I have appreciated art all of my life. I came from a family of artists who were always working in all types of mediums.These present works that you see are in ink and acrylic. The fanciful theme comes straight from my heart. I like to paint animals that children can see and have an affinity for. I often paint scenes from my life as a kind of art therapy.

Wanda Radford Christy calls herself a “formally untrained artist.” In 1999, Wanda earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Honorarium from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Wanda has a Masters of Music from North Texas State University and she did her doctoral studies at the University of Missouri in Kansas City. Wanda is the 2008 Achievement recipient of the Natchitoches Oil Painting Society.

Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Gloria Esther Colon was the third of five children. A pivotal moment in her life was the death of her mother in 1977 when she was 22 years old. She attended Centenary College of Louisiana and majored in Theater. Her illness landed her in the hospital several times and dramatically altered her path in life. A trained teacher and, Gloria now uses her skills as a BRIDGES instructor where she helps other who have suffered with mental illness with ways to cope. Her art is a reflection of her struggles and disappointments, and her determination and love of life to keep productive and give back.

Ms. Donnie Cutliff was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and attended Booker T. Washington High School. She also attended Grambling State University in Louisiana as well as Oakland City College and College of Arts and Craft in Oakland, California. “When I was in the first grade, I drew pictures while the teacher was teaching. I have chosen different techniques to express myself from pastels, oils, monotypes and etchings. My vision of art is to take one back into times and memories through my eyes as a folk artists. I enjoy studying the simpler ways of living—the old country ways of life.”

Charles learned to draw and paint in high school. Charles uses broad strokes and unique block style to capture the true artistry of nature. Art is a source of interest and it gives me something to do in my spare time.

I am Hollie Hills. I grew up in Ipswich, MA, lived in San Francisco, CA, for about a quarter of a century and now happily find my home in Shreveport, LA.

I took my first art lessons at the Notre Dame Novitiate in Ipswich on Saturday mornings. My teacher was Sister Vincent DePaul, who was magnificent!; gentle, soft spoken and encouraging. I have attended the Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, MA, the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, MA, and the San Francisco Art Institute.

Montserrat remains my favorite school. The teachers’ approach is nurturing and demanding without being hurtful. Mr. George Gabin taught me about nuance and is my all-time favorite instructor.

When asked, “Where did this painting come from?” I say it comes from the cumulation of me; from my center; from my soul. What I want to know is “What do you see?” “What do you think?” Did I communicate anything to you?” If you want to hang it up and keep visiting with it then I have succeeded.

Color is my thing. I love active color. And beauty. Even when the subject is angry or painful I want the painting to be beautiful. These layers of color, beauty, design, and subject allow the work to be appreciated on many levels. Whichever one(s) you choose to like is totally up to you.

I work with oils because of the colors I can mix. I love the smell of my medium. In the rest of my life I am an avid recycler and re-user, but I have not given up my cadmium yellows!

How do I know when a painting is finished? It tells me when it’s done.

My name is Jennifer Jackson and I was born in 1979 in Shreveport, Louisiana. When I was a little girl I wanted to be a dancer, singer, artist and scientist. I graduated from Centenary College in 2001 with a double major in Psychology and Art. My art reflects my mind, body and soul’s reaction to the natural forces I encounter each day.

My paintings express the dramatic effects of my disability in an abstract format using deep hues and strong lines. I only began painting after the onset of my illness. I like to say that my work in moving in its sentiment and basis.

My name is Anita Shohrati. I am an artist and also work and volunteer my time at Volunteers of America’s Vision of Hope Program. I teach computer skills to people who want to return to the work place.

My art consists of photographs, collagraphs, etchings, lino cuts, sculpture, paintings, computer graphics, mixed media and pottery. My artwork reflects the many changes I have gone through in my life. I am the mother of two beautiful daughters who are now in their early 20’s. I am in the recovery process for mental illness myself. Thanks to the Creator, the clinicians and doctors at the Shreveport Mental Health Center and the Vision of Hope facility, I am able to function and have a more full life now. Thank you for viewing and considering my art.

Kimberly Warren started drawing around the age of five. Kimberly’s hobbies include writing poetry, watching medical documentaries and studying American Sign Language. Kimberly states that her work changed dramatically she has been diagnosed with Schizophrenia. Her work portrays some of the delusions that she has faced in living with her illness. She kept her work hidden until Brian Byrd of Red River Employment Services asked her is she wanted to show and possibly sale some of her art. Kimberly hopes that by seeing her art, people will be able to understand the true feelings of a person with mental illness.