‘soulwerk’, coloured pencil on paper, 18 x 24 inches, Renata Truelove

Renata Truelove
”Above all, I wish to see”
A Journey Through Art School
Various Media

Artist Statement: Currently completing an undergraduate degree at Brandon University with a major in psychology (honours) and a double minor in drawing and painting, ‘Above all, I wish to see’ is a glimpse into some of my favourite assignments (and a bit of the madness in between them) throughout my art school journey. Encompassed in the exhibition is a taste of the many expressive arts avenues I was able to touch on while studying in the arts department - from paintings and drawings to mixed media and creative writing. I am equally passionate about art and psychology, although many people may see science and arts as opposite forces, I find them to complement each other in so many ways, often using research from my psychology classes to inspire my art work. Each art piece is soaked in emotion, my inner world poured out on to the page.

Biography: I’m Renata Truelove, a creative soul and aspiring art therapist. I fell in love with being creative at a very young age. Admiring anyone that was making, whether it was making music or making cakes. Art has always been my language, the visual and auditory narrative of my life. There's something about being messy, creative and wild that soothes my soul. Over the years I have dabbled in many different mediums, and always found the process of making even more rewarding than the finished piece itself. This led me to understand the healing and transformational properties creative expression holds. Through my artworks and creative flow I explore themes of authenticity, freedom and self expression. I am deeply inspired by nature, music, art, fashion, human behaviour and bodies. I dream of not only sharing my work with the world, but inspiring others to venture down their own creative path, and discover the unique magic inside themselves.

From an early age I have also been intrigued by the human mind and how it works which has been enhanced through the study of psychology. I have long been fascinated by human behaviour and had a strong desire to work in the healthcare realm, but my intense pull toward creativity and fashion design kept me from finding a real place there. Until I discovered the world of Art Therapy - the perfect blend of creative expression and health sciences with the added bonus of not to having to wear scrubs to work! I love to explore the link between neuroscience and our innate biology with how ones individual thoughts, emotions and experiences shape our unique perceptions of the world. I have specific interest in biological psychology, embodied cognition, neuroplasticity, imagination and creative expression, flow states, perception, consciousness and applied positive psychology. I have interest in several areas of counselling including grief and loss, addictions and substance abuse, suicide and crisis intervention, PTSD, postpartum depression/anxiety and applied positive psychology theories. I am interested in working with people of all ages, especially adolescents and seniors, first responders, agriculture professionals such as farmers and their families, as well as the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

I believe in change, growth and healing. I believe people can change how they think. And if you can change how people think, it changes how they see themselves and how they see the world. I believe in energy, magic and creative care. I believe in using our own unique gifts to help others. I believe in community and that we are all connected.