Artist Gallery
In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, throughout the month of May and June, we will highlight art work from our clients, community members, and staffs. This project serves as a healing space for creativity to thrive. We want to acknowledge our resiliency and commitment to healing and mental wellbeing.
The pandemic has affected us in ways we never could have imagined, but it did not stop us from working and healing together. Let's move forward to reduce stigma surrounding mental health that prevents individuals from seeking help.
The pandemic has affected us in ways we never could have imagined, but it did not stop us from working and healing together. Let's move forward to reduce stigma surrounding mental health that prevents individuals from seeking help.
*Art pieces are arranged in alphabetical order.
Artist - Anonymous
Artist statement - The picture that the artist drew was to show Korean food traditions. Those dishes are few commons foods and foods that non-Koreans haven't seen before.
Artist - Anonymous
Title - Fragile
Artist statement - The digital drawing is noted to the importance of the self. I portrayed the egg as myself and how fragile and sensitive I can be. Mental health is about the importance of ourselves and our wellbeing. Self-care and self-love are essential attributes to be considered. By holding on to the egg and showcase, I must love and care myself more often. I am just as important as the loved ones I am surrounded with. I may be fragile but have been through different obstacles to recognize with strength of confidence and accomplishments. Therefore, I should be proud of my unique self (hence the egg color and look standing out from the hand).
Artist statement - The digital drawing is noted to the importance of the self. I portrayed the egg as myself and how fragile and sensitive I can be. Mental health is about the importance of ourselves and our wellbeing. Self-care and self-love are essential attributes to be considered. By holding on to the egg and showcase, I must love and care myself more often. I am just as important as the loved ones I am surrounded with. I may be fragile but have been through different obstacles to recognize with strength of confidence and accomplishments. Therefore, I should be proud of my unique self (hence the egg color and look standing out from the hand).
Artist - Elaine Oh
Title - Searching for the hub II
Quotation - "I found I could say things with colors and shapes that I couldn't say any other ways... thing I had no words for"
- Georgia O'Keefe
Quotation - "I found I could say things with colors and shapes that I couldn't say any other ways... thing I had no words for"
- Georgia O'Keefe
Artist - Evelyn Hernandez
Artist statement - My self-portraits are visual metaphors of thoughts that are still too painful for me to articulate in words. They grant me the opportunity to observe and think about things that I otherwise have a hard time expressing with others or am still too ashamed to admit to myself. My self-portraits are explorations of thoughts and conversations that I hold with myself, free of judgment from others. These self-portraits are a work in progress that began around the start of my therapy, and like my therapy sessions, they have evolved but are still have work to be done.
Artist - Glorivic Parong
Title - Emotions In Motion
Artist - Hikaru C. Fong
Title: Happy Day
Description: It is about when I was a little girl and I was in school. There were days I felt happy, and there were days that I was angry. There were people I liked and some that I did not like because they screamed and cried. I also drew my favorite tutors, teachers, friends and family. They are the ones that made me feel happy.
Description: It is about when I was a little girl and I was in school. There were days I felt happy, and there were days that I was angry. There were people I liked and some that I did not like because they screamed and cried. I also drew my favorite tutors, teachers, friends and family. They are the ones that made me feel happy.
Artist - Lancelot Bloodmarch of Arc
Artist statement - My biggest inspiration for this piece, besides my journey, was the fact that butterflies do not see themselves the same way we humans do. They do not see the beauty that they hold. They do not see the wonders we're so fond of. I see myself in those butterflies. My journey has shown me over time that I'm an individual who is capable of things as great as everyone else. Others were able to see that fact, even when I was struggling and previously incapable of understanding that. As for everything else, daffodils signify "rebirth and new beginnings", hence their addition in the piece. I specifically chose to include a monarch butterfly's wings because they travel long distances and are quite remarkable as is. Their wings are the color orange, which represents happiness and optimism. The individual in the image consists of many colors, most of which are shades of blue and purple. Blue represents confidence, stability and trust. Purple represents spirituality and creativity. These are things I have accepted and became more exposed to overtime. In other words, a lot of it was just me taking some artistic freedom. Although I am still very much on my journey, these are my biggest takeaways as I move forward.
