Life Threatening Illness and Evidence-based Art

Have you ever had a life threatening illness? Most of my life was major illness free and then—WHAM!—I ended up in the hospital with 2 major operations within 30 days. It was no picnic, and it took me over a year to recuperate.

From this experience, I learned on a life-or-death level about fears of dying, overcoming physical trauma, fighting for hope, and the need for real evidence-based art. Real evidence-based art uses design principles based on “real medical studies” for human health and healing.

I went on to become EDAC (Evidence-based Design Certified), and often when I paint, my goal is to create beautiful, happy art that soothes and relaxes—but also stimulates. In the recovery process, it’s important to heal (rest and relaxation) but also essential to stay upbeat and in motion (stimulated) for recovery.

Here’s another evidence-based art video for you!

Why I Call My Paintings "Evidence-based" Restorative/Healing Art!

I’d like to talk today about “evidence-based” restorative/healing art. Lately, I’ve noticed more and more people (a few art pros, too) who are claiming many paintings are “healing” works of art, but after looking at the pieces (sometimes with daggers and dripping blood and twisted heads or totally “abstract” images), I’ve started to wonder if they’ve actually read (which I do) the “medical outcomes” research and if they really understand the depth of the psychological and emotional wounding that almost always occurs when patients and their families are dealing with major illnesses. 

Before I even began calling my paintings “evidence-based,” I first did extensive research on what the exact requirements and qualifications were in this category of art. Research from “actual studies done” in Norway, England, the US, and other countries, shows there’s a general patient preference for landscapes (regional, generic, or seasonal); waterscapes (regional, generic, or seasonal); florals (garden or bouquet styles); still-life (but used sparingly for variety); and a “whole host” of other detailed requirements. 

Some of these “whole host of details” to consider before claiming a work of art is “evidence-based” also includes things like waterscapes to be calm or non-turbulent; landscapes to have visual depth, open foreground, trees with broad canopy, verdant vegetation, and positive cultural artifacts; flowers to look healthy and fresh, familiar in shape; and the background knowledge to do this kind of painting goes on and on and on. To say a work of art is “evidence-based” first requires knowing and meeting the requirements of the “evidence-based” studies. 

The other thing I consider when painting is the depth of the psychological and emotional wounding that almost always occurs when patients and their families are dealing with major illnesses. Sitting in a hospital or home recovery room with full of force and impact “abstract” art on the wall or having to have to look at—especially just after having your body “penetrated” by a medical procedure—the powerful and penetrating colors of black and red (and to make it worse images shaped like daggers or pours like dripping blood) is the total opposite of what’s needed for health, healing and happiness.

I don’t have all the “evidence-based” art answers, but I do try to know many of them, and I know people (many of them cancer survivors) tell me—all the time—how the paintings I create for this market make them feel happy, healthy, and full of hope!

(For some of the information in this blog, I would like to give credit to NOAH Resources and The Center For Health Design.)

A Garden of Hope And Happiness by dorotheasandra.com (Acceptable as evidence-based art.)

Hopeful Happiness by dorotheasandra.com (Acceptable as evidence-based art.)

Hope by dorotheasandra.com (Acceptable as evidence-based art.)

Is Creating Art For Health, Healing and Happiness Science or Mysticism?

Hopeful Happiness by dorotheasandra.com

Is creating art for health, healing and happiness science or pure mysticism? I think we’ve come a long way in “evidence-based” art design. For many hospitals or medical facilities “evidence-based art” is the only way to go. It isn’t just about an artist creating something for artistic impact, it is art based on the scientific analysis of the impact of art on healthcare environments, on patients, and on staff. This isn’t mere mysticism. This involves art based on rigorous scientific studies and a reporting of their outcomes.

When I create art for health, healing and happiness, I draw from my knowledge of what makes up “evidence-based” restorative/healing art, and I try to put myself in the position of the individuals purchasing art for these reasons. I often imagine myself as an interior designer tasked with an important job or as a healthcare art consultant responsible for making major decisions impacting the health and well-being of so many people.

“Evidence-based” restorative/healing art carefully considers colors and subject matter and overall impact on its viewers. It takes a viewer’s state or situation into consideration and tries to keep it positive and—if the viewer is not doing well—perhaps even turn it around.

Whether working on a 5’x8’ canvas or 9”x12” print, the feeling of HOPE is something I try to build somewhere inside most of my art. I try to create art that people look at and say, “This painting is so cheerful. It makes me feel happy. No matter how difficult my situation might be at this moment, these colors and shapes and Nature-based subject matter (high in the “evidence-based” criteria) create inside me a feeling of HOPE.

For me, this kind of art isn’t about artistic whims or muses or mysticism. It’s all about relying on “evidence” and using my talent/creativity to create health, healing and happiness!

Great Lakes Singing by dorotheasandra.com