SirianniArt.Com

My full-time employment, as a Creative Arts Therapist, continues to be both challenging and rewarding.

I will be performing Live Art at Swag-Fest  on January 14. Doors open at 9pm, 745 Main St., Buffalo, NY.

Unfortunately, the need for Police sketches  continues.  I’m currently working with a local law enforcement agency regarding a robbery. I avail myself as a volunteer for these services.

The film “Curbs” will feature 3 of my courtroom drawings.

I’m working on a  design for a monument honoring the living and fallen of Hotel Company, 2nd Bn / 7th Marines. This is the unit that I had served with in Vietnam.

My Portrait and Caricature class will begin again in January.

(No relation, LOL)

Cartoonist Bill Abbot mentions SirianniArt.com in his blog article, found HERE.  An excerpt:

As a teacher, he guides his students patiently, and with a coherent plan. As a cartoonist, I’ve been focusing only on what I know, and don’t tend to stray too far from my typical style of drawing – something I’d like to change. The exercises presented by Ralph push me and my classmates to try things we woudn’t otherwise, and he provides subtle direction throughout the process.

"Strategy for Surviving the Day" Watercolor and Color Pencil on Paper 22" X 30" 2012

Chess is one of my favorite pastimes. In the right frame of mind I’m at best a mediocre player. The occasional game that I play is usually a lesson in humility.

About a year ago I began to see a correlation between chess and life through medications. As a Creative Arts Therapist at VA Western New York Healthcare System, I’m afforded many opportunities to observe the effects of various prescribed drugs on my patient population. The depths of my observations have been reinforced by comments, regarding the drugs, made by the patients who use them and the staff who administer them.

There is of course another contributing factor that strengthens my understanding of prescribed medications for mental health issues. I have continued to work through the many afflictions of PTSD since my tour inVietnam. I have encountered both good and bad medicine, one works the other does not. Finding those that work plays an integral role in the recovery process. Over a period of time, the good medicine may no longer be as effective and adjustments must be made to maintain a healthy program of recovery. These adjustments, at times, can create upheaval. What once worked simply does not anymore. However, there is nothing simple about a life or death situation and readjustment of meds may present an individual with exactly that.

Hence came the title, “Strategy for Surviving the Day,” long before the images appeared on paper.

The final piece shows two people engaged in their own strategies for success. Originally they were both Veterans. After its completion, a friend suggested that the perplexed face might belong to the doctor who prescribes the medications. I chose to allow the viewer to entertain both reflections. It is however interesting that working with ones doctor is an across the desk/table experience.

Through interviews with various clinical staff and other forms of research, I had developed a listing of drugs that are used in treating mental health patients. I used the weaker strength pills to represent Pawns. As the power of the med increased so did the effectiveness of the chess pieces, from Knight to Bishop, to Rook and finally Queen and King. Some of these pieces express the horrors of war and the tragedies of the fallen through meds that are not working. Other pieces show a determination to keep persevering and perhaps trying the new prescriptions. One  Queen lies stricken, off of the board, as one who may have given herself so that her King would win; while the other (in the top left corner) displays the protecting instinct of a woman  standing before her King while her security is under attack.

There is no winner or loser in this game. The battle rages on.

"Chi - Man" Acrylics and Color pencil sticks on paper (45" x 95") 2011

Artvoice Article 12/22/2011:

Chi-Stock

A new series of art events debuts

Ralph Sirianni—a friend, artist, veteran, and champion of possibilities in improving one’s good nature—invited me to “Chi-Stock,” a music and art event held in a large downtown loft put together by his son, Gabriel, featuring Ralph painting in situ while the young patrons watched, chatted, and danced. An upright piano served as a bar where drinks were passed over the piano lid from an elevated platform. An atmosphere of family fealty prevailed as Sirianni brushed acrylic on a wall-sized, taped-off canvas.

Chi is the vital life force that stimulates motivation, coming from the original Chinese (qi) for breath. Meant to be a series of future events providing a visually ingratiating gathering place for young people, Chi-Stock will feature artists working on installations specific to themes supporting introspection, contemplation, and joy.

Meanwhile in another part of the loft, Bruce Lee held forth in Enter the Dragon while a fog machine created billowing plumes before a seated Buddha amid a gathering of tea lights.

> j. tim raymond

"Millstream" Acrylic (26" x 36") circa 1975

This piece is a rarity in that I’ve seldom painted landscapes, especially in the 70′s.  Watch for more “Oldies.”

" The Collector ", Pastel (30" x 36") 2011

The Collector is a self-portrait into an area of my life of which I’m quite fond…collecting.  Vintage sport cards, Classics Illustrated comics and stamps are some of the items that I’m interested in.

"Jimi Revisited...Again", Oil ( 30" x 24" ) 2011

This is a tribute to someone I wish I could say was a friend but he’ll always be close.  I’ll revisit him many times to come.  Jimi was Art.

The series of the drawings, from the McCray case, can be found HERE, where you can also see other courtroom art.