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The Interview:
Tell me about your story. You are a family physician turned full time, fine art photographer/artist. Obviously your passion for art inspired the shift in careers, but what gave you the final “push“ to take the leap?
The push to take the leap was my wife; she said it was time to make a decision. For years my art business had been doubling every year and it was over taking my life. Trying to maintain my buy schedule as a family practitioner; being on call. I just didn’t have time any more.
I had never intended to leave medicine or have a full-time job creating nature art for healthcare. I created the art because I had to. I think that is typical of artists, there really is no choice, it is just something you have to do; like scratching an itch.Tell me more...
Well… I took a non-traditional path to get where I am today. I enrolled in art school while I was still in high school, but I never made it. To my parents’ surprise, I decided at the last minute to pursue medicine, and worked as a family physician in Jefferson City, Missouri for 25 years.
By the mid-1990s, my passion for art led me to formalize my art training. I studied independently with Annette Weintraub, an art professor in New York, and William Hawk, a painting professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Hawk convinced me to enter the university’s graduate art program, where I studied from 1998 to 2001 while I temporarily reduced hours at my medical practice to go back to school.After finishing my art training I started to have exhibits at different galleries. I would sell a few pictures from time-to-time and was enjoying creating art as an avocation; I never intended it to be a business. That all changed when I gave one of my prints to my twin sister who happens to be an Interior Designer. She put my print up in her office at the firm she worked for (Christner, Inc.). One of other Interior Designers saw it and said "That is just the kind of art I've been trying to find for a cancer center I'm working on in Illinois".
That lead to the sale of 40 large prints. That made me wonder if my art might work in other healthcare settings. I sent sample prints to handful of healthcare designers and their responses were encouraging. The business was born and grew very rapidly.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The most enjoyable thing is being immersed in the creative process. When I’m fully immersed in creating art I feel energized, focused and very positive. The psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, had a word for this, he called it “flow”.
What advice can you give others to encourage them to pursue their passion?
Read the book “Art & Fear” Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland.
Reflect on the idea that “Life is short and then you die.” This may sound fatalistic, but I think it can also be liberating. If you have a deep passion to pursue something, what is holding you back?
On the other hand, I think it is very important to be realistic. It is foolish to imagine that you can make a living creating art. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it, but just don’t expect it to put bread on the table.
Your blog discusses current issues regarding the use of art in healthcare. What inspired you to create and obtain your blog?
I wanted to learn more about art in healthcare but I couldn’t find much information on it; at least not in one place. No websites and no books. So I sought out experts, did google searches and tried to find articles that had anything to do with the subject. Then I thought, why not share these ideas with others, perhaps they will find it useful too.
Your book, Picture of Health: Handbook for Healthcare Art was written as a result of the success of your blog. Tell me a little bit about the evolution of the book.
Some people told me “I don’t do blogs”. Several people told me that they really prefer reading books. After a couple years that blog had grown to over 800 posts (short articles) so a friend suggested, “why not pour it into a book; you’ve already written it?”.
So I took the most useful articles and had an editor help me prepare them for publication.
How would you describe your work as a photographer?
I tend to wander around until something catches my eyes. It might be the light (I love backlit subjects) or a pattern or a texture. I’m not very patient; I rarely sit and wait for the light to change. I find it hard to sit in blinds waiting for wildlife to appear.
What are your views on the healing power of art?
Being sick, or being in a healthcare setting is a stressful experience for everyone. There is good evidence that nature images can reduce stress. Reducing stress feels better and that is a good thing. Some people believe that reducing stress contributes to healing. I’m not sure.
Is there a particular season of the year that you believe has more healing power in art than others?
Late spring and early summer. The foliage is lush green and healthy. The flowers tend to be at their peak.
What style of art do you find fits best within the healing environment and why? Is there a particular style that you believe should not be displayed within a hospital?
Realistic nature images are the best. Preference studies show that this is most popular art for people in all cultures and at all ages. With nature images some patients may find “positive distractions.” Perhaps the image will trigger a happy memory of playing outside as a child.
In general abstract art (i.e. non-representational art) should be avoided. Preference studies repeatedly show that the general public does not like abstract art. There is also a theory as to why it should be avoided. Being a patient is a very negative and frightening experience. Abstract Art, being ambiguous is open to interpretation. If one feels bad, the interpretation is likely to be frightening which is likely to trigger negative feelings. Those negative feelings could harm the patient.
When a hospital is choosing art, is there anything particular an interior designer should keep in mind?
Good question!
I think it is critical that Interior Designers should not be swayed by their personal preferences when selecting art for healthcare clients. They should always consider the art from the viewpoint of the end-user, the patient, their family and the staff.
Let me explain. Experienced art viewers tend to prefer artworks that are challenging and emotionally provocative. Interior Designers are experienced art viewers and like other experienced viewers, they prefer challenging and emotionally provocative artwork. Because Interior Designers prefer challenging artwork they are inclined to pick challenging artwork for their clients. However, challenging artwork; such as abstract art is not preferred by regular people and in fact it can be very stressful and therefore harmful to patients.
What have you learned about yourself in these last few years as a full time, fine art photographer?
I’ve learned that moderation is a hard for me. I tend to go into things full force. That is both good and bad...
Do you have any specific art installations in hospitals that are your favorite? Why are they favorites and what hospitals are they located in?
I’ll always be grateful to Blessing Hospital in Quincey Illinois. Their purchase of 40 large prints opened my eyes up to this entire field.
As a photographer, what are some of your favorite subjects?
I love to photograph all living things, especially if they have a distinctive pattern, color or texture.
Favorite locations?
My favorite place to take pictures is in my backyard. I live on a 600-acre nature preserve. Many of my pictures are taken there.
Favorite time of day?
I’m a morning person, that is when my creative juices are flowing. I like to get out right after sunrise and work for a few hours.
How does evidence-based design influence art? Does it then influence the artist and the portfolio you create and offer?
Getting to know the ideas behind evidence-based design has changed my focus some. I am less likely to take shots in winter or during stormy weather. It has pushed me to improving my skills at capturing appealing landscapes.
How has your business changed over the years?
After several years of having the business double every year, now it is stabilizing. In 2009 my business was down about 20%. I assume that the recession contributed to that.
Has the economy had an affect on the purchasing of healthcare art or the style or medium of art being purchased?
I suspect that the recession has given a boost to cheaper art; especially mass-produced poster art. That is the most common type of art seen in hospitals. If budgets are tight and people can’t afford my art I encourage them to look at poster art. It may not be archival and the colors won’t be as vivid, but it still can be appealing.
What is the greatest compliment you have received on your work?
Let me share a story that I mention in the book.
A middle-age woman in a small Illinois town had cancer. Because of this, she had to make regular trips to the hospital for chemotherapy; a frightening ordeal. In the treatment center waiting room, the woman noticed a large picture. It was a photograph of a big oak tree in a summer forest with morning sunlight streaming through the branches, illuminating the forest floor and its lush undergrowth.
She started coming in early for her appointments so she could look at the picture and meditate before going in for chemo. She even talked about it with her cancer nurse, saying that the way the sun shined through the trees, she almost “felt like God was going to walk out.”
Whatever she saw there, it brought her a sense of peace and comfort during an incredibly stressful and frightening time in her life. I don’t know the woman’s name, but I do know the picture: White-Oak_1055. The cancer center was at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Ill., and I heard the story from the nurse.
Compliments don’t get any better than that.
