Participating Artists:
Laura Babcock, Carol Gonzales, Juanita “Janie” Gotts, Brian Joseph,
Denise Knebel, Shirley Ann Riley, Ashley Schor, and Glenn Towery.
Laura Babcock, Carol Gonzales, Juanita “Janie” Gotts, Brian Joseph,
Denise Knebel, Shirley Ann Riley, Ashley Schor, and Glenn Towery.
The launch of FROM HELL TO HEALTH – journeys through PTSD/PTSI
Co-edited by Randall Burks Sexton and Pamela Ellen Ferguson
The launch of FROM HELL TO HEALTH – journeys through PTSD/PTSI combined with an exhibit of artwork and books of contributors, including the works of our Artemist artists familiar to all of you from our previous exhibits. Trauma is the common theme, along with the healing power of art, writing, and community activism reflected in all of these works.
FROM HELL TO HEALTH was co-edited by psychiatric nurse practitioner and veteran Randy Sexton of Fort Riley, Kansas, and multi-published author/teacher Pam Ferguson, both of whom have explored innovative ways of working with trauma survivors. Pam is also the co-founder of the Artemis group, together with Dr Kimberly Layne, DAOM, L.Ac, Dipl OM, and Annie McMillin, decorated Army Veteran and practicing artist. Described as a “non-therapy therapy group,” the Artemis Project was created to give women veterans a chance to share stories of trauma and art in a supportive, informal environment. Dr Layne also contributed to the anthology – see her chapter 18 in the section titled Military and Veterans.
FROM HELL TO HEALTH was co-edited by psychiatric nurse practitioner and veteran Randy Sexton of Fort Riley, Kansas, and multi-published author/teacher Pam Ferguson, both of whom have explored innovative ways of working with trauma survivors. Pam is also the co-founder of the Artemis group, together with Dr Kimberly Layne, DAOM, L.Ac, Dipl OM, and Annie McMillin, decorated Army Veteran and practicing artist. Described as a “non-therapy therapy group,” the Artemis Project was created to give women veterans a chance to share stories of trauma and art in a supportive, informal environment. Dr Layne also contributed to the anthology – see her chapter 18 in the section titled Military and Veterans.
Laura Babcock
(Chapter 51 - "Anxious? Adopt a Neurotic Dog")
Laura Babcock MFA (fine arts) is an arts educator who was assigned the task of creating the mural on Eloise House, the offices for forensic nursing at SAFE, the Austin haven for survivors of domestic abuse. Laura chose sunflowers as, in her words, "they are survivors. They pop up in fertile soil and fallow, often as unexpected gifts from an overflowing bird feeder. What better symbol for the strength and resilience of the people that come through the shelter? Later I was told one of the former residents wore a tattoo of the sunflower as a result of the healing she received from Eloise House." Laura was later commissioned to craft a sunflower painting for the waiting room when Eloise House moved from the portable to a new building.
Raised in Houston, Laura completed her undergraduate degree in art education at UT Austin, and her masters degree in fine arts at the University of Houston. She lives in Austin.
Instagram: @leapphrogdesign
Raised in Houston, Laura completed her undergraduate degree in art education at UT Austin, and her masters degree in fine arts at the University of Houston. She lives in Austin.
Instagram: @leapphrogdesign
Working Drawing
Prisma color on tracing paper
1.5" x 8.5"
Prisma color on tracing paper
1.5" x 8.5"
Eloise House mural (Safe Alliance Austin )
Latex housepaint on metal
10' x 75'
Latex housepaint on metal
10' x 75'
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Laura at work!
October, 2015 |
Carol Gonzales
(Chapter 21 - Special Mention)
USAF Veteran Carol Gonzales is an international award-winning artist with over 10K artworks to her credit. She was raised on a farm in N. Indiana, doing factory work to pay for a private high school education. At age 19 she joined the FBI in Washington D.C. Six years later she joined the USAF where she served from 1982-1990 with postings in ND, AZ and England. Upon leaving the USAF she transitioned into technical writing. After attending 13 different colleges in her travels, in 2004 she graduated Summa cum Laude with an Art degree from St. Edward’s U. where she also received a special award Best Body of Work of the senior class.
