You have got to check this out.

Nostalgicseamstress is up and running. Please take a look and pass it along to anyone you think might like this unique idea of renewing memories through textile artwork. These seamstress really know what they are doing and I highly recommend them.

http://www.nostalgicseamstress.com/

Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

October 14, 2009

My first day back to work since returning from the International Caritas Consortium and Caritas Coach Program . What a great trip to Wyoming. Today was the first meeting to plan the pilot at Baptist Medical South. After being exposed to the above, I assure you I am not lacking inspiration.

Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Great Job Ladies!

Performance Improvement Dept. has started their own gallery of artwork created by staff. This is definitely a caption of Caritas.

Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

A Sneak Preview ....... "Mountain Magic"

The above painting is a commissioned work in water color inks for Wyoming Medical Center to commemorate the International Caritas Consortium to be held October 8 and 9th, 2009.

JOURNALING MY CARITAS JOURNEY

First I would like to say I am honored that you were my guest as I documented in my Caritas Journal. My Caritas travel will not end here and I hope that you will always be a extension of it. Caritas is many things but most definitely it is about encouraging one another which is a life long commitment.

I guess you could say from early childhood I have linked Art with Nursing. I always wanted to do both, but didn't realize at that time that creativity was a therapeutic modality that could be used in Nursing. We now now that art at the bedside can reduce anxiety, decrease pain and improve the immune system. Bedside Art is implemented in many hospitals worldwide. The pilot program at Baptist Medical Center South will begin on October 14, 2009. I will develop this program using the paradigm of University of Florida at Shands, however I would like to incorporate nursing, not to complicate but to simplify the care at the bedside. Giving nurses another option for the comfort of their patients. The Caritas Journey for all Nurse's is to explore every avenue in making patent's comfortable. These avenues should not be limited to administering chemicals, but tapping into the emergence of creative opportunities.

Thank you again for allowing me to share some of my Caritas moments with you.

Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

Do you remember my post re dealing with grief and the story about a family who created aprons from the fabric of their deceased Mother's clothing closet? As a way of caring and showing honor to their Mother, they gifted these aprons to family members and friends as a personal remembrance of their Mom. This gesture has gained so much interest that the family is considering a website business called "Nostalgic Seamstress." I will keep you posted as it develops.

Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

September 4, 2009

Carative Factor 2
Instilling/enabling faith and hope.

Conference Call : It is now official I will begin October 14, 2009 as the Resident Artist Caritas Nurse for Baptist Medical South. A pilot program for "art at the bedside" will be initiated at that time for patients in this beautiful hospital .

Caratas Process 2 Sustaining

Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

Carative Factor 1 Humanistic-altruistic values

The Gregory Drive Library project is completed as we welcome in a new year of literacy opportunities to our children. Pictured above is my painting for the Library. Thank you to the other participating artist Elaine Bedell, Annelies Dykgraaf and Marsha Hatcher who's paintings will also become a permanent collection to this Library.

Caritas Process 1 Practicing loving kindness and equanimity for self and other

Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

A collage of photos from our painted silk scarf workshop.

Carative Factor 1 Humanistic-altruistic

These photo's were taken at Baptist Medical Center South. What more can you ask for than a workshop that requires no skills and you end up with a uniquely beautiful hand painted and signed scarf as well as the know how to make more for gifts. This particular workshop was created to honor an employee who was receiving chemotherapy. All the beautiful scarfs were gifted to her by her peers as a gesture of love and support for her as she is receiving treatment.

Caritas Process 1 Practicing loving kindness and equanimity for self and others.

Journaling My Caritas Journey

Journaling My Caritas Journal

How do you like my "ARTSY CARNIVAL BRA and Mask". It was fun making it. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Art Center is raising money for this worthy cause. Several artist have designed bras that will be auctioned to the highest bidder.

This is an important FUNDRAISER for the TAC and for two local breast cancer foundations: Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Donna Foundation.

The Silent Auction is October 10th, I will be in Wyoming during that time finishing up my class. I know it will be a great event. Hope you can come and support our women in the fight against breast cancer.

Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

August 7, 2009

Today is a very important day for me. I will meet again with members of our Excutive Team at Baptist Health to discuss a pilot project designed to bring an enhanced level of care to the bedside of patients at Baptist Medical Center South. The goal is to introduce a pioneering program dedicted to exploring the relationship between creating a therapeutic environment using creative arts to promote and enhance wellness.

Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

Carative Factor 8 Providing for a supportive , protective , and /or corrective mental, social, spiritual environment.

