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0-Process used Painting No. 57 Titled ‘A Celebration of Womanhood’ 8 Colour Personal Mix of Matisse Acrylic Paint Photographed by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist 2014.JPG

INTRODUCTION

My art for therapy journey has been about being able to find meaning and purpose in my daily life. Much of my earlier art work has been about very personal feelings, emotions and thoughts.  It has also been about loss and grief. But slowly and surely, art has brought me to a place where I look for joy in each and every day!

PAINTING STORY

The painting featured below, which I titled ‘A Celebration of Womanhood’ has a story that will show how art also needs to be about finding your sense of humour, to have a laugh about yourself, a bit of a giggle – it can put a smile on your face and a skip in your step.  I really wasn’t sure if I was going to share this painting story but after originally promising myself, when I first started painting that I would always be open and honest about my art for therapy journey, I realised there should be no exceptions to that promise to myself. So I am hoping that by sharing what this following painting was inspired by, will give you a bit of a giggle too!

Painting No. 56 – Title “A Celebration of Womanhood” Aug 2014 – by Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson NB: All images are protected by copyright laws

During a recent visit to The Royal Women’s Hospital with the Women’s Health Clinic for a Urogynaecology consultation, I experienced a pelvic floor examination. Now, to my shame, it had been many years since I had such an examination. It is not exactly what every women looks forward to having done. It can be embarrassing but I thought to myself, well I am too old now to be embarrassed and followed through with what was required of me during my examination. All was good until I saw the look on the women’s face, the face of the consultant. Well I was all ‘au naturale’ and perhaps this was just too much of a shock for her or perhaps when you get on in old age, ones private parts are just not that attractive anymore! After asking me a range of standard Urogynaecology consultant type questions, I felt in some regards relieved and in other regards, mildly disturbed.

It brought to my mind, thoughts about what women have to go through, just by being a woman. First we grow breasts and get periods, we learn about sex, then it is the incredible experience of pregnancy and the birth of children, then it is menopause and then it’s a – Urogynaecology consultation! Our poor bodies do have to go through many changes throughout our lives…

15-Process used Painting No. 57 Titled ‘A Celebration of Womanhood’ Painting drying on stand – more coats to do Photographed by Karen Robinson Abstract Artist 2014..JPG

This must have been playing on my mind because on my return home that day, I decided to start another painting. I got the new white canvas out and began to draw directly onto the canvas as per usual for me. During this creative process, the lines and swirls began to form an image to me – it looked like a vagina. I thought yes – it is a vagina! I decided that I wanted to paint with all new Matisse acrylic paint colours, bright, happy, joyful and beautiful colours; colours that would celebrate women’s womanhood – this strange and interesting journey we embark on throughout the course of our lives…

STEP BY STEP SLIDE SHOW – Painting No. 57 Titled ‘A Celebration of Womanhood’

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CONCLUSION

This painting now hangs proudly on my living room wall…art for therapy at its best I feel…

Whilst you are here – please check out my home page!  My Art Therapy Journey – A window into the soul of an Abstract Artist through art therapy and storytelling…by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist/Blogger/Writer/Photo-taker