Posts Tagged ‘art’

Musician, composer, poet, and singer Cari Cole, has walked the shaman’s path to create music that inspires and heals. ’Transformational Music’ is what listeners are calling her ” Circle of Fire” CD, inspired by the teachings of don Miguel Ruiz (NY Times best-selling author of The Four Agreements).  Cari’s angelic and powerful voice, combined with her soulful and empowering lyrics, inspires my mind body and spirit so deeply, that I knew I wanted her song “Beautiful Life” to be the intro song for the Explore Your Spirit show to set the tone and energy for every show. As gracious as she is talented, we were thrilled when she agreed to allow “Beautiful Life” to be the introduction to the show on Explore Your Spirit with Kala.

Originally from Minneapolis, Cari Cole has been a musician and songwriter for most of her life. She sang the folk songs of Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan as she wrote her own and found her way to New York City at the age of 19 where she joined a rock and roll band.  She went on to teach voice in New York, founded her own voice studio, was a soloist in The Metro Mass Choir and performed everywhere from CBGB’s and the infamous Bitter End in NYC to Carnegie Hall, Town Hall, and The Apollo Theatre where she shared the stage with legendary singers such as Cissy Houston, Beth Nielsen-Chapman and Martha Wash to name a few. Although she is best known as a vocalist and songwriter, Cari is also a versatile musician: playing piano, acoustic and electric guitars, dulcimer, and flute. In the teaching arts, she is regarded as one of the most notable in voice studies, working with four-time Grammy Award winning recording artist Donald Fagen of Steely Dan, Diane Birch, Chrisette Michelle, Courtney Love and the legendary band of Journey among others.

Cari Cole was on the Grammy Nominations Ballot for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for 2004 and has won and placed as a finalist in numerous contests such as the Independent Music Awards (Best Female Artist), Independent Acoustic Music Awards, DiscMakers Songprize contest and was a 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 ASCAPlus Award winner. Cole graces the pages of Billboard Books author Daylle Schwartz book “I Don’t Need a Record Deal! Your Survival Guide for the Indie Music Revolution” as an indie artist on the rise. She was selected as the AOL Musician of the Week/Tonos.com and debuted her The Circle Of Fire record at Carnegie Hall.

Cari knows that having a great music career is the ultimate dream. It’s endless creativity, superstardom and a great lifestyle. But here’s the thing, you have to know what steps to take. You have to know how to chart your path and get yourself on the right track. You have to know how to walk the delicate line between Creative Type and Business Mogul. Most people burn out and miss key opportunities because they don’t know how to put it all together. They just keep plodding along hoping for a BIG break or to “get signed”.

Cari says… “If this is you, it’s not your fault! It’s just that no one’s ever taught you what to do”. Cari has coached the best of the best and she knows from 23 years of experience exactly what it takes to move from your dreams (reliant upon others) to your inner DIVA (in your control).

Cari’s coached many singers and helped them to achieve their goals. She is now offering a Free Teleseminar on how to move from your dreams into being the diva you were born to be!

Here’s your opportunity to find out more about the music business. It’s Your Time, Go Explore Your Inner Diva!

Faith, Hope and Charity, is it possible that one small gift could give the recipient all of these things and more? In a world where what makes the news on a daily and hourly basis is the reporting of the failures and shadow side of humanity, we’ve lost our perspective on what is real in daily life. The fact is, on most any given day, something terribly devastating won’t happen to you and if that day does come, there are enlightened, compassionate human beings who stand ready to be of service and gather at your side.

With this thought in mind dear readers, we’ve reached the last and perhaps most important gift in our 12 Gifts of Enlightenment Series, which is: Give the Gift of Hope.

The Health Arts Network at Duke (HAND)  holds a vision of integrating the arts with healthcare and has been accomplishing this mission since 1978, offering literary, visual and performing arts to staff, visitors, patients and their families. HAND is recognized nationally as being one of most comprehensive hospital arts programs in the United States. On the HAND website, Kevin Sowers, CEO of Duke University Hospital states, ‘As we think to the future of the delivery of healthcare, more and more, we will be faced with the challenges of further understanding the mind, body and spirit connection. The arts draw on all three pieces; the mind, body and spirit. I believe advancement of our understanding of psycho-neuroimmunology and the impact and influence of the arts on healing and well-being will be an important component of the future of the delivery of healthcare’.

Offering an admirable array of services, HAND has an Artist in Residence program, where professional musicians perform at patient bedsides and waiting areas, maintains an inventory of over 2000 original artworks through the medical center, including placing original art in patient rooms, and features a touchable art gallery collection, accessible to children who are awaiting eye surgery.

