Creative Forces®: Healing the Invisible Wounds of War | Creative Forces National Resource Center

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Creative Forces:

Healing

the Invisible

Wounds of War

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The Outcome of Catharsis is Bringing Intellectual Clarity to Emotional Chaos

Aristotle

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mask artwork

“In the past, I’ve been at a loss for how to describe these feelings—until I made my mask.”

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mask artwork

Initial Success or Total Failure

"Art therapy, along with other types of therapy, not only helps rebuild what has been broken, but develops a stronger, wiser, better person through healing, therapy, and enlightenment."

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Mixed Media artwork

Untitled (Tomb)

Creating art with his fellow service members "was a relief from the stressors and anxiety of work and home life.”

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Mixed Media mask artwork resembling a brain.

What My Brain Needs

A Navy Seal with a history of post-traumatic stress chose to sew a pillow from ace bandage fabric and stuff it with soft fibers to symbolize helping his brain to sleep better.

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Painting of red, yellow, green and blue swirls.

She reflected upon the sense of freedom she felt at the beach and in that moment noted that “you don’t always have to be in control for good things to happen”.

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ballerina stitched artwork

"Behind the Mask": Her Name is Testimony

“Depression, anxiety, rage, guilt, and shame are not easy topics to discuss; however, these are feelings that I struggle with."

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Mixed Media artwork

Dedicated to all sufferers of ‘iniquity’, ill-judgement And immeasurable pain naked to the human eye.

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Wooden face carving within an open door sculpture

Memories too Painful to Withstand the Light of Day

“Making art without a doubt has worked better for me than any other medication, therapy, or activity in helping me find myself again. Nobody judges me for feeling weak or depressed when I show them the artwork I made to not feel as weak."

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dagger sculpture

The pommel is made from one of Rodriguez’s sniper cartridges with a piece of 9/11 South Tower Steel protruding from the base of the sniper cartridge.

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Dagger

Invictus Dagger

'Invictus Dagger' gets its name from the Invictus Games of 2016.

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glass artwork of blue and white flowers

Patriotism Blooms

Art of Valor, co-founded by this artist, is an initiative focused on teaching the craft of glass-blowing as a therapeutic outlet for returning veterans.

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glass mask artwork

Within (1 of Series)

"I wanted a way to show people my interpretation of the invisible wounds of war, and glass provides an unparalleled optical quality to be able to view ‘inside the mind.’"

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Glass mask artwork with green forehead

Within (2 of Series)

"I wanted a way to show people my interpretation of the invisible wounds of war, and glass provides an unparalleled optical quality to be able to view ‘inside the mind.’"

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painting of rocket

Untitled (Rocket)

I intentionally left space ahead blank to represent the change in the road that was before me.

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Mixed Media artwork of man in cage

The Duality of a Combat Veteran

“The dual masks best depict the dichotomy of my personalities and post-combat experiences."

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Musical score of Six Feet down in 60

SixFeet Down in 60

"I've come to sit with my past and my pain - Held up by comrades beneath me"

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Mixed Media artwork

The Laurels of Weariness

This shield represents the soul: “It’s done what it was designed to do. Took the brunt of the impacts, protecting what’s behind it."

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Skeleton with tophat mask acrylic painting on canvas

A TRIBUTE TO THE MEN WHO SACRIFICED EVERYTHING, THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO CONTINUE TO CARRY THEIR HONOR AND LEGACY, AND THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE PICKED UP THE BROKEN PIECES AND LEARNED TO LIVE ON

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Acrylic on canvas of soldier with gun reflected in water

Traditions Reflected

"I like to think my art, whether painted, drawn, or tattooed, will continue to bring comfort and peace not only to myself, but to those I get to share it with."

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Musical score of "Dear Family"

"Most importantly, take care of each other. Respect and love each another. That’s what makes our family strong."

