When Words are not Enough...
The integrating process of creating an image with paint or clay helps put the pieces back
together and makes connections to who we are and what we feel when nothing else seems to
work. In the words of art therapist, Katie Kern-Pilch, who has contributed to the creative
development of the MHMC Art Studio for over 25 years:
“Pioneer art therapist, Edith Kramer, advocates an art educative approach and often speaks
about the third hand, which refers to the collaborative creation of artwork when a person
cannot work alone. One such example was of Sophia, a women lying in a dark room on the
orthopedic unit trying to maintain her hope in spite of the pain of bone fractures resulting from
metastasis breast cancer. There was little consolation for her or her family. She was referred
by nursing and brought to the Art Studio for a more stimulating environment and positive
interaction. Incredulous due to ‘not being an artist,’ she made the determination, however, to
pick up a paint brush. ‘Anything to take my mind off the pain.’ She enjoyed guided imagery and
responded to visualizing the place she would rather be. Using calendars for reference and
step-by-step support through the art making process, an image was created from a
composite of her favorites. Several times weekly, she painted in the Art Studio, often with her
family nearby. Despite the medical environment outside the Studio door, they shared her
remaining days by the gristmill pond of her guided imagery. At her funeral, beside the closed
casket, an easel held the framed painting. ‘In spite of our mother’s excruciating pain, there
were two hours each day that she painted when she was herself again. This image reminds
us of her determination and love of life to the end … That is how we will remember her.’ "
Art therapist, Kim Gazella, specializes in work with patients recovering from strokes and
traumatic brain injury:
“Marcus was involved in a serious motorcycle accident in 1994 at the age of 23. He suffered a
severe TBI leaving him in a wheel chair, with very little speech, cognitive impairments and no
outlet to express his feelings. He was very isolated and depressed when his family brought
him to the Art Studio as an out patient with the hope of improving his fine motor skills and self
expression and to improve the quality of his life. Marcus has been a part of the Art Studio, off
and on, for almost 10 years. He is a man of few words, likes to use the thumbs up, thumbs
down signs to communicate and now lets his artwork speak for itself. He has a hearty laugh
and an eye for design and is inspired to do art for his family, who are all very supportive. He is
encouraged to make his own decisions and works well with some prompting and hand over
hand assistance. Marcus is motivated to engage in the art and tries his best, despite
debilitating headaches and occasional double vision. He has created many images throughout
the years – a favorite has been cars and trucks, reflecting and acknowledging his pride in his
past work as a mechanic. Marcus may not remember his painting from one session to the
next, but enters back into it with enthusiasm, laughing with pleasure at his accomplishment
with his thumbs up expressing ‘cool’ to those around him.”
Back to Hospital-Based Program Page
The integrating process of creating an image with paint or clay helps put the pieces back
together and makes connections to who we are and what we feel when nothing else seems to
work. In the words of art therapist, Katie Kern-Pilch, who has contributed to the creative
development of the MHMC Art Studio for over 25 years:
“Pioneer art therapist, Edith Kramer, advocates an art educative approach and often speaks
about the third hand, which refers to the collaborative creation of artwork when a person
cannot work alone. One such example was of Sophia, a women lying in a dark room on the
orthopedic unit trying to maintain her hope in spite of the pain of bone fractures resulting from
metastasis breast cancer. There was little consolation for her or her family. She was referred
by nursing and brought to the Art Studio for a more stimulating environment and positive
interaction. Incredulous due to ‘not being an artist,’ she made the determination, however, to
pick up a paint brush. ‘Anything to take my mind off the pain.’ She enjoyed guided imagery and
responded to visualizing the place she would rather be. Using calendars for reference and
step-by-step support through the art making process, an image was created from a
composite of her favorites. Several times weekly, she painted in the Art Studio, often with her
family nearby. Despite the medical environment outside the Studio door, they shared her
remaining days by the gristmill pond of her guided imagery. At her funeral, beside the closed
casket, an easel held the framed painting. ‘In spite of our mother’s excruciating pain, there
were two hours each day that she painted when she was herself again. This image reminds
us of her determination and love of life to the end … That is how we will remember her.’ "
Art therapist, Kim Gazella, specializes in work with patients recovering from strokes and
traumatic brain injury:
“Marcus was involved in a serious motorcycle accident in 1994 at the age of 23. He suffered a
severe TBI leaving him in a wheel chair, with very little speech, cognitive impairments and no
outlet to express his feelings. He was very isolated and depressed when his family brought
him to the Art Studio as an out patient with the hope of improving his fine motor skills and self
expression and to improve the quality of his life. Marcus has been a part of the Art Studio, off
and on, for almost 10 years. He is a man of few words, likes to use the thumbs up, thumbs
down signs to communicate and now lets his artwork speak for itself. He has a hearty laugh
and an eye for design and is inspired to do art for his family, who are all very supportive. He is
encouraged to make his own decisions and works well with some prompting and hand over
hand assistance. Marcus is motivated to engage in the art and tries his best, despite
debilitating headaches and occasional double vision. He has created many images throughout
the years – a favorite has been cars and trucks, reflecting and acknowledging his pride in his
past work as a mechanic. Marcus may not remember his painting from one session to the
next, but enters back into it with enthusiasm, laughing with pleasure at his accomplishment
with his thumbs up expressing ‘cool’ to those around him.”
Back to Hospital-Based Program Page
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ART
THERAPY
STUDIO
THERAPY
STUDIO
| Patient Stories |
| 12200 Fairhill Road Cleveland, OH 44120 216.791.9303 |
SINCE 1967
We often feel alone and as if
we are the only one facing an
issue or problem. Art making
can provide the chance to
share with others, through
both the creative process and
the final product. Working side
by side, or seeing another
person’s image, connects us
to something outside of our
self and helps us know we
are not alone.
we are the only one facing an
issue or problem. Art making
can provide the chance to
share with others, through
both the creative process and
the final product. Working side
by side, or seeing another
person’s image, connects us
to something outside of our
self and helps us know we
are not alone.