Readily apparent at HAND is the outpouring of compassion and love in these programs. As a writer, I was particularly drawn to a program called the Write for You Literary Art program. Led by Grey Brown, the Literary Arts Coordinator for HAND, the program provides free journals to oncology patients, patients receiving bone marrow transplants, psychiatric care patients, high risk pregnancy mothers on long term bed rest, cardiology patients, recipients of organ transplants, family members of patients, and patients referred to the program by care givers. The program provides patients with the journals and organizes group sessions to write and read poetry and offers participants the opportunity to share their journaling if they feel comfortable doing so. According to Grey Brown, many patients are in long term care, spending their days in the hospital. One example of a therapeutic group exercise is ’seasonal journaling’, which allows patients who are indoors to connect with nature and the seasons through their writings,  sharing their emotions and memories with others.

The program reports that the journals can help patients and their families reduce stress, explore feelings they have associated with both their illness and their healing journey, express gratitude, track physical and emotional changes on a daily basis, make notes to discuss regarding their health care, record personal feelings, fears and prayers, as well as track their medications and treatment schedules.

When speaking with Grey Brown, what I felt strongly was that the journals offered the gift of hope. There is a power in writing and in sharing and expressing those thoughts with others. For many people, journaling allows them to step out of the fray and connect with their thoughts as they physically engage in the act of writing them down. During this process, the writing releases the emotions and allows for a healing process to begin. I asked Grey, who has run this program since 1998, why she chooses to do this work, for certainly, it takes strong character and an open heart to work with patients who are dealing with life threatening illness on such a personal level. Her reply was, ‘I’m doing what I know to do, I have an ease in the hospital, it makes me happy. What I love about the patients is that they are living in the moment, it’s a privilege for me to be in their midst’. Grey, who is also a poet, began the program offering journals to the pediatric bone marrow transplant patients and families and since then it has spread to serve the six other organizations mentioned above. Her future plans for the program include expanding to community settings creating groups which combine poetry, journaling and healing as well as providing journals to hospice programs.

HAND’s  Write for You journal program, is in need of your help. In the past, some publishers donated journals to the program, but with the decline of the economy hitting the publishing industry very hard, HAND is no longer receiving journals from the publishing industry. If the spirit calls to you, Give the Gift of Hope, contact Grey Brown at HAND and send a journal to their program or a donation to purchase journals. The very journal you send today, can be in someone’s hands tomorrow, bringing peace, comfort, and hope. Let’s change the news and change the world, one step at a time. Share the news with others about HAND and encourage friends, co-workers and groups to participate and send in journals and donations and lend a helping hand. In the words of my favorite poet, Maya Angelou, ‘I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver’.

Gentle readers, as we draw to the closing of the 12 Gifts of Enlightenment, my wish is that these gifts have encouraged you to try some of them in your daily lives as well as offered inspiration as gift ideas for the metaphysically inclined people in your life. May the new year bring you great blessings and joy.

If you’ve missed any of the featured 12 Gift’s of Enlightenment, click here to view each of the gifts:  One, Two, Three, Four, Five Six,  Seven, Eight, Nine,  Ten or Eleven.  Click on the subscribe button on the top section of this page, where you’ll be notified via email each time a new article by yours truly appears.

Hoping that your days are merry and bright,
Kala

More about Kala Ambrose:
Kala is an award winning author, intuitive and talk show host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show. Her thought-provoking interviews entice listeners to tune in around the globe! Described by her guests and listeners as discerning, empowering and inspiring, she speaks with world renowned authors, artists, teachers and researchers delving into metaphysical, holistic and paranormal topics. Kala’s  book, 9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled delves into the mysteries of ancient Egyptian mystery schools and explains their wisdom teachings. Kala lectures on Esoteric Teachings,  Developing Business Intuition, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom (also known as the Divine Feminine). Kala’s Guided Meditations CD’s include Spirit of Hawaii and Egyptian Mystery Temple and Tibetan Mountain Journey.  More info: www.ExploreYourSpirit.com

Enjoyed this article? Kala welcomes your comments and reads them all. For more articles by Kala Ambrose, visit her main page at National Metaphysical Spirituality Examiner.

As a parent, you may not realize that your child possesses many of the answers to life’s challenges—right in her own imagination. Through learning and practicing visualization, kids can develop emotional self-care skills to help themselves with a variety of everyday, practical concerns.

