Sunday 21 August 2011

My Other Life



My other life is so rewarding. I work for a Mental Health charity and help run a service called the Wellbeing Service. Part of my work includes providing art courses which I absolutely love, they are so therapeutic and each time I plan a course it is attended by at least 10 people. I have a mixed group, some are quite artistic already but for many others it is their first experience of trying something creative. The joy I get from seeing them grow and the sense of pride they gain from producing their first piece of art work is so amazing. I remember that feeling well back in 2004 when I first decided I wanted to learn how to paint, and because of my journey I can provide the guidance and encouragement for them to believe in themselves.

The work shown here is some of the art people did in my recent Expressions in Mixed Media class. They produced three pieces of work in 3 two hour classes! Collage, plaster on canvas board, and plaster gauze.






7 comments:

Petie said...

Livvie, this is wonderful to get to see more of you! Your students are doing fantastic work and I know it must be so rewarding. :D

wandamarie.blogspot.com said...

very REWARDING, livvie! i can relate to this on such a deep level with my afterschool kids...such special happenings every single time! your students' work shines! as do you! xo

Janice Scherer said...

Love to hear about this side of you. Your students' work is beautiful. I know you are proud of the work you do and the difference you're making. So glad you started a blog.

Monika Schmid said...

Livvie, your student's work is fantastic! And I too enjoy learning more about you!:-) xoxo

Francesca Di Leo said...

livvie, good on you girl. what an incredibly rewarding experience to share your love of art like that.
big hugs roomie, F.

joanne said...

i so admire and love your beautiful heart...the devotion you give to your art is equal in turn to the devotion you give in your work... to bring the gift of art to those who suffer is the work of a healer...what important, compassionate work it is, and all the world is healed because of it... thank you for the work you do and thank you for opening your heart and sharing even more of it here with others ...

it is a beautiful unfolding...

Colette said...

Wow. So rewarding for the participants I'm sure!