POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH: Improving one’s sense of wellbeing using photography, painting, storytelling, blogging, and motivational speaking – my expressive arts journey written by ©Karen Robinson. Please click here for my latest blog news!
About Abstract Painting Portfolio 2008 – Paintings Nos. 1 to 30 click here!:-
2008 was the start of my art therapy journey. I hadn’t picked up a paintbrush since being a child. At first, I found the idea of painting daunting and my very first attempt was very much just about getting paint onto a canvas to see how it felt! I started off with very inexpensive acrylic paint and canvases and worked from within the home garage. During this year a graduated with better quality acrylic paints, canvases and brushes. I gradually began to develop a style and technique for myself. I found my voice.
About Abstract Painting Portfolio 2009 – Paintings Nos. 31 to 38 click here!:-
2009, I was enjoying the process of using larger canvases and learning to appreciate how better acrylic paints and canvases can truly improve the look and experience of painting. My appreciation for being able to do storytelling via painting was realised. I decide to take up space within my home to paint as the garage was proving to be too dusty, cold and cut off from the home. The dining room table became my place of work. After a period of time, it became clear that I really needed a designated place of work, so my dear husband set up a studio for me at the front of our home. It had good natural lighting and plenty of space for storage. A place where I could leave my work and come back to it at any stage.
2010, I was consumed with grief and despair at the loss of my son Ben who had been killed in a single-vehicle crash on 9th November 2009. Painting became an important part of my daily routine. It gave me a way of being able to express emotions and thoughts, that of which I found too hard to say out loud. Paintings for my daughter gave me an opportunity to paint and story tell about something positive in my life. Something hopeful…
About Abstract Painting Portfolio 2011 – Paintings Nos. 45D, 45E, 51, 52, 53 click here!:-
2011, I painted another two paintings that were part of a series of paintings about my family’s road trauma story, along with a major work – painting no. 51 “Valley of a Thousand Hills”. And also a joyful painting for my daughter painting no. 52 “I’m Busy”. Each painting required of me a great deal of concentration and helped keep my mind occupied with the act of painting. In 2011, I started studying at Kangan Institute Broadmeadows an “Advanced Diploma of Justice” and my energies were directed more towards studying and attending classes. The painting had taken a back seat for a while.
About Abstract Painting Portfolio 2012 – Painting No. 45F click here!:-
2012, I was deep in studying at Kangan Institute Broadmeadows, an “Advanced Diploma of Justice”. The painting had to be put on hold but I did do this piece for TAC’s Picture This Exhibition 2012.
Painting No. 45F – Title “A Fractured Life” Feb/Oct 2012
– by Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson
About Abstract Painting Portfolio 2013 – Painting Nos. 54 and 55 click here!:-
2013, I was in the last semester of studying at Kangan Institute Broadmeadows – “Advanced Diploma of Justice” and only had time to do two works within that year. One being No. 54 for TAC’s Picture This Exhibition 2013 and the other a self-portrait no. 55. In 2013 I had completed all my studies successfully. I look forward to returning more fully to my art therapy journey…but with more joy in my heart!
About Abstract Painting Portfolio 2014 – Painting No. 56, 57 and 58 click here!:-
2014, I began developing this weblog which took a lot of time and energy to do but it has been a labour of love! I also began paid and volunteer work. My volunteer work is as a Road Trauma Awareness Volunteer Speaker where I, like many other volunteers of this organisation, tell their families road trauma stories to repeat road traffic offenders at seminars so that they may rethink their risky driver behaviour. It is one of the most worthy tasks that I do…
It has also been a year for being involved in an art therapy group and a creative writing group which has proven to be very rewarding and has very much improved my sense of wellbeing. Between blogging, getting involved in these additional activities, working and family life it has been difficult to do as much painting as I would have liked. The below paintings are what I like to call my major paintings for the year. I did do much smaller artworks during my art therapy and creative writing sessions which are not shown here but can be viewed by clicking on the links above.
