THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HOSPITAL IN AMERICA 2017 !

Orange Regional Medical Center has been named "The Most Beautiful Hospital in the U.S. 2017" and my mural played a major role in its selection.  As you can see from the  posts on this blog the curator and I,with the help of the support of the board, put a lot of work into the art and it has paid off by making visitors and patients feel at ease while in the ER space.  I'm so appreciative of the recognition.

The Big Picture

When I painted the mural in  my studio I had to paint it in sections on two walls so it has never been one continuous image...until now.  It's missing a few corners but this is s good idea of the whole picture.

 

Visit me at www.sjpetruccio to see more paintings and at my illustration site www.stevenjamespetruccio.com to see my illustrations.

ART DOES HEAL

I recently donated artwork  for a coloring book which will be used to help young patients feel better about being in a hospital.  I believe that art does help healing and the following article supports that!

Cover Art for Outdoor Fun

by

Steven James Petruccio

ART DOES HEAL: Scientists say appreciating creative works can fight off disease.

Researchers from California University in Berkeley say studies show great nature and art boost the immune system

The healing power of art and nature could be real after scientists discovered they boost your immune system.

Seeing such spine-tingling wonders as the Grand Canyon and Sistine Chapel or listening to Schubert's Ave Maria can fight off disease, say scientists.

Great nature and art boost the immune system by lowering levels of chemicals that cause inflammation that can trigger diabetes, heart attacks and other illnesses.

In two separate experiments on more than 200 young adults reported on a given day the extent to which they had experienced such positive emotions as amusement, awe, compassion, contentment, joy, love and pride.

Samples of gum and cheek tissue - known as oral mucosal transudate - taken that same day showed those who experienced more of these - in particular wonder and amazement - had the lowest levels of the cytokine Interleukin 6 which is a marker of inflammation.

Psychologist Dr Dacher Keltner, of California University in Berkeley, said: "That awe, wonder and beauty promote healthier levels of cytokines suggests the things we do to experience these emotions - a walk in nature, losing oneself in music, beholding art - has a direct influence upon health and life expectancy."

Cytokines are chemicals necessary for herding cells to the body's battlegrounds to fight infection, disease and trauma but too many are linked with disorders like type-2 diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and even Alzheimer's.

Dr Jennifer Stellar, of Toronto University who was at California University in Berkeley when she carried out the study, said: "Our findings demonstrate positive emotions are associated with the markers of good health."

It has long been established a healthy diet and lots of sleep and exercise bolster the body's defenses  against physical and mental illnesses.But the study published in Emotion is one of the first to look at the role of positive emotions in that arsenal.

In addition to autoimmune diseases elevated cytokines have been tied to depression.

One recent study found depressed patients had higher levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine known as TNF-alpha than their non-depressed counterparts.

It is believed by signaling the brain to produce inflammatory molecules cytokines can block key hormones and neurotransmitters - such as serotonin and dopamine - that control moods, appetite, sleep and memory.

Dr Stellar said: "Awe is associated with curiosity and a desire to explore which could counter inflammation where individuals typically withdraw from others in their environment."

As for which came first - the low cytokines or the positive feelings - it's "possible having lower cytokines makes people feel more positive emotions or the relationship is bi-directional.”

New York Times HOME»NEWS»HEALTH»HEALTH NEWS

Great Article on ORMC art.

Sarah Johnson has gone to great lengths to ensure that the art for ORMC creates a healing environment.  With the support of  President & CEO Scott Batulis, the resulting hospital is amazing. Read all about it here:

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1349891-the-artful-hospital/?photo=1

Fabled Forest Mural Photos

The dedication of the new Children's Emergency Department was great.  Here's a link, below,  to some photos on the ORMC website.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151810430986557.1073741857.122557156556&type=1

Pediatric Emergency Unit Dedication!

The new Pediatric Emergency Unit was dedicated today at ORMC.  The mural looks great in its permanent home.  Another artist, Ron Gee, told me that he saw a child looking at my mural and asked her mother if the animals were real!  Sarah Johnson, the art curator at ORMC did a great job bringing together artists working in a variety of media to create a visually appealing environment.  My mural at the entrance sets the tone for the unit and welcomes patients to the hospital.