August 5, 2009

Today I drove to Flagler Beach to attend a work shop on silk painting taught by Susan Kenthack. What a perfect project to implement at the bedside. A project requiring no skills and you end up with a beautiful authentic silk scarf signed by the designing patient. The scarf dries very quickly and the patient can wrap themselves up in the healing colors with amazement that during their time of recovery they created this glorious comfort cloth. As you can tell I am very excited about this project and it's therapeutic value.
Caritas Process 8 Creating healing environment at all levels (physical, nonphysical, subtle environment of energy and consciousness whereby wholeness, beauty,comfort, dignity, and peace are potentiated( Being /Becoming the environment)





Pictured above is the scarf I painted in Susan's workshop. I have it snuggled around my Caritas Journal. There is more to come!
Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

My announcement below has been published , now it is time to roll up my selves and get the exhibit ready.

Weaving Art into Healthcare

Baptist Medical Center

800 Prudential Dr.

Exhibit in the Healing Art Gallery

Sept. 2-30,2009

Meet the Artist, Patty Magee, RN at 12 noon

in The Library for Healing, September 16, 2009

"Art as a Way of Caring"

Journaling My Caritas Journey

July 31, 2009

Carative Factors 3
Cultivating Sensitivity to oneself and other.

Today I visited my favorite framer Annette Conger of Finely Framed.
She completed the framing my elephant nurse. I am preparing for my "Weaving Wellness" art exhibit at Baptist Medical Center in the Library of Healing. This is part of my Caritas project. The exhibit will be from September 2-30 and my opening will be on September 16 at 12 noon in the beautiful downtown Healing Library. Annette documented the outside frame size 18" x 23" and then she ask me for the title of the drawing for her computer files. I answered "We are the ones we are waiting for" and with big presence. She gave me a curious look and asks for clarification. Idiom: "Elephant in the Room" is a problem that everyone knows about but no one talks about. I must credit Dr. Mary Rockwood Lane at University of Florida for suggesting this title for my drawing. Her thought is that we are the ones waiting for cultural and value change in Nursing . We tend to think that someone else will do it, but the world is waiting for us. She says, "stop waiting for someone else to open the door." "If you don't do it, who do you think is going to do it?"

Caritas Process 3 Cultivating one's own spiritual practices; deepening self awareness, going beyond "self ego". Dr. Jean Watson supports this vision on a international level, may we all recognize the" Elephant in the Room" as our self. Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

July 30, 2009
Carative Factor 6

Systematic use of scientific (creative) problem solving caring process

Do we look like we are having fun yet?

Above are hard working employee's of our Performance Improvement Department at Baptist Medical Center. Tonight together, we are winding down the work day with watercolor therapy, a Caritas candle and Enya playing in the background. Tonight's agenda was not so much about "Performance" but about loosening up more than just a paint brush stroke. We talked about the role that creativity can play to reduce stress, improve health and actually increase productivity in the work place. For us paint pushers there is sometimes a hesitation about how we apply color to our canvas. Tonight all participants were successful in breaking through that barrier. Experimentation, exploration was allowed and honored, everyone rose to the occassion.

Something we were withholding made us weak, until we found it was ourselves. Robert Frost

Caritas Process 6
Creative use of self and all ways of knowing/being /doing as part of the caring process (engaging in artistry of caring- healing practices) Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

July 27, 2009

Carative Factors 1
Humanistic-altruistic values

Our circle of Caritas Coaches met today. This is my first group meeting with other Caritas Coaches at Baptist Medical Center. The purpose of this gathering is to discuss projects in motion system wide. What a pleasure to work with these caring individuals, next time I will bring a camera, so you can meet them too.
Caritas Process 1
Practicing loving-kindness and equanimity for self and others. Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

July 21, 2009

Carative Factor 7 :
Promotion of Interpersonal Teaching and Learning.

Today I met with the Healing Art Advisory Committee at Baptist Medical Center. We were all from different disciplines but shared one commonality and that is Art and Health Care. One of our functions is to discuss curating art for the beautiful Library of Healing gallery. We learned from each other, much like a patient at the bedside bringing in a different point of view and different background of knowledge.

Caritas Process : 7 Engaging in genuine teaching-learning experiences within context of caring relationship that attends to unity of being and subjective meaning ; attempting to stay within other's frame of reference.

Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

Carative Factor 10
Allowing for existential phenomenological dimensions


July 23, 2009


Here they come ready or not, I'm calling my acrylic panel completed . This 8 foot long canvas panel will join others from the The Art Center in a Literary kick off at Gregory Drive Elementary School Library. The grand opening of the Library will be in September.
As you know, I am caretaker of my Mom for nine days while my sister and her husband are on vacation. Mom has been very involved in this painting project by giving me critiques and comments daily. I noticed that symptoms of her condition were minimal during this time. The deadline date arrived and it was time to turn in the art ready or not. When this creative activity/interest was no longer in the house, I noticed a return of her symptoms. Hey, you know how I feel, Art is Healing , but there is certainly room for Jean Watson's Caritas Process 10.
Opening and attending to spiritual mysterious, unknown existential dimensions of life and death-suffering "allowing for a miracle"
Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