- Lancelot
- Lancelot
Artist - Lolita S. Namocatcat
Artist statement - Ignorance in art kept me empty headed. Life as time goes by only.
Until, Asian Pacific Counseling and Treatment Center introduced the benefit of learning the arts and crafts as a form of therapy. That is sharing the thoughts and ideas effectively. I realized that as one grows in arts appreciation as a habit definitely maturely grows as well. In that case, it develops appreciative and associative life with people.
That is awesome to know.
Until, Asian Pacific Counseling and Treatment Center introduced the benefit of learning the arts and crafts as a form of therapy. That is sharing the thoughts and ideas effectively. I realized that as one grows in arts appreciation as a habit definitely maturely grows as well. In that case, it develops appreciative and associative life with people.
That is awesome to know.
|
Lolita S. Namocatcat
Love One Another How beatiful the world I live in.. In the morning mist I breathe fresh air Here we stand alone Seeing our tomorrow Here we are the earth is ours The word is love... Love one another Bring out the joy hand in hand altogether Skin of colors we bind as one Dedicate the day as the workforce of human kind In realm brings us hope we are divine...in the power of love Love one another |
Artist - Leslie Woo
Title - Nascar
Artist statement -
Vroom Vroom Kapaw
Kaching It is a blue red white racing car.
I learned how to draw this step by step.
I felt confident when I finished drawing this car.
Artist statement -
Vroom Vroom Kapaw
Kaching It is a blue red white racing car.
I learned how to draw this step by step.
I felt confident when I finished drawing this car.
Artist - Mariam Shamilian
Title - I'm Tired
Artist statement - With my desperation to lose weight and please everyone and myself I find that I am exhausted. Never fulfilled with anything I accomplished. Leaving me "tired".
Artist statement - With my desperation to lose weight and please everyone and myself I find that I am exhausted. Never fulfilled with anything I accomplished. Leaving me "tired".
Artists - Members from Group
"Mujeres Empoderando Mujeres"
"Women Empowering Women"
Description - The group meets weekly and discusses a variety of topics that include managing anxiety, depression, and stress through healthier coping skills. Our members come from a range of ages and backgrounds. All women have found healthier coping skills and are preparing for employment.
Artist - Naomi Mizushima
Title - Children of 1000 Cranes for Recovery
Artist statement - Traditionally in Japan, friends and family unite to fold 1,000 origami cranes to collectively wish for someone's recovery. When my husband was diagnosed with cancer, the Japanese community folded 1,000 origami cranes for our family. Environmental stress factors such as systemic racism, oppression, and violence can have a devastating mental health impact on especially the most vulnerable children. The 1,000 Cranes for Recovery symbolizes a collective effort for cultural humility for the AAPI communities.
Artist statement - Traditionally in Japan, friends and family unite to fold 1,000 origami cranes to collectively wish for someone's recovery. When my husband was diagnosed with cancer, the Japanese community folded 1,000 origami cranes for our family. Environmental stress factors such as systemic racism, oppression, and violence can have a devastating mental health impact on especially the most vulnerable children. The 1,000 Cranes for Recovery symbolizes a collective effort for cultural humility for the AAPI communities.
Artist - Pim
Title - ทำใจ (Tam-jai)
Artist statement - 2 years ago, my husband passed away. I have been struggling with the emotional pain and grief. I’ve have been struggling to falling asleep every night. I do mindfulness coloring almost every other night to help relax and calm myself from the sadness of missing my husband everyday.
Artist statement - 2 years ago, my husband passed away. I have been struggling with the emotional pain and grief. I’ve have been struggling to falling asleep every night. I do mindfulness coloring almost every other night to help relax and calm myself from the sadness of missing my husband everyday.
Artist - Seriously Queenie
Title - Growth is Chaotic & Flow Like Water
Artist statement - My process of change has been chaotic transformation in shedding irrational behaviors and maladaptive coping skills. Kindness and loving myself was foreign to me. A person caring about me was scary! Why? It wasn't afforded to me by my primary suppose to be caregivers. I could give love yet receiving it was other story. Through therapy I have challenged, dismantled, and explored the why & how. It wasn't easy sitting with uncomfortable emotions BUT I did. I confronted the unwanted unloved puzzle pieces of me that were toss aside. I taught me love. I taught me how care for me! I taught me boundaries! The puzzle pieces of me are together and now I'm whole. I am complete! My growth was chaotic and now I flow like a river open to change.