THE FABLED FOREST MURAL

Poughkeepsie Journal Article

I contacted  Barbara Gallo Farrell at the Poughkeepsie Journal  and told her about the mural.  She asked if I would write an article about my experience creating it so here's a link to that story...

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/2014/01/17/fabled-forest-welcomes-kids-to-hospital/4496073/

Barbara is a great supporter of the arts in the Hudson Valley and I thank her for her interest in my work and the hospital.

The Fabled Forest Characters

The Fabled Forest is filled with flora and fauna native to the Hudson Valley in New York State.  Every detail was researched and painted accurately.  At the same time, I gave the animal characters a hint of personality according to the fables in which they appear.  In this time-lapse video I focus on a few trees and creatures to show you how much effort was devoted to each.  Everything in the mural is important to me so that when both children and adults see it they can find something of interest.

If you've been enjoying the videos and the mural, you can visit it at Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown NY.  

A Fabled Forest Fable

The Owl and the Grasshopper is one of the better known Aesop's Fables. The Fabled Forest Mural is inhabited by characters from a variety of fables whom you will meet as you wander.

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Fabled Forest Mural Part II

The setting for the variety of plants and animals needs to be accurate and detailed so I spend many days getting it all just right.  Dappled light on the forest floor and shadows on rocks and trees add to the feeling of being in the setting.  This video shows the process and attention to the smallest areas.

Fabled Forest Inhabitants

Over the past few weeks I've been welcoming all kinds of creatures into the forest. Here are just a few of them. The fable of the Tortoise and The Hare is told by Hudson Valley native species, the Cottontail Rabbit and the Painted Turtle. The raccoon is simply an onlooker. You might even notice the Jack-in-the- Pulpit and Lady's Slippers nearby.

The process of creating a mural involves much work that you don't normally get to see.  Many times the steps seem interesting to only the artist.  Researching, sketching, gathering supplies, etc. For  The Fabled Forest mural, I'm using a poly-cotton canvas to prevent the surface from expanding or contracting.  The people at Tara Art Materials were helpful in making sure the correct support was selected.  The paints and sealer are all non-toxic as well. These necessary stages leading up to actually painting the mural are important to me as the artist, to ensure my clients receive a work that will last and that will be enjoyed for decades to come.
Here's a video of the beginning stages of the mural.

Lend A Hand For Kids
The New Pediatric Center at ORMC will serve the local community as well as the entire Hudson Valley and surrounding area.  The Lend a Hand for Kids campaign offers you a chance to support this project and the advanced services it will provide.  Visit their website and find out how you can help.

The Mural Project Begins

The Pediatric Center at Orange Regional Medical Center is improving and expanding to become a leader in pediatric care in the Hudson Valley including redesign of its facilities.  

Sarah Johnson, Art Curator for Orange Regional Medical Center is making an effort to keep ORMC in the forefront of what a hospital is supposed to be, a place where healing occurs.  To this end she is incorporating "visual healing" into the hospital environment.  Art is used to engage mental activity and promote a positive perception of place.

 Sarah contacted artist/illustrator Steven James Petruccio about creating some art for the new entrance.  After an initial conversation and meeting, during which many ideas were discussed, the decision was made to proceed with a showpiece work of art for the Pediatric Center.  A mural would be painted by the artist to create a calm and peaceful "first impression" of the hospital for children and their families.

     "Decoration and design in pediatric units should relate to patients' developmental states, cognitive skills and perception of reality rather than relying on cuteness and whimsy."

               -Journal: Hospitas Vol.54, Issue 8 - Center for Health Design

It was determined, after some research, that a  nature themed mural would bring the outdoors in and set a peaceful tone for the entrance.  Steven set to work making sketches of woodland scenes.  He is widely known for his natural science illustrations which have appeared in many books including ten books in the Smithsonian Oceanic Collection.  These books require many weeks of research and the same attention was given to the mural.  Flora and fauna native to the Hudson Valley were compiled as the artist developed his preliminary sketches.  While working on the visual for the expansive thirty foot mural, Steven began placing animals in their natural surroundings and noticed that many of them were also used in many of Aesop's fables.  After consulting with Sarah, the illustrator side of the artist took over and vignettes were drawn to relate many familiar tales. The initial sketch shows the first image created  for the ORMC mural.