Proof in the Pudding – The Results Are In!

Be sure to see Art and Soul in the Children's Court at the Old Courthouse Gallery, Ipswich Qld (closing Nov. 6, 2011)


Art and Soul, as it has been know has sadly come to the end of this phase of its life. The final week's session before the hugely successful opening night on October 13 was a mixed bag of finishing up and review. First of all, following the guided meditation, a gratitude session – what each participant observed in themselves as a result of their experience while taking part in Art and Soul. Lovely stories, of "having fun"; "re-opening of eyes" came about among others. My most treasured feedback came from one of the "Stars", in the way of a speech given on opening night. Please read on:

The following is a transcript of a gratitude speech given at the opening of Art and Soul by Robz Davey who was a participant of the Art and Soul program. The work of this talented participant has attracted much attention and managed to sell out of all but a few pieces on opening night.

Art and Soul has been an amazing experience for me. Kristy Day – the creator of this program, and Denise Darnel – Kristy’s side kick are undoubtedly some of the most genuine people I have met to date. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you both for taking the time, patience, and empathy out of your lives and injecting it into this program, and trying to engage and guide us in whichever direction you did. It is very much appreciated.

Little did I know that art could be a force to be reckoned with. Almost like a drug, capable of such huge mood alterations, Like a hug or a rainbow after a storm, this held a nexus of other awesome possibilities. Colours, textures, patterns, fields, paper bags, mixed mediums, music, light. Freedom from barriers, consistent with play, interactive with possibilities. The mentality seemed to be, why not? Not Why? Go for it. - Awesome! I think it might be appropriate to quote from Banksy: or maybe that is just in my world. “Think from outside the box, collapse the box and take a *#!*! knife to it.”

An outstanding part about Art an Soul was the unknowing removal of all labels, previous judgements, disability or diagnosis, and the replacement of an adhesiveness of sorts - a type of self discovery, and synergy.

I think the most rewarding part of this entire experience has been watching people interact with one another, through their processes, their communication and expression through colour, mixed medium, or whatever it maybe that they like to play with. Art really is a universal language. It’s like a smile, it’s contagious. It’s something you look at, and no matter what, you are forced to interact and feel and engage with it.

For me, I’m not so great with my feelings. So, it’s something I like to observe in people. Especially in Denise, she has been a fantastic source of entertainment. I think she helped invent excitement.

Without this program I know I would be less then I am now. It has given me so much, I feel I owe something I will never be able to return. I find it a little hard to articulate. I now understand why artists are poor, they do what they love, and some live off a meager amount but they are thriving inwardly. Perhaps thats what it means to be happy? To have nothing in your pockets but a smile on your face and a full heart. Although, at times during the program we have all had our own trials and tribulations, been enraged, or just out of sorts. Most of the time paint, crayons and buttons, have been a fantastic coping mechanism. It far better exceeds the others.

So what have we learnt? When in doubt, - rip it up, or throw a little paint on it. - We’ve all got a little Jackson Pollock in all of us!

I would like to thank the following people and organisations that made this whole program such a benift to all that took part:

Kristy Day, Denise Darnel,

Kate from Art time Supplies.

Kristy Day Graphic Design

Photoline

Ipswich Art Society

After Care

Open Minds

Queensland Government

Ipswich Regional Advocacy Services Inc.

Mental Health Careers

Oz Care

FSG Australia

Richmond Fellowship QLD

City of Ipswich

Kambu

Jacaranda Clubhouse

If I have missed anyone. Sorry, it happens. But, your still important, Come see me, and I’ll give you a Smiley sticker.

And all other participants for
their good humor and awesome artworks. :)

Finally, all in all, this prodigious effort, after 9 weeks has drawn to a close, and has left me, a little sad, I think. However, what I am certain of is that there is a communal need for a consistent and permanent structure – a future art space.

Robz Davey

It is my intention to keep Art and Soul going into the future. It seems I have secured a space within Ipswich CBD but it still depends on funding too. We have managed to attract Local Government attention, and we also have many leads and offers of assistance in applying for grants. I will be walking that path as soon as my feet hit the ground again.