E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected]
Carol Gonzales
A Cowboy Hat 13.5" x 14.5" |
Carol Gonzales
A Lampshade 14" x 8" |
Juanita (Janie) Gotts
(Chapter 8 - ("From Combat to Art")
Juanita joined the National Guard as a Combat Medic in 1987, before becoming an active-duty soldier in 1991 serving at Texas National Guard HQs at Camp Mabry. Juanita later transferred to the 111th Area Support Group at Bee Cave Armory to be Unit Administrator from 1996-2000. Juanita would deploy overseas twice, supporting the NATO Peacekeeping mission in 1997-1998 stationed in Tazar, Hungary and seven years later serving in the Global War on Terrorism stationed in Kabul, Afghanistan, from 2005-2006.
Juanita's military service often inspires her paintings. "I've always been an artist in some form or fashion, even during deployments, I'd be called upon when there was a need for an artist's expertise, like painting the unit mascot on the barracks wall and I would visit museums during my Rest and Relaxation breaks." Juanita has also written and illustrated a children's novel published in 2012 titled "Mikmoh, Mouse of Cameroon," with the inspiration derived from challenges she faced early in her military career. Juanita continues to use art to help heal her PTSI. Juanita served 20 years of dedicated military service, retiring from the National Guard in 2007 with numerous state and federal service awards.
E-mail: [email protected]
Juanita's military service often inspires her paintings. "I've always been an artist in some form or fashion, even during deployments, I'd be called upon when there was a need for an artist's expertise, like painting the unit mascot on the barracks wall and I would visit museums during my Rest and Relaxation breaks." Juanita has also written and illustrated a children's novel published in 2012 titled "Mikmoh, Mouse of Cameroon," with the inspiration derived from challenges she faced early in her military career. Juanita continues to use art to help heal her PTSI. Juanita served 20 years of dedicated military service, retiring from the National Guard in 2007 with numerous state and federal service awards.
E-mail: [email protected]
Juanita Gotts
Into the Storm
Medium Oil on Canvas
22" x 24"
Not for Sale
Into the Storm
Medium Oil on Canvas
22" x 24"
Not for Sale
Juanita Gotts
Broken Angel II 2014 Canvas print 22” x 28” |
Juanita Gotts
Rosie Joins the Army 2014 Canvas print 22” x 28” |
Juanita Gotts
Starry Night Austin
2014
Canvas print
22” x 28”
Starry Night Austin
2014
Canvas print
22” x 28”
Brian Bydeeman Joseph
( Chapter 25 - Joyful Art Heals Basketball Trauma)
Brian Joseph, Austin based artist known affectionately as Bydeeman, creator of a range of colorful murals and whimsical T-shirts of his active groups of "Bydee People" captivating issues of the day such as Black Lives Matter, diversity, and breast cancer survivors as Sheroes. Born in Trinidad, Brian has lived in Austin for a few decades. In 2024 he was curator of the AVAFEST exhibit of art by veterans with PTSD. The show included his artwork "Straight Through," crafted after he was shot as a teenager.
His magical nickname, Bydee, stands for "Bringing your Delightful Entertaining Experiences."
www.bydee.com
His magical nickname, Bydee, stands for "Bringing your Delightful Entertaining Experiences."
www.bydee.com
Brian Bydeeman Joseph
Straight Through 2024 Acrylic on canvas 20" x 16" |
Brian Bydeeman Joseph
Messenger 1987 Lithograph 22" x 28" |
Brian Bydeeman Joseph
Survivors are Sheroes (2015)
Giclee, 13" x 22"
Survivors are Sheroes (2015)
Giclee, 13" x 22"
Brian Bydeeman Joseph
BOB (Bending over backward) - 2022
Acrylic on canvas, 12" x 36"
BOB (Bending over backward) - 2022
Acrylic on canvas, 12" x 36"
Denise Knebel
(Chapter 15 - "Unraveling PTSI Through Song and Art")
Denise joined the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1981 and retired from service at the end of 2004. She is a disabled veteran with over 23 years of active duty. For her last assignment, she was selected to be the enlisted manager for her career field of over 10K personnel worldwide.
