These days, people have multiple careers. Boundaries are blurred, allowing the acceptance of expressing art in our everyday lives. Gone are the days of rigid career paths with no chance of a crossover. Psychology is an intimate profession, delving into one’s personal affairs. While art often exposes one’s vulnerability…so the correlation between the two makes perfect sense.

See image: by Terry Marks-Tarlow; Title: Mirrors of the Mind

A new exhibition titled “Mirrors of the Mind 3:The Psychotherapist as Artist” is an example of just that. The event takes place this Saturday, November 1, at Artshare LA.

The Los Angeles County Psychological Association (LACPA) honors the creative side of professional psychologists, psychotherapists, psychology professors, and psychology graduate students. Each year, the selection process for the exhibition relies on a jury of established artists and psychologists.

Now in its third year, the event will feature painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, woodwork, textiles, as well as 3-D pieces.

See image: by Alisa Dennis

Co-founder and curator, Terry Marks-Tarlow has been creating art her entire life. “Everything inspires me to create these days,” she explained. “I believe that people reach their fullest potential through their creativity, whether that is formally expressed in art or informally expressed in things like clever conversation or finding novel ways to do clean the house.”

In addition to visual art, this year’s event will feature a poetry open mic led by Robert Carroll, MD., (a former member of the Los Angeles Performance Poetry Slam Team) and musical performances.

See image: By Stacy Berlin, Psy.D.
Title: Counterfeit  18″ x 30″ acrylic on canvas.

Co-founder and assistant curator Pamela J. McCrory said last year’s event was larger than anticipated (despite the closing of the 405 that weekend). “We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from general public as well as participants and professionals in the mental health community.” Mirrors of the Mind 1 and 2 Exhibition Art Books were published due to the success of these two past exhitions. They will be on sale at this year’s event.

McCrory added…”Art is a universal way to make meaning out of experience, to enlarge our world, to create an opportunity for empathy, and to celebrate our common humanity, as well as our diverse perspectives. Artistic production provides a means of communicating shared human experience in everyday life, whether by a child’s drawing or an adult’s journal.”

The opening reception for “Mirrors of the Mind 3:The Psychotherapist as Artist” takes place Saturday, November 1, from 5 pm to 9:30 pm. Robert Carroll M.D., will host a poetry reading from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Light refreshments will be provided. ArtShare LA provides a No-Host Bar.

See image: by Flora Golden; Title: Like Night and Day, 2014, watercolor, gouache and clay collage on newsprint, 13″ x 21″

This will be a fun art party! Be aware there is a $10 admission for the general public and $5 for students and LACPA members. The event is produced by LACPA, a nonprofit organization.

On view: November 1 – November 8

What: Opening reception
Where: Artshare LA, 801 E 4th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90013
When: 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Phone: (213) 687-4278
Website: http://artsharela.org/ http://www.lapsych.org/