I want to take this opportunity while I finish up this phase, to thank Denise Darnell for her tireless assistance, and for germinating this seed I stuck in the ground way back 4 years ago! Denise if one of those people that come into your life that make you want to check to see where their wings are hiding! She's and old soul – a visionary; and the Qld Government is better for having employed her. She stands out as a shining light, leading in her own way, and it is a Good way!

Thank you also to the people that came out of the woodwork to encourage me when I was in a place of self doubt. Thank you to the people who assisted to physically lug the gallery system from point A to point B and back to point A again – naming Chris Davey – proud father of Robz Davey; and hanging assistant and close friend "Crazy" Sue Rosenberg.

With gratitude

Kristy Day

Watch this space!

 Robz Davey with her installation receiving rave reviews

 Robz Davey's work (sold out)

 Helpers Robz, Denise and the Angel Man Chris Davey

 Tireless helper Denise Darnell (Camera shy)

An especially wonderful show from my flowers

 The collaborative mural etc. installed in the Children's Court at the Old Courthouse Gallery, Ipswich

Marcus' work

Angie's work

 John's work

 Renche's work

Lyle's work

PS. Loving thoughts go to my special friend Rita Broadway who at this time is coming off life support in an Adelaide hospital. Rita was my special high school art teacher, and a life-long friend. If it wasn't for her I wouldn't be who I am as an artist.

Week 7 – And So We Played!

What to do this week without our collaborative mural! 


That was what I asked myself over the weekend as I lay awake one night. The saying goes: "ask and you will receive". "Prints"...potato cut prints; mini lino cut prints. Let's put them onto cards to sell for gold coins or the option to "make an offer" at the exhibition. I hadn't done any lino cut printing since a one off print as part of an assignment for a book cover design at my school of advertising and graphic design in the mid eighties! Before that, it was during high school in the early eighties!! Potato cut printing? Well, I have been known to design logos and have made backgrounds for publications using potato cut prints!

By the time our lovely people walked into this week's workshop, Denise and I had everything from paint, crayons and ink; to donated coloured papers, blank folded greeting cards and thick sliced potatoes placed in the middle of our workspace ready to go. Before the meditation the sight was met with a few childlike giggles and maybe a tiny bit of apprehension!

The meditation was "asked" for when I offered the option of "to meditate or not to meditate today" so it's nice to know that that part of the session is highly regarded. We repeated last week's meditation just because it was so good. Being the 2nd to last session, I felt we were winding down a little this week. We had a few late comers who missed out on the meditation and it was easy to see their unease. Some repeated reinforcement and encouragement offered to commence and then refocus on their art play a few times over eventually brought some at least aesthetic meditation into being, and then harmony soon returned. Alternatively, let go, I gather that one person's drama could have been let play out in its normal pattern and it would have been a different story. I felt grateful that there was a distraction in the form of art in this situation while the therapeutic dynamic played out in front of our eyes and validated it's self.

With minimal demonstration of potato cut prints, pieces started to appear in front of our eyes. The lino cut printing fortunately had a competent player in one of the participants. She had spent the week lino cut printing at home and had brought in a strong body of work already. Even though she knew the technique, others fearlessly went ahead and used acrylic paint on their lino cut designs, transferring and creating magnificent rustic pieces adorning roll folded blank cards – some into triptych. The play continued with stuff like melted crayons over mixed mediums, and layers of torn pre-prepared abstract works on paper shared and worked on collaboratively.

The most rewarding aspect of today's workshop was the evident transformation of the state of mind. The play from a distance – from an outsider's perspective – may have seemed a little chaotic with what seemed like maybe too many materials on offer to choose from. From my perspective, when given time to interact with the participants one-on-one, it was easy to slip into their zone and appreciate how much fun they were having while surrendering to this play with no rules. Who cares if the edges of the lino cut prints were unruly! The raw nature of the pieces created today were magnificent. I know that this week was one of the most enjoyed sessions.

I continue to get regular approaches from participants and their carers in regards to these workshops and their possible continuation into the future. What set out as a mentorship to get these people to produce a body of work for an exhibition has turned into another whole entity. As I am informed, we really have a "recovery model" here in this work. I still rather call myself the "cultivator" here though. These people have simply been allowed to play, and be seen to do something they can do rather than surrendering to a disability label they may have been given. It is clear that we need to make these workshops regular and accessible. Now all I need to do is cultivate the time to explore funding options and see what sort of facility we can manifest to house a permanent studio. All radars are on, searching for empty (maybe flood effected Ipswich buildings). Or an unused historic building loft with some amazing skylights! ...all while I keep graphic designing on the side to pay the bills.

Oh, to visualise... and a little less sleep!

These are some of the fantastic pieces that will be on sale at the exhibition opening next Thursday night. Oct. 13. Start saving the gold coins, or prepare to make an offer!

Week 6 – This Meditation

How much does our state of mind have to do with our participation in this play with art? For me, this most recent workshop felt like one meditation.

I arrived early as I do to set up the temporary studio space. It takes about an hour. Some times, as I lug the rolls of floor vinyl and fold out tables into our lovely old courtroom, I ponder the possibilities of the session ahead of me. This session was one of those days were I wondered how I would manage while I also wrestled with my own unease. Minutes before while walking through Bunnings to buy the weekly stock of cloth tape to hold down the edges of the protective floor vinyl, I wasn't at all grounded. In fact, it didn't even feel like my feet were on the ground at all! Fuzzy headed, I carried on – winging my way through the inevitable obstacle ahead. Denise, my priceless assistant walked in with a nearly identical state of mind. We carried on regardless, knowing at least sub-consciously that what we were setting up, we knew in our hearts was good for these people we work with. Never mind "US"!

"Anyway", (as I often say!), this week's participants turned up yet again with works under their arms, stuffed in duffle bags and zip top plastic sandwich pouches. Pride building, they were lined up on the long bench pews. The anticipation of the pending exhibition looms as I quietly start wondering how we can present these works without the expense of frames and conventional hanging methods. I guess this whole exercise is not all that conventional so one should be forgiven for having very limited funds for maybe some mat mounts at least.

This week I chose a slightly longer guided meditation. Chosen the night before, little did I know that we "ALL" needed this one today! In the past I have been concerned that if this part of the session stretched out too long, I would loose some people through the lack of attention span or what ever else that may hinder the process for some. The beauty of working within the old courthouse in Ipswich is that we are graced with the timeless benefits of the historic architecture. At the end of this lovely meditation, I opened my eyes to see numerous people in our circle completely immersed and bathing in the sunlight from the building's souring cathedral ceiling skylights. The meditation's core message was using the sunlight and a waterfall to cleanse away negative energy. That sort of Grace is amazing! This experience set the scene for the rest of the session, and it was obvious that we were all grounded again and in full control of our States.

The work on the collaborative mural was brought to a close today. We continued with meditative music, gently working forward elements of the piece in steel grey and white – stamping the work with it's personality. It was a bit sad to have to finish this mural up now but it was quite obvious it was at the end of this phase of its life – so be it.

Our plant studies on the mandala pie pieces came easy again. I'm so enjoying and not surprised to see the spontaneous nature of the work. The exercise around imagination has been fruitful here and I look forward to seeing this installation in place within the exhibition.

A couple of the more independent participants teamed up on another installation that I am particularly excited about. A quick excursion to Spotlight produced many safety pins destined to stitch together what seems to be a temporary piece – many sticky notes coated in beautiful oil colours engorged with linseed oil. Even though temporary because it may never dry, the gorgeous abstract chaotic colours glow when held up to the light. It's that moment while we can hold it there that is so good.

Again, it's the process that is important. The aesthetic meditation in that moment is what is so wonderful. Right now I'm in a good place while I am grateful for this.

I have no idea what we will do without our mural next week. 2 weeks to go before the exhibition! I'll come up with something I reckon!

The invitation to the Exhibition

Week 5 – Causing Effect

"Cause and effect refers to the philosophical concept of causality, in which an action or event will produce a certain response to the action in the form of another event." wikepedia.org

May we be making an impact? I think so! Activating imagination; allowing a space for play; and as a result: reclaiming ability; building self-esteem... I could go on and on!

