'Whether it's art, writing , song, movement or making, allow creativity to inspire  will give voice to that. Our feelings live deep within and utilizing our senses will give voice to that. Yell with color, cry with poetry, ground in making to help validate and release those pent up feelings and take you to the next step of healing. my ancestors rising.

This artwork was created when I was trying to find acceptance of my inability to have children from a trauma. The purple souls of my ancestors rise up and release the leaves and angel babies to the heavens. Meanwhile, I contemplate this with  my empty bag of tricks. Behind me I am protected by a cheetah from the raging fires behind. On the opposite side is the blur I lived in...blocked by my ancestors rising.

Do you know anyone who has been in a near fatal bus wreck in Mexico? Well, I know 2, myself and Frida Kahlo. My memoir, Frida and Me, refers to Frida Kahlo, my mentor for healing trauma through art.

My wreck was in 1977, hers in 1925. We were both 18 years old. I had 5 surgeries, she had 32. Infections hampered healing and complications lead to the inability to have children for us both. Mexico’s medical facilities were bare bones and rustic. Mental and physical anguish haunted us both. Of course, Frida’s struggle was much more difficult, but what I have learned is that pain is pain.
Many lost years of isolation and PTSD occurred after my accident. Trauma often isn’t spoken of among survivors due to the dissociation, emotional upheaval, fear and extreme changes in the psyche and body. This lack of connection can compound the trauma experience resulting in further damage. This was my case.
In the depths of floundering in 1984, a book changed my life: Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera, 1983. I discovered we were kindred spirits. Frida used art to express her feelings and identity in a real and graphic manner which spoke to me. Many of Frida’s images contained blood and guts….but she painted them beautifully! Her graphic images of death, loss, pain and confusion granted me the permission to express my own feelings through art, which ultimately provided validation and belonging necessary to become functional again.
I am an advocate for the arts as an integrative tool in trauma healing for fellow survivors and their support systems. The arts heal…that’s why Frida!

We usually run from every form of pain which often results in disassociation and dysfunction. Pain needs to be heard, respected and validated in order to be released from the turmoil of pent up emotions and destructive behavior. One effective way to release pain is through creativity. Let that pain have a voice through color, patterns, symbols, writing, music or other acts of making. Not only will that painful energy be released but you can then reflect on your work and appreciate what was experienced and build ground to feel more connected.
Frida Kahlo taught me this lesson and ultimately I used art to heal my PTSD. Being able to honestly portray my pain enabled me to be honest with myself and feel proud of what I survived. In making my pain beautiful, I stayed authentic in my tribute to the trauma that changed my world.