Below is a terrific article on the way MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas is using art to help children with cancer express their feelings and cope with their illnesses. The Children's Art Project is an inspirational program full of amazing young artists. You can even purchase some of their gorgeous art as cards and gifts.
Expressing ourselves through art is a primal force and I have witnessed its ability to transform even the most dark and negative emotions into creative expression and light, in my own life, and in the lives of the many children I used to teach.
If you, or someone you love is struggling with cancer, another illness or just with life in general seek out a program in your area that uses Art as Therapy and transform your feelings into a new beginning.
Along with graphic design, fine art, and jewelry I occasionally do murals for children's rooms. Contact me if you would like an awesome mural for your child's room or some other area of your home or business.
Win this beautiful amethyst and Czech glass necklace made by me!
This necklace was handmade by me and contains beautiful chunks of amethyst (which symbolizes the spirit), Indian crow beads, and Czech glass. The center pendant is a pewter Celtic cross. The necklace is 15.5 inches long and has a safety clasp. Jewelry making is a meditation for me and I infuse all the pieces I make with good energy and light for those who wear them.
How do I win?
FIRST
If you have already downloaded one of the classes - AWESOME- and thank you! Simply go to the yogadownload.com site and leave a review for either or both meditations. You will be entered once for each review you leave.
SECOND
If you haven't downloaded a meditation yet, do so and leave a review between now and March 6 and you will be entered to win!
DESCRIPTIONS AND LINKS TO DOWNLOADS
At only $2.95 per downloadable class (less then a cup of coffee!) you can give the gift of bliss to yourself, or a friend.
Two meditations are currently available:
Progressive Relaxation #1 will take you to a place of complete and utter serenity. "Teal's warm and meditative voice is ideal to help you get deep into a state of calm and tranquility. In this meditation Teal has you visualize a white light as it moves through you body and rids it of any and all stress and tension. Ahhhhhh!"
Sivasana Relaxation #1. Sivasana is a posture often practiced at the end of a yoga class, but you can do this relaxing Sivasana meditation any time you need to take a break and rest. Sivasana helps the body, mind and spirit to relax, integrate, and restore. This Sivasana Relaxation meditation will take you into a deep state of calm and is also great as a cure for insomnia.
I can not express my gratitude to all the people who downloaded my guided meditations over the last 3 months. It was wonderful to see such a positive response and it makes me happy to know they are helping to bring stress relief and relaxation into so many lives. There will be many more to come, so stay tuned...
Those of you who know me, know I am both a yogini and an artist. So, I am always interested to see how other yogi/artists are bringing my two favourite things together.
I found a GORGEOUS site today, from a Kundalini yogini (yogini, is a female yogi, if you didn't know already:-) and artist Hari Kirin Kaur Khalsa. Her site www.artandyoga.com is an amazing portal into her artwork, teaching as a Kundalini yoga teacher, and her workshops that combine art and yoga. She has workshops coming up at the Kripalu Center, in Lexox, MA (where I did my yoga certification training, and one of my favorite places on earth), and many other venues.
Check out her site for details, and find a new way to increase your creativity by taping into the focus, stillness and opening of inner intuition that yoga provides.
Name: Jeani Musselman Name of Business: j. musselman photography Type of Business: portrait photography Web Site(s): www.jmusselman.com Email: info @ jmusselman.com
Who are you? In my personal life, I’m a mother of two [almost grown] boys, a wife, and one of those eternally optimistic, “cup half-full” kind of gals. I adore children, love to read, and enjoy being outside. I have a degree in computer technology, so the blending of art and science [in the digital world] is a natural fit. Professionally, I’m a portrait artist with a desire to capture the essence of my subjects.
What do you create? Contemporary portrait photography; specializing in maternity, infants, kids, and high school seniors.
Where do you make your creations? Typically, I shoot in the studio, but will also travel to a client’s home or a favorite outdoor location.
What makes your creations special or unique? Rather than just document how a person looks, I want my images to inspire a feeling. I approach each session with the mindset of, ‘wow, we’re creating a legacy for future generations of this family’ - it’s a powerful thought.
What inspired you to become an artist? As a youngster, I remember being mesmerized with photographs, especially those from generations past. It was an epiphany to realize that photographs are the link to our memories, our history. When you look at [one of your own] photographs, you’re transported back to that moment in time. Regardless of what’s happening in the world, your children will continue to grow and change. And even though you can buy “things”, you can’t buy a memory, or turn back the clock. That’s why it’s so important to keep recording those precious moments – whether you’re capturing images with a point-and-shoot camera at home, or having portraits professionally made.
One of our goals for 2009 will be setting up incentives and monthly specials to help our clients save some of their hard-earned moolah while enjoying the benefits of studio photography.
What really gets you in the mood to be creative? I look at what the music industry is doing with music videos (the cinematography can be amazing!); I love to check out the album cover work on new releases. I’m a magazine junkie, and love to spend a few hours [at least once a week] checking out fashion spreads and advertising layouts.
What do you do to unclog a creative block? Since most of my ‘work’ is done on a computer, I basically have to unplug for a while, and step away from the keyboard. Doing something outside helps tremendously: taking a walk, tending my flowers, raking leaves [or gasp – shoveling snow].
What is your favorite time to work? Mornings – after a cup of coffee!
