsellor (RCC, CCC) currently living on the unneeded traditional lands of the T'Sou-ke and Scia'new Nations and working on the unceded traditional lands of the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples of Vancouver Island. Presently, he is working at a private inpatient facility specializing in treating mood and anxiety disorders, post traumatic stress disorder & addiction in adults, first responders, RCMP and military veterans.

The couch: an open letter

A place to land, arriving just at the right time. A marker of change. I watched as you were ushered in; the smell of rose and lavender permeating the space. Your presence shifted the energy- turning a place into a home. In a time of displacement you became an anchor for me.

When I needed a rest you said "lay your weary head".
When I needed to talk you welcomed me with open arms.
Turn the fireplace on. Brew a pot of coffee. Sounds of Kansas blasting through the radio as my dad simmers homemade plum sauce on the stove. His voice a resonant heartbeat as he echoes the lyrics

"Carry on my wayward son… there'll be peace when you are done."

You ground me. Cushion the blow. Chaos that would normally feel distracting tugs on my heartstrings and guides me to what I'm seeking to express.

A low sigh from the floor. I close my eyes and lower my hand to find the soft fur of my dog Roxy. Feel her breathe. Louis stirs across the way on the back of the chair in front of the fire. I see my mom. My heart. I allow myself to fall asleep because here, now, feels like safety.

When you arrived at my doorstep I heard my partner say "it smells like Brockville." Watch your words as tears well inside like uncontrollable oceans. No. I allowed myself to cry.

And now there is silence. An unsettledness. I love that you're here, but I can't help but feel that parts of me… parts of us are slipping away.

As they drive off into the sunset of their lives, there is a sinking feeling that I am being left behind.

But you're here with me. And you smell like Brockville. So I'll sit on you. I'll adorn you with pillows. I'll breathe life into you like you've done for me so many times before. I'll allow myself to create art with you, and on you: and recognize the art that you yourself are.

I'll always be grateful for you.

Ps. I love you.

Taylor Bourassa, RP, DTATI
Ottawa, ON

Taylor Bourassa is a Registered Psychotherapist and art therapist with a private practice, Wellness Grove Therapy. She incorporates the environment into her practice through the use of natural materials, meditative practices that centre the earth, inviting the natural environment into sessions as a co-facilitator, and sharing the primordial knowledge the earth provides.

Beyond Words

My video was inspired by the realization that there is more than one way of connecting with others. If we stay open to clues and don’t insist on one known way, a rewarding and healing connection can be created. 

The idea came when I discovered an animation app on my phone. My daughters and I spent some time playing with it until the idea of this short clip came to mind.

Svetlana Pepin, RCAT
Winnipeg, MB

Svetlana is a registered art therapist in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She has a great belief in the power of arts and draws on their healing, empowering inspiring and educational potential.

A Growing Fire

Every day I read the news about fires around the world: the wildfires in Alberta, Canada, the fire in Raj Bhavan, Kolkata (India), a man set fire to a building and then shooting the people trying to flee from it in Texas, USA. 

Something about fire scares me. A spark, once started, could easily get out of control. As careful as I am, recently when I was cooking on a 4-cylinder stove, I decided to multi-task. I began cooking my sauce on one flame and turned on the second stovetop to boil my pasta. I did not notice that it didn’t light. Suddenly in about 5-6 minutes later, I hear a strong “whoosh” and noticed that the second stovetop was suddenly lit. I smelled gas in the air and suddenly realized what had happened.

I continued to cook and finished my meal. Much later that night, I felt overcome by fear. Fear of what had happened, my carelessness and how easily the situation could have gone wrong. It also led me to understand how some emotions might be stored in the mind and body, much after the incident is experienced. Creating art was my method to work through the fear and move past this experience. Making art was a wonderful grounding technique, that helped me process the latent fear and distress.

I also believe that it is important to work through these emotions because it allowed me to forgive myself and be less critical, harsh and judgmental. The actions of self-compassion are often required reminders for therapists as well. Our job isn’t just to put out other people’s fires.

Sarvatmika Rajeev, MA
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Sarvatmika is a queer-affirmative art psychotherapist, who has completed her Master’s in Art Therapy from LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore. She currently engages in clinical work with organizations across India, Singapore, and Australia to deliver art therapy sessions to a wide demographic. Based out of Chennai, she offers virtual sessions for clients from different geographical locations. Sarvatmika's clinical experience includes working with children on the autism spectrum and adolescents with backgrounds of physical and sexual abuse, anger management, eating disorders, body-image issues, depression, OCD tendencies, long-term illnesses and traumatic medical conditions. She has also worked with adults struggling with addiction, depression, PTSD and adverse childhood experiences.

Five works from the series 'Unspoken Dialogues'

From the series 'Unspoken Dialogues':

Human relationships are a captivating and intricate web of emotions, experiences, and growth. Each stage of a relationship holds its own unique story. This series explores the dynamic between a couple at various stages of their journey together. I am intrigued by the idea of transformation and growth, both as individuals and as a couple, and the ways in which two people come together and intertwine their lives, influencing each other and evolving over time. Using a variety of techniques and materials, I aim to create a visual representation of the emotions and experiences that come with each stage of a relationship.

Irit Epstein, MFA, MA
Toronto, ON

Irit Epstein was born in Israel. She has over 20 years of experience as an art therapist, working individually and in groups with children, adolescents and adults. As an artist, Irit has exhibited in Canada, USA, Israel, Mexico, Italy and Germany. She earned a Master of Arts, Art Therapy from New York University, New York, NY, and a Master of Fine Arts from the Academy of Art (HDK), Berlin, Germany. Irit is currently living and working in Toronto.