Art for the Soul

Art for the Soul A Coloring Book for You!

Featuring Artwork and Video Messages from Kelly Simpson Hagen, Peter H Reynolds, and Marc Evan Created by Students at Del Dios Academy of Arts and Sciences Spring 2015 Volume 1

Love to You from the girls of Art for the Soul Sianna, Skylar, Andy, Grayson, Jessica, Kora, and Mrs. Murphy

All throughout the book you’ll see codes like this one! Scan the QR code with any scanner app (they’re free and you can get one on your mobile device’s app store). Once scanned, the linked video will begin playing once loaded.

Inspired by the belief that art has the power to heal the soul, we - a small group of 8th grade girls from Del Dios Academy of Arts and Sciences, in partnership with local, national and international artists - created this coloring book for children who are in the process of healing. We hope to continue this project and create a new volume each year.

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We’re so grateful to the many people, organizations and artists who have helped us put this book together. Kelly, Marc and Peter: you are all so very generous with your artwork and your hearts. We appreciate your willingness to share, your encouragement along the journey, letting us and the people who will receive this book into your studio and into your hearts through your heartfelt video messages, and your spirit! Thank you! To Connie, of Stevenson Plumbing, for your dedication and making our dream of giving coloring crayons along with our books a reality; to Sharon and the staff at JSPrinting, for beautifully printing our book; to Taymoor and the gang from SPS for your generosity and willingness to jump on board; to Tamson and Chris Sell, for your belief in our idea; to Cathy and Suzy at North County Forensic Health Services, for your enthusiasm, welcoming us and explaining how our book could make a difference; to the many people who donated to our GoFundMe account for contributing to make this project happen; and to our families and friends, we THANK YOU all. We would also like to welcome baby Lucy and send a very special thank you to her and her brother Luke: thank you so much for sending your father to help us with this special book. We truly believe that you blessed our project and that your love and spirit is alive in this project along with ours and we send your our love right back!

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We have posted (and will continue to do so) pictures of our journey in creating this book for you. They’re on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. We use the hashtag #AFTS2015 and encourage you to do the same.

When you receive your book, as you work on the pages and complete them, please share your journey with us! Take some photos and selfies and please use the hashtag #AFTS2015 and post away!

Kelly Simpson was born in Placerville, California. She began painting with her grandmother at an early age and has been creating art ever since. She primarily works with acrylic paints on canvas. Kelly loves painting colorful, diverse worlds where people of all cultures come together under the same sun and celebrate as one, embracing similarities and appreciating differences.

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She sees art as a form of therapy for her soul, which is where the name “Kelly’s Art From the Soul” came from.

Kelly went through a really hard time in her life and was having serious health issues. She began painting again as a way to cope. The process of putting her emotions onto canvas was what she needed to help heal her emotionally as well as physically. That was over ten years ago and she has been painting ever since.

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She has had exhibitions throughout the Northwest and now has an International following. She currently lives and teaches in Portland, Oregon. You can see her entire collection of paintings at www.kellysartfromthesoul.com.

Scan the code to join Kelly in her studio and spend some time watching her paint and listen to her share about how the power of creating art was a healing process for her.

“Carston’s World” by Kelly Simpson Hagen Black line by Andy Heyveld What did Andy like most about creating this project?

“New Flight” by Kelly Simpson Hagen Black line by Skylar Heyveld What did Kora like most about creating this project?

“Bubble Tree” by Kelly Simpson Hagen Black line by Andy Heyveld What are some of Kelly’s favorite things?

“Nursery Jungle” by Kelly Simpson Hagen Black line by Skylar Heyveld What did Sianna like most about creating this project?

“No Borders” by Kelly Simpson Hagen Black line by Andy Heyveld Why does Kelly paint?

“Community” by Kelly Simpson Hagen Black line by Andy Heyveld What gives Kelly hope?

“Whidbey Tree” by Kelly Simpson Hagen Black line by Jessica Castrellon What did Jessica like most about creating this project?

When I was in 7th grade, something remarkable happened that changed my life in a wonderful way. An amazing teacher, Jim Matson, pulled me aside for drawing in class, instead of paying attention. Rather than scolding me, Mr. Matson asked me to try a project, tapping into art and storytelling to help other students understand a math concept.

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Dizzy with excitement, I ran o to make a comic book. I cracked open the dense math text book and saw, for the first time, that these numbers were only ways of quantifying things and actions. Things and actions I could see and put to paper. When I brought in the completed project, Mr. Matson didn't just see a comic book, but also a storyboard. "You've got the beginnings of an animated film if you're interested." A few months later, I had finished my first animated film designed to teach. And now I do the same professionally through my stories, films and the company I founded, FableVision.

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My journey has been dedicated to helping kids, especially the "o the path" kids. I was one of them myself. Not every student is lucky enough to have a teacher, or adult, see his or her potential. When I visit students in schools they ask me what my hobbies are. I say thinking, dreaming. If my art and stories can help inspire others to do the same, I'll feel my life had meaning.

Scan the code to join Peter in his studio and spend some time watching him sketch and listen to him share about what gives him hope, what he loves and why he paints.