Denise has always used art as a therapeutic tool. After leaving the air force she pursued an art degree with a minor in psychology; and she also interned at ArtPace in San Antonio. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio in 2008. From 2009 to 2014, she worked as a Mobile Art Program teacher for the Southwest School of Art also in San Antonio.
She joined the non-profit ArtSpark in Austin TX in 2009 with their first annual Distinguished Veterans Art Exhibit. She began working Veteran Programming in 2010 and has been part of all aspects of evaluating, creating, planning, and conducting that programming in an effort to help active duty, veterans, their families/caregivers benefit from the healing powers of art.
Apart from her work with ArtSpark, she also teaches visual arts classes for wounded soldiers at the Soldier Recovery Unit on Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio twice per month. Denise is Vice President of the non-profit Air Force Services Society, and the Veteran Service Officer for her local VFW Post in Lockhart, TX. Since 2005, she has participated in numerous shows in San Antonio, Austin, Kyle, and Temple, TX. She was part of a US-wide traveling domestic violence exhibit in 2007 and was part of the 2013 Swords to Plowshares exhibit in San Francisco, CA. Born and raised in the Hudson River Valley in upstate New York, she now lives between San Antonio and Houston Texas.
E-mail: [email protected]
Denise has always used art as a therapeutic tool. After leaving the air force she pursued an art degree with a minor in psychology; and she also interned at ArtPace in San Antonio. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio in 2008. From 2009 to 2014, she worked as a Mobile Art Program teacher for the Southwest School of Art also in San Antonio.
She joined the non-profit ArtSpark in Austin TX in 2009 with their first annual Distinguished Veterans Art Exhibit. She began working Veteran Programming in 2010 and has been part of all aspects of evaluating, creating, planning, and conducting that programming in an effort to help active duty, veterans, their families/caregivers benefit from the healing powers of art.
Apart from her work with ArtSpark, she also teaches visual arts classes for wounded soldiers at the Soldier Recovery Unit on Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio twice per month. Denise is Vice President of the non-profit Air Force Services Society, and the Veteran Service Officer for her local VFW Post in Lockhart, TX. Since 2005, she has participated in numerous shows in San Antonio, Austin, Kyle, and Temple, TX. She was part of a US-wide traveling domestic violence exhibit in 2007 and was part of the 2013 Swords to Plowshares exhibit in San Francisco, CA. Born and raised in the Hudson River Valley in upstate New York, she now lives between San Antonio and Houston Texas.
E-mail: [email protected]
Denise Knebel
“You’d Be So Much Prettier if You Smiled More…” Mixed Media: Acrylic, Gel Pens, Alcohol Ink, Ephemera, and Naproxen 16” x 20” |
Denise Knebel
The "Color of Shadows" Acrylic Paint, Oil Pastels, Military Uniform, and GCM on Canvas 32" x 36" |
Denise Knebel
“The Hunger” Mixed Media: Acrylic, Alcohol Ink, Gel Pens, Spices, and Ephemera 12” x 18” |
Denise Knebel
Ordered Chaos Cold Wax & Oil Paint, Oil Pastels, Charcoal, & Naproxen on Arches on Canvas Board 14” x 18” |
Denise Knebel
"My Own Personal Hell and Reflections" (self portraits)
Hand- Colored etchings on arches
21" x 29"
"My Own Personal Hell and Reflections" (self portraits)
Hand- Colored etchings on arches
21" x 29"
Shirley Ann Riley
(Chapter 21 - "Special Mention")
Our exhibition honors Shirley's memory and her accomplishments as a gifted and versatile artist, and her focus on African American themes like BB King, Patti LaBelle, and Barack Obama. Shirley was a wonderfully generous friend, and a vigorous presence at all our Artemis meetings and exhibitions since 2014. Shirley will be remembered and cherished by all who loved her.