These imagination tools can help your child:

• Love, accept, and appreciate himself.
• Reduce pain and heal other physical ailments.
• Overcome fears, such as fear of the unknown, abandonment, doctors, disasters, and dying.
• Deal with bedtime issues such as insomnia and bedwetting.
• Cope with death, divorce, and other losses.
• Handle anger, hurt, and frustration.
• Achieve success at school and in sports.
• Live peacefully with siblings and parents.

Here are nine imagination tools you can teach a child to help her deal with stressful times
and navigate the challenges of growing up.

TOOL #1: Use the Balloon Breath.

With her hands around her navel, have her breathe slowly and deeply into her lower belly so it presses into her hands like an inflating balloon. The balloon breath has calming effects and facilitates a waking state of focused concentration and receptivity to positive suggestions. Kids can use it to calm down before musical performances, soothe anger or hurt feelings, or wind down at night, for example.

Tool # 2: Discover A Special Place.

This is a safe, special place within your child’s inner world where he can relax, regroup, or take mini-vacations from the stresses of life. It’s a place to pose endless questions about life issues, and create numerous positive, possible solutions. Your child might visit his special place to find courage before taking a difficult test at school, or to get away from a bully’s harsh words.

Tool # 3: Consult an Animal Guide.

This is an imaginary guide—a kind, loving, and protective creature—that helps children tap into their wisdom. It’s often safer and easier for animal friends to offer solutions to problems in creative ways, than expecting logic and linear thinking to do the work. Your child’s animal guide can help her fall asleep, or practice patience at school in long, boring classes, or be brave before a trip to the doctor.

Tool # 4: Conjure up a Personal Wizard.

Wizards come into play when animal friends “just won’t do.” His Personal Wizard is a mentor and magical teacher in human form who brings a different level of wisdom: human but extraordinary. A wizard can give advice, conjure up special powers such as math answers, and even cure troubling feelings like jealousy, anger, and grief.

Tool # 5: Receive Gifts.

Gifts from imaginary helpers can be thoughts, objects, or ideas that symbolically provide children with exactly what she needs in the moment to help her. Gifts can be obvious or require further explanation by the animal friend or wizard. Sometimes gifts are hidden and need to be unwrapped or dug up. When a child goes to her special place and asks a wizard or animal friend for a gift containing the solution to her problem, she often finds the answer.

Tool # 6: Check in with Heart and Belly.

This tool is comparable to suggestions of “listen to your heart” and “pay attention to your gut feelings.” Children are encouraged to take a few minutes to “check in” with their heart and their belly, and to notice what messages are there for them. The heart and belly often have two different, but equally important, messages to relate.

Tool # 7: Talking to Toes and Other Body Parts.

The body is a repository for lots of hidden information. With this tool, children discover where and how they stash different feelings in their body. Kids then find they can have a dialogue between emotions and/or symptoms to find answers to their concerns. For example, your child might discover that his stomach knows exactly why it hurts every day 30 minutes before school starts—it doesn’t want Mom to leave, and it’s afraid she won’t come back.

Tool # 8: Use Color for Healing.

Color is especially helpful in healing pain. Feelings and symptoms often have different colors associated with them. They can be unique to each individual and change over time. You can teach children how to imagine a color, such as ice blue or deep forest green, cooling down his hot fever. When a child imagines color inside or surrounding her body, it can be a remarkable tool for transforming pain, shifting emotions, and accessing healing energy.

TOOL #9: Tap into Energy.

When words are insufficient, a loving touch from a parent can do wonders to restore calm and well-being. For example, you can help a child “pull the pain” out of his head by holding your hand about three inches from his forehead to give him a direction in which to send his pain—out and away.

You’re now armed with nine simple, efficient, and totally free options to mix and match—depending on the situation and your child’s favorite. When we teach our kids effective imagery techniques to solve their own problems, it can transform their world.

* * * * *

More about Charlotte Reznick…

Charlotte Reznick, Ph.D is a child educational psychologist, an associate clinical professor of psychology at UCLA, and author of a new book, The Power of Your Child’s Imagination: How to Transform Stress and Anxiety into Joy and Success (Perigee, 2009, $14.95). More information at: www.ImageryForKids.com

I love to collage – I have been doing it for about 30 years, professionally. When I look back on my drawings and artwork as a child, I find collages with stars and hearts and princesses-many of the archetypal images that I use even now.