About Abstract Painting Portfolio 2015 – Painting No. 59, 60 click here!:-
2015, a year where solo painting endeavours waned!
About Abstract Painting Portfolio 2016 – Painting No. 61 click here!:-
2016, another year where solo painting endeavours diminished!
Abstract Painting No. 64 Titled ‘For One’s Well-being’ Painting Practice by Abstract Painter Karen Robinson Feb 2016 NB All images are protected by copyright laws
CONCLUSION:
The process of painting, painting story writing and digital photo painting has offered me a way of expressing thoughts and emotions which can be difficult to say out loud. I also came to understand that art can be a very powerful way of communicating with others. Therapy via art – gave me a voice…
My art therapy journey has been an important part of recent years and still will be an important part in years to come. I am hoping that sharing my art therapy journey, will inspire others, to take up art therapy to find their voice – in order to be able to move forward in the most difficult of times. Art Therapy has brought me now to a much better place where I find myself being able to seek joy each day. As an ongoing process, I will be blogging about my art therapy journey “moving forward” and expand on how others have used/are using art therapy to assist physical and emotional well-being. I hope you will join me!
© Karen Robinson – Edited January 2019
POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH: Improving one’s sense of wellbeing using photography, painting, storytelling, blogging, and motivational speaking – my expressive arts journey written by ©Karen Robinson. Please click here for my latest blog news!
ido art karen robinson 
I really like the colors you use in your pieces. And the shapes, everything about them is so vibrant! I really like “Dining Room Table”
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Hi Aaron…thank you. Colour and shape in my paintings are my way of being able to communicate a thought, feeling, emotion. I too really like the painting called ‘Dining Room Table’. It was inspired by all the times our family would get together around the dinning room table to share a meal, time together and stories about what is going on in our lives. Good time for sure. Once again Aaron – thank you for taking time out in your day to view my paintings and comment – it is so appreciated…warm regards Karen
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I got that feeling when I looked at it. It reminded me of my family.
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Thank you Aaron…
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Your work is so vibrant and heartfelt. Having experienced losses as well, I find that I am guarded in expressing it, which I why I find art to be so helpful. Thanks again for sharing 🙂
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Hi Clara
Yes – I understand about what you are saying in relation to finding it difficult to express loss and grief. Back in 2009 and following, I found that the practice of art came first and then the words followed. It was firstly a very deeply personal endeavour, a non sharing matter but over time and after exhibiting at a TAC Exhibition where others where sharing their art works in relation to loss and grief, the act of painting and story-telling became liberating in a way.
I have always loved and been fascinated with colour and find it an important tool to be able to express emotions and thoughts. Thank you once again for taking the time out to visit my weblog and I really appreciate your comments.
Warm regards Karen
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very vibrant and deep emotional creations
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Thank you so much for taking the time to have a look through my weblog. My art as therapy journey has been a deeply personal one and colour I use as a language to communicate thoughts, emotions and feelings. I too also love your work which shows a strong use of vibrant colours…much appreciation…Karen
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It seems that no matter how good our facility may be with words, some emotions, some experiences, can never convey to others any meaning or truly empathic sense of them.
And of course, engaging with these emotions is a critical aspect of learning to accept, as best we are able to, the dreadful reality of the situation. I’m so pleased you are able to make progress in this area through your artistic sensibilities and gifts.
I lost my grandson in 2011, and have perhaps some faint understanding of your grief – I hope you can forgive me for suggesting as much.
With gratitude and respect, Hariod Brawn.
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Thank you for sharing and I can well understand your grief in relation to the lost of your grandson, it must have broken your heart. Such a loss is sometimes almost too hard to sustain but in doing so ensures we can continue – and continue well is important for not just ourselves but for our loved ones. This is what I have learned. When I say ‘we’ I mean me and I too cannot assume to understand fully your grief but offer words of solidarity. Thank you again for sharing…Karen Robinson
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Thank you Karen.
From the other side of the world, I appreciate your solidarity.
With gratitude and respect, Hariod.
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