July 18, 2009
Caritas outside professional nursing is alive and well.
I have the great pleasure of knowing an entire family of caring people. This family is noted for visiting and caring for the sick or homebound individual. A Caritas Family for sure! How do families deal with death? We all deal with death of a loved one differently. I would like to share the way my Aunt Lottie's children choose to honor their Mother after her death. Several months had passed after the funeral, yet the wardrobe of the deceased remained hanging in the closet and the children were unable to come to terms with what to do with their Mother’s clothes. These dresses were special because many of them were handmade with love by their Mother. In an effort to keep her memory alive, this creative family took these garments , cut them up and made aprons adding buttons, lace, pockets, and blending fabrics requiring a tremendous amount of designing imagination. After completion the family distributed them to other family members and friends who where close to their Mother. What a wonderful tribute and imaginative way to keep alive pleasant memories of a loved one.

Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

July 10, 2009

Caring for our planet.

Tonight was the art show and silent auction "Art Unleashed." My daughter Mandy attended as my guest. Here we are at the opening reception, preveiwing an amazing display of art work . All of the art work was donated by artists in an effort to raise money to care for neglected animals.

Can we apply this biblical truth to animals and humans ?

" Inasmuch as as ye have done to one of the least of these my brethern, ye have done it unto me." Matt.25:40

A very sucessful night for artists and animals. Helping the planet "one nurse at a time."

Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

July 5, 2009


Mom came home from the rehab center today . The therapeutic support from medical staff,family,friends and effective antibiotic treatment has improved her condition. I will be living with and caring for her part of this month. As you know objectivity is sometimes minimized when caring for a loved one, here lies my true test as a Caritas Coach.


Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

July 3, 2009

I am so happy to announce an invitation to participate in a "health festival" with the Oldest Drug Store in the United States located in St. Augustine, Fl.

I will be connecting art and wellness with art work along with others who will be featuring old city remedies. The emphasis of the festival will be the belief system of healing from the inside out, using herbs ,teas, shea butter, black soap, natural remedies and of course ART. Hope you can join us for this event. Will keep you posted. Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

June 28, 2009

Caritas Factor #8 Providing for a supportive, protective, and /or corrective mental, social,spiritual environment.

It is Sunday morning, my brother Howard and I are visiting our Mother. Howard is behind the wheelchair and I am behind the camera. My Mom has been isolated in her room for a week now. It is Howard's idea to change her environment on the "physical level", he said she needs some fresh air and warm sunshine. So we kidnapped her out of her bed, picked up a new bottle of portable oxygen, waved goodbye to the staff and we were off on a pleasant journey down the sidewalk by the river. She was a little confused but she loved the warm sunshine on her head and gentle breeze blowing through her hair. As stated by Jean Watson "caring begins with being present." We were present today.

Caritas Process #8 Creating healing environment at all levels(physical,nonphysical,subtle environment of energy and consciousness whereby wholeness , beauty, comfort,dignity, and peace are potentiated. (Being /Becoming the environment)

Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

June 25, 2009

Caritas Factor #1 Humanistic-altruistic values.

Feeling stronger today Mom wants to finish her ladybug plaque. Keeping her company on the over bed table are the items painted by my sister's and I yesterday. Her mood is serious and the fighter instinct has weakened. We have seen this happen before, but she always seems to rally after a setback. Her physical therapist recently praised her tenacity and drive to live. I think it has been the support of the family that has sustained her this long.

Love is the medicine that accelerates the process of healing. There is no other medicine but unconditional love. Don Miquel Ruiz. 1999, p.170

Caritas Process #1 Practicing loving-kindness and equanimity for self and others.

Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

June 24, 2009

Caritas Process # 2 Instilling/enabling faith and hope.

The above painting was done by my Mother. When I ask her to explain it to me she identified the palm trees,rainbow,clouds and sun. I asked about the angular object below the rainbow and she said it was the gates of Heaven. She closed her eyes with fatigue so I did not explore further at this time. But when she is ready, I will address her "Heavens Gate" again and be available to listen.

Is this a prophetic painting created by my Mother? I think it may be. This art work has possibly opened the door for end of life conversation. I want her to feel comfortable to talk about these isssues and I want to support her during that process.

Caritas Process #2 Being Authentically present; enabling /sustaining/honoring deep belief system and subjective world of self/other

Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

June 20, 2009
Caritas Process #5
Promoting and accepting expression of positive and negative feelings.

