PATRICK RAFFERTY, PhD
For me psychotherapy and art are the same form. That is to say, psychotherapy is an inherently creative process. It cannot be bound by a formula. Instead it must be created in the moment, moment by moment, by the players involved. To my mind psychotherapy is like two musicians who are tasked to make an album but have never met and do not know what instrument the other will bring the studio. They both arrive to each jam session to play and learn the how’s and what’s and why’s about the other’s play style, developing layers and layers of intricate co- created music, which, if they can find an alliance, will lead to a beautifully unique album that has never been heard before and elevates the musicians and listeners to a higher plane. In another way, therapy is like art in that when we look at art, especially abstract art, we project our ideas about what it is and what it means onto the canvas. When I make art, I like to make it ambiguous, surprising, and disturbing so that the viewer has ample room to project their own pains and experiences onto the canvas. In terms my own projections, I am interested in painting things that remind me of mortality, masculinity, vulnerability, dissociation, and humor. And as always, color represents emotions, and I love to paint colors.
No Title Yet
(Oils on Canvas, 40” x 40” x 2”)
This is a painting of a lonely man petting a terrified cat while sitting in a corner. The man also has tits. No explanation given. The blue and white wall reminds me of rain because rain is pretty. Also, he’s possibly peed himself or I just liked that yellow color. Up to you to decide.
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