One of my fondest memories is of making a dish garden.  We are all collages – the way we dress – the way our homes look, our dressing tables.  And a lot of the way we see things, our taste is comprehended in this same way.  How does this picture look here – are the curtains the right color with the couch – are these earrings too long for my face?  These are all judgments that we might bring down into the art of collage.

We all collect things – photographs, stones, shells, cards that your friends send, dried flowers from a trip.  Collage can be a way of re-cycling – of creating a life story or a visual diary out of reminiscent objects or images that convey an important time in your life.  You may make one once a year for a Christmas card – or today we are going to try and identify some of our own personal symbols and incorporate them into a personal “inner” portrait – to capture our essence and make magic that way.  To empower and imagine the way you might like things to be.  To make a stage set, to act out your hopes and dreams.  Or you might want to make an inner portrait of someone else.

Another way you might think of this collage piece is as a “treasure map” – you can even add words and affirmations to the image so that when you see it, it stimulates your confirmation of that goal:  “Success” – “finding the perfect mate” –“good health”.

I would like to convey how important it is to be open and in tune with your unconscious and spontaneous self.  Try to be as a child.  There might be something that falls out of the magazine by accident.  You notice a bird fly by.  Everything is synchronistic. (Jung’s story of the scarab.)  You pass a yard sale and stop by – there is the perfect object that you’ve been wishing for.

As far as materials go, anything goes.  We make a big mess when we collage.  You need a lot to play with.  These materials are your palette.  You want a pile at hand, so that you can develop a flow.  At some point you  might see that the only thing that will do is a purple flower in the right hand corner – in that case you will have to stop and search – but you might run across a perfect tiger that you would not have even thought of if the other thing hadn’t come up.

Often when I needed something, I find someone comes to the door with the exact right thing, right when I need it, or in the mail.  It’s very nice.

There are no accidents – that is why collage is such a therapeutic technique.  When we develop our abilities to visualize – we can achieve many goals – we can create our own reality.  By making these decisions it strengthens our decision making abilities on a daily basis.  By getting in touch with what colors we like, by trusting.

To begin with, all you need is probably right in your house – and we have to use right there.  A patch of wallpaper, leaves in your yard, …..  If you have old drawings, you can recycle those.

If you really get serious, you can experiment with different glues and paints.  I know a woman who uses left-over eye make-up.  My sister goes running and finds flattened cans and metal pieces that have been run over by cars.  Many of us go to yard sales and flea markets.  But its like photography – you can spend a lot of money and go crazy getting the perfect equipment, but you can also get a great photo with a simple little camera.

So, start simply.  And don’t be too precious about cutting into things. There are no mistakes with collage – you can fix anything. Have fun!

More About Monte Farber and Amy Zerner:

Internationally known self-help author Monte Farber’s inspiring guidance and empathic insights impact everyone he encounters. Amy Zerner’s exquisite, one-of-a-kind spiritual couture creations and collaged fabric paintings exude her profound intuition and deep connection with archetypal stories and healing energies. For more than thirty years they’ve combined their deep love for each other with the work of inner exploration and self-discovery to build The Enchanted World of Amy Zerner and Monte Farber: popular books, card decks, and oracles that have helped millions answer questions, find deeper meaning, and follow their own spiritual paths.

Together they’ve made their love for each other a work of art and their art the work of their lives, with over two million books in print in fourteen languages. Their other best-selling titles include The Chakra Meditation Kit, The Tarot Discovery Kit, Karma Cards, The Enchanted Spellboard, Secrets of the Fortune Bell, Little Reminders: Love & Relationships, Little Reminders: The Law of Attraction, Goddess, Guide Me!, The Animal Powers Meditation Kit, Astrology Gems, True Love Tarot, The Instant Tarot Reader, The Psychic Circle, Wish Upon A Star, The Pathfinder Psychic Talking Board, The Truth Fairy, Spirit of the Ancestors Altar Kit, Vibe-Away!, The Mystic Messenger, The Breathe Easy Deck, The Healing Deck, and The Ghostwriter Automatic Writing Kit.  More info at: www.TheEnchantedWorld.com

Since the first cave paintings, we humans have found creative ways to express ourselves with art. We naturally draw, paint, and doodle to capture thoughts and feelings. Art has also been used throughout history for healing. Studies show that it creates brain wave patterns that enhance the autonomic nervous system, hormonal balance, and brain neurotransmitters. While doing artistic expressive art, the body’s physiology shifts from stressed to serene.

