Crystal Sea
USA (United States)
www.CrystalSeaGallery.com
Kunstart: Malerei
Technik: Ölmalerei
Stil: Impressionismus
Statement:
BECOMING AN ARTIST LIFE IN COLOR
School was a struggle, not from of lack of intelligence, but lack of focus. Back then I was the weird girl who loved woodshop class.
Even down the road, I was convinced that I had to always keep moving to be happy. My 9-5 (realistically 9-8) jobs in marketing and advertising felt overwhelmingly stifling and frustrating to me. But as a single mom, it was the best way I knew to support myself and my son, so I stuck it out for years. As hard as I tried to fit into the corporate group dynamic, I never could.
My mother is an artist and use to try and get me to paint ever since I can remember. She gave me paints, brushes and canvases, which I moved with me from one home to the next, still in their packages, never used. She would tell me it was the cure for what ails you, but I didn’t get it. Yearning for an active and adventurous life, I could not imagine sitting still for hours painting something.
The symptoms started in my mid-twenties and it took several years to figure out, but I was eventually diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called carcinoid. Along with the questionable treatment for it, I was told I had to take it easy and lighten my workload.
So, after careful consideration, I rationally decided to quit my job and buy fixer homes to remodel…myself. That was my version of taking it easy. I loved it and it made me happy, most of the time. Not long after my spontaneous career change, I ran into an old work buddy who had returned to his Alaskan roots as a commercial fisherman. He convinced me that an adventurous vacation on a purse seiner, catching king salmon near the Bering Sea, would be the next logical step. Isn’t that what any average person diagnosed with a rare disease would do?
For three years I bounced from remodeling homes in Washington State to commercial fishing in Alaska, to brine shrimp harvesting on the Great Salt Lake. The third and final year, I lost someone I deeply cared for. He was tragically killed while doing a very hazardous job.
I’m not sure if it was the devastation of losing him as I helplessly watched, or if my denial had finally worn off…maybe both? My invincibility shield instantly dissolved, and soon after returning home I was in the hospital undergoing a very dangerous surgery to save my life.
The recovery was long and painful and followed by countless complications, so I knew that my adventurous days were over, for a while at least. Being a person who only identified with doing and moving, I began to sink into a dark place. I was feeling sorry for myself, continuing to mourn my dear friend and my identity.
I’m a person who only feels worth while if I can see what I’ve accomplished, something tangible. Everyday that went by just made me more depressed and less whole.
It took a while; I’m not going to pretend like it happened overnight. The cliché of being sick and tired of being sick and tired, was an understatement. But it finally hit me; “the cure for what ails you”! I scrounged through boxes, until I found the paints, brushes and canvases, still in their packages, never used, and I began to paint…
Crystal Sea~
Vita / Lebenslauf:
The majority of Crystal Sea\'s experience was in advertising; until she started remodeling homes as a hobby. Soon, she fell in love with the whole process, from construction to interior design and made it her full time occupation. During that time, visits to Costa Rica, commercial fishing in Alaska, and brine shrimp harvesting on the Great Salt Lake were part of her adventures as well.
For many years, a mysterious, recurring illness would continue to affect her life. Crystal\'s Doctors thought the problem could be lupus or something related. Eventually she became very ill and after more extensive testing, found out she had a very rare form of cancer called Carcinoid. This form could not be treated by conventional means, such as chemotherapy. Actually, the doctors were not sure how to cure this disease at all. Finally, Crystal underwent major surgery to remove the tiny tumors and after a slow but steady recovery, she\'s good as new.
Oil painting is fairly new for Crystal; it used to be impossible for her to sit still long enough. However, life changes and she learned to slow down and smell the roses. As it became more difficult to be physically active, she started painting as an outlet for creativity and accomplishment. The painter found art to be extremely therapeutic and it was a huge part of her coping and healing process. Now, painting brings Crystal much happiness and peace and it\'s igniting a whole new adventure in her life. Crystal Sea has now had exhibitions from Seattle to Manhattan to Hollywood and she is enjoying the ride.
www.CrystalSeaGallery.com
Aktivitäten / Ausstellungen:
THE ART OF HEALING
ANNE SIPPI CLINIC JOIN FORCES WITH CRYSTAL SEA GALLERY
Awareness Raised Together
Crystal Sea and several talented artists are donating a portion of their proceeds from art through August 2010.
A benefit show will be held August 28, 2010 at Heaven On Earth Holistic Living Center, 7122 Beverly Blvd. (upstairs behind Starbucks) Los Angeles CA 90036
Oil painting had played such a major role in Crystal Sea’s ability to cope with cancer 10 years ago; it continues to be a therapeutic method of expression. The self taught artist has been an unremitting advocate of the healing abilities of art and creativity, in a physical and mental capacity ever since.
The Anne Sippi Clinic team shares in the philosophy that art and creativity can play a pivotal role, enabling their clients to better reach, understand, and express parts of themselves in ways that were previously difficult to access and convey.
For over 30 years, the Anne Sippi Clinic’s (ASC) treatment teams have developed a unique and accessible system of care addressing the needs of the under-served segment of the severely mentally ill. ASC’s goals include helping individuals with severe and persistent mental illness to reduce their symptoms, improve the quality of their lives and regain a sense of empowerment.
Over the years they have discovered first hand that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression serves as an agent for personal growth and recovery. The client’s pride in their creations could be felt the minute you walked into the exhibition room during their recent ASC art exhibit for mental health month.
The artists were on hand to share and discuss as well as give and receive insight. An ASC client was overheard eloquently describing a photograph of her shadow cast over a graffiti stained street curb, saying “This was my chance to play with and learn from my perception”.
We invite everyone to learn more about the Anne Sippi Clinic and how you can help by visiting:
http://www.schizophrenia-help.com/
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