Through discussions and interviews with writers, artists and health professionals, author friends James McKenzie Watson and Ashley Kalagian Blunt explore the big questions: how do books get written? How do people navigate life with chronic illness? And just what are you reading?
Ashley Kalagian Blunt is the author of Dark Mode, an internationally published psychological thriller. Her earlier books are How to Be Australian, a memoir, and My Name Is Revenge, collected fiction and essays. Her writing appears in the Sydney Morning Herald, Overland, Griffith Review, Sydney Review of Books, and more. Ashley is an enthusiastic teacher of writing and creativity. Originally from Canada, she has lived and worked in South Korea, Peru and Mexico. Find her on Twitter and Instagram or visit her website.
James McKenzie Watson is the author of Denizen, which won the 2021 Penguin Literary Prize and was shortlisted in 2023 Ned Kelly Awards for Best Debut. His writing has appeared in The Guardian, Meanjin, Kill Your Darlings and the Newtown Review of Books. He has appeared at events including the Sydney Writers Festival, Newcastle Writers Festival and BAD Crime Sydney. He works as a nurse. Find him on Twitter and Instagram or visit his website.
Sep 1, 2020
James and Ashley interview Karin Foxwell, an art therapist and counsellor from South Australia’s Adelaide Hills. In this fascinating conversation, Karin describes the profound therapeutic power of art, as she's observed in her work with military and emergency services personnel who've sustained PTSD in the course of their service. She also describes a 'standard' art therapy session, discusses the therapeutic power of writing, and explains why she thinks everyone should engage in some kind of art therapy.
Karin's services are facilitated by The Road Home, a charity that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of veterans, emergency service personnel and their families across Australia. Find out more about The Road Home on their website.
Get in touch!
Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com
Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt
James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com
James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson