Little did I realize the impact this new arena would have on me. Spending time with DHART was fantastic, for the people I covered, the events and of course as I like to say, 'who wouldn't like to fly in a helicopter?" Of course that answer is 'not many', but for me it was fantastic. Now, however, I was going to be doing work, both feet on the ground. How could I get excited about this day after day. And there in lay the awakening.
For several months I've visited the unit meeting with patients, their families and of course getting familiar with many of the staff. As an artist used to walking into arenas unused to someone like myself, I know the skepticism. I read it on faces. But as is my way, I let my art talk. The first patient I chose was an infant being tended to by one of the RNs. As I'd worked in watercolor for the DHART pieces, I continued in this vein. I did two more like this before doing a young boy in pencil. When I shared this with Jessica, her reaction was to stick with this. It was perfect for me because I love the intimacy of pencil which contradicts our modern full-color society. Somehow though, it worked. Thirty-plus portraits completed, the response to the pencil portraits has been fantastic. RN Michael Douglas called me his "hero". I had to laugh, but I got his point. The work I'm doing is another form of medicine. And what's come back to me is the joy I'm feeling, meeting the patients and their families, knowing that something (besides the obvious medical attention) positive is adding to their day, putting smiles on their faces.
Accounts of interactions to come.
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