The Art of Cult Recovery
Coming Home to Self

Coming Home to Self

Birds are self contained beings. They know who they are, what they can eat and where they live.

They are content in this world. They have a language of their own, a splendid way of transporting themselves and a birds eye view of the world. They can survive without us in flocks of their own species.

They seem content and peaceful creatures. I feel a sense of peace as I look at this scene and painting of mine. It appeals to me as I come home ‘psychologically’ at last to be my own person and become content with who I was born to be.

I have worked hard to put the distortions of my cult life in my rubbish pile; I have no need of them anymore.

The Recovering Artist.

Becoming an Artist

Painting into the emotion of my experiences in the cult I was raised from birth in has helped to bring emotional healing and clarity to me as I seek ongoing recovery from my abusive restrictive former existence.

I was not able to begin to consider painting anything until I left the cult after 43 years of submission and obedience where the practise of art was considered a waste of god’s time, and something not to be pursued or tolerated.

I am now a self-motivated artist who has benefitted from being a member of several amateur art groups. I observe and learn from others, but am always filtering and interpreting my art though my own life experience. My current mentor has been particularly helpful in guiding and letting me develop my style in my own way. Quite often I am surprised at what I paint but I understand the wisdom that is coming from within.

I paint my own ideas from my own pain and this often enables reflection and abstract interpretation of the memories and emotional experiences forced on me by my father and others who were leaders in this cult system of religion.

The Recovering Artist.