Survivor Artwork on Display at Abilities Expo in Scottsdale
Acrylic pour artwork made by Brain Injury Association client Chris Ellersick will be on display this weekend at the annual Abilities Expo. Attended by thousands, the Expo will feature not only resources and information from the Association, but creative works as well.
Chris Ellersick says this piece reflects his post-traumatic brain injury reality.
Missing Logic, by Chris Ellersick
“You can step back and see the logic is all there, kind of; you can’t say it’s not. But it’s still not right. Or at least, not the kind of ‘right’ you had recognized as correct.”
Survivor Artwork on Display at Abilities Expo in Scottsdale
Acrylic pour artwork made by Brain Injury Association client Chris Ellersick will be on display this weekend at the annual Abilities Expo. Attended by thousands, the Expo will feature not only resources and information from the Association, but creative works as well.
Chris Ellersick says this piece reflects his post-traumatic brain injury reality.
Missing Logic, by Chris Ellersick
“You can step back and see the logic is all there, kind of; you can’t say it’s not. But it’s still not right. Or at least, not the kind of ‘right’ you had recognized as correct.”
“I wanted to start with a serene set of colors, so I chose tones from a sky at the leading edge of sunset, with some little puffy clouds lingering (a totally placid and normal thing to paint),” he said.
But he also wanted the painting to reflect the new, post-injury sensory overwhelm he experiences.
“You can step back and see the logic is all there, kind of; you can’t say it’s not,” he said. “But it’s still not right. Or at least, not the kind of ‘right’ you had recognized as correct.”
Recovering from a brain injury is an experience Chris describes as “intensely internal.”
This is true not only because recovery forces a lot of introspection and reflection but also because of its self-directed nature.
“You have to really be patient and persistent with betterment,” he said.
Chris became a TBI survivor in November 2018. An uninsured, unlicensed motorist collided into the car Chris and his wife were in as they drove their young daughter to ballet practice. The driver was unlicensed and crashed into them as they legally crossed an intersection. His young daughter was, fortunately, in a car seat.
Part of Chris’ recovery included physical therapy in the form of Zumba classes at the Ability360 adaptive gymnasium. It turned out that Brain Cave, a support group facilitated by the Brain Injury Association of Arizona, held its meetings right after the Zumba class. Chris began to attend the group sessions and other BIAAZ events, including this painting session and Camp Brain.
Although Chris doesn’t necessarily consider himself an artist, he does admit to being crafty and creative. He works with glass, including creating small sculptures, marbles, and small bottles, in addition to lampworking. Recently, he’s been experimenting with creating bottles for small perfumes and essential oils.
You can see and purchase this piece and other survivor artwork displayed in our web store.
ABOUT BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA
The Brain Injury Association of Arizona (BIAAZ) is the only statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children with all types of brain injuries through prevention, advocacy, awareness and education. BIAAZ also houses the Arizona Brain Health Resource Center, a collection of educational information and neuro-specific resources for brain injury survivors, caregivers, family members and professionals.
What began in 1983 as a grassroots effort has grown into a strong statewide presence, providing valuable life-long resources and community support for individuals with all types of brain trauma at no charge.