Specialist (SP4) Shirley Ann Riley enlisted in the U.S. Army after college in January 1982 from Miami, Florida. She completed Basic Training at Fort McClellan in Anniston, Alabama, and Advanced Individual Training at the U.S. Army Signal Corps School at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia, from 1982–1983.
After completing two military occupational specialties, 36H and 32D, Shirley deployed to the 181st Signal Company at NATO Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, where she secured AUTOVON and telecommunications networks for U.S. Army Europe from 1983–1985. During this deployment, Shirley was enrolled in the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program for Technical Engineering, where she designed CAD topographic maps and charts from 1983–1985. She also attended the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course and Primary Leadership Development Course from 1984–1985.
Her final assignment was with the 490th Signal Company within the U.S. Army Information Systems Command at the Presidio of San Francisco, California, where she supported the post PBX Electronic Switching System from 1985–1986.
Shirley received several service ribbons, achievement medals, and qualification badges for her military service. After leaving the Army, she worked in engineering for Motorola/Freescale Semiconductor Inc. for twenty-three years. She then focused on fine art and graphic design.
Growing up, she was inspired by her late brother, Jonathan Fredrick Riley, and by the renowned Florida Highwaymen painters, Harold and Sam Newton, of Florida’s Intracoastal region. As a member of the Artemis group, Shirley exhibited in numerous Austin venues, including the Sharon and Brian Moore Alternative Space Gallery, Samaritan Center, Seminary of the Southwest, ArtSpark, Parsons House, and the George Washington Carver Museum. As a native of Vero Beach, Florida, she also exhibited at the Raw Space Gallery in Vero Beach and at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center in Gifford, Florida.
After completing two military occupational specialties, 36H and 32D, Shirley deployed to the 181st Signal Company at NATO Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, where she secured AUTOVON and telecommunications networks for U.S. Army Europe from 1983–1985. During this deployment, Shirley was enrolled in the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program for Technical Engineering, where she designed CAD topographic maps and charts from 1983–1985. She also attended the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course and Primary Leadership Development Course from 1984–1985.
Her final assignment was with the 490th Signal Company within the U.S. Army Information Systems Command at the Presidio of San Francisco, California, where she supported the post PBX Electronic Switching System from 1985–1986.
Shirley received several service ribbons, achievement medals, and qualification badges for her military service. After leaving the Army, she worked in engineering for Motorola/Freescale Semiconductor Inc. for twenty-three years. She then focused on fine art and graphic design.
Growing up, she was inspired by her late brother, Jonathan Fredrick Riley, and by the renowned Florida Highwaymen painters, Harold and Sam Newton, of Florida’s Intracoastal region. As a member of the Artemis group, Shirley exhibited in numerous Austin venues, including the Sharon and Brian Moore Alternative Space Gallery, Samaritan Center, Seminary of the Southwest, ArtSpark, Parsons House, and the George Washington Carver Museum. As a native of Vero Beach, Florida, she also exhibited at the Raw Space Gallery in Vero Beach and at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center in Gifford, Florida.
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Shirley Riley
Coming Out of the Shadows 18” x 24” Mixed media – Microns Pens & Prismacolor Pencils "A tribute to all military personnel who have serviced, and continue to serve our country."
The Atemis Project Logo created by Shirley Riley.
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Ashley Schor
(Front Cover and Chapter 1)
Ashley played a key role in the Uvalde Love Project, the community mosaic initiative created in response to the tragedy at Robb Elementary School in 2022. The project brought together over 2,000 participants through workshops and school-based programming, offering a space for collective healing and expression. The 500-square-foot mural, installed in the summer of 2023, can be viewed at Jardín de los Héroes Park in Uvalde, TX.
