Healing Spaces

From the first concept until its installation on the wall, I had complete trust in the artists. Mary and Emiliano instinctively knew what was needed for my office. Through few conversations, they managed to identify my artistic inclinations/preferences, took to heart my practice philosophy, and came up with a painting that fit so right with what my staff and I do everyday. Hamster tree has been part of our "arsenal" for treating children as young as 6 months old. We use the painting as a distraction for apprehensive children (instead of using TV or computer games), as a focus point for distracted children or ones with special needs, and as a soothing tool for stressful times. Many times a day, we would ourselves looking at "the Tree", taking a deep breath, getting lost in the beautiful perspective or just gazing at a furry hamster, and finding peace. This is an important aspect in a pediatric dental practice where stress, noise, and chaos are prevalent. The children in particular love the details and vivid colors in the painting. A 6 year-old girl, while waiting for her abscessed tooth to go numb, went over to "the Tree" to study it, then went back to the chair for the extraction of the tooth (her first ever) all the while talking about critters. We have had "The Tree" for a year now and countless children and their parents have enjoyed it.