artheals 2024

AMANDAVAHLE

Amanda Vahle is a prolific creator, infusing every brushstroke and artistic decision with deep meaning. She loves vibrant color palettes. Purple is her favorite! Using painting as a medium for emotional expression, Amanda enjoys trying new techniques, allowing her art to evolve alongside her journey. For Amanda, art is not just a creative outlet but also a healing force that alleviates stress and fosters a sense of independence. She finds joy in the social aspect of sharing her work, connecting with others through art.

AMYISENBERG

Amy's artistic journey is a testament to the power of creativity in managing stress. Through her art, she finds a sanctuary where stress dissipates, and her inner self finds voice and form. The fluidity of watercolors, acrylics, and posca paint pens serve as a conduit for Amy to express the depth of her emotions, creating pieces that resonate with authenticity. Beyond the canvas, Amy invites the public to connect with her on Instagram, where she shares glimpses of her artistic process and passions. Follow her journey and discover the artistry that unfolds at @AmyHeartsDogs, reflecting not only her love for art but also her affection for our four-legged friends. Since joining JCDS Emerging Artists in 2022, Amy has proven to be an invaluable addition to the studio. Her dedication to learning new techniques and fearlessly exploring different artistic avenues is evident in her work.

ASHLEYNERMAN

Ashleynerman.com

Iamashleynerman

During a time when negativity has plagued modern society, the desire to uplift humanity resonates deeply and clearly. The viewer benefits through the visual and energetic consumption of each piece assisting one to tap into an elevated state of awareness and connect to your highest self. As if you receive an energetic transmission. Each painting is deeply infused with mantra and prayer to broadcast blessings of peace, healing, compassion, strength, and wisdom. I see my work as a huge field of love people can embrace. It’s not just art. There is magic greater than my human self. There is power. Reclaiming fun & enthusiasm in life through the joy of movement, savoring the breeze on your skin or smell of flowers blooming in the spring. The little moments are truly presents. Not that the challenges do not come but transmuting through my heart space into a possibility. I infuse each piece with depth of my long term yoga & meditation practice, ancient teachings and high vibration frequencies. It is truly just an invitation to the transformation that I am having myself. Drawing inspiration from meditative introspection, nature, rituals, travels around the world, dance, numerology, cosmology, worlds traditions and a deep love of knowledge & visiting Art Museums. Each creation offers an experience to awaken the other-worldly mystery within providing a transformational experience empowering, healing, inspiring and uplifting the spirit and creativity within us all.

The journey of life is perpetual motion What rises in the East sets in the West. Do you have the courage to show up as your most courageous, kind self and ride the wave of life through the highs and lows? It’s a self healing journey. The illumination of the Great Eastern Sun inherently shows us what is directly in front, and thus forward. Great is the discovery of our basic goodness. Eastern is realizing that our essence of goodness is always there. Sun is the illumination that occurs once that discovery has been made. To live life with vision & bravery one must have genuineness that stems from deep internal wisdom that is constantly radiating forth. The teachings call such vision the Great Eastern Sun. It is the mental conviction and prowess to engage in life with precision and purpose. When we remove deception and cultivate the willingness to leap into our own inherent brilliance, clear intention of the Great Eastern Sun shines through. This form of bravery keeps us always moving forward.

Title Prayers for Illumination Dimensions 16 x 20”

Price $444

I find healing when I express my truth in a way that others recognize and identify with. Universally, humans struggle to process uncomfortable and difficult emotions and relationships, and often avoid communicating or addressing these experiences. I enjoy using animals and nature to portray these challenging relationships and feelings, and they make the subject matter less threatening as they add an element of playfulness.

This piece’s title, The Manipulator’s Trap, intentionally calls out a harmful human behavior paralleled in this instinctual animal behavior. I hope that viewers witness my vulnerability and subsequent freedom, and feel inspired to communicate and honor their own painful experiences.

After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design 20 years ago, I moved to the Kansas City metro. Growing up in an environment where dysfunctional behaviors were overlooked, I developed a need to identify and draw attention to these frequently avoided problems. This theme is often explored in my work.

ALLISONBOWMAN

Through my mixed media collages, I am constantly exploring the connection between humans and nature and how the conscious and subconscious mind play a part in mental health and wellbeing. My creative practice stems from my own struggles with anxiety and depression and I use art making to navigate living with mental illness.

The birds and butterflies represent the conscious mind, with their ability to soar and navigate the world with intention and clarity. Plants, on the other hand, represent the subconscious mind, with their deep roots and hidden growth that occurs beneath the surface.

Through my collages I aim to connect humans to our inner selves in a harmonious way by creating a visual representation of the connection between our thoughts and our deeper, more instinctual, selves. By using a variety of materials and techniques, I seek to convey the complexity and depth of this connection, inviting viewers to explore their own inner worlds and the ways in which they are connected to the world around them

Ultimately, my hope is that my art serves as a reminder of the beauty and power that lies within each of us and the potential for growth and transformation that is always present, whether we are aware of it or not

ying Toward the Sun

0" x 16"

12" x 24"

$500

Mixed Media Collage (including acrylic paint, cut papers and images, pressed plants, and adhesive)

Deeply Rooted

Mixed Media Collage (including acrylic paint, cut papers and images, pressed plants, and adhesive)

In 2012, Trayvon Martin was murdered by self-proclaimed neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman. The death of Travyon was the birth of the Black Lives Matter movement, a movement focused on police brutality against the Black community and extends to ANYONE using excessive force against Black people under the guise of considering them as a “threat.”

