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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 26. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Anemone on February 7, 2011, at 13:37:10
I am an artist. During this past year I've been creating paintings about my feelings for my therapist, about feeling loved, hopeful, safe and happy.The paintings themselves look like ordinary pictures of flowers, gardens, fruits, etc. I express my feelings through the colors and the way I paint, rather than through the subject matter.
I am about to write a paragraph (artist statement) to describe this body of work, which goes on my portfolio website.
I must not mention anything about therapy for fear of what the professional art world would think, but am a little bit tempted to tell the truth... I so wish I could tell the world how much I love my therapist, how happy she makes me feel!!
Please someone tell me to keep this a secret before I embarrass myself. I hope babblers will not laugh at me.
Posted by sigismund on February 7, 2011, at 14:19:49
In reply to An embarrassing secret...., posted by Anemone on February 7, 2011, at 13:37:10
I'm exactly the wrong person to ask :)
I want you to talk shamelessly about your love for your T and revel in your therapy.
I do not think (unfortunately) that the art world is so easily outraged.
Posted by Anemone on February 7, 2011, at 15:35:29
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret.... » Anemone, posted by sigismund on February 7, 2011, at 14:19:49
Thank you Sigimund, for understanding, it feels so good to know I'm not alone feeling this way. I would love to know how you came to be "exactly the wrong person to ask". Do you happen to have told your story here on babble?
Posted by Daisym on February 7, 2011, at 16:43:33
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret.... » sigismund, posted by Anemone on February 7, 2011, at 15:35:29
Perhaps you could write in a veiled way:
"The inspiration for this painting came from very tender internal feelings, (re)discovered during a process of self-reflection and connection. I am amazed, once again, at the human capacity for love and compassion and feel an especially deep gratitude for my guide on this personal journey."
Or something like that. How great to have these feelings and what a wonderful way to express them. I hope you've shared all of this with your therapist.
Posted by Anemone on February 7, 2011, at 17:05:51
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret...., posted by Daisym on February 7, 2011, at 16:43:33
Thank you Daisy, what you wrote was very helpful! I think you are a brilliant writer, I would never have been able to put it so eloquently. I might just copy and paste your paragraph there.
Also thanks for your support and understanding about the feelings in therapy relationships!
Posted by Anemone on February 7, 2011, at 17:06:46
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret...., posted by Daisym on February 7, 2011, at 16:43:33
Thank you Daisy, what you wrote was very helpful! I think you are a brilliant writer, I would never have been able to put it so eloquently. I might just copy and paste your paragraph there.
Also thanks for your support and understanding about the feelings in therapy relationships!
Posted by sigismund on February 7, 2011, at 18:05:50
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret.... » sigismund, posted by Anemone on February 7, 2011, at 15:35:29
>"exactly the wrong person to ask".
I'm pretty uninformed, but here is my 2 bob's worth.
American psychological thinking, because of the economic and religious underpinnings, overvalues ego strength and is generally too sensible.
If that doesn't make a lot of sense it could be because I just made it up.
Posted by sigismund on February 7, 2011, at 18:09:31
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret...., posted by Daisym on February 7, 2011, at 16:43:33
Painters are often a pretty weird bunch and their paintings are representations of their obsessions and devotions, and that is OK.
I just wouldn't be embarrassed. There is nothing wrong with love and there is nothing wrong with loving your T. There is nothing remotely strange about it. Humans would fall in love with rocks if that was all there was.
Posted by Anemone on February 7, 2011, at 20:03:35
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret.... » Anemone, posted by sigismund on February 7, 2011, at 18:05:50
Thank you Sigimund. You are right, there is nothing wrong with loving my T. But my family and friends wouldn't "get it" like you do. If they knew how much I love her, they would be jealous and think I'm crazy.
Not sure what are trying to say about the American psychological thinking? How does that make you the wrong person to ask?
Posted by sigismund on February 7, 2011, at 21:48:14
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret.... » sigismund, posted by Anemone on February 7, 2011, at 20:03:35
> How does that make you the wrong person to ask?
The primacy of feeling over cognition?
Posted by obsidian on February 7, 2011, at 21:50:33
In reply to An embarrassing secret...., posted by Anemone on February 7, 2011, at 13:37:10
why would anyone laugh at you??
you are talking about your inspiration... how you identify that inspiration is up to you, the words you use to describe it is up to you
will you say for instance that it is about your therapist? or will you say that the art is about the warmth and safety that might be experienced in a relationship...however you say it, good for you, for what you have created :-)
Posted by obsidian on February 7, 2011, at 21:57:22
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret.... » sigismund, posted by Anemone on February 7, 2011, at 20:03:35
sig has a great appreciation for things subjective and emotional....if you don't mind me saying sig :-)
Posted by sigismund on February 8, 2011, at 2:42:13
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret.... » Anemone, posted by obsidian on February 7, 2011, at 21:57:22
That's very nice of you to say so, Sid.
There is an artist here called Davida Allen and for years she painted nothing but paintings of the actor Sam Neill (who wouldn't be my first choice).
