I have had the wonderful opportunity to have my artwork placed in the new hospital - McCune-Brooks, here in Carthage, MO. Both my son and husband had had several surgeries over the past couple of years and I had spent a good bit of time in hospital and doctors waiting rooms. Being a photographer, I always noticed the artwork and in most situations had found it very lacking. I truly felt that you should be surrounded with artwork that would make you feel good and thought that nature and specifically flowers would be the perfect option. I decided to approach the administration of the hospital in town with the idea that my art might be a good choice in the new hospital. Six months later I was approached and after presenting my artwork, was chosen to the be the main artist for the artwork in the hospital. What a wonderful opportunity.

It wasn't much later that the administrator was reading a magazine and found an article about how there had even been studies about how nature in art had a healing affect. This did not surprise me at all. Per the Article in the Sept/Oct 2007 issue of Alliance "According to Dr. Ulrich, artwork based on nature is the most effective way to reduce stress, with one-third of patients needing less medication after exposure to serene landscapes and colorful flowers." This was based on research by behavioral scientist Roger Ulrich, Ph.D. professor architecture at Texas A&M University in College Station, and a faculty fellow of the Center for Health Systems Aden Design at the school. (www.healthdesign.org) The web site www.artheals.org has links to all sorts of information on the topic too.

It has been a wonderful experience. I have placed most of my florals in the hospital but I have also gone out and taken many landscape photos too. Some were just things that I liked and some were by request of the staff at the hospital. I loved being out there taking photos and am glad to have to excuse to do so.

I hope that this is just the beginning. I really feel like that my artwork would be a benefit in many medical environments. If you are interested, please contact me at Healing Art - Koral Martin