KPLU Local News
(2009-07-22)
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Hillary Bassett Ross at her Capitol Hill home (and art studio) in Seattle. July 21, 2009.
Gary Davis photo.
"The term that for some reason comes to mind, and it's kind of a soccer thing, is 'I'm finding my feet.' And I'm kind of finding my feet in terms of which compositions work for me, and color schemes and techniques," says the 28-year old from Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. The reference to soccer is a natural. A sport Bassett Ross played with intense passion came to an abrupt stop after she suffered a sever concussion on the playing field early last year.
"Someone blasted his head into the back of my head on a header. It was pretty bad," she added. It's not an understatement. Months of recovery followed. She couldn't work at her marketing job. And doctors said therapy had to wait until she healed. Anxious to do something, she took a friend's suggestion to come to Italy. There, she learned the language, and took art lessons. She says that's when real healing began. When she came home and reported back to her doctor on how she'd spent her time, "She said to me, 'That's about the best thing you could have done for your brain.'"
Bassett Ross will be one of the artists showing at the University of Washington's South Campus Center on Wednesday. Organizer Heather Porter, a researcher with the UW's Department of Rehabilitative Medicine, says art become a valuable tool for many people who've had severe brain trauma. "In particular, there's this exploration of 'What is my identify now?' Many people find that through art. That's something they can explore," Porter added.
Her UW department is the show's sponsor. Painters, potters, jewelry makers and musicians - recovering from head injuries - are all part of the evening.
For Hillary Bassett Ross and many of the other artists, it will be their first show. Even though she's back at her old job, Bassett Ross says she's excited about her growth as an artist. "And the painting is coming...wow! Way more naturally than I ever expected it would." So naturally, in fact, she's considering art as a career. Gary Davis, KPLU News, in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood.
UW Traumatic Brain Injury Model System exhibit titled "Recreating Me: Exploring and Healing Through Creative Expression" took place Wed., July 22nd at the UW's South Campus Center.
UW TBIMS Art Show Information
Hillary Bassett Ross web info
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