Purpose:

We provide visual narrative paintings (called visualizations) for people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event and are having problems with the images of the event continually recurring in their minds.

History:

The idea for these visualizations comes from doing traditional memorial portraits commissioned by family members of the deceased, and the healing benefit these portraits provided those families. The questions we asked were, could something more be done with this benefit, and could it be helpful to Servicemembers. We believe the answer to both is yes.

Philosophy:

There are untold numbers of people who are afflicted with problems caused by witnessing or being involved in traumatic events. One of these problems is the constantly recurring visual memory of the events at unwanted times. We believe we can help with this best through art instead of science, by working with the individual to create a painting of everything regarding the event which they find important. By creating a painting, we give physical form to these mental images so that they are secured and can be viewed when desired. We understand that these memories aren’t desired to be forgotten, only controlled. We believe this technique enables that to happen.

Method:

Our method is not a therapy, but a visualization. While the exact technique is proprietary, the general approach mirrors that of a commissioned artwork, with client and artist working together to create a finished painting. Often, the very act of doing this is enough to give the event a sense of order and closure so that the mind is at peace. For others who decide to consult with a therapist, the work can quickly provide valuable information that may be beneficial to the therapy. We can work in person or online and so are available from anywhere. For many with recurrent imagery problems, we believe visualizations can be a relatively quick and inexpensive solution. If you feel this can be of help to you or someone you know, please contact us.