Turning point depicts two figures in identical clothing, one person is white and the other is Black

The question is, at what point do we consider one a threat? and why?

TurningPoint Oilpaintand newspaper 2canvaseseach 16x40

AnnMorrison

Freedom is a creative state of mind, it opens, it soars ,it learns exponentially. In my constant search for creative communication , visually, I find that freedom and want it for others. Whether you see it in my work or are led to thoughts and questions because of the visual statements I make, I am energized and grateful. To be able to explore the materials and techniques that capture my imagination is a gift and a spirit born of 30 years of teaching art k-12 Never to one to waste materials , I would push the left overs of the day as far as they would go Not only did that create more artistic experience for me ,but also, the next day, for my students The beauty of the world and its people ,no matter what state they are in fascinates me. The arts help me dive below the surface of perception to reveal truths that I may not realize it at time I begin to work. The real , the surreal ,the impression, the abstract etc. all hold expression on so many levels. One’s imagination need only be open to moving among the elements presented at any given time and create.

“Tears to rising” a recovery story

Watercolor /marker collage

20 x 20 inches

$150.00

BARBARAHADLEY

@barbarahadleykc

I am an expressive artist who values the process of creativity and connects with artists all over the globe through process work. I am attracted to color and form as a way to express the spontaneous arrival of wisdom from my subconscious and create personal archetypes to further my healing. "The Path to Knowledge" was created during a six-week journey studying ancient healing methods as a way to overcome trauma and cultural stereotypes. “Freedom from Pain” was created after recovering from a successful surgery that mitigated years of pain and opened new horizons of movement for me.

The Path to Knowledge

Acrylic mixed media on cardboard with wood and feathers

12" by 12" plus feathers

$75 00

Freedom from Pain

Acrylic on canvas board 5" X 7"

$35

BRADFRIEDMAN

Art serves as a healing force for Brad, allowing him to forge connections with others through his creations. He derives energy from sharing his artwork with people, and the sales of his pieces. In his piece "Remembering the Fugitive 60’s TV," Brad references the 1960s show "The Fugitive”.

For Brad, art is a sanctuary where he can freely express his ideas, delve into his inner world, and create connections.

CARLEIGHLAVOY

Carleigh is a passionate and ambitious artist, whose vibrant creativity knows no bounds. Carleigh transforms every moment in the studio into an opportunity to quell anxiety and free her mind. With a love for exploring new techniques, Carleigh's artistic journey is marked by a constant quest for innovation. Her dedication to utilizing every single tool available from bubble wrap to balloons, shaving cream to pool noodles, Carleigh loves creating explosions of colors and textures. Fueled by her ambitions, Carleigh has set a remarkable goal for herself in 2024 — to teach a workshop and share her artistic insights with others. This aspiration not only showcases her confidence and belief in her abilities but also her desire to contribute to the artistic community. As she continues to push boundaries and explore new horizons, Carleigh's artistic journey is a celebration of resilience, determination, and the profound impact of creativity in overcoming challenges. With each piece she creates, Carleigh invites others to join her on a captivating exploration of the limitless possibilities within the world of art.

As artists it is our job to invoke thought and invoke feeling, and that feeling is something intangible, and even if what we create is torn down and destroyed, that feeling is something that remains and cannot be touched, and through that thought that is created in so many people who witness our art that is how movements begin, and how change is made. And by invoking that thought, that is how I know I have succeeded as an artist.

DANNYBOWEN

JOE 8"X10" $40.00

Danny Bowens brightly conceived singularly focused interpretations of the world give a sense of what he is seeing and thinking. Each piece is rendered from a source image often complex and busy. Danny focuses in on the specific element that draws his interest and creates a color blocked simplified nterpretation with bold lines defining hard edges. Process is central to Danny’s journey. While he is happy to work in any medium, his paintings specifically serve not only as a means of self-expression but also as a bridge to connect with others, transcending barriers of communication and fostering understanding and empathy.

My work embodies knowledge, emotions, and observations that transcend linear time - much like stories, where knowledge and information span generations. To me, both natural and man made objects possess their own narratives. I believe that these overlooked objects contain information that is not yet fully understood by us, prompting my ongoing research and learning. In today's consumer-driven society history and purpose are often not considered when we encounter plants and purposeful objects My goal is to meet the challenge of collating these objects and their stories

The processes of drawing, assembling, collaging, and eco-printing, serve both to create art and are manifest in my context to explore and confront social norms. I use multiple processes to create grounds and images - as the addition of found materials, bits of paper, stains, and pencil marks guide my thoughts.