She is a graduate student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lamar University and a Marketing and Advocacy Specialist with Community Art Therapy. With a background in community engagement and expressive arts, she has spent the past 4 years helping design , facilitate, and photograph large-scale, healing-centered mosaic mural projects alongside founder of Community Arts Therapy, Wanda Montemayor, The team's mission is to bring people together through creativity and connection. Ashley is currently involved in the Kerr County Love Project following the July 4, 2025 floods.
The Uvalde Love Project was sponsored by La Peña, The National Endowment of the Arts, The Mid-America Arts Alliance, and the Rockefeller Foundation.
www.communityarttherapy.com/ashley-schor
She is a graduate student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lamar University and a Marketing and Advocacy Specialist with Community Art Therapy. With a background in community engagement and expressive arts, she has spent the past 4 years helping design , facilitate, and photograph large-scale, healing-centered mosaic mural projects alongside founder of Community Arts Therapy, Wanda Montemayor, The team's mission is to bring people together through creativity and connection. Ashley is currently involved in the Kerr County Love Project following the July 4, 2025 floods.
The Uvalde Love Project was sponsored by La Peña, The National Endowment of the Arts, The Mid-America Arts Alliance, and the Rockefeller Foundation.
www.communityarttherapy.com/ashley-schor
Ashley Schor
Butterflies Symbolic butterflies honor those who died in the Uvalde school tragedy of 2022. Clouds were created in a collaborative healing workshop with teachers from Sandy Hook Elementary and Robb Elementary, providing a space for connection and support across communities of survivors. Photograph, 8" x 10" |
Ashley Schor
Uvalde Girls Two girls pick out their tile on the wall at the Uvalde Love Project dedication. Photograph |
Uvalde Love Project
Mosaic Peace Mural in Jardin De Los Heroes Park in Uvalde TX.
Photograph, 8" x 20"
Mosaic Peace Mural in Jardin De Los Heroes Park in Uvalde TX.
Photograph, 8" x 20"
Ashley Schor
Uvalde Team Work
Installing the mural
right to left) Kami Land, LPC, ATR-BC, LC, Yadie Puentes LPC-S, ATR-BC, Sister Dolores Aviles, Uvalde teacher Veronica Martinez, and Sarah Mathis LPC-A, ATR-P.
Uvalde Team Work
Installing the mural
right to left) Kami Land, LPC, ATR-BC, LC, Yadie Puentes LPC-S, ATR-BC, Sister Dolores Aviles, Uvalde teacher Veronica Martinez, and Sarah Mathis LPC-A, ATR-P.
Glenn Towery
Chapter 20 - "Dismantling PTSI via Art, Film, Music, and Writing")
Glenn Towery, U.S. Navy Veteran and Activist, is the founder of Austin Veteran Arts Festival (AVAFEST) and also the Veteran Suicide Prevention Channel (VSPChannel) operating a 24-hour ROKU online channel designed to prevent veteran suicide, at the Veteran Arts and Wellness Network. Glenn also owns the production company Fairy Godbrother Production and Film Company LLC. Glenn has survived his own form of PTSD and has dedicated his life to create progressive programs involving art therapy, music and writing to help other veterans navigate the challenges of PTSS/PTSI and adjustment to civilian life. During April 2025, Glenn was finally granted an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Navy after fighting them for nine years. Glenn is now fighting a tort he filed in the U.S. District Court against the VA, alleging discrimination against him and all black veterans. He believes in helping others, especially veterans.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Glenn Towery
The Fragging of Quartermaster Towery Oil, 36"x 48" NFS |
Glenn Towery
Red Tails, Tuskegee Airmen WWII, “Our Mission Today” Oil on Canvas, 30" x 40" NFS |
Glenn Towery
PTSD Inside of Me Oil on Paper, 26" x 38" |
Glenn Towery
Art is Healing Me Oil on Paper 28" x 34" |
Books by Contributor
Opening Exhibition