Another setback in the care of my Mother. My two sisters and I visited our Mother today in St. Catherine's Rehabilatation Center. Upon entering the room, we saw that all her belongings were packed up an on a cart in preparation for transfer into an isolation room. We were informed that she had respiratory MSRA. It was not the happy reunion we had hoped for. We were anticipating discharge this week. Mom felt supported by having all three of her daughters present at one time, especally at this time. After settling down in her isolation room, to lighten the atmosphere we all participated in a bedside art activity . I pulled out of my pocketbook four unfinished wooden winged creatures, ranging from ladybugs to butterflies. I enlisted Occupational Therapy for some acrylic paint and brushes, then off we flew. Each of us applying colors to our project seem to cause a calming and directed focus. I know for me, I was better able to handle this negative news and feeling of discouragement in regards to Mom's further decline. As for my Mother, she gave it all she had, but tired very quickly, so I painted the strokes she was unable to make. Mom was so happy to have her daughters engaged and supporting her. We acknowledged Mom's disappointment with her health status, but kept the environment lighthearted to help us all process this unwelcomed news. I would like to do this again at a time when my brother could also be present. It was a time of focus and a genuine expression of caring and support of a family. We also participated in her bedside physical therapy with her . Quite a sight , a room full of masked face women doing leg lifts together , even floor staff got into the rhythm. Caring out the Caritas Process, being present to, and supportive of, the expression of positive and negative feelings.

Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

June 19, 2009

Hey that's me and my poster presentation for The Art Center at the " ACE Marketplace" at the University Of North Florida Summer Institute for Teachers. "ACE " stands for Arts for a Complete Education. What Caritas Process did I experience today ? Perhaps that teachers really do care for their students. I will say, Caritas Process #4 Developing and sustaining a helping-trusting, authentic caring relationship. Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

June 13, 2009



Caritas Process #1 Practicing loving kindness and equanimity for self and others.Caritas Process #4 Developing and sustaining a helping trusting authentic caring relationship. Caritas Process # 7 Engaging in genuine teaching and learning experience within context of caring relationship.



For my community project this month I collaborated with my grandchildren.Our project was to bake chocolate chip cookies and take to our community fire station. I believe this experience will be one that my grandchildren will never forget. It was this image that brought the most questions. How do they get the sick person in back of this truck? Are there any germs back here ? Where do they take them ? Do children ride on this stretcher? Our fireman escort could not have been more appropriate in his explanation. He explained in detail to my two grandchildren and assured them by saying, "now that you have seen the inside of a rescue vehicle, if you should ever get sick and need one, there is no reason to be afraid." A caring relationship was established that day and exemplified through the many (above and beyond) the call of duty strategies used to make the children feel comfortable in this strange setting. The children were allowed to try on the fireman's cloths, spray water from the fire hose, get inside the firetruck and take a complete tour of the firehouse. By the end of our visit, confidence and trust was established. If ever these two precious little one's require services from a hospital, it is my wish that these Caritas process's will be extended in the same manner as seen demonstrated by our fireman today. It was a learning experience for all three of us. Healing environments within the community can be discovered with a plate of cookies, as we care for others, we are cared for. Matt.7:12
Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

June 1, 2009

A very good way to start out the month. I have an exhibit starting today at the "Five Points Theatre" the feature movie is "Angels and Demons" with Tom Hanks. Proceeds from the sale of my art work will be donated to the American Cancer Society . www.5pointstheatre.com

Also hats off to J.D. Pennington, Pharmacist,
4075 AIA S. Suite 102, St Augustine Fl .
We have a very unique relationship. You see he also "Connects Art and Wellness." He promotes Wellness by dispensing prescriptions and he promotes Art by selling my paintings. Who could possibly imagine a "Fine Art Pharmacy." Thank you J.D. you're the best!

Until then,
Connecting Art and Wellness
Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

May 31. 2009

My submission for the month of May is complete if you read down it is in reverse chronological order, you will be able to determine that by the dates. Tomorrow is June , at the end of the month I will send another personal invitation for you to view my blog as we travel this path together. Until then, Connecting Art and Wellness, Patty

Journaling My Caritas Journey

Mini Art Exhibition

May 30, 2009

Above is a photograph taken in my Florida Room, of a collection of miniature art that I entered today for exhibition purposes. The entries could be no larger than 4"x5". Judging for the show is tomorrow. I thought you might be interested in my Caritas Creations and a description of each since they are so tiny.

Painting #1 "Opportunity for Silence" This is a painting of a sailboat paused and quiet in the water, much like we are when focused on patients who need to have a listener.

Painting #2 "Caring Arts" a terracotta cup of Geraniums, green plants are therapeutic and aid recovery. They also make a big difference in the atmosphere of a patients room.

Painting #3 "Compassionate Forgiveness" a floral arrangement, perhaps an extended method for strengthening a professional relationship or developing mutual understanding to a love one, Painting #4 "Inviting Creative Emergence" dancing Tulips, creativity, food for the soul and stamina.

Painting #6 "My Gal ,Val" my daughters portrait.