I invite the viewer to see through the multiple layers, explore double meanings, and decipher symbols, all while considering the etymology and symbolism within the original materials. I envision my work as a mirror, reflecting my essence while at the same time inviting viewers to see themselves. In addition, my goal is to provoke viewers to contemplate their own creative capabilities.

@DEANNASKEDEL DEANNASKEDEL

DeeDeeWalters

Hello Beautiful mirror

Mosaics

12x18

$150

ERICPAPE

Eric Pape delves into the realms of inner worlds, questioning what lies beyond appearances. What mysteries lurk behind the perfect smile? What truths are concealed behind the masks we wear? For Eric, art serves as a healing force, offering a sanctuary to explore authenticity. In his piece "The Me You Know, " Eric portrays a mask breaking open, revealing raw emotions and true self. In a world dominated by social media, filters, and constant comparisons, Pape's work stands as a refreshing reminder that it's okay to embrace our full selves. His art underscores the liberating and empowering nature of sharing vulnerability, urging us to embrace authenticity and find strength in our openness.

ERIKDEAVILA

www.edartstudios.com

@ed_art_studio

Hello there, I am the proud owner and founder of ED Art Studios. As a digital artist, I have been creating stunning pieces of art for over 7 years, and I am honored to be able to do what I love for a living. As a disabled Army veteran, I have faced many challenges in my life, but I have never let them hold me back. I am grateful for the support of my family and friends, and most importantly, my loving husband, who has been with me every step of the way. With their encouragement and support, I have been able to pursue my career as an artist. My passion for art drives me to create epic and captivating pieces that inspire others. Thank you for taking the time to learn a little bit about me and my business. I’m thankful for the opportunity to share my art with you.

GEORGEUTTER

Known for his vibrant abstract artworks, George is fascinated by light, color, shapes and their relationships to each other on the canvas. Born from a passion for the chaotic beauty for weather phenomena and the whimsical charm of Disney's imaginative universe, George brings forth a unique fusion of the organic and the fantastical. Weather, with its unpredictable nature and tendency to evoke a sense of vulnerability, has long served as a potent point of curious anxiety for George. Yet, rather than allowing these anxieties to consume him, George has found solace and catharsis in the act of creation. By creating mental collages of joyful ideas with dramatic depictions the environment George builds chromatic windows to his personal resilience and growth.

GINAMARI

www.silverlakesoundstudios.com

@ginamari.artist

For many years I struggled with dissociation to the level of neurological and physical manifestations. I didn’t relate it to stress or trauma at the time, but when I attended a healing center during my divorce I was introduced to the book, “The Body Keeps the Score”. I started seeing how my body had been holding all the painofyears,evenbacktochildhood,thatmymindhadnotyetprocessed. It had been years since I had painted or done much in the arts, but I knew that was something missing in my life that would help give voice to the right brain and emotionalpartsthatneededtospeakandprocesswheremyleftbrainwasstuck. One of the most powerful experiences I had in my various healing sessions had to do with learning about the different organs of your body and the specific emotional pain areas they hold. I learned that anger is stored in your liver- and it fascinated me because I have always had unexplainable liver problems and struggledwithgettingangryatthingsthat,well,shouldmakeyouangry.

It was like I turned all the anger around toward myself and couldn’t feel justifiable angerletalonereleaseit.

So I had an Idea during a therapy session one day to paint the anatomical liver. I thought if I could get in touch with my body I could begin to feel and release the emotionalpain.

The series of drawings and paintings of organs, are unto that- processing the painandgriefofdisappointments.

HEATHERROMAN

I had crushing depression for many years when I began therapy and psychological studies. I derived knowlege and some insight from this, but it was art that saved me. I began doing art for process which focuses on one's inner world. I learned the incredible power of creativity and how giving into it healed me. I earned a BFA in 2010 and continue to delve deep into that place which brings me wisdom and joy.

JACK SUMMERS

jacksummersmusic.com

@jacksummersmusic

My project is an EP titled 'Stuck Just Passing Through,' consisting of three songs: 'The Voice,' 'Backline,' 'Midwestern Goodbyes'. My project, addresses the need to destigmatize mental health conversations, particularly when dealing with depression and anxiety. This is an ever present problem in our society especially among young people. I address this need by openly discussing my struggles and successes with mental health in the EP's songs. For instance, in 'The Voice,' I delve into how anxiety hinders everyday activities. Through 'Backline,' I highlight how music serves as an outlet to overcome these challenges. This project is crucial as it fosters understanding and normalizes experiences of anxiety and depression. It aims to guide individuals towards processing and working through these feelings, contributing to personal growth. This project builds upon the foundation of my previous work. My debut album, "No Longer and Not Yet," delved into liminal feelings and was crafted in the spaces between actions. The current EP, "Stuck Just Passing Through," also occupies this unique space, evoking a sense of anticipation for change, be it positive or challenging. This album signifies growth both sonically and lyrically.

JAMIE WALKINSHAW

My work is all about introspection and exploring the depths of the soul. Through my paintings, I aim to capture the energy and essence of our inner selves, often using vibrant colors and energetic orbs to represent the spiritual connections we have with the world around us.