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landscape artwork of orange sky

"I don’t paint dark stuff like skulls and bleeding hearts or brains falling out. I paint clouds and sunsets. Sometimes a cloud is just a cloud, but sometimes it is a lot more."

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painting of plane in water

Remembering the Birds and Heroes of the Past

“This painting was inspired by my grandfather. His memory and strength have helped me work through my recovery.”

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written lyrics

Me and My Monkey

"I am the lucky one – against all odds I have discovered happiness in a place cursed by the Gods."

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Man and woman on two horses holding hands album cover for "Face Without a Name"

Face Without A Name

"But if we could start all over Would things be the same? Or would I simply be A face without a name?"

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painting of soldier

One Objective to the Next

"an expression of an experience, mentality, and shared understanding..."

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mixed media artwork of lifeguard stand

View from the Lifeguard Stand

“These are the pants I saved from my deployment to Afghanistan. I wore them on a day I wasn’t really sure how was going to end."

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Open red rose and song lyrics

Bloom Where We Are Planted

The song lyrics are reflective of the author coming out of the darkness of injury and discovering the light of recovery, which cast a new perspective on his life.

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Mixed media mask artwork

The interior of the mask reveals “the evils of war that mortally wounded my soul."

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lyrics to a song

Regardless of the overwhelming darkness, there is always hope.

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image of poem text

I will now travel down the right path And try to open people’s eyes Past this world and past their problems To finally see the light outside.

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mask in box

He had the idea of picking out images to create a timeline to describe the experiences that had created this sense of self.

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mask artwork

A Navy Special Operator created this mask to portray the everyday face that he shows the outer world with contrasting aspects of his identity.

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Mask wth artwork on each side of the face, album artwork for "What Am I Supposed to See?"

What am I Supposed to See/Who am I supposed to Be?

"Everyone needs someone or something. I am not what I began to see. No one should have to walk through the fire alone."

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Clay sculpture of soldier with head on knees

'Contemplation' captures the essence of our service member struggling to cope with "normal life" after returning home from the horrors endured at war.

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Sculpture of soldier sitting on a rock

Soldier Sitting on a Rock (1/2)

This is a self-portrait of sorts, depicting a weary soldier taking a moment to rest after a long, hot day at war.

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song lyrics

My Arms are Wide Open

"From a rifle in my hands to a baby boy. From a baby girl in my hands to a rifle, I wore two different hats and lived two lives. My love for two kept me alive."

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drawing of a bridge

Bridge Drawings with Path (part 1 of 3)

What's on the other side of the mountains?" … stay on the bridge and move forward.

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"The Walk" album cover with mask

On the last day of treatment...he responded, “My work here is done. I can go home now.”

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drawing of a bridge

Bridge Drawings with Path (part 2 of 3)

He was “trusting that there is goodness ahead because …you got to go down or go home.”

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drawing of a bridge

Bridge Drawings with Path (part 3 of 3)

The stop sign represented “not a hard stop, just to make sure we have a plan,” indicating that he is preparing for the path ahead.

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Mixed media mask artwork with pieces suspended around face

This mask, created by an Army soldier, allowed him to explore fear, vulnerability, and the stigma of visible and invisible wounds.

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Mixed media mask artwork

This mask places her calm, feminine side next to her short-fused, angry Hulk-like side.

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song lyrics

Medication Blues

"I’ve got too many pills to take. They make me happy and sometimes I cry. And now I want to sit and sing."

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Mixed media sculpture of angel guiding soldier home

"This sculpture captures the moment one of our service members has fallen in combat. The angel appeared at that instant to guide him home."

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Mixed media mask artwork

The Shock of Death

"This mask is the depiction of a traumatic memory by an Army soldier."

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song lyrics

"Gathering knowledge, gathering strength. Being able to accept change and live."

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leather stool

Embossed EGA Leather Stool

Music was a gateway for the artist to explore other artistic mediums and, upon retirement, he started leatherworking.

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Mixed media mask artwork

Defend and Protect

The front is dark, the inside is bright. I live in the bright now.

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