“Vashti’s Dot” by Peter H Reynolds Black line by Mariana Valero What are some of Andy’s favorite things?

“Peaceful Dragon” by Peter H Reynolds Black line by Kora Shaw What are some of Kora’s favorite things?

“Throne of Books” by Peter H Reynolds Black line by Skylar Heyveld What are some of Skylar’s favorite things?

“Rose’s Garden” by Peter H Reynolds Black line by Kora Shaw and Amy Murphy What are some of Sianna’s favorite things?

“Rose’s Garden” by Peter H Reynolds Black line by Kora Shaw and Amy Murphy What are some of Grayson’s favorite things?

Marc Evan is a Brooklyn-based artist working in a variety of mediums and disciplines. He is a lead artist for Groundswell Murals, a non-profit organization geared towards positively changing communities through public art. Marc has been a contributing artist to Sing For Hope, painting several of their Pop-Up Pianos, which were publicly installed in Central Park, Roosevelt Island, and at Lincoln Center, for all to play and enjoy.

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Marc is also a skilled illustrator, designer, and concept artist. Marc’s personal works often play with the concept of pareidolia, the ability to see imagery in random patterns and sounds. The surreal details in his paintings can appear amorphous, changing as the viewer approaches closer. His artwork and illustrations have also appeared in movies by Joel Schumacher, Rob Reiner, and others; music videos for Beyonce, Slash, and Eminem; and he has designed commercials for Mercedes, Sprite, and LG. Marc’s artwork has been featured in the prestigious Society of Illustrators’ Museum of American Illustration.

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Marc Evan has also carved a niche as one of the preeminent professional pumpkin carvers in the world. In 2008, with Chris Soria, a lifelong friend, fellow artist, and frequent collaborator, they founded the renowned, Maniac Pumpkin Carvers. In 2012 Marc was a winner of Food Network's Halloween Wars, a reality competition TV show. His pumpkin carvings have appeared at the Museum of Modern Art, The Whitney Museum, Yankee Stadium, and on numerous TV shows, printed publications, and across the worldwide web.

Scan the code to join Marc in his studio and spend some time listening to how creating art has affected his life and has the power to heal.

“Sea Turtle” by Marc Evan Black line by Andy Heyveld What are some of Marc’s favorite things?

“Mermaid” by Marc Evan Black line by Grayson Rowell What did Grayson like most about creating this project?

“Jean” by Marc Evan Black line by Kora Shaw Why does Marc paint?

“Star Child” by Marc Evan Black line by Kora Shaw What inspires Marc?

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“Breathing New Worlds Into Existence” by Marc Evan Black line by Amy Murphy What gives Marc hope?

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“Earth Mother” by Marc Evan Black line by Kora Shaw What did Skylar like most about creating this project?

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In 2010, Mrs. Murphy and Mrs. Simpson-Hagen met at a teacher workshop held at the beautiful Whidbey Island Institute in Washington state. Led by Mike Seymour, one of the many incredible soulsearching activities was to create a mandala.

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In efforts to connect our students, some teachers who attended the institute brought the relaxing and rejuvenating activity back to their classrooms and created mandalas with their students. On the next pages, we’ve included some of the patterns we enjoy and hope you will, too!

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Throughout this book, you’ve been able to watch and listen to the three questions we asked of our artists: Why do you create art? What gives you hope? and, What are a few of your favorite things? We would love to hear from you! Please consider sharing your own answers to these questions and when you post your videos on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, use the hashtag #AFTS2015!

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We’d also love to see photos of your coloring experience. Please, share your masterpieces!

Personal mandalas made by Kelly’s students in Oregon.

Friendship mandalas made and shared in a nautilus shape.

Mandala Coloring by You What gives Grayson hope?

Mandala Coloring by You What gives Andy hope?

Nr.228 © www.mandala-4free.de, O .T ölge

Mandala Coloring by You What gives Skylar hope?

Mandala Coloring by You What gives Kora hope?

Mandala Coloring by You What gives Sianna hope?

Hi, I’m a plumber. I have the best job because Hi, I’m a plumber.

I have the donated best job Coloring crayons generously by because I use water to keep theI use world healthy, waterPlumbing, to keepHeating the world healthy, John Stevenson and Air clean and safe. clean and safe.

xstar, Inc. 2012

Hi, I’m a plumber. I have the best job because I use water to keep the world healthy, clean and safe.

760-918-0456 © Nexstar, Inc. 2012

Meet the Creators Andy Heyveld My life in California consists of loved ones, creativity, and all things wonderful.

Kora Shaw I like Skittles and Arizona Iced Tea

Skylar Heyveld Living in California, taking photos of my adventures, and running around on my speedy feet.

Grayson Rowell Drowning in the California sun with the best of friends!

Sianna Cruz I like puppies and cheese!

Jessica Castrellon

Remember to share your journey with us! Post your photos and use the hashtag #AFTS2015

Marvel geek, loves Starbucks and Chipotle is my life.

Amy Murphy Has a blast working with her students to create projects that have an impact on others.