My dreamlike creations are meant to evoke emotion and tap into the deepest corners of the mind's eye. I believe in the healing power of art and use my pieces to navigate through emotional trauma, whether it be feelings of depression, anxiety, grief, or abandonment. My hope is that my paintings can offer a sense of protection and connection, and serve as a reminder that we are never truly alone on this journey of self-discovery."

JAYKELL

@jay_kell_art

We hold our emotions with us in different ways, literally embodying it in the way we move, carry tension, feel butterflies, or sometimes collapse under their weight. This idea of emoting and expressing physically the inner world, or the mirror of this idea, that we are containers for the complex brew that is our emotional life which can spill out visually, is expressed in these paintings.

I have been working with the idea of how fragile the balance of physical and mental health can be at times. The works here represent some of this inner life leaking through.

I use watercolor as my primary medium and focus on representing the shape of objects and people while using the idea of light (or its absence) to represent some of the emotional symbolism. The technical representation of ‘light’ in watercolor is a continued focus of my work and reproductions of people and objects and machinery in this medium.

The Glass is Still Half Full Watercolor

My pieces, "You Can't Have My Body" and "Suturing the Wound", are some of my most emotional work. Pieces where I allowed myself to express my rage, pain and grief of the current assault on women's health, as a sexual assault and rape survivor.Dehumanization and lack of understanding regarding women’s bodies and procedures that save living women’s lives and address health issues that can be paralyzing are necessary to healing and life.Women that have been violated, sometimes brutally and traumatized wear that trauma internally forever, are now being forced to undergo secondary and even tertiary traumatic experiences with the exclusion of clauses for rape and incest. The work is disturbing, but it is a rebellion from my inner survivor that screams of injustice from beginning to end. Within “Suturing”, I stitch myself back together, utilizing the symbolism of the blue sea glass to infuse the healing power of spirit. The dizzying intensity of the healing process is represented in each: Coming out of dissociation and fawning, addressing the rage; the upside down circling process of stitching yourself back together from the outside in.

JOELLEMELLING

@artbyjoellerenee17

When I create, I am drawn to line, light and texture. Ink and colored pencil lend themselves best to these aspects of composition for me. Most of my work centers on scenes of comfort in interior spaces, houseplants, books, tea, pets and the simple pleasures of life, or, alternatively, portraying wild landscapes in approachable ways. As a new homeowner, capturing interiors is documentary in nature and is a way I reflect on previous apartments and life transitions. It is fascinating that we can become so intimately acquainted with spaces just to vacate them when we move and pass away, causing them to utterly change their character with new owners. Sometimes vases and other heirlooms left behind by those before us take a new shape and character in our informally curated intimate spaces. I invite viewers to mull over the interplay between beauty, comfort, ephemera and memory in their own spaces.

Being a jack of all trades was always a label I was given by fellow artists as I was starting my career. Before arriving to my new home in the midwest I was given the advice that if I ever wanted to make it as an artist I would have to stick to a s style and mode of work. Part of my healing was realizing that I was not a person that can be confined in my creativity and that the expression that I put into whatever I make, in whichever medium and ultimately the genre of art was my style of work. I continue to embrace the moments of calm and clarity amidst my chaotically experimental artful expression.

Jack of Trades

Mixed Media

40 x 50 x 1.25

$2,000.00

JUSTINCOLEMAN

ForJustinColeman,artishispersonalmedicine—asourceofsolace, strength,andpurpose.Bysharinghisartwiththeworld,Justinspreadsa messageofresilienceandhealingthroughcreativity.Hisartwork transcendsvisualaesthetics;it'sapotentformofself-medicationandan invitationforotherstodiscovertheirowntherapeuticpaths.Throughhis journey,Justinembodiesthetransformativepowerofartisticexpression, exemplifyingitshealingpotential.Hisartisn'tjustareflectionofhisworld; it'sanopeninvitationforotherstoconnect,understand,andfindsolacein theuniversallanguageofcreativity.

CONJOINED IN THE DARKNESS

KATIEZEMEL

For Katie, art is a tranquil sanctuary, a source of relaxation and healing. She finds joy in vibrant source imagery and intricate compositions, using art as a medium to express her deepest emotions. Katie's unique perspective shines through as she translates her inspiration onto canvas, often reimagining source photos by cropping or reframing focal points. Through her art, Katie aims to inspire others to unleash their creativity and live their best lives, serving as a testament to resilience and the power of artistic expression.

KATRINAKELLER

IG @life.growing.towards.the.sun

Katrina Keller is a self-taught artist based in Kansas City, Missouri. Her work delves into the essence of the feminine form, using it as a conduit to explore the intricacies of the human experience. Through mixed media techniques, her pieces weave a narrative of duality and inner reflection. Her artworks often depict women in communion with nature, evoking moments of vulnerability, strength, and transformation. Katrina's intuitive approach to her craft imbues her work with personal symbolism, inviting viewers to glimpse her inner world while resonating with their own journeys of healing and understanding. At the heart of her practice lies a reverence for the sacredness within us all and a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit.