I imagine her blurb being completely unrestrained, a celebration of her infinite love etc etc etc
Posted by sigismund on February 8, 2011, at 2:59:20
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret...., posted by sigismund on February 8, 2011, at 2:42:13
I couldn't find the blurb but this is a painting that does not need one.
Posted by wittgensteinz on February 8, 2011, at 4:57:47
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret...., posted by sigismund on February 8, 2011, at 2:59:20
> I couldn't find the blurb but this is a painting that does not need one.
>
>
> http://www.evabreuerartdealer.com.au/allen.htmlThanks for this link...
While it made me chuckle it also filled me a sense of admiration. Why not, after all - we all have our fantasies, longings, desires etc. The use of real hair (presumably her own) is a nice creative touch don't you think?
Witti
Posted by wittgensteinz on February 8, 2011, at 5:01:51
In reply to An embarrassing secret...., posted by Anemone on February 7, 2011, at 13:37:10
I can't really add much above what already has been posted. It's wonderful that you have a creative outlet for your love for your T. That's beautiful. If you feel uncomfortable saying explicitly that that is your inspiration then as Daisy said, it's possible to describe that love in more abstract terms.
I don't think you should be embarrassed though - producing work dedicated to a very important relationship - I think people will admire you for it actually.
Witti
Posted by sigismund on February 8, 2011, at 13:50:25
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret.... » sigismund, posted by wittgensteinz on February 8, 2011, at 4:57:47
I'm very keen on abject devotion.
I was walking in the city and someone had painted on a wall in big letters 'EMBRACE THE ABJECT'.
Posted by sigismund on February 8, 2011, at 14:02:43
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret...., posted by sigismund on February 8, 2011, at 13:50:25
See, that would be my headline for the blurb...Embrace the Abject.
You see, I am the worst person to be asking.
Posted by sassyfrancesca on February 8, 2011, at 15:51:21
In reply to An embarrassing secret...., posted by Anemone on February 7, 2011, at 13:37:10
I am a dancer, singer, author and poetess....Years ago, I wrote love poems to my t. I believe he still has them in his file.
Never be ashamed of your feelings.
Posted by Anemone on February 8, 2011, at 16:14:16
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret.... » Anemone, posted by obsidian on February 7, 2011, at 21:50:33
Hi Obsidian, Thank you, you make a good point that it's up to me how to describe the inspiration. Thanks for helping me think it through. I am sorry you are having a hard time right now.
I guess my secret desire is to say it plainly without disguise, "The sun rays represent my therapist and this orange tree is me. Hey everyone! I love her! She is the best!"
Posted by Anemone on February 8, 2011, at 16:21:16
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret.... » Anemone, posted by wittgensteinz on February 8, 2011, at 5:01:51
Hi Wittgensteinz,
thank you for your support, it means a lot me and your comments brightened my day.
If only I didn't have to hide so much! I want to shout it to the world, but can't really. My mom would be jealous/ bug me about it if she knew about my feelings for my therapist.
I like your name, it sounds nice.
Posted by Anemone on February 8, 2011, at 16:24:19
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret.... » Anemone, posted by sassyfrancesca on February 8, 2011, at 15:51:21
Hi Sassyfrancesca, Good for you to have so many creative outlets! I imagine you enjoyed giving those poems to your therapist? I hope he treasures them.
Posted by wittgensteinz on February 12, 2011, at 6:44:35
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret.... » wittgensteinz, posted by Anemone on February 8, 2011, at 16:21:16
I know the feeling. My partner knows about my seeing a therapist and my closest friend too (she's seen a couple of therapists herself in the past and just guessed and asked me directly one time, although I have the feeling her therapies were less 'intensive').
As for my parents - there's no way on earth I would ever tell them - well maybe I would tell my father but he would then tell my mother and my mother just isn't the type of person who would understand anything about that - I'm quite a closed person when it comes to my family. I did say a long while ago that I'd visited a counselor a couple of times about study skills or soemthing like that (fat lie!) because my partner let slip that I'd seen someone - no way would I tell them I've been seeing a psychoanalyst going on for 4 years! I guess that makes me a bit of a hypocrite.
I think expression and openness are good things but then again I value my anonymity. If I were in your position and my parents were likely to read about the inspiration for the art work, then I'd probably use a pseudonym (an artist name). That's why it's safe to post under Wittgenstein(z).
Maybe one day... once I've made a lot of progress I just won't care anymore what my mother thinks and I will proudly confess at one of those awkward family gatherings that I see a very nice analyst who feels rather like a father to me and who knows ALL about me, including everything that went on in the past, especially about you, mummy!!
Gulp! :)
Witti
Posted by Anemone on February 12, 2011, at 18:42:14
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret.... » Anemone, posted by wittgensteinz on February 12, 2011, at 6:44:35
Hi Wittgensteinz,
I hope your partner and close friend are both supportive of your therapy, even if they don't completely get it. I know what you mean about being a "closed person" when it comes to family, sometimes it's hard to share stuff when you know you will not be understood. I hope that day when you can confess the truth to your mummy at an awkward family gathering will come soon! Your post made me smile.
Posted by Anemone on February 12, 2011, at 18:43:36
In reply to Re: An embarrassing secret...., posted by Anemone on February 12, 2011, at 18:42:14
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