[image-3]Expression is more than just a means of communication, often it’s a means of releasing emotion and an aid to healing. For the artists in the Art of Recovery exhibition, being encouraged to express themselves has given them the chance to say what’s on their minds in pictures when words are hard to come by. In the process it has allowed them to create something that can be appreciated by others.
For Steven Skelley of Lompoc, it was his work Goldfish that received the most admiration—a piece he was surprised to hear got such acclaim.
This is Skelley’s first time in the Art of Recovery show. Skelley’s work Goldfish is the featured piece.
“I saw that goldfish in a koi fish magazine and I liked it, so I did it,” he said of his featured work. “Didn’t know it would be featured. I mean, a goldfish?”
Skelley is the featured artist in the Art of Recovery exhibition hosted by Transitions-Mental Health Association and the Healing Arts Council.
The event was first developed in 1995 by Transitions-Mental Health Association. Originally held in San Luis Obispo, the event was a way for people in mental health recovery to express themselves and to provide a venue to share art, feelings, thoughts, and messages with the general public. In 2002 the Healing Arts Council joined with TMHA to host a sister show in Santa Maria. Since that time, TMHA and the Healing Arts Council have jointly hosted the event once every two years. On alternating years, the event is held in San Luis Obispo and is called “Opening Minds.”
Skelley may be modest about his work, but those who know Skelley celebrate his skills.
Mike Iman, supervisor of the Recovery Learning Center in Lompoc, said Skelley’s got talent. “He can pretty much paint anything you set before him. Most artists will take weeks and months to finish a piece He can pretty much do it in a day,” Iman said.
Hannah Brown, director of public relations, echoed those comments. “He’s just naturally talented,” she said.
Skelley denied this, though, instead crediting practice.
“I’ve just been doing it a long time. I’m self-taught. After doing it over and over again, you get to figure out lines pretty well. I take a circle and instead of a circle I think, this could be the head of someone. I imagine basic geometry and go from there,” he said.
Sometimes he can take that geometry and turn it on its head. With contrasting colors and what he called a “chaotic flow,” Skelley can create a work that seems fluid and unstructured. He said he used his chaotic flow method with his work Goldfish, a piece that came together in a matter of minutes. That doesn’t mean every piece he creates works that way.
“It isn’t always the same with every piece. I’m a stickler with my work. Out of every five pieces, I rip up four. People say ‘Why do you do that?’ I say it’s just my thing,” Skelley said.
A love of nature dominates his work and Skelley has a wooden carving of a snake and another ocean-themed piece in the show as well.
In all, more than 50 pieces from 25 different artists make up the Art of Recovery show.
Brown said more than 100 people have already been through the gallery and she’s pleased with the attention it’s receiving. So is Frank Ricceri, associate director.
“Opening day was amazing, more than 40 people attended and left great comments in our book. They were so impressed with what these people can do who are often marginalized in our society,” Ricceri said.
Ricceri said the volume of work ranges from pieces as impressive as Skelley’s to pure, raw expression.
“Just expressions that come from simply, ‘I’ve never done this before and I’m expressing myself in crayon today,’ to someone who picks up watercolor and just creates,” Ricceri said.
For those who are moved by a piece of work, they are for sale and Ricceri said a bid book is available at the gallery. Ricceri said in the past, more than half of the works available for sale have sold, which validates even further for the artists the worth of what they’ve created.
“That’s another little surprise bonus,” Ricceri said. “When someone is able to sell their work I see them glow with pride.”
Arts Editor Shelly Cone will be expressing herself with a scrub brush and a can of cleaning powder today. When her chores are done she can be contacted at scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in May 21-28, 2009.