Art Speaks and Art Heals
Art Speaks…
Photos by Mary Lou Dauray
These messages painted on the Luma Foundation walls in Arles, France, are clear and concise. Fear paralyzes and destroys. Do not let it! “Get with the action” as Sister Mary Corita Kent (1918-1986) said, and make art. Let your voice be heard!
…and Art Heals
“Sacred Mountain”
Pen and Ink Drawing on paper 6”w x 8 ½”h
By Mary Lou Dauray, September 2025
How am I able to process stressful thoughts and keep a somewhat sense of calm during these unsettling times? Answer is by making art! I find that the act of creating helps translate my thoughts to the paper surface, which makes visible, and therefore somewhat manageable, my worrisome, debilitating and challenging emotions.
My most recent pen and ink artwork – “Sacred Mountain” – came about because, very recently, I was fortunate to discover a quiet space of healing time amongst the magical color and beauty of the landscape surrounding Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico. This drawing is the latest example of 60 somewhat similar meditative artworks I created during the past two years. (To see more of the Trauma series, please click here.) When creating those pieces, I use my artistic practice as one way to analyze, and ultimately to hopefully understand, complicated deep trauma and fear. I then discovered that a side effect of my work is the planting of healthy seeds of aliveness and purpose. Also, and importantly these days, I keep in mind words printed in a brochure from the Corita Arts Center in Los Angeles: “Creativity is a form of resistance — an act of defiance — and being engaged in the arts can help fight despair”.
Current research reveals that being engaged in creative activities such as singing, painting, writing, gardening, cooking, photography, dancing, etc. soothes and helps one face difficult and debilitating emotions. My hope is that my imagination, and yours, will discover, and will feel free enough, to open unhesitatingly to new life avenues that conceive a better, safer and healthier world.
Embolden and feed your imagination muscle!
Until next time,
Mary Lou
Art Tip
Cultivate a sense of awe and wonder as you closely look around and carefully listen to everything. Carry with you a notepad, iPad, pencil, paper, etc. Jot your thoughts down — or draw them. After a while you will have a collection of anecdotes, ideas, and possible innovations to incorporate into your creative endeavors.