In the Land of Darkness, There was a Secret Garden Mixed Media

12" x 18"

$700

The Secret Keeper Mixed Media

16" x 20"

$1,700

K E L L Y M E I N E R S

Boundless

Acrylic, oil pastel, graphite and charcoal

36x24x1.5 $625

Journey

Acrylic on canvas

12x16x1.5 $250

Through my artwork, I express emotions that are otherwise inaccessible because of my brain injury caused by COVID-19. Overnight, this virus damaged my body so severely that I’m still unable to care for myself 2.5 years later.

I create in short bursts, a limit of seven minutes of focused creative energy while lying on the floor using tools such as shower squeegee and paint scrapers to minimize my physical tremors. Each of my paintings represents a specific challenge of being bedbound/homebound and unable to participate in the busy life I once knew. Because of the location of my brain injury, I have a great deal of difficulty accessing emotions and translating them to verbal expression. Painting however, allows me access to communicate complex thoughts and emotions that are otherwise inaccessible. Some of my more powerful paintings come from a place of deep despair and/or joy and hope. Since Long COVID had taken all of my previous coping mechanisms (running, lifting weights, talking to friends) painting has become an essential element. Art has saved my life.

As a Lenexa, Kansas artist, my work serves as a form of personal therapy, a process where I lay down ink and paint onto paper in pursuit of elusive, shimmering ideas that flicker at the edge of my consciousness. I am driven to capture these fleeting moments, to bring them into focus and share them with others, allowing them to take shape and form on the page.

Working primarily in watercolor and ink, I am currently exploring the concept of boundaries and their dual nature. Boundaries can be protective, creating safe spaces that foster growth, creativity, and healthy relationships. However, they can also become barriers, manifesting as fear, isolation, and confinement, hindering our ability to fully realize our potential.

In my art, I use structured lines, open spaces, and illustrations to invite viewers to reflect on the impact of boundaries, both positive and negative, on individuals, communities, and society as a whole. My hope is that through contemplation of these themes, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our relationships, ultimately leading to greater empathy and connection.

KEVIN CALLAHAN

When Irene Smiles

Kēvin’s journey through art has been long and fruitful, participating in shows across the US and Canada. With awards in painting, sculpture, photography, and poetry.

A Drake University alum, studying under Jules Kirschenbaum; the San Francisco Art Institute, Larry Abramson; and the Ox-Bow School-Art Institute Chicago, Phil Hanson/Michelle Grabner.

His award-winning art hangs in the US, and various countries. His book, Road Map, Poems, Paintings, & Stuff was published in 2019.

$800

Kēvin’s paintings carry overtones of Hopper and Benton, often compared to Katz. With a slightly primitive look reminding the viewer of the relationship between the camera/canvas/painter/subject, often caught unaware in a moment time. This offers a very personal connection between the viewer, artist, and subject, revealing everyday acts hinting at unknowns. Each work offers a view of intriguing subjects, caught in a moment of time. They capture the subject’s essence in a kaleidoscope of color and movement.

@keevin_theartist

In my current body of work, I delve into personal experiences, thoughts, and fears through large scale, self-portraiture oil paintings. Employing different fears as a conceptual engine, I visually document my innermost reflections, akin to maintaining a journal. These works serve as a means to navigate my own thoughts and fears, offering viewers a space for contemplation and a connection with vulnerability. Exploring the metaphorical significance of limitations, be it in colors,techniques, or other means, this series delves into the nuanced specificity inherent in each fear. Constraints in color create dynamic spaces that oscillate between depth, warmth, comfort, and the contrasting feelings of emptiness and despair. The imposing scale of the paintings directly mirrors the mental space occupied by these fears, compelling both myself and the viewer to engage physically with the artwork for a closer examination of details. Embracing larger physical motions during creation adds a dimension to my artistic process, forcing my body to interact in ways distinct from smaller works. This intentional engagement becomes a conduit for exploring answers to my questions and serves as a cathartic release, unburdening my mind from the weight of these documented fears.

pathmakerarts.com/fiber-art

@laura.amcg

“Inconvenient” is a perspective on living with an invisible illness. What is seen on the outside doesn’t reflect what is happening internally, or hidden below one surface or another. Daily pain, discomfort, or simply having to take extra time to manage a health issue that isn’t obvious to the outside world can cause impatience, confusion, misunderstanding, and disappointment for both the person with the condition and their friends, family, and colleagues etc. The world moves fast, and not everyone has a body that keeps pace, meets expectations. Statements such as, “You always seemed fine to me”,“I never noticed a thing”, or “But look how well you do” might be meant as compliments or reassurances, but are actually unhelpful, and underscore how hard the person worked behind the scenes to make those things appear true, and make things more convenient for themselves and others.

My particular health challenges have involved the spine and digestive tract, and have demanded careful close attention and care even as I wished I could escape. The path has been a combination of pain, humiliation, joy, stillness, movement, and just continuing to show up as best I can.

Inconvenient Applique, embroidery, graphit, and ink on cotton 32" x 41" $450

LAURIECOLAHAN

lauriecolahanstudio.com

I consider myself a mixed media artist now but I have always gravitated to water color and the wet in wet technique. The spontaneous things that happen when color and paint and water come together has always been a source of inspiration to me. My latest series is called Hot Water. Two of those paintings are in this show.