It’s often easier for a child to talk about pictures than about himself or his feelings (grief, anger, shame, etc.). Drawing will allow your child to express difficult feelings or to disclose what he might not share verbally. Your child’s artistic expression will give you a clearer sense of his inner struggle, an insight that will help you guide him.

Drawing also increases your child’s awareness of his inner world and creates a window onto that landscape. In addition, a child’s artwork can be a launching point for conversations that reveal her thinking about the world around her.

You don’t have to be a trained therapist to use some art therapeutic techniques with your child. Just stock up on a variety of supplies—giant rolls of paper, colored paper, crayons, and a variety of markers, including scented, metallic, fat, thin, even markers that change color as they write over another color. Then try the following art exercises to explore new ways to communicate with your child.

Draw a self-portrait. On a large sheet of paper, trace your young child’s body. Have her fill it in. Older children can design and complete their own. Drawing increases your child’s awareness of her inner world, and it’s easier to talk about a drawing than to express troubling feelings.

Picture the future. Artwork is also an effective starting point when you’re working with clear end-goals, like getting a good night’s sleep or reducing a fear. Have your child draw two drawings—how things are now and how he’d like them to be. Kids often hang these pictures in their bedrooms to remind them of their desired direction.

Show and tell. After an imaginary journey, such as a walk through a special place she imagines with her eyes shut and tells you about, have your child draw her experience. The picture gives you both something to look at and discuss. If the drawing illustrates a problem—say, a dangerous goblin or a fire at home—ask her what might solve the situation. She can even draw the solution right onto her picture.

Accept every drawing. Some kids have a tough time committing their mental pictures to paper; they fear they won’t measure up. Reassure your child that anything he creates is fine. Sometimes all that comes are strokes of bold color evolving out of a wonderful or terrible feeling that is finally set free on paper. Praise each one. They are the artifacts of your child’s inner world.

Talk to the image. Once your child has spilled his feelings on paper, he can converse with them. He might use his picture of Fear to ask what it needs to calm down, or to tell it to leave. It’s much easier to speak to feelings when they’re outside than when they’re gnawing away at his tummy.

Take artistic action. It’s a great release when a child can draw her angry, hurt, or upset feelings, but pictures don’t have to be static. She can erase part of it, or draw over it in “healing” colors with a changeable marker—an immediate transformation that feels magical. She can even rip up or throw away the paper. These actions can offer a hurting child a sense of control and satisfaction.

Capture the memory. The special places your child visits on her imaginary journeys are personal healing sanctuaries. Hanging pictures of them somewhere private but visible will remind her that she can return whenever the need arises. Drawings of trusted animal friends and wizards can help her remember support is always near.

* * * * *

More about Charlotte Reznick…

Charlotte Reznick is a child educational psychologist, an associate clinical professor of psychology at UCLA, and author of a new book, The Power of Your Child’s Imagination: How to Transform Stress and Anxiety into Joy and Success (Perigee, 2009, $14.95). More information at: www.ImageryForKids.com

This Summer, I began a new feature on the Bohemian Blog, dedicated to Inner Beauty and Fashion. It was originally meant to be a summer time feature, a brief respite and break from our busy lives and a moment to relax and reflect on the beauty in our world, both natural and man made. These articles have proved to be so popular though, that I’ve decided to continue them year round as I meet more beautiful and talented artisans who bring such natural wonders to our world. We continue here with this next article, as we move quickly into the fall season. On this path, I encountered Melissa Harris, the founder of Creatrix. Her work speaks to the Inner Goddess in every woman. Join us here as we enter into a sacred space and discussion. Enjoy… *~Kala~*

Kala: Hi Melissa, Thanks for joining us here on Kala’s Bohemian Blog. We’re featuring a special section on the Bohemian Blog entitled Inner Beauty and Fashion for the Body, Mind and Spirit. Your company, Creatrix features art on Women and Magic, Women and Nature, Women and Dreams, Women and Love, Women and Meditation, Women and Cats and Cycles of the Moon. What was your inspiration to create this metaphysical line of art centered on women?

Melissa: I’ve always been interested in women’s empowerment.  If you looked at my astrological chart, you’d see that I am all about that, and, in fact, women’s issues in general.  I love examining how women are so connected to the earth and how that connection manifests, including how we are so aligned with the cycles of the moon.  At the risk of sounding as if I am anti-men, I believe that in recent times women really are the care-takers of the planet and are helping to bring things back to a balance whereby we all, as a people are more connected to and have a greater respect for this beautiful planet we live on.

