Story by: Norton Healthcare on March 30, 2021
Daniel Bulleit knows a lot about the power of art. His interest began at age 5, when he would draw pictures to stand out among a family that would grow to include 11 siblings. He studied art at Indiana University and the Colorado Institute of Art, which led to an award-winning career in commercial art.
These days Daniel, 64, focuses on spending time with his family. He also enjoys creating art using oils, acrylics and watercolors.
Daniel was diagnosed in 2017 with stage 4 colon cancer. He said he appreciates the care he has received from “exceptional people,” but his journey has been tough.
He has faced 27 “totally depleting” chemotherapy treatments, plus multiple hospitalizations, surgeries, setbacks and new complications. Through it all, he has been able to express his experiences through art therapy.
Art therapy strives to find change and growth through a relationship with a licensed art therapist and the art-making experience.
(502) 629-HOPE (4673)
Art therapy strives to find change and growth through a relationship with a licensed art therapist and the art-making experience. It combines visual arts with the knowledge of human development, psychology and mental health, and can assist in the healing process. Research shows that art therapy helps improve the lives of people coping with a medical diagnosis such as cancer.
“There’s a lot of fear, anxiety, anger and frustration as you go through cancer treatment,” said Laura Chamberlin, LPAT, LPCC, expressive art therapist at Norton Cancer Institute. “Art-making can help a patient address challenges and develop resilience to feel truly healthy and well.”
Art therapy is available free of charge through Norton Cancer Institute Resource Centers to anyone affected by cancer.
During one infusion session, Daniel, who has always liked trees, painted a self-portrait titled “A Tree Grows in My Head.”
“I always wanted a treehouse as a child. I built one for my kids,” he said.
Several of Daniel’s paintings were selected for a rotating art exhibit at Norton Cancer Institute – Brownsboro. Hope is a recurring theme in his work.
Daniel calls hope an incredibly valuable thing when you face cancer or any serious illness.
“Anything that feels like hope, I guard and protect,” he said.
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