I have been quiet, as so much is going on. I have been working hard to move my artwork online. As many already know, my mom has been battling rectal cancer, and she just had her surgery. Without going into details about my mom’s cancer battle, she had a five-hour and thirty-minute long surgery and stayed at the hospital for 11 days.

I took care of her, and we are lucky that she lives across from the hospital so I could go there three times a day to support her. Due to Covid and the lack of nurses, I was her helper during her stay in the hospital, and I continue to be after her at her home.

At least 3 times a day, I would walk with her up and down the stairs instead of the elevator. I believe in walking as much as possible. It creates movement and releases the endorphins.
As we walk, I admire the artwork. I wondered if staff, hospital visitors, or patients knew of what incredible artwork from the very talented artists they had hanging on their walls.

In my hallway I found the works of incredible artists like Jean-Paul Riopelle & Irene F. Whittome.

I asked two nurses that came into my mom’s room About the paintings. They were of course surprised by my questions and answered me with: We are too busy to pay attention to what artworks are on the walls. Later one answered, ‘We have all walk the path of life that come in and I believe with the fear of Covid, no one really pays attention.’ It saddened me, but it didn’t surprise me.

I have done commissions where their artwork made them cry, give them joy, and really resonated with people. What I know is that sometimes, people can’t put it into words how they feel, or although the artwork will affect the space and the person, they are not aware of how much it does play into their lives. What surrounds us and our environment play a big role in our happiness, mood, and energy. Healing is energy, and happiness and joy are positive energy. Love is essential for greatness.
I decided to do a bit of research, how artwork affected hospitals and their patients.

https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/Research-Art-Works-PennState2.pdf
https://www.grin.com/document/308784
https://amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/34719/Article-26–10-Great-Reasons-to-Support-Public-Art—Broudy?bidId=
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2804629/
https://www.healing-power-of-art.org/art-in-healthcare-is-an-integral-part-of-the-design-plan/
https://www.strathmoreartist.com/blog-reader/5-reasons-why-looking-at-art-makes-your-brain-happy.html

I strongly believe that artwork, a design of a space and colors, will play a big role in the energy of a room. It can create a space and has so much more value than most people don’t realize.
Studies show that both creating and observing art can reduce cortisol, the ‘stress hormone’. Doing something you love also releases endorphins, ‘feel-good’ chemicals that combat and stress and reduce pain. Distracts from other worries, and creates a healthy state of mind.

I will continue to create and in the hopes of helping people spark emotions and bring joy, light, and inspiration to their space and life.

Carole Beauvais