Featured Artist: Lila

By Cassandra Lacroix, AMFT, ATR-P

Lila has been at BCH since January, totaling 16 weeks. During this time, her ability to move, speak and breathe was greatly diminished, but she found ways to continue expressing herself through art as she slowly recovers. Over the last 3 months Lila has created a visual journal of her hospitalization experience, titled “Miniature Paintings”. Each painting represents a part of her physical surroundings that has impacted her life in the hospital. These paintings were done with acrylic permanent markers.

Miniature Paintings

Blue Light Slowed

“My memory of my sister and I at the beach inspired this painting and poem below. My process of painting felt poetic in and of itself and deepened my connection to the poem’s meaning. My respiratory therapist was the one who first inspired me to explore poetry, providing prompts to guide me. This prompt encouraged me to write a poem that only one person would understand, I chose my sister. It was a meaningful and rewarding challenge.”

Relaxed, Uncertain, Loopy

“This artwork reflects how I was feeling that day—relaxed, uncertain, and a little loopy”.

Ripping

“I didn’t like it at first, but now I think it looks pretty cool. Sometimes, you create something and don’t appreciate it in the moment, but stepping away gives you a new perspective. Coming back to it, I see it differently. It was a strange experience, and I’m not sure I enjoyed it while I was making it, but pushing through and seeing what came of it was worthwhile. Art can be challenging, but there’s always something to gain from my process. My art therapist and I were exploring the theme of becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable, and this piece really embodied that for me.”

Heart Tote Bag

“I started crocheting this bag before I was admitted to the hospital. I did most of it and finished it in the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit). It was a great activity to pass the time, and I enjoyed making something functional!”