JUDY McLAUGHLIN-RYAN, MFT
During this past 18 months of a global pandemic, the creative process has been more important than ever, in terms of speaking out on canvas, illustrations, and through the written and visual arts. Taking some of the many high stressors presented during this time and transforming those stressors into birth like images has been key. Addressing individual and universal wellbeing has been my creative intention.
Open
(Oil on Canvas, 12” x 16”)
The title of the work, “OPEN”, 12x16, oil on canvas completed September 29th, 2021, framed in a golden RESTORED ANTIQUE Vintage FRAME 14 3⁄4 x 18 3/4, from van den Bogaerde ltd. Belgium, illustrates the loneliness, anticipatory anxiety, absence of a seat, waiting, holding, waiting, to OPEN. As she glides into the orb of possibility, she sees the reflective state of hope, the hope of OPENING.
As an artist, I have been painting oils on canvas for the past five decades, which all started at age five. I would post art around my childhood home, in order to express messages, I thought could benefit my family of origin. In the past few years, as a practicing psychotherapist in Westwood, California, series of artwork has focused on sustaining life, whether through paintings of Romeo the frog, a Seucanese frog almost extinct, to Golden Swimmers, Dogs, and Cats, diving for the depths of understanding and the unconscious state.
During this past year, additionally, I created illustrations and examples of reflection from GEORG the dog, which can be purchased on Amazon. Title, “Who Is My Mom” Discipline! Chores, Siblings, by Georg the Dog. Book one, second on its way.
Typically, I have been one of the studios included in The Venice Beach Art Walk, for the past six years, but received news from the clinic regarding the suspension of the art walk during this past two years due to the Covid pandemic. Instead, on the weekends I place recent paintings outside of my studio in Venice Beach for viewing.
I believe if our globe can be blind sighted by such a virulent force of a pandemic, which has been challenging at best, in order to maintain physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual health, then great goodness and abundance can also unexpectedly point our lives back into the the opening of POSSIBLITY. When in despair, grab the globe that needs healing, and seek hope.