As a result of a recent summation from a Department of Qld Health audit, I find myself realising that we may in fact have a "recovery" model here. I'm no psychologist and have never studied, at least as an academic, the way we humans function but it's not hard to use empathy – at least in relation to your own life journey, see something truly in action here as a result of these workshops.

This week started out a little more harmoniously than last week with the meditation going mostly unhindered, and I now have mastered the ipod technology so there was no inappropriate loud drumming follow-up!

The collaborative mural continues to evolve and come into the life that it is. One participant noted that she felt it was complete as is and started to withdraw away and into her own studies. As the guide, I feel it may indeed be time to bring the mural to a close next week and provide the opportunity to finish off what seems to be required. Now I need to plan a way to make a stretcher so that this baby can be installed into the exhibition.

Our stand-out among others this week was some work brought in from home by one of the participants. Small studies of abstract marks that one would expect from an accomplished artist! Promptly removed to their safety, these pieces beg to be mounted for show. Apparently they were the small but significant remnants of up to 70 plus pieces produced in the middle of the night as a result of insomnia. The others came to grief by way of destruction! I have given strict instructions to this artist, that she may slip bundles of these works under the Old Court House door on a day to day basis so that we may be able to save them from their possible lack of future! I look forward to showcasing these pieces in the exhibition.

We started our mandala this week too. Pie sections of gesso covered donated banner material were cut and divided up amongst all. They quickly had their backgrounds washed in, using a similar approach to the early days of the mural. This process came easily while the appreciation of loose washes were enjoyed. Watching water pool and run into amazing marks created what one participant called "finished" as is on her section so finished it is! The remaining mandala pieces will soon take on plant studies, reflecting the theme: "what I would look like if I were a plant". The centre piece disk has already been born in clay and mixed mediums – the earth for the mandala pie to grow from! 

The exhibition planning is now on my mind. The inevitable logistics! Invitations are about to be sent out for the opening on the night of October 13 at St Paul's Church Hall. Councillor Charlie Pisasale has kindly taken up the offer of officially opening. The exhibition will be at the church hall for this one night and then travel over to the Old Court House Childrens' Courtroom for the remainder of its time until November 6. Thanks so much to the Old Court Houses' Brian Isgrove and gallery director Sasch Mason for kindly facilitating this extension of time so that as many people as possible can enjoy the fruits of our play!

Please enjoy these snippet sections of this week's mural work.

Week 4 – "Amazing! – there is beauty in chaos"

Week 4 workshop has definitely seen the fruits or our labour; more wonderful artworks walk in the door; and a depth of enthusiasm that yet again further demonstrates the worth of this whole process.

Maybe it was the full moon from the day before but there was a different energy within the group initially. A few seemed withdrawn and then soon lightened up. The guided meditation was somewhat disrupted by outside noises but at the same time, the participants kept focus. My operation of a new ipod in dock facility experience (or lack of!) proved somewhat challenging to me at least when my drumming track blasted in immediately after the relaxing meditation. Upon my quick response to cull the inappropriate "noise", I still found the group happy to bathe in the sensation as a result of their meditation for a little longer before they continued on with the routine mural work.

It seems that the collaborative mural to music is providing a space for a sort of adventure through an amazing labarinth. As each person contributes, I am observing not only a complete dissolving into the now for each participant, but a collective energy shared. Watching the process of merging expressive marks; the teamwork; and the collective enjoyment of the ephemeral nature of the mural is awe inspiring. Each week the piece is shifting and changing into another direction; and because we are working in so many layers, the transparencies are mystical and alluring. No wonder the participants are having no trouble drawing out elements into form. Now that we are moving into warmer colours, the depths achieved are even more inspiring.

As the facilitator of this collective mural, the most rewarding part for me is receiving the feedback. One participant made a point of relaying to me her enjoyment while contemplating the mural in progress. The gist of her words were: "Isn't it amazing, that there is so much beauty in chaos". That statement to me acknowledges that this process is worthwhile. It is a rediscovery that allowing surrender to the process, allowing seeming "chaos" as a process; trusting that process, and that in that process there is a moment in the "now" and that it is safe there regardless – that there is "art" in all this. I think that is what we all are striving to experience as creative beings!

The later part of the workshop was taken up with a little more structure as we explored the discipline of drawing as a prelude to painting. As I demonstrated how I go about using different grades of charcoal to draw a still life, the participants quickly jumped on board using the same materials made available to them. Most had never picked up charcoal in their life. Like ducks to water, they were producing work as if they had been practicing many times before. Soon enough, my job was done (as mother duck!), left them to their own devises as I then threw in coloured pastels. Fearlessly following my dare, they chose colours for the most wonderful interpretations. Again, we harvested the fruits of our labour!

As intended, my drawing exercise then moved into a process of interpretation using imagination. The theme being: "If you were a plant, what would you look like?". Apart from some amusement, quickly we saw results, and quickly you could tell who's drawing belonged to who! An exercise similar to the paper bag portrait, the self of each participant was easy to see.

Next week we plan to use the self interpretation plant studies and transpose them onto a large mandala. Each person will have a cut-out piece of mandala pie to paint their interpretation. I have visualised this piece turning into what will resemble an iris of an eye. The pupil or centre of the mandala will be made up of a disc of clay tiles (being the earth). When completed, I intend for this piece to occupy the floor space of our exhibition.

I'm extremely excited to report that feedback from case workers has been positive so far. Yesterday, I was able to share with one of my participants, the challenge I have faced in shifting my life into this unknown territory. I explained that the past 20 plus years has seen me safely cooped up in my studio working as a self employed graphic designer and artist. The response from this person was so encouraging when she stated: "I can't believe that!... what you are doing here is awesome...".

I must say, this week was a stand out to me since I am also learning to trust the process; and I am, as every other participant, is in awe of the results we are realising by simply trusting this process together.

I can start to relax, and I am grateful!

Photos here show more snippets of the mural and some works on the side by some deeply engaged artists.

Week 3 – and the art works come marching in!

This workshop session started out with participants walking in with a spring in their step and heaps of enthusiasm. Some had completed multiple pieces, and it seemed they couldn't get them out of their bags quick enough to show me. Wonderful work! My intention to cultivate freedom of expression and experimentation seems to be paying off. Mixed mediums – even egg cartons (that no longer looked like egg cartons) were sculpted into wonderful explosions of colour and sculptural form in one piece. The confidence in the execution of this work was obvious and the participants knew it!

I continue to wing my way through this process and I continue to learn more and more about my self. For years I have been called "Arfer" (affectionately by my husband!). I have to say I am a visionary, and I do have the gift of being able to visualise vividly. I have visualised or imagined doing so many things – not all to do with the arts – but it usually involves creating something or the intention to embark on some endeavor! I thank my mother for this personality trait! A lot of the visions do in fact manifest (I guess I walk it every day) but a lot of them don't, hence my nick-name that comes from things "half done". Anyway, the fact that I came up with this workshop model for challenged people years ago, still scares the living daylight out of me. The fact that I am obliged to step over my intermittent agoraphobia into something that has gone from "in my head" to something that has manifested into something "real". It is rewarding, and it is somewhat alarming that I have got to mid life and this is the first time that I have honoured a new path and faced up to something a little radical without fear of judgement.

The beauty of this whole exercise, that I reflect on my self about, is that it is not all about me, but more about what I am observing in the group of people I work with. The reflection of my philosophy is real in these people. My idea of letting go of expectation; allowing free expression; and providing a safe place without judgment is proving to be fruitful. The people I am working with are already producing work at home on their own steam, and it is good!

Again, one of my stand-out participants continues to demonstrate her gift. For someone that apparently does not normally engage, I see only wonderful results within the model we work with. This person is producing works that she too is proud of. Take away any expectation around technique and structure, and you have a gift that is able to shine.

I am also extremely exited about another later arrival. I feel this person has much to bring to the group with their life experience and morals they have intention to use as leverage in their commitment to create something around the theme of "an object (or something) that means something to them". I see the theme evolving as it integrates the need to use a "someone" that means something to them, and not so much an "object".

Interesting that "others" make up who we are!

Thanks to my wonderful partner in this mission, Denise, for your help AGAIN!

I managed to forget that I did pack a better digital camera and so did only get these snippets of the collaborative mural with my dodgey mobile phone camera! These are amazing...please enjoy!