Artist statement - My process of change has been chaotic transformation in shedding irrational behaviors and maladaptive coping skills. Kindness and loving myself was foreign to me. A person caring about me was scary! Why? It wasn't afforded to me by my primary suppose to be caregivers. I could give love yet receiving it was other story. Through therapy I have challenged, dismantled, and explored the why & how. It wasn't easy sitting with uncomfortable emotions BUT I did. I confronted the unwanted unloved puzzle pieces of me that were toss aside. I taught me love. I taught me how care for me! I taught me boundaries! The puzzle pieces of me are together and now I'm whole. I am complete! My growth was chaotic and now I flow like a river open to change.
Artist - SK
Artist - SV
Artist statement - My past conjures shadows which invalidate my reasoning, and leave me paralyzed in fear and self-doubt. The only predictability, in this uncertain, nausea-inducing rollercoaster ride that is life is, the realization that my actions can't change the chaotic nature of the world around me. And, it is only when I allow myself this freedom to take a step forward, that I can finally save me from myself.
-SV
-SV
Artist - The Panda and a Ladybug
Artist statement - I really enjoy drawing pandas and making ladybugs.
Artist - Tiffany Lum
Title - Thank You For Being A Friend
Artist statement - As someone who struggles daily with severe mental illness, I often feel alone and desperate for love, affection, and friendship. It’s hard to be accepted and tolerated by other people, so I often get rejection, hostility, and bullying from family and people I deal with to the point that life feels unfair, unbearable, and pointless. While people may not be the most reliable friends, animals are always there at the end of the day, full of love, kindness, and understanding. They do not judge or criticize. They simply exist to comfort us humans. And so, around the onset of the pandemic, ever so coincidentally, five cats have been visiting my home, coming to eat and be petted. Just as in the story, their names are Boots, Moby, Sundae, Taco, and Marty, and they fill my heart with immeasurable joy. I am always delighted to see them waiting by the glass door, ready for some food and TLC. In these trying times and isolation, I have found friendship and a bit of salvation in these cats. And as someone who has had other pets, I know that the company of animals is one of the greatest therapies for people who hurt so terribly and have lost all hope and motivation. We are never alone, even if the world turns its back on us, because ultimately, there are enough beautiful, kind animals to find us and save us from a life of despair and loneliness. It’s no wonder all dogs go to heaven. It’s no wonder all animals go to heaven. They have such goodness and love in them. If only we humans knew how to be just like them, this world would be a far better place. Here’s a story inspired by my feline friends and dedicated to all furry critters who need us as much as we need them.
Artist statement - As someone who struggles daily with severe mental illness, I often feel alone and desperate for love, affection, and friendship. It’s hard to be accepted and tolerated by other people, so I often get rejection, hostility, and bullying from family and people I deal with to the point that life feels unfair, unbearable, and pointless. While people may not be the most reliable friends, animals are always there at the end of the day, full of love, kindness, and understanding. They do not judge or criticize. They simply exist to comfort us humans. And so, around the onset of the pandemic, ever so coincidentally, five cats have been visiting my home, coming to eat and be petted. Just as in the story, their names are Boots, Moby, Sundae, Taco, and Marty, and they fill my heart with immeasurable joy. I am always delighted to see them waiting by the glass door, ready for some food and TLC. In these trying times and isolation, I have found friendship and a bit of salvation in these cats. And as someone who has had other pets, I know that the company of animals is one of the greatest therapies for people who hurt so terribly and have lost all hope and motivation. We are never alone, even if the world turns its back on us, because ultimately, there are enough beautiful, kind animals to find us and save us from a life of despair and loneliness. It’s no wonder all dogs go to heaven. It’s no wonder all animals go to heaven. They have such goodness and love in them. If only we humans knew how to be just like them, this world would be a far better place. Here’s a story inspired by my feline friends and dedicated to all furry critters who need us as much as we need them.
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