What else are you into? I’m currently working on a line of holiday cards and announcements that will be launched in ‘09. I’m also planning to roll out a new look for my website (including the new logo which is included as a sneak peek here!).
What is a challenge you’ve had to overcome as an artist? Managing the ‘business’ side of running a business; its definitely more fun to create!
What are you most grateful for? My amazing children, …and everything they’ve taught me.
What is something very few people know about your art? My style of photography is strongly influenced by the rules of ‘formal’ portraiture; so while I’m creating a contemporary portrait, there are key elements that I try to incorporate into the shot. Seemingly little things, like hand placement or the angle of a person’s face can make a huge difference.
What would you do if you had all the money in the world? Well, after ending world hunger and bringing peace and prosperity to all mankind, I’d relocate my studio to a warmer climate! My “dream” studio would be located in an old warehouse located in the historic district of a charming community near the water (where architecture and scenery meet in a fusion of visual splendor).
Click the logo below to visit the j. musselman photography studio today!
First of all, do you have any special offers for your customers this holiday season? Yes, click the image below for a FREE Lampwork Glass Bead Picture Frame Keychainwith purchase! I am also offering customers the chance to win a $25 dollar gift certificate, so make sure you sign up too!
ABOUT MICHELLE...
Current shows, exhibitions, or places selling your work: This was my first full year of fine arts and craft shows. I have one more show in December in Northampton Massachusetts and hopefully a full 2009 season with many new additions. At this time I don’t have my work in many stores but would be interested in some accounts. I mostly sell my work through craft shows and on my websites.
What do you create? I create one of kind pieces of jewelry using my own lampwork glass beads for the individualistic person.
Where do you make your creations? In the comfort of my own home where I have a glass studio in my garage and an office where I put all my materials together to create works of art.
What makes your creations special or unique? I pride myself on making pieces that are unique and different that catch people’s eye and often generate people to take a closer look. I put my heart and soul into my creations so with each piece the buyer gets my passion and love of creating it.
What inspired you to become an artist? I have been creating since I was a little girl. Art has been in my family on both sides and it has always caught my attention. I would have to say my families support has become my biggest inspiration to become an artist.
What really gets you in the mood to be creative? So much of the world around me gets me in the mood to create. I often look to nature and fashion to get me in the mood.
What do you do to unclog a creative block? Creative blocks …they do happen on occasion. I usually put aside what I am doing and often refresh my mind by standing in my backyard and looking at the world around me. Sometimes I start a different project in a different medium for fun and it often spurs another creative venture in the glass and jewelry medium.
What is your favorite time to work? Anytime I get to work is my favorite time.
Do you have a “day job”? I used to teach school full-time and was pursuing my hobby making jewelry part time. I had a life changing moment and realized as much as I loved teaching school that it was not my calling or my dream. So here I am and I couldn't be happier. Besides running my business I am also a full time stay at home mom.
What is a challenge you have had to overcome as an artist? Being an artist is wonderful but defiantly has its challenges. There are a lot of talented people out there and the competition can be steep. My biggest challenge was finding the right path to my dream and the right time to pursue it. Even though I pursued my educational path not in the art field I found my way back to what runs in my soul.
Who/what inspired you to become an artist? I would have to say my family has inspired me to become an artist. My mother and grandmother have been very supportive to my venture and my father was the one who used to encourage my growth by always surprising me with educational sources and positive encouragement.
What are you most grateful for? I am most grateful to have a wonderful and supportive family who sticks by me through the good and bad times. I owe great thanks to their encouragement to keep creating and fulfilling my dream.
I am sharing this because nobody, and I mean NOBODY...with the exception of teachers (and if you are and ART TEACHER, like I was, Lord help you!) has more "stuff" then artists!
She speaks in her post about the need to get get rid of things...something as someone who got rid of most of her possessions and sold her house 3 years ago to "free up" for a new life, can REALLY relate to. Stuff can be great...stuff can be a burden.
Giving to charities is awesome, and mostly what I did with my things, and freecycle.org provides another great way to connect with people who may really need what you've got! And, hey, when you are looking for something, what a great way to possibly find it for free.
This is a great orginization that artists of all kinds should know about. I'll let them speak for themselves in terms of their member benefits:
Benefits of Membership
Becoming a Member of Freelancers Union Offers You Security,
Community, and Visibility. Gain access to affordable health and dental insurance Feel secure with term life and disability insurance Attend professional seminars, workshops and networking events Exchange services with other freelancers nationwide Find new clients on our Gigs board List your skills in our Member Directory Get discounts from Staples, Zipcar, YMCA, and more Membership in Freelancers Union is free. Why Join Freelancers Union? More People, More Pull. By the simple act of joining Freelancers Union, you become an advocate for independent workers. You’re part of a group that’s working together toward the same goal. By being a member, you tell policy makers that you believe in affordable health care, fair taxation, and access to a social safety net that includes unemployment insurance and unpaid wage claims. Freelancers now make up 30% of the U.S. workforce. If we can unite on the issues, policy makers will take notice.
Check them out. They do good work to help professional artists make it on their own.
The Wellness Journey blog, by Traci Trainer, has another great post for artists. Especially if you need a little reminder to dream BIG, and NEVER give up! Check it out, here.
