Art has always been a source of support and healing for me. In times of struggle or uncertainty, it has been a space for emotional expression.
Last year, I had the opportunity to help coordinate a series of art gatherings in our local county for individuals affected by cancer. These sessions were designed not only to provide creative expression but also to promote mental health awareness. We called them “Art Gatherings,” and each one focused on a different theme tied to emotional well-being.
We did collage, journal design, card making, rock painting, watercolor painting, scrapbooking, made birdhouses, mosaic tiles, embroidery, and more. We examined various forms of mental health and wellbeing support, including gratitude, love, connection, exercise, memories, reminiscing, nature, deep breathing, mindfulness, empathy, and more.
These sessions demonstrated the many ways art can enrich our lives:
- It provides a creative outlet for emotions
- It soothes and relaxes the mind
- It relieves stress
- It encourages a sense of accomplishment and connection
- And perhaps most importantly—it’s about the process, not the product
These gatherings were deeply personal for me, for two reasons: I am an artist at heart, and I’m also a breast cancer survivor. My love for art spans far beyond just painting or drawing—I believe art exists in countless forms. People often think of typical visual art, but I see artistry in chefs, writers, mechanics, landscapers, gardeners, musicians, dancers, surgeons, interior designers, crafters, teachers, marketers, bartenders, and more. The list is endless. I believe we are all artists in some way.
Toward the end of last year, I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, something I’ll share more about in another post. That diagnosis made me take a hard look at my life, and I decided it was time to go through my old cedar chest. I didn’t want to leave that task to my kids one day. In doing so, I rediscovered many of my childhood art pieces, from grade school through high school. I had forgotten so many of those pieces. They revealed not just my creativity but also presented a picture of the emotions from that time in my life.
Looking at old school photos alongside those projects, I could see the changes in myself through the years. The difference between my 2nd-grade and 4th-grade pictures told a story I hadn’t fully understood at that time. “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Life was difficult during those years. I was ridiculed and bullied for a long time, years. Those childhood images and art pieces said so much about struggle, growth, and the power of creativity to help me through it all.
My website, Living Life Blooming, is named after my philosophy. I chose that name because I see blooming as a metaphor for life. When a flower blooms, it opens to the sun, to visitors, and to possibility. A flower embraces the new season and radiates energy and hope. In the same way, I strive to keep blooming, especially in my older adult years. I want to continue opening up, changing, and seeking the sunshine.
Rediscovering those childhood art pieces reminded me how I’ve always used creativity to process and heal. I’ve come full circle. Life is still unfolding—and I’m still blooming.
Oh, and my childhood held many insecure, low-self-esteem times, but through growth, therapy, and reflection, I’ve come to understand those times better, and I see now that I’ve grown into who I was always meant to be.
“The Ugly Duckling” is a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, about a duckling who is different from his siblings and feels ostracized. He is teased for his appearance and longs to belong. The story explores themes of bullying, acceptance, and self-discovery, culminating in the duckling realizing he is a beautiful swan, not a duckling, and finds acceptance.
I see myself as a swan now😊