My name is Valerie Juliette Ewing, and I am a self-taught artist. As far back as I can remember, art has always been my passion and favorite form of communication. I can do art when I can’t do anything else. Following a series of incidents, I found myself challenged with the tragic trauma of having to recuperate from being immobile, to a wheelchair, to a walker and now a cane. Thanks to various forms of therapy, I have successfully returned to a productive way of life. Then came the unforeseeable diagnosis of having Parkinson’s disease. Now having uncontrollable tremors, I have had to rethink the way I am doing my art. With a combination of therapy and treatment, I continue to pursue my career as an artist. This series is a combination of acrylic paint and black India ink. They are block prints of familiar shapes with the clashing of abstract images. The collision of colors creates a static image. I firmly believe that it has been my Buddhist practice of chanting Nam- Myoho-Renge-Kyo, that I have been able to make the impossible possible. Art Therapy is a gift that lets me speak my heart and mind.
Charles Crawford had a stroke in 2016 that caused expressive aphasia. After multiple surgeries, he started therapy at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Charles was able to get back to creating art by using his left (non-dominant) hand. His experience of “re-finding” art is a happy one and provided great therapy. Thanks to his previous experience with drawing, painting and martial arts, Charles was able to remain disciplined and focused through his healing process. Before his stroke, Charles was an executive chef and had opened two restaurants. After that, he opened his own art gallery and custom framing business. He also taught art history, visual arts, martial arts and culinary arts at the high-school level. Thanks to therapy at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Charles is gradually advancing all of his abilities.
Untitled No. 9 9”x12”
Untitled No. 7 9”x12”
Recurvirostridae Bird 16”x20”
Alaska 20”x16”
Volcano 16”x20”
Untitled No. 5 12”x9”
Untitled No. 4 12”x9”
Free 20”x16”
Bankra Baskets 16”x20”
Northern Skys 16”x20”
Tulip 20”x16”
Untitled No. 3 12”x9”
Untitled No. 2 12”x9”
Untitled 16”x20”
Untitled No. 10 9”x12”
Mail 20”x16”
Northern Lights 18”x22”
Untitled No. 8 9”x12”
Untitled No. 6 9”x12”
Untitled No. 1 12”x9”
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