LEEGIESLER

Art serves as a vital healing pathway for Lee Giesler, providing him with a powerful means of self-expression. He is a driven and passionate artist. Lee's interest in characters, heroes, villains, crystal landscapes, and vibrant colors. Each piece becomes a unique storytelling experience. Through art, Lee finds healing and solace, making it an integral part of his journey.

LEETWEMLOW-BLISS

I am an immigrant, artist, retired social worker and brain injury survivor. Over the years I've sought healing and connection through art and started dabbling in acrylic and watercolor painting, weaving, paper making, sewing, and drawing. Several years ago, I discovered the magic of pottery, which has slowly reacquainted my mind and body back to each other. Making functional cups and bowls, sculptures, teapots and vases allows me to discover different ways of expressing my healing through pottery. I love the rawness of clay, its malleability and how fire changes and unfolds it into a solid reflection of my ideas. Plus, it's fun!

DIAGNOSIS: BRAIN INJURY

PROGNOSIS: ROLLER COASTER RIDE.

PRESCRIPTION: MAKE ART! or FIVE BOWLS TO HEALING

Clay - food safe

5 bowls: 3" x 6"; 2 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 4 1/2" x 2 1/4"; 4 1/4" x 2 1/4"; 3" x 1 1/4"ke

$150

LINDAKRAMER

Monsters of the Past pencil, colored pencils, and watercolors

24” x 18”

$400

I Feel the Pain Tempera and pencil

“24x18”

$450

Linda Kramer’s work is often an expressive process begun with only an intention. There are no planned visual outcomes, especially when creating self portraits influenced by Grandma Elizabeth Layton’s technique. Linda allows even her intention to alter when a dynamic intuitive energy undeniably begins pushing or moving the unconscious to the surface or projects images onto the canvas! Working in this manner, one brush stroke and or added color can shift the completion of her process. The two dimensional or sculptural piece may be finished or need hours of work.

While illustrating The Monsters of the Past, her intention was to joyfully recognize the monster’s similarities and differences in how they had affected her past. Linda named the monsters and preceded to represent them as animals with inventive colorful details. She ‘knew’ the zebra and had just recently after years of protecting herself, let go of constant soul battering challenges. The little green monster with upside down hearts with the dunce cap is tilted 3 degrees. At first Linda thought she had made a mistake! However listening to her intuition as she worked expressively, she remembered, “There are no mistakes in ‘creation’”. This monster’s appearance to the world, a highly ranked leader in her professional field, versus her treatment of her students was tilted and perverse. Linda can say this today and the monster is powerless.

Kramer states; “Upon living with and examining free expressive creations like Monsters of the Past and I Feel the Pain, I become aware, recognize, sit with, deeply feel, heal and transform the way I live my life.

LISAMAIONE

As an interdisciplinary artist, I bring attention to the formations and externalizations of voice and language through photography, drawing and collage practices. I build images to that emphasize the residue of memory through assembling and structuring relationships between objects. Through my creative practice, I infuse and enact “graphic design methods” outside of commercial exchange as a primary context, displacing design-like activities into vulnerable states outside of capital and inside emotional visual vortexes. Aberrations and distortions emerge and are made palpable as affective, productive output.

LORRIEBOYDSTON

I Am Not My Mother explore ideas of self-identity, grieving, and letting go of childhood trauma. The cover features stitching encircling a hole burned into the paper by a candle, which serves as a metaphor for the cycles of mental illness, codependency, and grief. The book form provides a place for my own childhood memories to reside, the words affirming who I am paired with the figure posed in a state of self-comfort and security. I can close the book and secure it with the twine, containing all the pain and memories, leaving the back cover visible as a celebration of all that I have overcome and endured.

I Am Not My Mother is a deviation from the regular body of work that I have shown previously. I am usually focused more on exterior landscapes and architecture in the suburban environment. This work dives into a more intimate personal interior, sharing a story that lies within, one we cannot see at first glance beneath the facades in a conforming, whitewashed neighborhood. Every home has a story to tell.

I Am Not My Mother

Mixed Media - Watercolor, fiber, ink and thread on paper

4.5 x 6 inches - NFS

LORRIEEIGLES

lorrieeiglesart.com

@lorrieeigles

Recently, I was overwhelmed thinking about a friend who had died, and three friends and family who were struggling with severe health issues.

Not really knowing what to do, I went into my studio and began working with art supplies that I love: rich black paper and acrylic paint markers.Creating intuitively without an image in mind, the imagery simply unfolded. When I finished and stepped back to see how it looked, the drawing had lots of brilliant colors with interesting and sweeping design elements.

More importantly, I felt energized. My deep sadness and low energy had lifted. And the name came to me: “In Action”. Once again, creating art had been a powerful and positive tool in my life.

