Cathryn F Andrews

I am a wife, mother, artist, survivor. In 1954, at the age of 5, I was raped at gunpoint, I survived sibling incest, an alcoholic family, emotional abuse and religious teachings abuse. It was, indeed, a grim childhood.

My painting played a significant role in my recovery. I have been painting now for well over 50 years. When I was in therapy, I happened upon the book, “Healing Your Inner Child” by Lucia Capacchione. Her approach to healing was a revelation to me! A tiny seed of an idea began to germinate and when fully developed, my painting style changed dramatically. I placed my paintbrush in my left, untrained hand. I decided to paint the very images that arose in my mind. The images were primitive and child-like. I was so afraid of painting that way, I shut myself in my studio and locked the door behind me. I told myself I could burn the left-hand paintings before anyone saw them! Finally, with a blank canvas before me and an unrefined image in my mind, I began to paint with my non-dominate hand and whole new world opened up! It allowed me to see the images I once tried to suppress, now to arise, study and feel the pain in and confusion of the events. With this method, I began to explore the childhood sexual assaults. I no longer tried to hide them from myself. Painting led me on a journey from the darkness of abuse to the joy of rediscovery. This was real painting: my life, my story, my contribution to the world as an artist, as a genuine human being.

This method allows me to access the memories of real people, places and events from childhood. Some hilarious; some tragic and some politically insensitive and antisocial; just how an impulsive child might see and react to events, people and places—raw and unedited.

Now I can create contemporary images in a fresh, new way. I continue to use my right hand for more realistic painting but I use my left hand for drawing and rendering the many primitive images you see here on this website.

Please enjoy your stay in my world of painting. Bring your friends.