My art is my heart, it is who I am, and is one of the reasons I fight to physically keep moving. My art gives freedom with simple tools, primarily my pencils and paper along with several types of erasers. Even though I do add to my drawings with other materials, the simple pencil and eraser have adapted to my condition, art makes me feel normal. Even though my ability to move is becoming more limited, I can continue to learn more about how to draw and move forward. My imagination has no limitations. On bad days, art gives me a reason to get up and move and push myself physically. Art is my voice to express my feelings, my challenges and express who I am. I also like to think there is a piece of myself that will always live on someday. challenges with my hands the best. Art gives me purpose. When facing a degenerative neurological medical Everyone has as artist within themselves and the art therapist at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab introduced me to my artist. The time I spent at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab gave me more help than I can express in only words. It was hope for me. “Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose“– Viktor Frankl
Savi Valle became a patient at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab after being diagnosed with Guillian-Barré Syndrome. She had lost all sensation in her lower body and partial sensation in her upper extremities. With the help of her therapists, she regained a baseline of ability and relearned to eat, move and walk. Art therapy made an enormous impact on her healing process. For a long time, she could not feed herself, let alone grip any object for very long. Through art therapy, she regained some gross and fine motor skills. Savi now says that creating art makes her feel powerful in body and movement, and that it helps her regain control. She likes to experiment with non-representational and abstract work — work which is always evolving. Savi graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in art education in 2022. She is currently a K-8 art teacher for Chicago Public Schools.
Trying to perfect the idea of a clone 14”x14”
Who chooses? 17”x11”
Seeds 17”x11”
the best thing about hospitals are windows V 37”x18”
IPIATMB/ IATMBIP 11”x14”
What tears 11”x17”
The Greenman waits 11”x17”
Fraternal Feelings 16”x20”
Meanings 11”x17”
Holding My Breath 20”x16”
Extension Right 8”x8” each (2)
Day After 17”x11”
Stories behind the masks 11”x14” each (2)
Relative Time 14”x11”
Always Smoke 14”x14”
Abstractions in Color Theory 24”x24”
Feeling Outside the Lines 20”x20”
Don’t crow 11”x17”
Next 11”x14”
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