In Action

Mixed Media 13x17 framed

$350

LUCAS NGUYEN

In both of my weaving artworks, I used various weaving techniques, such as Soumak, Plain weave, and Twill . Also, I experimented with a variety of yarn weights and fibers to create differing textures. I created the artwork to be tactile pillows for an interactive experience. The Mossy Mound represents the relaxing energy and comfort nature brings. I created the artwork by weaving on a hula-hoop twice and sewing the layers together with a fabric lining. Also, there is a secret pocket on the inside and crocheted outer details. The artwork

Stability represents how rice is such a staple in my culture and emphasizes the comfort of rice in pillow form. On the front of the rice bag, I went for rice fields with differing hues of green and blue. I made the artwork by weaving two rectangles together with a fabric lining and filling it with bean bag filling to illustrate the feeling of rice.

M.PALOWSKIMOORE

As an ekphrastic poet, I am inspired by imagery that connects and communicates. Photography is a conversation on both sides of the camera. The viewer and photographer contribute to the strangely sublime beauty of baring one’s soul. Through this exchange, we experience and embrace our emotions, fears, dreams and humanity. Photography is meditative, documentary and revelatory. It is about activism, resilience, vulnerability and celebration. As a gay Black man from The South, I explore themes of oppression, identity, depression and struggle. Having lost many dear friends during the height of the AIDS epidemic, there is a longing, an emptiness that haunts me. However, there is also light in capturing the poetic voices of wind whispers blowing through empty spaces. Photography is a cathartic exposition of the worlds that shape us and inspire meaning in our lives. Light, shadow, time and the profound impact of small moments inform my creative expressions. Photography is the precious gift of storytelling, passion, empathy and discovery. It witnesses the endless expanse of who we are. Photography is the magic of memory. When words fail, photography tells the story.

MAIA ADES

@maia.n.images

Maia is a creative with varied interests. She is a visual artist, photographer, filmmaker and actor. All of these disciplines have at their core the desire to communicate, be it a story or an emotion. Colors elicit emotions that we are often not even cognizant of, yet we each feel it. Maia enjoys employing color and observing the reaction of the viewer.

Punk

Acrylic

48 x 24

$600

on canvas with thread.

MICHELERENEESHERLOCK

This series of paintings are focused on my experience of being raised in an atmosphere of suppression of female voices. I was led to believe that my opinions and ideas did not deserve to be heard. As I was attempting to become my authentic self, this was not accepted. Secrets were kept and issues were not discussed. In recent years, through my paintings, I have been able to explore the impact of my upbringing on my ability to protect and advocate for myself. My intention with this series is to speak to groups of young women to elevate their ability to speak about what is important to them, and to encourage them to use their voice for their good.

My philosophy about my artwork is that images can tell stories more potently than words alone. Self expression in the creative form has long been know to be personally healing. Taking difficult feelings from an internal experience to an external creative form is what this series of paintings are all about.

Visual art and poetry have been in conversation since the time of the ancient Greeks. I pair original photographs and poems that speak to one another.

I explore places such as parks and gardens. I am taken in by shadows, reflections and various life cycles I see. I also benefit both physically and mentally from my time in nature. I am surrounded by beauty, the resourcefulness shown by animals, and feel the joy of new births and new growth.

I look for something in each picture that will convey a universal concept and write about that. Since the photo is a prompt, the poem may not always be a literal description of it. The poem is the result of where the picture takes my thoughts.

SiSiBrenaeandMrs.Wade Photography

As you look at my work, I hope you will join in the conversation. Do you see what I see or do you have another story to tell?

PHILDUNN

I consider myself a “blue collar” artist. I value destruction as much as construction. Many of my pieces are built using several layers of paint that I then remove portions of to expose the underneath. I often use nontraditional tools such as masonry trowels, sandpaper, and cooking utensils along with my brushes and palette knives. I’m physical when I work, I wrestle with my paintings and they with me. I prefer to work in a large format because it lends itself to expression. Often, I finish my work in resin. Resin provides a crystal-clear finish that adds magnification and clarity. Resin makes the colors I use jump to life giving the appearance of wet paint. These pieces represent my personal experiences with grief and depression and are physical manifestations of the healing power of creation and expression.

80" x24"

$1,100

HIP (Human In Progress)

Acrylic and resin on reclaimed pocket door

REBECCARICHMOND

@life.growing.towards.the.sun

Creating art helps to process emotions and find solace from grief and loss through the comfort of creativity, increased self awareness and mindfulness. This piece and the poem below were created in 2018 the year my husband and brother passed away.

Solace

Comfort comes as dawn dissolves shadows into daybreak. Her warm embrace of self surrounds each soulful tearful heartache.

Solace shares her window seat dawn to dusk to midnight. Raise her shade, rise to shine each single ray of daylight.

Mourning’s light defies the dark, she glows through in her giving. While every waking day to day shines anew upon the living.

ROSSELLABALLERINI

Rossella Ballerini's artistic journey began in her birthplace of Florence, Italy.

From pencil to oil. From paper to canvas. Rossella doesn't worry about making art to sell. She makes art to create. It's a very different approach she says. Ballerini's art is defined by emotions. Not by rules. "My work is pretty raw. I've known a lot of pain and a lot of joy and I use it all.”

Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti lived in the same town as her mother. He was a big fan of Ballerini's art and predicted that one day she would be "up there."

Ballerini believes art inspires people.

