Case Studies
 Case Study 1: Quadriplegic female renews her spirit through The Feather's Touch therapeutic art sessions
Unable to move her limbs, she quietly holds a paintbrush in her mouth. Her style of painting is displayed through long brushstrokes of watercolor. She would create paintings that related to nature. This theme reminded her of frequent visits to the eastern shore and her love for riding horses. During each session we would play “Classical” music to initiate the creative process. Through The Feather's Touch therapeutic art sessions our art specialist was able to assist her with establishing control with holding the paintbrush in her mouth. As well as strengthening her neck muscles, enhancing concentration and dexterity. Initially, frequent shakes and unintended marks appeared in her earlier paintings, as she was timid with handling the paintbrush. But as the sessions progressed from week to week, she was able to control her brushstrokes and refine stability. Her later paintings displayed more detail and creative expression. It became evident that she no longer focused on her disability, but more on the things that brought her joy. The inspiring sessions continued for 4 months, until her goals were met in physical therapy. It was rewarding to observe the restoration of her self-worth. "It's not about a finished piece of art; it's about providing people with ways to cope with what's happening in life through self-expression." ______________________________________________________ |
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 Case Study 2: Vibrant woman in her 90's uses color to illustrate her feelings about her declining health. Her paintings embodied beautiful gradations of reds, yellows and orange. Large expressive brushstrokes covered the canvas. Her excitement and joy for painting was displayed through each picture. Surprisingly, during a routine visit to the facility, her usual festive spirit appeared dim. She was silent and sitting still in a chair with some display of uncertainty. As she painted, I noticed her brushstrokes were small and random. Shades of gray, black and brown now occupied her new work of art. Later I discovered she had a recent fall. It then became clearer that her inner thoughts and feelings about the incident were being expressed through color. The use of color can be utilized as a different form of communication. This is demonstrated through the drastic contrast in her previous paintings and later works. Her previous paintings were lively with bright colors, which signify contentment. Her later paintings that displayed gray, black and brown indicated a sense of gloom. From these observations, color is an essential component in therapeutic art sessions. “Colors are more that just red, blue, yellow and black,
they serve as
non-verbal communication. Their symbolism and meaning have a huge effect on people with brain emotional and mental disorders.” |
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