One of the most rewarding experiences as director and curator of The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS and Manhattan Arts International is discovering a diverse range of extraordinary artists from around the world. For instance, I present annual exhibitions of all women artists titled “HerStory”. The 2020 exhibition included 90 women artists on the Manhattan Arts International website.
Part of the curatorial process involved visiting the websites of the women artists who submitted their art for consideration. During these visits I discovered several women artists who help others heal through art. Although you won’t find their art in the “HerStory” exhibition, I felt their art and intentions were better suited for this article, as they are an excellent match for the mission of The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS community.
It is an honor and pleasure to present the art and statements of Robin Okun, Barbara L. Chapman, Alina Ko, Jill Cliffer Baratta, Danah Beaulieu, Diane Fleisch Hughes, and Elisa Rossi.
Robin Okun
raising awareness about women and their bodies
By focusing almost exclusively on women and body language Robin Okun raises women’s awareness about their relationships to their bodies so they may begin their healing process. She brings to her art her previous work as a psychotherapist working primarily with women. The theme of her work “is an emotional sensitivity to what it means to be female”. As she explains, “Emotions, history, and healing are ongoing themes expressed in my paintings.”
With her “HerStory” entries she shared how her art serves as a healing modality. “My art making is an intuitive process of letting go of internal voices and trusting my unconscious mind. In these spaces of creativity, I notice a deep sense of awareness on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level. Applying layers of acrylic paint and charcoal, figures are revealed and their stories emerge. Through color, form, and line I explore the multidimensionality of female relationships with self and others. As each painting unfolds so does my capacity for personal healing and transformation.” Visit her website: robinokunstudio.com
Barbara L. Chapman
volunteer work with homeless youth in art workshops
Barbara L. Chapman submitted “Resilience” for the “HerStory” exhibition and wrote: “I explore the connections between the mind and spiritual in the use colors, textures and subject. I often layer colors and then remove some in specific places to reveal it’s beginnings and to mirror life and how we carry our collection of experiences with us. Depth, sometimes roughness, and sometimes smoothness, is incorporated into our lives as in my art.” She is motivated by a desire “to express the beauty, grace and courage that can be found in each of us no matter what our circumstances are.”
Barbara does volunteer work with homeless youth at the Sanctuary Art Center in Seattle, Washington, a non profit, drop in art space “where art, the creative process, is used as means to healing trauma that the children have and do experience.” She explains, “We all sit around a large table working on our own art projects, talking, listening and at times offering practical guidance pertaining to art projects or life. Oftentimes, I am aware of the limitless and expansive perspective of the young people that are homeless and are completely on their own. Their art is very powerful, beautiful, uplifting and honest in ways that are specific to their life.” Visit her website: chapman-art.com
Alina Ko
experience with breast cancer… and a tribute to her mother
Alina Ko wrote this statement: “My artwork expresses my experience with breast cancer. Working in the media of acrylic painting, mural, photography and digital collage, I have created a series that evokes deep emotions, brings forth a poignancy that, I hope, raises awareness. ‘Breastfeeding’ is a painting about a mother who forgoes chemotherapy and has a mastectomy instead, in order to give birth to a baby girl. ‘Breastfeeding’ is also a tribute to my late mother who died while I was in surgery.”
The artist has also curated exhibitions about breast cancer. “The Journey to New Beginnings: An Exhibition on Breast Cancer Awareness Art” in 2019, and “Thrivers: A Virtual Exhibit of Breast Cancer Art,” in 2020/2021. She has been producing short documentaries about physical and mental illness with Art as Healer. Her collaboration with Robert Anthony Montesino, “Ministry Art: The Art of the Spiritually Woke” featured spiritual or religious themed artwork and performances from several artists. Visit her website: alinako.com
Jill Cliffer Baratta
facilitating art-making with others
Jill Cliffer Baratta has been very active in using art as a healing modality. She served as the Facilitator for The Art of Healing in the infusion center at Englewood Hospital (2015-19). She also offered art therapy for autistic children, Marblejam Kids, NJ, 2010 – 2013, among her many other activities.
