Art Group Fosters Individual Creativity and Peace of Mind

Contributed By: Therese Bernier, FRN Rehab and Recovery Coordinator

Fellowship Health Resources conducts a weekly art group for members with supplies purchased through a grant received from the United Way of Greater Fall River.

In recent sessions, the group learned about color origin and theory. Participants explored various techniques in pastels, chalk & oil, along with the blending of primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Group members created individual abstract drawings, using only three colors and blending them to create all other colors.

This month, the group has been studying the life and difficulties of Vincent van Gogh, an artist who suffered from frequent bouts of mental illness throughout his life, and died, at 37, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Group facilitators provided members with one of van Gogh’s most well know images and most replicated prints, Starry Night, as well as his piece Starry Night over the Rhone, and encouraged members to create their own renditions of these famous works.

Mark, pictured left, observing his completed masterpiece of Starry Night over the Rhone states, “I find the group very soothing, and the music playing in the background while working makes everything flow. No matter how you do it, it comes out right.”

Rob, pictured right, also enjoys coming to the art group. “I am learning something. I like listening to the music; it puts me in a painting mood. I can concentrate better with the music on. I like art; I want to get better at it.”

The mood of the group is positive. Nobody says I cannot, but rather, I will try or I can. Each individual comes to the group to create what they see with no rules. In doing so, you can see the wonderful pieces of art they created.