The magnificent simplicity of Black and White

 

Last week’s guest speaker at Alex, Judy Bates, shared an interesting life and her “escaping” and recovering from mental health issues through the power of pen and ink drawings!

Judy mentioned a domestic violence situation from which she escaped; her son being abused in boarding school and the trauma associated on the whole family from her son’s abuse. She explained, “When we send our 11 year old kids away to school, we expect them to develop and be nurtured, not abused while in care that has such a devastating effect!”

Affected by the trauma in her life, Judy moved around living in such diverse places as Melbourne,  Port Douglas in one end and on a large cattle property in NW Western Australia where she rode as an observer/radio operator on mustering helicopters before she moved back to civilisation in Perth and more recently to the Sunshine Coast.

Her artwork is detailed and delightful …. Some simple and some very detailed ….

     

 

Judy says “I am producing this type of art to improve mental well-being.. it is very detailed .. so calming.” She believes anyone can do this.. no artistic ability needed. (Even I might have a chance of drawing something that is recognisable!!). Judy says that art of this type builds self esteem as it is non confrontational … only one piece of paper and one pen needed.

It can be used to create friendship… she is meeting with a large group of women on a wellness weekend to demonstrate her art but also threading laughter through it all.

 

Doctors have given a lot of encouragement to continue  this.. .. she says “I would like to get small groups together and demonstrate with lots of laughter… the calming effect of this particular style of my art… As we know there are many broken souls amongst us.. I would like to help from my heart.”