When she submitted her art to the Manhattan Arts International “HerStory” exhibition she wrote, “One creates art to reflect the world around oneself, or to share a feeling. I make my own art, but I also find it satisfying to facilitate art-making with others. I explore different themes, media and methods, creating various series, varying ideas and media, as long as I need to complete an exploration of a feeling, idea, or method of working, and these are markedly different as they change over time. I utilize mainly printmaking, collage, and occasionally painting.” Visit her website: jcbarattasart.com
Danah Beaulieu
founder of an innovative Wellness Through Creativity program
Danah Beaulieu launched Art InDeed – Wellness Through Creativity through which she has created and implemented on-going Art Programs at: The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County, The Alzhiemer’s Society of Windsor and Essex County, Maryvale Children’s Services, and other locations. Danah is also known for creating an original intuitive method she calls ColourPLAY. It is an artistic practice in what she calls the Art of Allowing! — a playful and powerful method for expanding ones capacity to enjoy, discover and explore the creative process while experiencing relaxation, inspiration and revelation in the creative moment.”
Danah states, “I create to connect. I create art intuitively by translating the moment through color and form. My process is an expressive, art of allowing… allowing the moment and my connection to it to flow and reveal the boundlessness of creativity. May my artwork be a source of upliftment, positivity, joy and beauty in people’s lives. And, above all, may it inspire humanity to recall that creativity is an adventure of remembering the truth of who we all are: whole, healthy and wise.” Visit her website: danahgrace.com
Diane Fleisch Hughes
art of the expressive therapies as a way of healing
You may recognize Diane Fleisch Hughes because her art was selected for our recent online exhibition “The Spirit of Resilience”. She was selected for our “Artists as World Changers” series. You can read about her in this article.
Diane is an art therapist / counselor and multi media figurative artist based in Cleveland, Ohio. Her artwork “revolves around the human condition and is a reaction to the people I meet when engaging in a collaborative art experience with them.”
“Partners” is from a series that “examines the expressive therapies, specifically dance as a way of healing. This therapy is a psychotherapeutic use of movement and dance to support the intellectual, emotional, and motor functions of the body. So go ahead and dance like no one is watching!” Visit her website: dianefleischhughes.com
Elisa Rossi
art as a healing tool to transmute pain into empowerment
Elisa Rossi is an Italian artist based in Los Angeles and uses different mediums “to create expressive artworks that fluctuate between figuration and abstraction.” She uses painting “to explore the symbiotic relationship between the subconscious mind and the artistic output.” After earning a MA Degree in International Relations she lived in Belgrade, Berlin and Brussels while pursuing a career in public affairs. During those years, she also pursued her ever-present passion for visual arts.
She explains, “I paint to alchemize my wounds into beauty. My creative process varies from representational portraits to abstract compositions that stem from my subconscious. I believe that art is the best healing tool to transmute pain into empowerment and ashes into beauty. I hope to contribute to the healing of others as well.” Visit her website: elisarossiart.com
Deborah Beck says
I also teach the power of healing through painting💜
Leah Abrahams says
I am struck by the vibrant colors exhibited by the artists shown here in HerStory. The strong block of colors used by Robin Okun grab me ,and by showing me what she feels about herself, her body, her story, makes me reflect on how I see myself, my body, my story. To me, that is what art is about.
As Picasso said, “We all know that Art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth, at least the truth that is given to us to understand.”
Rendia Bechard says
I am so happy you have recognized my good friend for her soulful work! I first met Danah when she was doing her work with the clients of the addiction treatment centre I worked for. Shortly after, Danah did a reading for me and I commissioned her to create a piece of art that would embody my lost child, my only daughter. The work of art has its own wall in my bedroom, so I will always be connected to my daughter’s spirit. From there, Danah helped my young son and I connect through art, it was the first time we could connect without chaos!
Danah, you are an angel on earth! You are a healer! You are SO amazing! I am so thrilled your gifts are recognized not only in your city, but internationally! Much love to you and the other beautiful artists featured in this wonderful article!
Jill Cliffer Baratta says
I am so honored to be included here. Elisa Rossi, “alchemize my wounds into beauty,” is SO brilliant.
I am impressed with the work of tgese women. Thanks, Renee!