By Ivonne Spinoza

(Above image courtesy of the artist: “Grenade Head” by Peter J Buotte, digitally milled aluminum fuze fuze, 2005.)

Most people may be familiar with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other common types of psychotherapy, but art therapy It still remains a mystery to the public. Failure to include this in a treatment plan can be a major missed opportunity for traumatized veterans and other patients who need mental health support.

“Art is a tool for therapy and a way to heal,” he says Marine Corps veteran Jerry Rael. “It helps me escape some of the things I experienced during my time in the service.”

Art can also be therapeutic for families who have lost loved ones in war. Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen. In the film, Marine Anthony Marquez carves wooden battlefield crosses for each soldier lost and hand-delivers them to Gold Star families, including a grieving mother who attempts suicide.

What is art therapy and what makes it special?

“Integrating art therapy into a comprehensive treatment plan alongside other therapies, such as CBT or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), provides a more comprehensive approach to recovery,” says Elvis Rosales, LCSW, clinical director of Align Recovery Centers. “It addresses not only the psychological aspects of trauma, but also its emotional and even spiritual dimensions, leading to more holistic healing.”

“This form of therapy (also) helps improve fine motor skills and cognitive functions, which are critical post-service,” adds Kristie Tse, founder of Uncover Mental Health Counseling.

While we don’t yet fully understand why art helps us feel better and aids mental health treatments, we do know that the process of creating supports mindfulness and presence and can even help us heal. physically.

We also know that our brains, as a species, show an undeniable connection to art, and this topic is currently being researched in the field of art. neuroarts.

“Research shows that engaging in creative pursuits can alleviate PTSD symptoms among veterans by providing a safe, regular environment to reframe traumatic experiences,” says Paul Daidone, MD, FASAM, medical director of True Self Recovery. “Veterans can confront and transform distressing memories in art therapy and gradually release their psychological pressures.”

Veterans use art to thrive

Meet some of the veterans who inspire others with their powerful, therapeutic art:

Richard Casper

Richard Casper He is a Marine veteran who became an artist as a result of traumatic brain injuries he suffered after surviving four separate explosions from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Iraq. He recalls that this event literally changed the way his brain worked and led him to explore his artistic side. The artist, who mainly works on ceramics, says: “I want to tell you what it means to lose that innocence because of the war. feels like “When I found that voice through art, I needed a purpose for that voice.” (To see more TIME Documentary below.)

Ron Clements

US Army veteran Ron Clements He uses wood carving as therapy, and his remarkable work has earned him a spot in the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival.

Clements uses pieces from different types of wood with different colors and grain patterns, so his boxes look like camouflage. “I use fragments because I put the pieces of my life back together,” he says. As if speaking to his PTSD, he continues: “Don’t screw me up again.”

The sassy, ​​hand-carved jewelry boxes feature a “jewelry box with attitude” that resembles an animated wardrobe, with hands placed defiantly on hips. Beauty and the Beast.

Jessica Rambo

Jessica Rambo a Marine veteran who came home after his service to deal with his own personal struggles with depression and anxiety. When she decided to enroll in art school, she discovered how healing art can truly be.

“I left the Marine Corps not only with a broken body, but also a broken soul,” he told us. “I moved to North Carolina and started attending art school at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. “There I was able to leave my bag, adjust to civilian life, and clear my mind and body, not only for myself but for my children as well.”

After all this, Rambo decided that just healing himself wasn’t enough, and he paid it forward by teaching art classes at the Servant Center. “The Maid Center is there to enable homeless and disabled veterans to become contributing members of society by using housing, healthcare, and restorative services to assist with the transition,” he explains.

He now has established a career as a welder, painter and builder. Painted Buffalo Travel Studio— an experienced nonprofit artist who created and operates a mobile art studio out of a converted bus. “I realized that life is an art of doing,” he added. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a cook, a painter, a welder, a dancer or a mechanic. When you combine your mind and hands through your heart, you become an artist.”

Bryan Dubreuiel

US Navy veteran and painter Bryan Dubreuiel “he is known for his approach to redefining figurative abstract art” and today has a vibrant art career with numerous art exhibitions featuring his work. While serving in the Navy, Dubreuiel traveled the world and drew inspiration from museums and galleries, the masterpieces of all the famous artists he learned about at an early age. He donates a portion of his painting sales to the United States Veterans Artist Association and other charities.

Peter J. Buotte

Peter J. Buotte is a U.S. Army veteran who not only used art to transform his life, but decided to help others do the same by becoming one of the few art therapists in the U.S. Department of Defense. Here he describes his journey from veteran to artist to therapistand details the origins of each of his impressive pieces. Of his creation, “Grenade Head,” a striking aluminum sculpture, Buotte says:

“(It was) a visual response to my first tour to Iraq in 2003. This is also my first foray into digital art created from a scan of my head. The detonating fuse of a training grenade is threaded at the top. It was difficult to see the impact it had on Iraqi culture, government, economy, and families living there. “This sculpture allowed me to visually speak out my frustration with the situation.”

Warrior Story Area

Other contemporary master artists creating inspiring work include Brad Gallup (US Air Force) and Danny Moore (US Army). Warrior Story Area. Together with project founder Robert Bellows, they create impressive metal sculptures that explore the question: “What does it take for a veteran to come home?”

“More than 50 veterans from six wars, their families and local civilians are producing a 16-foot dragon representing the fierce warrior and a phoenix, an 18-foot-tall bird of rebirth symbolizing the fighting men and women. returning home from war, fundamentally changed on the battlefield and in search of restoration. (Manufacturer, 2019)

Exploring art therapy: Resources for veterans

Psychiatrist Dr. Michelle Dees believes there is another important benefit beyond the art creation process: society veterans involve themselves during art therapy sessions. This community helps prevent or eliminate the feelings of loneliness that often come with experiencing trauma. “When a sense of community is created, veterans are more likely to feel understood and receive support throughout their recovery,” he says.

Events like this National Veterans Creative Arts Festival Hosted in Indianapolis by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Legion Auxiliary, the event brings together a community of veterans engaged in artistic activities from across the country.

CreatiVets is a non-profit organization with a “mission to empower wounded veterans to heal through art and music.” This organization is different because while most others tend to focus on tactile, visual arts, it also offers programs focused on songwriting, music, and creative writing, giving veterans a broader range of artistic expression.

Even if there are no formal organizations in an area, some veterans have formed their own initiatives, such as non-profit organizations. New Mexico Veterans ArtIt is run entirely by volunteers. Art exhibits in Albuquerque honor Veterans Day each November, while summer exhibits also bring more veterans into the community.

United States Veterans Artists Alliance is a multidisciplinary, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing “opportunities for veterans in the arts by highlighting veterans’ work in the arts, humanities, and entertainment industries, as well as veterans’ contributions to our nation’s rich cultural history.” They also fund artistic projects and serve as spokespersons for important issues within the veteran community.

If you’re a veteran or know someone who needs help beyond traditional counseling, art therapy can change or even save lives. I hope the above artists and organizations will be a source of inspiration.

More viewing and listening:

An Artist’s Journey Podcast, “Army Vet Speaks About Benefits of Art Therapy for PTSD”

“VetArt and the Creativity of Master Artists”:

“Art Therapy Helps Veterans Cope with PTSD”

Ivonne Spinoza He is a South American trilingual Latinx writer and illustrator. He writes both for and about TV, and his work aims to contribute to better representation while advancing equality. She mostly writes genre fiction and cultural analysis, but often wanders off wherever curiosity takes her. You can find her everywhere on the internet as @IvonneSpinoza.

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