The Art of Healing

My life as a physician has led me to believe that diseases are treated with physical intervention such as surgery, therapy and/or medications. My life as an artist (the second half of my life) has led me to believe that the mind has powerful healing effects. When I paint my mind goes into a meditative state. My emotions calm and my thoughts subside. Only the painting, the image fills my mind. Others have noticed this therapeutic effect. Winston Churchill wrote a book entitled, Painting as a Pastime , which basically was a short book on art psychotherapy. There are many who think that Churchill had severe bipolar disorder. It is said that there were days when he had to conduct his cabinet meetings from his bed. He must have thought painting was quite a worthwhile thing to do given all of his other responsibilities. Maybe this type of activity helped Churchill through World War II. Art therapy refers to using the creative power of the mind to create paintings, original art and other forms of art. I, myself, have experienced a positive effect of art therapy whether it be through watercolors, oils, acrylics, abstract, or impressionism. I personally enjoy painting mountain scenes, rivers and streams as well as abstract subjects. I find that it helps me to use my imagination to come up with meaning in my art. It is interesting that most of my subjects are calm and peaceful when the illness raging in my brain is anything but peaceful. I think that I do this subconsciously to help me deal with my agitated depression. My illness has been severe enough that I would not be here today if not for intense therapy including multiple medications and electroconvulsive therapy. So it works both ways. The mental treatments make it possible for me to paint and the painting helps me deal with my mental health.