Volume 15

July - 2020

Cover: Chelsea, PA

I’m so grateful that our ER shifts are 3 days a week. The rest of the week gives me time to plan my next artwork. My colleagues participate in my art too. They’re my inspiration. I use them as models and they give me ideas to express our daily hard work as physician assistants, nurses and doctors. Painting and creating art as a representation of my life is therapeutic and a release from the daily stresses we encounter.

Acrylic 16 x 20

Letter from the Editors:

Happy Friday and a happy July to you all! Though coronavirus continues to spread rapidly through the United States, we have been delighted to see that more and more of those within emergency medicine have been picking up their cameras, pens, paints, and more to either start new hobbies or pick up where old ones may have been left off. Members of our team have been pursuing their passions through photography of the Comet NEOWISE, wildlife, and other sweet treats.

We hope that you are finding the time to do so as well. Regardless of what art, hobby, dance, or passion you are partaking in, please continue to pursue it during these stressful times. We hope that it allows you the much needed solitude to reflect on the current emotions and stress that come with being a frontline provider in this pandemic. We hope it allows you to focus on the positives and maintain hope for the future. Thank you all for everything that you do.

Deep thoughts

This photograph was taken in the Tsim Sha Tsui district of Hong Kong during 2018. The shopkeeper appeared deep in thought while standing in front of his brightly lit store front.

Obtainable

I used to have a very tense art style where I had trouble working freely and "imperfectly". I have tried to accept and embrace a looser style of painting and have noticed that my enjoyment of creating art has increased as my over-analyzing has subsided.

I painted this while in quarantine before my medical school graduation and it acted as a way to process all of the conflicting emotions that were in my life at that moment. In addition, I felt this piece was a representation of all of the goals I had that for so long had seemed intangible and unobtainable but now were finally right in front of me.

Oil on Canvas

Swirly Night

Obviously inspired by Van Gogh's A Starry Night, I tried to recreate the movement with paint. I've developed a love of acrylic pouring and enjoy experimenting with my palette knife and paint. My favorite thing is to get home from work and make new art, especially during quarantine.

Acrylic paint with floetrol and silicone

Sunday visitor

Red River Gorge Series

I currently work as a paramedic in the Emergency Department (I'm also a current student), and my sense of peace has always been tied to outdoor pursuits; those interests led me to volunteer as a Wilderness Paramedic for RedSTAR in Kentucky's Red River Gorge - which had been a source of inspiration for some of my more recent artwork. The experiences I've had over the years in emergency medicine and the lessons I take from it compliment all areas of my being; I am always learning and growing from them. My art (primarily traditional acrylic on canvas) and my interests across the many disciplines might capture some of the moments on my journey, or reflect upon them. I have found great joy in painting and it has translated positively in all areas of my own life - and hope you can find joy in your own art.

Do you want to see your art shared with the community? Don’t forget to submit today!

Finally, don’t forget to share Art of Emergency Medicine with your colleagues, friends, and family on Twitter or Instagram and like us on Facebook for all the latest news!

This Months Featured Artists:

Andrea Guensburg, PA

I'm an ER PA and I've been doing art my whole adult life, but have become passionate about acrylic pouring recently. See more of her work on instagram.

Diana Halloran, MD

I am a new emergency medicine intern physician at Northwestern University and am passionate about social emergency medicine, health policy, and health disparities in medicine. I have considered art as my duality to science since high school and I chose to double major in studio art and biology in college. My favorite media include charcoal drawing and oil painting, and I am always exploring and refining my art style. Other hobbies that I enjoy include reading science fiction, running, and hiking. See more of her work on instagram or twitter.

Giuliano de Portu, MD

I was a professional photojournalist and went to medical school at 33. Currently still doing imaging for fun! You can see more images at www.giulianodeportu.com.

Jon Gaddis

My name is Jon. Prior to EKU's Emergency Medical Care program, I'd always taken an interest in fine arts. I currently work as a paramedic in the Emergency Department (I'm also a current student), and my sense of peace has always been tied to outdoor pursuits; those interests led me to volunteer as a Wilderness Paramedic for RedSTAR in Kentucky's Red River Gorge - which had been a source of inspiration for some of my more recent artwork. View more of his work Instagram.

Matthew McCaffery, DO

I'm currently a third year emergency medicine resident in New York with passion for photography and traveling. See more of his work on instagram.

Val Tarsia, PA

I’ve been a physician assistant in a fast-paced, busy Emergency room for 6 years. Growing up, I always wanted to study medicine and in college I was fortunate to study fine arts as a minor. My parents encouraged my art hobby since I was a kid. Now I get to share my art and incorporate medicine as my subject. The colleagues I work with are fierce and beautiful models to represent some of the action we experience, especially during Covid-19. See more of her work on instagram.

You can learn more about the artists featured in this and other volumes at our contributors page!