Kala: I’ve enjoyed your work for years, purchasing your Creatrix line of products in various stores on notecards and prints. Recently I discovered that you offer Spirit Essence Portraits. Tell us about these portraits….

Melissa: Thanks Kala. I have been psychic all my life and worked as a professional psychic reader in the 80’s until I felt like I was missing my painting too much and didn’t have time for it all.  I put that aside for later and about 4 years ago was missing doing that work.   I wanted to find a way to combine that with my artistic talents and voila- the Spirit Essence Portraits were born. These sessions are an opportunity to receive the gifts of my intuitive abilities as well as owning an original Melissa Harris watercolor painting.

Kala: I recently commissioned a Spirit Essence Portrait from you, as seen here. Describe what is being portrayed in the portrait here and how the process unfolds for you. Do you work with spirit guides, are you being guided as you paint? Does the reading come first and then the artwork or do they flow out at the same time?

Melissa: The sessions work like this: I light a candle, say a prayer and call in my spirit guides as well as the spirit guides around the other person as well as any other friends in Spirit that may want to join us. If the person is present we hold hands (since I work also through touch), do a general attunement and see what unfolds and if we need more info we go in deeper to that particular area. When that part of the session feels complete I put on some music that feels appropriate for that particular person and issues that the are working with and create the painting as they sit right there.

If I am doing a remote portrait I have the person send me a good close up photo along with a list of a few questions that they may want guidance on. I perform the same ritual of lighting a candle and calling in the Guides and then take detailed notes on my answers, which I later record and send the recording along with the painting.

Kala: How important is it do you think to connect Body Mind and Spirit in all activities? Were you always connected with Spirit from childhood or was that something that occurred later in life for you?

Melissa: To answer your first question: I have this conversation often with my life partner. We both feel strongly that it is important to keep all 3 healthy because we experience such quick manifestations of our thoughts coming into reality on the physical plane. It’s really always been that way with me.  I have to be very careful to keep my physical body in good shape because I have manifested some health issues that I have dealt with but that were so obviously a direct consequence of some of my beliefs.  I could go on and on about this subject but to sum it up, YES I feel it is my responsibility to stay connected to where I am emotionally so that I am operating at optimal levels at all times.  I have a lot to do in this lifetime and a passion for doing it.

I have always felt connected to Spirit though when I was a child I experienced that feeling mainly through Nature. I also remember looking into a mirror and realizing that I was a soul separate from that person and that experience always amazed me.  When I was in my late twenties I experienced my channel opening in a profound way and it was right after that that I began offering my insights to others. There is a long version of this story on my website in the bio section if others are interested in learning more.

Kala: Your education and background includes being a Fulbright Scholar who studied in Paris for 2 years on a grant for painting. You have a BFA in painting from Syracuse University in NY, and a MFA in painting from Queens College, in Flushing, NY. You also studied at the University of Virginia, the Brooklyn Museum Art School, and The New York Studio School. You teach private classes combining drawing, painting, and meditation, and have held workshops at the Omega Institute, The New York Open Center, and other centers throughout the US.  In  addition, you’ve shown at nearly two dozen solo exhibitions, and many dozen more group exhibitions, in both the US and France.  How has your time spent in Paris inspired you and what you create as an artist?  Do you find travel and life experience to be the best tools an artist can access or is formal education in art more important?

Melissa: Paris – wow, it was a long time ago but I can go back there mentally in a heartbeat,  it was so intense  Actually, in reality it was not one of the easier periods for me in my life in an emotional sense.  Paris was the longest period of time in my adult life that I had the luxury to focus solely on my artwork and not consider my livelihood or anything else for that matter.  I spent a huge amount of time alone meditating and going to yoga classes taught in French.  It was a time of much inner exploration.  Since I lived in sort of a dorm like situation in a building that was for US students studying in France, I was among the oldest there and didn’t have much in common with the others living there.  It forced me to become comfortable with a solitary lifestyle in a way that I had not experienced before.  Sometimes I found myself depressed due to lack of socialization that fulfilled me.  But it was also very rich in that I was learning how to channel and becoming very attuned to my guides and own inner voice.

For me and many artists that I know travel is very important because most creative people need outside stimulation for their expression.  I definitely am inspired by changing my environs frequently, since a good part of my recent body of work consists of landscapes. This was not always the case since in my early artistic career all of my work was inspired by people around me. Now it’s a combination of nature, relationships and Spirituality in it’s many forms.  So I do need to move around a lot to continue to discover all the beauty to be found in Nature.

