Page 25 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2026

could never again do anything for herself and at times wanted to give up.
The Art Tribe continued to love and encourage her. “My family and Tribe friends pushed me to sign up for Cissy McCabe Quinn’s next watercolor session,” she says. “I did, but with reluctance and trepidation. After the first day of the session, I was convinced that I would never be able to paint again and should quit taking art classes. My family and my art friends refused to hear that and kept encouraging me to attend class. Cissy found ways to help me with adaptive methods.”
Now Gambrell enjoys the art classes and looks forward to them. “My art community has given me hope and made
me realize that my injury is not the end of the world,” she says. “The art class has given me experience, knowledge and perspective. I am forever grateful to my art community for the hopeful outlook, support, encouragement and acceptance that they have shown me.”
McCarthy says, “Art can be very helpful in providing a mental
and paints brightly colored fanciful flasks. “My painting and writing processes envelop me, and I look forward to doing them,” she says. “These activities open me up to observing my surroundings. And that keeps my hands, eyes, and brain busy. My stress level drops, and I find myself thinking about ideas when I least expect them, especially when I’m painting, writing, or just gazing into a drawing or painting.”
Winn is the recipient of a Literary Arts Fellowship from the Mississippi Arts Commission and is the author of three novels, “Forsaking Mimosa,” “The Dance Between,” and “A Glaring Error.”
Dr. Gaela Youngblood, a licensed clinical psychologist with Memorial Health System, is positive that artistic expression in its many forms can be a helpful addition to coping skills and an overall mental health tool kit.
“Although many of us don’t describe ourselves as traditional artists, the avenues of artistic self-expression are so vast that there are almost limitless options to scratch the artistic itch,” she
break from daily stressors and challenges. Even a short period of creating art can help regulate the nervous system and leave people feeling more grounded.”
Ocean Springs artist Sandra Halat relates how art helped at a low point in her life. “I used my art to express my emotions and disappointment in our justice system. I created a body of work which expressed my anger and frustration over a justice system which destroyed an innocent man’s life. Fortunately or unfortunately, Hurricane Katrina washed away that body of work along with my anger and frustration.”
She feels a sense of calmness when she goes into her studio. “I find art helps my mental and physical body in more ways than I can express.”
Valerie Winn of Gautier is a double artist in that she writes SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net
says. “Participating in different art forms (painting, sculpting, music, writing, gardening, dance, acting) can lower stress hormones, promote a sense of productivity, provide a temporary and healthy distraction from worries, and generate feelings of pride and accomplishment.”
Youngblood further states that although art can be a useful individual experience, it can also be a way to connect with others and create community, which is vital to mental health. “If you are having trouble knowing where to start, you can look for local classes, find YouTube videos, or listen to podcasts about the art you’d like to create. And remember, you don’t have to be a professional to participate in artistic expression. Think of it as a gift to yourself!”
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