Several of my paintings seem to interest Psychiatrists.
But it is my painting titled “The Maze, She Breathes” that gets the most attention from mental health professionals. I have sold several prints of this image to those in the profession, and four different therapists thus far have told me that their copy was purchased for the office. This interests me and makes me consider the potential and purpose of art.
A girl on an inner tube floats in the lower left corner of the frame. Her journey (conceivably through the maze) looks rather bleak. She has few potential paths. There are larger-than-life figures floating in the dark and quiet sea. They look like her. They watch the maze. They ARE the maze. There is a goal but there are obstacles. Red dragons threaten her quest.
Most of the time I know what my own images represent. Sometimes I draw complicated stories, and other times I render simple concepts. But this one is somewhat open-ended, leaving more to discuss. Perhaps that is its appeal.
One buyer in particular explained that she uses this painting in her psychiatry practice to start conversations. She added that some paintings tell you something and others (like this one) seem only to ask. In this case, there is room for the viewer to complete the circle of meaning. The engagement is a collaboration between the painter and the viewer. And the observer's interpretation can be telling.
As the work’s creator, I can’t help but think that a psychiatrist’s interest also reveals something about me. I half-joked that perhaps I could trade this buyer some more art in exchange for her services. She smiled, but didn't exactly laugh -- making me wonder what she might know that I don’t.
What is it that you see?
Have you ever looked at a piece of art and seen something new in yourself?
Image © Jaime Zollars 2016
Hi @storyseeker,
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Wow, thanks so much! I am still trying to understand Steemit, but having fun and meeting lots of talented people from all over the world in a few short days. I look forward to sharing, and will read the link to learn more about the Robinhood Whale!
Sorry to ask but we are trying to be proactive on identity theft.
In order to prevent identity theft we like to encourage users that have an online identity, post for a website or blog, and celebrities of all notoriety to verify themselves. Verified users tend to receive a better reception from the community.
Verification can be as simple as posting to your website or blog. If you use twitter or facebook, you can also create a tweet or post there. For our easily recognizable Steemians, a photo with you holding a piece of paper with the time & date will suffice.
Thank You! ☙
Here is the link to a post from my website blog! Thanks! I imagine I'll link more accounts as well, but I'm still new here and testing the waters. Will this work for verification?
http://www.jaimezollars.com/blog/2016/9/5/step-by-step-collage-and-acrylic-how-to-post-at-steemitcom-
Yes, that's great!
Thank You! ☙
NO problem @steemcleaners , will do! I appreciate that you do this. So many of my peers have had their images stolen (and even resold!). I'll post a link to one of my steemit posts from my website blog or Facebook today! I imagine I'll link more of them soon, but will do one asap just for verification.
This is absolutely beautiful. I can see why mental health professionals are drawn to it. You are so right...I used to be a mental health professional. People project their feelings onto people, places and things...especially art. This painting reminds me of the vast subconscious that runs the show behind the scenes.
Ooh- I love that interpretation! Interesting. Thanks so much for your comment :)
A-maze-ing
Seriously, though, this is so powerful it gives me a knot in my stomach and makes me feel anxious! You have a gift.
Thanks so much @cathi-xx !
Beautiful. I enjoy how the hair makes the maze, very interesting.
thanks @opheliafu !
Breathtaking work @storyseeker . I'm always inspired by great artists. Today I'm VERY inspired. Thank you, J.
Thanks! I just looked up your work - I love that you are using the platform to write fiction. And fantasy too! Perhaps one day we can collaborate :) I'm just starting to get fantasy book covers and may have found my favorite genre.
It would be a real privilege to collaborate with you, Jaime. I don't want to accuse you of stealing or anything... but your artwork comes straight out of my imagination. ;) Seriously, your beautiful art is perfectly aligned with my vision of the world of Ahe'ey. Let's talk soon!!! http://www.angeelseries.com/contact.html
nice post and I can understand using this image to access the subconscious - it seems to happen naturally!
thanks - this one has been odd that way.
I absolutely love the symbolism portrayed in your painting. It's very surreal and has a creepiness to it that anything deeply subconscious should have; get under the skin. Definitely can see why psychs are coveting a copy for their office.
Thanks @radioactivities ! I love surrealist art, but don't naturally draw it. This piece, however, seems to have came from nowhere and I think like it for that...
Absolutley beautiful, my inner surrealist is squealing with delight.
I can see why mental health professionals would want to use this, I imagine a lot of their clients cast themselves in the role of the girl entering the maze.
Oh, that is interesting! I immediately assumed that the girl entering was the patient/client, but I definitely see your take now!