Other artists may work abstractly or with portraits or still life and may not need as much change or stimulation. I need a good amount of both. I don’t think that there is a formula for what an artist needs. Only that person knows what they need for inspiration.  Many people come to my classes that are blocked and we work on discovering what might serve as catalysts to get them excited about expressing. I love helping folks make those discoveries.

Kala: As an powerful entrepreneur, you’ve found an outlet to share your talents with the world. How does what you do for a living also express who you are as a person?

Melissa: Good question! What I do for a living really IS who I am as a person on many levels and I am so fortunate to be able to say that.. So much of who I am consists of being both intuitive and creative. If I were working in a different sort of environment these components of myself would not be best utilized, although I am always “tuned in”. When I am not painting, however, I actually get very grouchy- (just ask my partner or my friends). So it is not in my best interests NOT to be working creatively daily.  I worked for many years waitressing, so that I could work at night to make money and use my days for painting. I was annoyed all night long that I had stopped where I was at with my painting that day and ended up manifesting some back problems as a result of both the lifting on the job – but also from the anger I held in my body from having to stop painting and “go to work”.

Kala: The colors and images in your work are both inspiring and empowering and it’s beautiful to see how you connect with the Divine Feminine energy.  How would you describe your personal spiritual path? Do you feel that you are continuing the work as described in the past as of the Goddess or walking a similar path?

Melissa: Incarnating in this lifetime as a woman has been very important for me. I feel that it has been part of my path of service to do as much as I can to empower women and contribute to the awakening and strengthening of the Sacred Feminine. I used to consider myself quite masculine since I can be aggressive about voicing my opinions and getting my work done but a therapist once pointed out to me that I am actually very, very feminine in that I am SO RECEPTIVE, which is really the embodiment of the feminine principle.

Kala: Do you accept custom orders for art beyond the Spirit Essence Portraits? What has been your favorite product or artwork that you have designed thus far?

Melissa: Yes, I accept custom orders for any type of artwork, whether it be a traditional portrait, a pet portrait, a painting of one’s home, etc as long as I have time to fit it into my schedule.  I also accept commissions for book and CD covers.

I have several favorite images and they change as I continue to add to my huge collection of images. My favorite product is my CREATRIX “Anything is Possible” activation card deck since it was a lifelong dream to create a divination card deck.

Kala: You mention your affirmation deck called Anything is Possible. Tell us about your affirmation decks.

Melissa: I have 2 decks out- The Goddess on the Go affirmation card deck and the deck mentioned above.  The Goddess on the Go deck was created by Amy Sophia Marashinsky, who contacted me to do the artwork.  It’s a a small deck of 33 uplifting and stunning paintings of women on the go combined with a heart-centered nourishing phrase. Designed especially for the fast paced life style of today’s women/Goddesses, it is small enough to fit anywhere and light enough to be carried around everywhere. Goddess On the Go is accessible, positive and upbeat, your own private support group that can cheer you through difficult situations, soothe your raw edges and help you back on track when you feel overwhelmed.

The CREATRIX Anything is Possible activation card deck showcases the universal stories of women I have gathered and archived in the thought-provoking art in this deck. These activation cards serve as a guide through 33 universal challenges women experience. Women can turn to this accessible tool for inspiration, contemplation, comfort, direction, exploration, or daily as a reminder that anything is possible. The cards are organized into four suits including invocation, grace, keys and initiation. The accompanying 48-page booklet includes definitions of each card written I wrote with inventive ideas for divination and guidance spreads.

Kala: Who is Melissa Harris? If your friends and family were to describe you in five sentences, what would they say?

Melissa: When I asked my last partner if they had to use one word to describe me what it would be he said “intense”. I recently asked my current partner and he said “perfect”. I like both of these descriptions!  Depending on which women friends you asked they might say “silly, passionate, driven, creative”.  My father often describes me as “sweet” and also “spacey.”  My siblings would comment- “emotional,”  moody, supportive and possibly “controlling” .

Kala: What advice would you give to someone who wanted to connect more with their entrepreneurial side and start their own business?

Melissa: I would advise them to be very honest with themselves in asking if they have what it takes to self motivate each day instead of getting up and going where you have to be at an appointed time. I am very driven and don’t have any problems getting myself into my office or studio daily and going to work with an enthusiastic attitude even if all is not going smoothly.  THIS DOES NOT WORK FOR EVERYONE. Some people get discouraged easily. If you are not a “type A” personality I would advise you trying to get others to publish your work and stick to a more traditional job. Having one’s own business is not for everyone.  It’s a never ending job and some folks (including myself) don’t always know when to call it a day and take a rest.

