Lanisarty

20/05/2026

We Have Long Arms To Hold You
2026 pencil and pen 29.7x42cm

20/05/2026

IVF/ pregnancy series

1. poem about ivf “the holy jar”

2. Artwork made during injection and retrieval stage of ivf. That stage is no joke. “The holy jar” visual correspondent

3. Artwork made after our first transfer “waiting”

4. Artwork made around implantation time. The heart was injected into the holy room and grabbed on. The maintenance man figure was waiting in the room already.

5. “Trimester One Studio Spill” this was was based on a big water stain, it would have been easier to discard but I wanted to reflect the sense of lack of control of this stage- feeling sick, having no control of how the journey will play out- and building in details around the new life. This reflects the absolute tiredness and “upside downness” of trimester one

Thoughts to anyone else in or experienced in this process. Not for the faint hearted.

22/04/2026

New JoCAT content
Alana Sawrey presents her illustrative work ‘Post traumatic shadows in suburbia’, a creative exploration of some of the trauma experiences described by the people she worked with as an art therapist.
Image: Alana Sawrey, ‘Post Traumatic Shadows in Suburbia’, 2023.
https://www.jocat-online.org/c-26-sawrey

16/04/2026

Artwork and thoughts behind it published today in the newest edition of JoCAT (Journal of Creative Arts Therapies)

"I drew this artwork in 2023, wanting to capture some of the experiences described by the people I worked with as an art therapist. The bright colours indicate a seemingly pleasant suburban setting, including a white picket fence, trees, sunflowers, a fishpond and a footpath. However, on a closer look: the sunflowers are too large, and one of them has a claw and is reaching for the protagonist figure in the drawing. There is a large wolf like beastly shadow following the figure, a suggestion that fear, danger, and traumatic memories are right there, as close as one’s own shadow, creeping upon the figure.

I held in mind one client’s childhood neglect and abuse, early experiences that followed her into motherhood and lingered with her over decades; a shadowy pervasive fear of abandonment and distrust of others. I thought about another client with a wonderful, flourishing garden. Beyond the beautiful exterior they were facing repeated domestic violence, beginning as a child and continuing into their adult relationships. The ongoing impacts of these experiences can loiter and pounce despite the brightness and normalcy of suburbia. The figure is featureless, faceless, and blue: I wanted to capture the way my clients described losing a part of their identity or sense of self to this shadowy creature lurking. I find visual art to be a powerful way of communicating and promoting understanding of mental health within the wider community, and that capturing post traumatic memories in this way might help to articulate this in a small way.

Looking back on this image now, in 2026, I hold in mind a Jewish colleague and friend as I reflect after the Bondi Beach terror attack. I think about the challenges they have faced in a culture that says the right things about safety in Australian suburbia, and yet allows antisemitism to flourish. If I could encourage anyone experiencing this dark shadow, or encourage the figure in the artwork, I would say this: one foot in front of the other; you will soon find even a glimmer of light is more powerful than the shadows."

Keywords: Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), visual art, hope, art therapy

26/02/2026

One of the initiatives i faciliated at work last year. Most rewarding job ever. And fun too!

https://www.goldcoast.health.qld.gov.au/about-us/news/puppet-show-helps-mental-health-consumers-find-their-voiceson

27 Feb 2026 Participants constructed small puppets before giving them names and personalities. Lights, camera … puppets! Highlighting the evolution of mental health care, consumers at Gold Coast University Hospital’s Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit (SMHRU) have brought their very own pu...

07/02/2026

The first edition of the Open Notebook is live!

Thanks for those who submitted thoughts and questions!
Feel free to share this initiative widely with anyone who might be interested to engage x
https://lanisarty.squarespace.com/new-blog/2026/2/7/the-open-notebook-first-edition

artwork: The Story Collector, 2024.

06/02/2026

Lauching "THE OPEN NOTEBOOK"

This year I am planning to take more creative risks, explore creative terrain that isn't the easy 'comfort zone' and one of the ways I am doing this is trying something different. Direct connection with you guys! I have been really inspired by musician Nick Cave's 'Red Hand Files' where people write in with questions and have a place to vent, share, connect about the creative process, etc. I want to open up that space of connection in a culture where loneliness and isolation runs rampant, and people feel stifled with concerns about what and where they can share of themselves. Please wander over and let's converse- about art, life, meaning, faith, belonging, musings, and the creative process. I am an open book! (or sketchbook, or notebook, etc). My responses will be sporadically published at the "THOUGHTS" tab, and you can stay anonymous and still engage. I'm excited. Please come chat!
https://lanisarty.squarespace.com/theopennotebook

06/02/2026

I've updated my website, including gallery images from 2026.
Go meander over x

Lani is a Brisbane based artist and registered art therapist who follows curiosity wherever it wanders. Her work lives in the space between daydream and detail—where playful marks, repeating archetypal characters and quiet whimsical humour coexist. Guided more by intuition than instruction, Lani t...

30/01/2026

Decided to make a post with all my Nick Cave- inspired artworks - in order of appearance the songs that inspired these artworks
1. Into My Arms
2. Wild God
3. Joy

Something I’ve noticed is art begets art. Artists make, in multi genres, and it sets off a chain reaction for the next person to listen and respond in their way, and it’s like a never ending inspiration chain lol it just keeps going and spreading something magical in the world.

30/01/2026

‘Nick Cave’s Wild God’ 2026
29.7x42cm pencil and biro

bringyourspiritdown