She journeys through the convoluted paths of the mind to find her own heart. Once the maze is completed, she must leave it, falling, sinking ... inward. A clear and lovely a little creepy illustration of the most significant journey of man. I'll be watching you! :)
Oh thanks @andreeagarden ! This is why I probably need to pair up with a writer :)
What a formidable idea! Writer describes in words what artist sees and expresses visually, artist paints visually what writer describes in words. A magical team we'd make! :)
Your painting stayed with me throughout the day. More and more meanings come to the surface. One I especially like is a folk saying: "keep your head above the water".
Another regards the sailboats. They represent those who are not yet ready to enter their heart (take the one journey that matters) and prefer to roam about in the visible tangible world, giving their minds adventures and entertainment, showing to their minds how brave and powerful they are. But eventually, everyone will have to face the Dragon :)
Really amazing artstyle. I like how you see the shadows of the bodies through the watersurface. Keep it on!
thanks @cripcate!
My vision of this picture, occurred directly as soon as opened:
All her life is a riddle... From that as she lives also to the fact that she speaks... Only not many tried to solve a sense of its life, and those who ventured - it is or the people loving it, or enthusiasts who are going to subdue new! Anyway - it became a habit; and next "victim" goes to "Labyrinth" of her consciousness and a thought. Dragons are an unpredictable behavior or nature which can cause damage, moral, and physical... But what in the center, not necessarily will be the truth can do it new turn in other riddle or a labyrinth... "Inhale more deeply and go..." - she told.
Thanks for sharing! I like this interpretation - makes it a much bigger story!
Hey, what a synchronicity! (I don't believe in coincidences, synchronicities are more along my way of thinking). I just finished writing something - I looked up for the appropriate tag and when I found "psychology", I popped in to see what people published here. And I found your drawing - with which I can relate a lot.
It made me think of my subconscious and all the dragons I had to battle.
There it is, if you're curious:
https://steemit.com/psychology/@kateblack/a-rant-on-positive-thinking
wow, I'm glad you can relate to the piece, and that is a coincidence (synchronicity!). Thanks for the link - I will read your post! Dragons do show up often in my work, and I definitely use then as symbols for obstacles often.
Never ask for a psychiatrist's opinion...you'll usually get back another question :)
Probably true, but perhaps it will be a helpful question???
if he's a good one, 100%!
interesting, amazing art @storyseeker
Thanks again @nekromarinist ! This is one of my darker pieces :)
The painting reminds me of the Codex Seraphinianus, though it's a little more dreamlike.
I had come across this before but forgot what it was called! Thanks for mentioning it - I just started looking at all the images again :)
aaaaamazzzzingggg
Thank you!!!
I work in Psychiatric hospital for kids.
Wow - that must be a tough job. But hopefully it is rewarding work.
You can see everything there.
I think it interests the psychiatrist because what you draw up there is something we all could relate and the way I understand how shrinks and psychiatrists works - their clients tend to project their emotions and whatever they're going through, went through to artworks.
What I like about this one the most - is that their eyes - are almost alive !
Thanks so much for the comment :) I most enjoy drawing eyes, so this makes sense.
ah - that explains it !
Beautiful picture :) What material was it created in?
Thanks @lifeisawesome ! This painting is acrylic. It's my paint of choice because it dries quickly ! (I'm impatient.)
Ohh. I've never tried that before! I'm more of a charcoal drawer myself, yet I say that but I haven't picked up anything in years, not since I found photoshop :/
The painting has such depths to it. I mean one can interpret it in SO many ways :)
First of all: LOVE IT!! Second of all: What do I see? I definitely see how psychiatrists can want this in their office! It speaks to being able to see into the maze, which IS another mind. I see an effort, but I also see a relaxed effort. The maze is structured, and has a physical form, but it rests in a tumultuous sea. Perhaps it embodies the effort made daily by a typical psychiatrist... :D XO Cheers @storyseeker!
Ha, I love the many takes on this one image! So many I've never heard before :) thanks!
Your art is amazing. I love this piece!
Thanks @micheletrainer :)
Love this!!
thank you!
This is such a compelling piece!
I definitely feel engaged with a wholesome prompt here. Both question and answer is presented to me, I see the girl commencing the dark and maze-like self discovery journey that is her life and her undoing. Her conscious and subconscious self being the ominous witnesses of her life story. The dragons are beautiful projections of her fears and doubts, but in reality they represent her fierceness and her ability to overcome those growing pains and obstacles. The maze is endless as is the journey of self discovery!
Hey thanks for this! I'm enjoying the interpretations and I like this one quite a bit!
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Brilliant