Mark Fitzgerald

Helen Donis-Keller

Donna Glassford

Donna Glassford, The Migraine Dream, 1998. © 2005 National Headache Foundation (http://www.headaches.org/ consumer/gallery1998/gallery_images/ma8.html, June 12, 2004)

"In 1991, I was in a 14th century cathedral in Copenhagen and saw some very curious little symbols painted on the wall that dated back to construction of the Cathedral. I was mesmerized by these quirky images that look like little twisted faces surrounded by whirling circles. I knew these images! I see them in my auras preceding a migraine headache.

Later, I dreamed of these images. In my dream, they painlessly sprung from my head and formed an electric halo connecting me to the universe. Upon awakening, I quickly went into my studio and drew the dream. Looking much like a martyr from a Byzantine painting, I am in a tentative poise with tilted head. I am pondering when and why the next headache might strike. A checkered foreground suggests a map of my unconscious. Hues of grays, pinks and blacks reveal an ordered yet unpredictable pattern. Yellow roses are carefully placed on this checkered field. These are my person icons for healing and freedom from pain.

I think the dream also came to me as a way of coping with the violent pain of migraines and the burden and embarrassment of being a victim. Over the years, I have learned to listen to the pain and now allow the migraine to run its course. I think this acceptance has helped to alleviate a lot of anxiety and fear connected to the syndrome."

(Email to Klaus Podoll, December 16, 2003)

"The patterns - I have always seen the patterns, even as a child. I really did not to associate the patterns with pain until I was an adult. The distorted images are surrounded by luminous borders. I use a lot of checkered and patterned themes in my art work. Also, I did a series of paintings in which all objects defy gravity.

I dreamed of the images perhaps two years after my visit to the cathedral. In my dream, I felt it it was an actual experience. I could feel the body aura as something electric and the halo swirling around my head. I cannot remember if the self-portrait was mirror like. The experience was a purging and exhilarating. The dream also connected me to the universe in spiritual type of way.

Yes, I have had several dreams I think that relate to my migraines. I do not remember having a migraine after the dreams - it is usually the other way around.

I am also an extremely sensitive person. I usually get a migraine when I travel, the second or third day of my trip. I account for this because I get visually over stimulated or feel intense energy. Also dramatic weather changes influence my headaches.

Often times, when I am with people who are in a great degree of pain I somehow take some of their pain away with me. I wonder if my headaches are a means of my body releasing this acquired pain?"

(Email to Klaus Podoll, December 19, 2003)

Author: Klaus Podoll
Last modification of this page: Sunday March 13. 2005

Mark Fitzgerald

Helen Donis-Keller

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