"The Counselor" was created when a friend, Jackie, helped me when I could not see reality. She took me in and made me feel safe. I will always have thanked God for her. She is still a very close friend.

The Counselor print of original oil on canvas 12x17 not for sale

RYANSIKES

These yellow socks may look like a lighthearted painting about comfy clothes but for me these yellow socks represent a time in my mental health journey that led to hospitalization. These yellow socks, this sweatsuit, and these pills are symbols of that time. I created this piece to remember how far I have come. It is about growth and healing. The dark scallops represent my swirling thoughts during this time and the scallops emerging in bright colors are the new light and freedom I have found. Art is critical to my healing journey. I want this piece to stand as an emblem of hope for anyone struggling. Beauty is everywhere. Even in the darkness.

SHANONFOUQUET

For twenty years, my hearing and health were compromised by Meniere’s Disease, a rare, complicated, and often misunderstood inner ear disorder. When my condition stabilized enough that hearing aids might benefit me, I learned that few insurance companies cover the cost of these common medical devices. Can You Hear is dedicated to the people who, through their generosity, gave me (back) the gifts of thunder claps and bird songs and folk music – and hope.

As abundantly grateful as I am for these gifts, hearing aides are an imperfect technology. Masking during the pandemic (a necessity) made it impossible for me to read people’s lips to fill in auditory gaps or to interpret the “tone” of an interaction with someone new. Without these visual cues to supplement my limited hearing, I came out of the pandemic with terrible social anxiety. Rise Up is an affirmation of courage and strength after hardship - for me and for anyone else who struggled through those long months of suffering, loss, and isolation.

Rise Up

Acrylic and pen and ink

10" x 20"

$350

Can You Hear

Acrylic and pen and ink

11"x12"

Turquoise and Gold Orbitz

Acrylic, Gold leaf, iridescent vinyl and MDF board

28" x 36”

$1,800.00

SHELLYPINTO

www.shellypinto.com

shellypinto_art

Asymmetrical Circle

Acrylic paint, Shizen Papers, on Birch board panel Covered in Resin

12" diameter

$400.00

Silver, Gold, Magenta, and yellow

Acrylic paint, Shizen Papers, on Birch board panel

Covered in Resin

16" diameter

$700.00

Patterns, colors, and shapes provide links to my history, my environment, and my inner thoughts.

I begin my mixed media paintings by cutting shapes, mixing colors, and overlapping patterns. The process of layering and mixing reveals an inner calm and also a connection to the world.I find that patterns and repetition represent a historical structure and insight into life's interlocking balance. I often see my artwork as a colorful kaleidoscope that I adored as a child.

After graduating from KCAI with a painting degree and working at Hallmark Cards, I co-founded with my husband a handmade paper company called Shizen Design. The company designs and sells screen print papers from India. I use these papers in mixed media paintings. The merging of surface patterns and the culture of India has imparted designs that blend my history and cultural experiences to create a truly international and unique vision in my artwork

SHERRIJACOBS

www.heartlandarttherapy.com

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Stakeholder capitalism, when shareholders are valued over customers, has a serious downside in the form of economic distress and emotional turmoil for many Americans. This artwork is designed to name and validate the thing many people are feeling and to remind viewers that their emotional turmoil is not self-inflicted. The system is rigged in favor of the shareholders. People often come to therapy emotionally distraught because they are doing everything right, yet still can’t make ends meet- leading to feelings of despair, exhaustion, hopelessness, and an inability to find their way out. Although therapists cannot fix the larger systemic realities of our post American dream era, we can help people dispel their self-blame by shifting perspective to see the bigger picture. We

SHERRY WHETSTONE

Creating art allows me to express my life experiences in a visual format. When I step back and look at my artwork, I am surprised and equally fascinated with my selection of textiles, beads, buttons and thread that have become my chosen muse. I love to see the delight on a viewers face when they discover the little “Sherry”things I place in my work. Art is supposed to be fun so I make sure I do my part! Each day I embrace the advice my beautiful niece gave me many years ago. “Just do you, Auntie”. So, I continue to do me by expressing myself through culturally inspired textiles and fabrics. It is my voice. It is my passion.

Africa is My Solace Textiles, mixed media

My work as a fiber artist is grounded in a lifelong passion for fiber, sewing, observing nature, and a reverence for the traditions of different cultures. I learned to sew at a young age. Sewing was a skill where I excelled and, upon reflection, an activity that provided me a place to escape the overwhelming anxiety I experienced as a teenager and young adult. It continues to serve that purpose today. I developed a love for nature while vacationing in national parks throughout the USA. Camping adventures allowed me to experience the healing powers of nature. In addition, for part of my career, I lived and traveled throughout Asia where nature and its symbolism are deeply embedded in the cultural practices of the region, including traditional fiber techniques. As a fiber artist, my work has focused on incorporating the grandeur and simplicity of nature into utilitarian pieces. I use upcycled Kimono fabrics to create my work finding the process of repurposing the old into the new inspirational. My most recent pieces have focused on using the Asian stitching technique of Boro. This meditative stitching practice has influenced my creative process but more importantly, calmed my soul.