“If the purpose of art is to nourish the spirit, what more appropriate place to find it than a hospital, where our spirit may encounter its most critical moments.” Eileen Lawton
As most of you probably know or have guessed, we are a family of artists. Vernon originally got a degree in painting and mine was in Acting. Since then, we have both evolved to other mediums. He has moved on to Font Design and I have focused on visual art for the last decade-plus. My parents are both artists and Vernon’s mother teaches watercolor painting in a retirement home. It seems the children are showing talent in that area as well. I must say art is a becoming a wonderful tool for our family. It calms the mind while giving us something to look back on.
Maki is back in New Zealand, but his mother has emailed to tell me that they too are spending time painting and drawing. Since she and Vernon actually met in art school in Norway once upon a time, it should be no surprise that she is a talented painter…and about-to-be-published novelist. While she was here, we discussed the idea of whether children should be encouraged toward art or to a career with potentially-less struggle, but less emotional-connection.
I don’t know if there is a right answer. I do know that many times, I wished I had a different mind that could do law or accounting, or even sit at a desk with a boss, if that meant more security. I know Vernon has thought the same. Maybe our kids will too? But in this time of watching Vernon fight for survival, and next, the long road of recovery to a new-normal, our finances are not the first thing on my mind. Our emotional and spiritual lives are. Suddenly, I have discovered that the kids and I have in-built tools to help work through the hard times in an enjoyable way. And hopefully we are helping our Daddy/Husband by default. Personally, I think everyone has this creative power in them but often they have to re-learn it after leaving it behind as children.
When the nurses told us we could bring in pictures of Vernon and the family, I don’t think they had any idea of monster we might create. Above is just part of the wall to the right, filled with family photos and artwork. Two side-windows are also filled and we have moved to the limited real estate of the left-hand wall. It has been wonderful to have a a musician friend (Chris, above) come by to help Vernon make brain-connections through live music-vibrations as well.
My dear friend, Alannah Gignac, who stayed at the house this weekend to watch Justine, drew this wonderful piece of a broken-up and patched mind and a bridge toward healing.
I was so touched the other day, when a nurse responded to my statement that I wasn’t at bedside enough, by saying: “But you ARE here, you are here through your photos and your artwork.” I felt greatly validated, I admit. Probably more than I ever have before. Because for the first time, it is a matter of actual survival.
I am sure we will continue to share more about the artwork and pictures on Vernon’s wall. But I want to share one more important piece. Justine drew this one a couple of weeks ago, before Vernon began to wake up. I’m amazed by her intuition.
She said, “This is a picture of Mommy, taking care of Daddy , who is a baby right now.” (See the little red figure in the bottom corner?) I am struck especially by the “hedge of protection” (my words) that makes a frame around the drawing. I noticed how it is attached under mommy’s wing/arm. And its not that I feel especially strong, but I do want to protect him and that comes from the faith around and inside of me. The kid could be an Oracle…
As for today, Vernon has moved off methadone, which must be exhausting due to the constant pain now. He is only on hospital-grade tylenol for his fevers. And he continues to trial his breathing off the ‘standing-by’ ventilator, Oxygen sucked in through a tube, and on his own for the exhale. He seemed too tired today to follow many commands, but I know for at least a little while he was with us. As we are speaking of the healing power of the arts, he was most relaxed when his friend Chris Owen came to play guitar and also when a surprise harpist (her name-tag said ‘spiritual care’) came to perform a in the hallway.
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Allison dear, Your blog is so neat. I didn’t get the lady playing the harp before I put it on the prayer line for the ladies that I am part of.
Is Justine doing okay? We think about you guys a lot and prayer for you often. I put your blog on the line and sometimes I go back and tell them that Vern really prayer or something like that.
Just remeber that God is there with you at all times.
Hugs,
Becky
Hi Becky. Im afraid I was very spontaneous and unorganized tonight in my writing. I’ve gotten quite tired the last couple of days. But I’m thankful you are on top of things even before I am. Thank you again for your consistent support. xo
Love Allanah’s drawing, she is such a sweet + insightful friend. Art is a generous therapy, that first allows us to pour out our hearts, then heal the spirit of those you share it with. <3 I hope you get the rest you need this week, I'll be around when you are ready to give in to a nap. xoxo
i do need a nap. always. how inconvenient of my body, right? Anyway…thanks for coming over and painting with us. Wasn’t that fun? Let’s keep doing it. Thank you for playing with my “oracle child” as well today. Love you so much!
What a blessing it was to spend time with Justine this weekend. Allison, your house is filled with creativity and peace, I was blessed to be there. It was wonderful visiting with Jen 🙂 and painting that night. Much love sending your way today. I love you my dear friend. Hopefully we’ll be down again soon.
Love your thoughts and feelings and how art and spirit and love are all intwined …love precious Justine’s drawing and how daddy is a baby right now. We love daddy Vernon! And you and the kids xoxo i am praying praying. See you soon!
These words are heartfelt and we can feel your strength. We pray that the Lord would continue to keep you strong and peaceful. Praying that Vernon will have little or no pain as he wakes up slowly. We pray that all your needs will be met spiritually and financially. ♥ the Jones family
ART!! yes Allison, in “our” family art plays such a big part of our lives..(and right now helping me in times when i need to take my mind to other places), to lose ourselves in being creative…. verns walls and windows are amazing , a healing place , a way to be close to him, when we cannot be xx beautiful blog entry, thankyou for sharing your thoughts and art work xx
To Your headline: But is it art? YES it is. Both Vernon and I stopped making art in the 90-ies, after we lost faith in the art world, and computers took over Vernons world. Vernon actually got into computers through Music – early house Music. We both spent years making Electronic Music, and the story I’ve written, that is being published in Norway in September has a character in it that could be Vernon. Its not Vernon, I have talked to him about the fact that he will understand that when he reads the book, but the story is about the Music we made, and the Places we were. I wrote the story the first time in my 20ies, and I have rewritten it now.
My view on art has changed and is changing. Its not always easy moneywise trying to live from art, and the children might need a backup education, but they are very talented. And however bad Things get, it always helps painting – and listening to Music. Maybe we should get even more serious about Music lessons and Music making… You inspired me a lot when I was there, because everything you do is beautiful. It takes a lot of time to be creative though, its all about grabbing that time for yourself. Lots of love. X
Thanks Synnove. I am going to have to learn Norwegian just so I can read your book. I’m really looking forward to hearing more about it. I didn’t realize you had made music, though. I continue to learn about Vernon, thanks for that! Thanks also for your encouragement (from a distance and when you were here with us) It means a lot to me, truly! xo
please allow yourself to get some rest. continued prayers…
Please give your harp-gal a huge hug. There’s someone who’s responded to a calling! Your nurse is right, you guys wear your lives in your art. Where words end …
Thanks Aunt Mimi. By the blog, it looks like I am there all the time, but I really only spend about 5 hours a day at the hospital most days. I make sure I am around for Justine in the evenings and if I’m lucky, I get some exercise in the mornings. I am going to try to get some running in though as lately I feel like I’m holding onto stress that can best be worked out with some sweat and loud music! 🙂
loving you………your family……….your art……your writings….your heart…..and how God is carrying you all.
Allison it is art! I am so happy that you all have the deep connection to spirit that art and music can give. And that is huge! Justine is so insightful. Her drawing is a treasure. I am sure Vernon is benefitting from the good energies of all the art, and from the live music as well. He will be so amazed to see the walls when the time comes. Your grace and patience and love inspires all if us. Thank you. Love to you.