The Healing Power of Art

Big Jeff Johns, renowned for his love of live music, was an active presence in Bristol's vibrant music scene, attending gigs almost nightly. Unfortunately, his life took a tragic turn when he faced a horrendous accident due to a fire at home which resulted in 6 months in hospital, including time in a specialist burns unit. Throughout his recovery, Jeff discovered the therapeutic potential of art as a means to cope with the emotional and physical challenges he encountered.

Before the accident, Jeff was already using art as therapy. "Welcome To My World" exhibition stands as a powerful testament to the transformative power of art as therapy and its potential to spark essential conversations around mental health. Through his paintings, Jeff bravely communicates his emotions and experiences, inspiring others to embrace vulnerability and break the silence surrounding mental health challenges.

Working on Jeffs website and bringing his art to life through the online store has been an exciting challenge. As well as building the online store we’ve also participated in exciting projects such as creating an interactive map for an art trail where sites around Bristol displayed Jeffs work on billboards.

For Jeff, the act of painting has not only provided emotional catharsis but also served as a form of physiotherapy during his recovery. He has been encouraged to practice reaching out and up while painting, stimulating his brain and enhancing his physical rehabilitation. The creative process has become a vital aspect of his recovery journey, giving him a sense of purpose and achievement.

I look forward to working closely with Jeff on upcoming projects.