Telling stories rooted in science but expressed through art
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The Dramatic Aspergillus
As a professor in the Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine at the University of South Florida and Moffitt Cancer Center, Ana P. Velez, MD, FACP, treats infections, including HIV, in patients with compromised immune systems. An accomplished artist, she also studied art for seven years at the Academia de Arte de Antonio Herrera, in Medellin, Colombia, and at USF. She recently donated five of her original acrylic paintings (shown at right and below) to the IDSA Foundation for a virtual art auction. (All proceeds benefit the Foundation. Bidding closes Dec. 31.) Dr. Velez answered questions from Science Speaks about her path to ID, how she blends art and science and why she supports the Foundation.
How did your interest in art begin?
My interest in art began as one of my earliest childhood memories, ever since I could hold a pencil. Touching a pencil, especially colored pencils and markers, was a magic experience. Looking at nature and the human face, body and clothing — with all the colors and tones and the color changes with light — hypnotized me. My kindergarten notebooks were full of drawings; I could not leave a blank page without a drawing. I could not resist the temptation to create something. Leaving a blank page was like a sinful waste of space.
The Stormy Fusarium
What attracted you to the field of infectious diseases?
The deep knowledge of a field that is constantly evolving and changing based on human behavior, social activities, cultural beliefs and environmental changes, to name a few. The ever-changing organisms that join humans in their journey are always exciting, almost as if they are in an unseen realm of another world. The importance of a clever clinician who can read the patient’s room and connect the dots is unique to our detective specialty, which is fascinating.
How has your experience as an artist affected your approach to medical education and training?
Since I was very young, I have discovered that my learning process differs from that of other students. I have realized the complexity of the brain and the different paths we can use to learn. Unfortunately, our conventional way of transmitting information mislabels other students as less bright or capable because their way of processing information differs.
Earthy Nocardia
As I grew older in my learning experience and as a teacher, I began to use a more symbolic and creative approach to teaching, particularly for some students with more creative minds. At the same time, I have tried to adopt the conventional way of teaching for the students who are more structural and factual. My journey as a sensitive artist and a physician has taught me to unwrap every student’s potential to get the best out of them and their skills. It has also given me invaluable intuition and observation skills as a clinician, educator and human being.
You’ve described science and art as complementary disciplines that need to blend. Can you share an example of this from your own experience?
Art can give you fundamental skills for science: observation, creativity, innovation, imagination, passion, curiosity and futuristic vision. It also provides sensitivity and empathy to understand patients, co-workers, staff, students and other educators. Art also opens your mind to understand other cultures and people from different backgrounds, improving your communication skills and leading to a more prosperous, well-rounded scientific career, especially in infectious diseases.
The World of Zygomycetes
I often use art as an educational method that can include paintings or fun stories to explain complicated concepts in infectious diseases, such as antibiotic mechanisms of action or a particular morphology of some organisms.
Moreover, I find in science, particularly in infectious diseases, plenty of sources of inspiration for diverse paintings or artistic and educational projects; after all, “an image speaks more than one thousand words,” transmitting an idea more efficiently, practically and with a memorable impact.
Finally, knowledge is amplified without limits when art and science are blended. It is like an intuitive bridge between the abstract yet-to-be-discovered and the figurative concrete understanding.
The Lethal Scedosporium
Why did you support the IDSA Foundation by donating five of your original acrylic paintings for auction?
The IDSA Foundation found the perfect way to illustrate how art, science and education can work together for a meaningful cause. Through this donation, I hoped to contribute to the infectious diseases community and inspire others to think creatively about how their unique talents can make a difference. Each painting tells a story rooted in science but expressed through art, creating a bridge between knowledge and emotion.
I believe that we all have unique skills and passions, and it’s our responsibility to nurture and share them to benefit others. Supporting the Foundation has allowed me to express a voice that has grown within me over the years. The voice that believes innovation and creativity have no limits when aligned with a shared purpose. I am deeply grateful for the chance to give back and hope it inspires others to contribute their ideas and talents to advance our field in new, exciting ways.
To make a bid on Dr. Velez’s donated artwork and support the IDSA Foundation, visit the auction website before bidding closes Dec. 31. To see more of her artwork, visit her website and check out the Aug. 15 issue of The Journal of Infectious Diseases, which featured one of Dr. Velez’s paintings on the issue's cover.
