Horner Art Workshop

I recently went to visit someone in a hospital. The patient had a nervous breakdown and was in a room with dull depressing gray paint on the walls. It was after that encounter that I decided to purchase a small water color kit and paper to paint small pictures that could be hung on the walls. These pictures can also be taken home when the patient leaves.

I posted about the process earlier in a post called “A Flower Grows in Rehab”. It is something I can do without petitioning the hospital to commission me to paint pictures for their rooms. I have had that kind of commission for a hospital waiting room and it made a huge difference.

I want to encourage each artist and artist lover reading this to look for ways to provide art work in the rooms of those who are ill. Art has a profound power to aid in the healing process. We can make a difference with out work but we just need ways and means to get it there.

After my encounter at that hospital

Ray Horner

art in health care

As a visual artist, I am always discovering ways that art can be used to enhance the lives of others. One of those ways is to aid in the healing of those mentally or physically ill.

My Tools

This year I started traveling with a small watercolor kit. The size of the kit is a “4×6” block. I also use the Strathmore blank post cards. The imperial watercolor paper works well for this kind of thing.

I went to a physical rehabilitation facility on a Monday evening equipped with these tools. The woman and friend I was visiting was in her seventies and recovering from surgery on her neck.
After we chatted for a while, I asked her if she would like a picture for her room. Her answer was a resounding YES. I should note that she already had an assortment of my prints in her home. Consequently, it was not a hard to convince her to allow me to paint.

A support while I worked

My wife entertained her with a modern day version of a familiar bible story while I worked. I drew the rose first and completed it with the watercolors in her favorite color-Yellow. This enabled me to complete the work quickly.

When the rose was completed, this woman with hands still fighting for mobility reached out to touch the painting. Her face glowed as she looked with awe at her picture. I signed it and wrote a note of encouragement before I hung it where she could see it at all times.

Her roommate then begged me to paint a picture for her also. I did.

I am convinced, as many artists reading this will agree that artists must constantly work on their craft. Therefore, if you work on your art while visiting someone it can be a win-win situation.

You do not have to give away your masterpieces

Please know that I AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT YOU GIVE AWAY YOUR MASTERPIECES. However, believe that the person who is ill will see what ever you can contribute as a masterpiece. You will also be donating your time and healing concern. Isn’t that what art is all about?

Lets all keep working to bring healing art to the world.
Your Art Coach

Ray