Kala: Beyond your work here Melissa, what inspires you? How do you Explore Your Spirit?

Melissa: I guess I would say that I am always connecting to my inner self and asking what I need to stretch and grow.  That often comes through things I have always mentioned, people and travel. I had a spiritual awakening early on and did all sorts of reading and studying on many subjects, anything I could get my hands on, and in those days there were no such things as New Age Books or bookstores. I studied astrology, Native American traditions, theosophy, and Pathwork (more on that on my website.) These days I often accompany my partner to Spiritualist Church services and sound healing sessions with a local sound healer that I love.. But always, it is by being surrounded by nature (especially water), as well as those I love, and continuing to paint that makes my spirit sing.

Kala: It was a pleasure speaking with you Melissa. Looking forward to experiencing more of your divinely inspired artwork and best wishes for your continued success.

Melissa: Thanks Kala and all the best to you as well.

Melissa Harris was a former guest on The Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show. Listen to her interview in the archives here: http://www.exploreyourspirit.com/Media/shows3.shtml#CREATIX

More about Melissa Harris…

Melissa Harris holds an MFA and BFA in Painting and was awarded a Fulbright grant to study painting in Paris. CREATRIX is her company featuring her artwork and messages on notecards, prints, and other gift items. Her work can also be found on book, magazine and CD covers as well as calendars. She teaches art-making workshops at spiritual centers throughout the US and at her home studio. Melissa finds her inspiration in nature, travel, personal relationships, and dreams. Series include butterflies, women and magic, women and nature, women and dreams, cycles of the moon, intimacy, and more. Melissa states, “Whatever my subject matter is, I like it to have a certain edge whether compositional or emotional. I like to think that a key word for my work could be “depth”, depth of space and depth of emotion”.  More information at: http://www.melissaharris.com/

The journey continues as we seek seek out talented artisans who are designing unique heartfelt products and designs. This summer on the Bohemian Blog, we focus on art, fashion and design which nourishes, harmonizes and enhances the body, mind and spirit. Next up, we have Kathy Morawski, a well known equine and collage artist with works in many collections worldwide, so relax and get comfy as we spend some time with Kathy here on the Bohemian Blog, which as always is dedicated to “Truth, Beauty, Freedom and Love”.

Kala: Hi Kathy, Thanks for joining us here on Explore Your Spirit with Kala’s Bohemian Blog. This summer, we’re featuring Fashion and Artistic Designs for the Body, Mind and Spirit. I discovered your work online and was touched by your use of natural elements to express strong heart-centric expressions of love and joy. Tell us, how did the inspiration begin for Love Rocks?

Photo caption: A selection from the Love Rocks series

Kathy: It’s great to be here, Kala! I’m honored you were touched by the Love Rocks. Their inspiration initially started in the aftermath of my mother’s sudden death. I began encountering angel and heart references seemingly everywhere and wasn’t sure of the source of these synchronicities but they were comforting. Then I started finding heart shaped rocks on my walks and began collecting them. It wasn’t until I was preparing for an art exhibit and acting on a spontaneous whim, I made a music themed collage titled “Love Rocks!” featuring sheet music and some of these rocks. Since most of my work incorporates words, for my next show I wanted to use the rocks in more of a text based way, but in a simpler format than a collage. I edited down as much as possible, substituting the letter O with a heart shaped rock and thus the Love Rock plaques were born!

Kala: You’re a talented artist, (mixed media collages, black and white and color pencil portraits) with a sincere love for horses. Your painted ponies jump off the cover and I connect deeply with the colored pencil horse portait. Your eye for detail is inspiring. How did your career in art begin?

Kathy: Thank you. I’ve been drawing ever since I can remember and my favorite subject was horses. I was always attracted to details and rendering them myself, so the fact I’m a Virgo seems appropriate! I was also incredibly lucky to have parents that nourished my art and called me “the artist of the family”. As a kid I painted on rocks and took orders for drawings from classmates on the school bus. I studied art and then worked professionally with an amazing art director who expanded my knowledge and took me to a level I would not have obtained otherwise. Over the years I continued creating my art and commissions while working my way up to being an art director myself in the publishing field. It was at this point when my mom passed away prompting a reassessment of my own life and I left the corporate cubicle world to do my art full time. It was a huge leap of faith but I knew I was loved and protected so I jumped.

Photo caption: Colored pencil horse portrait drawing

Kala: In many ancient wisdom teachings, it is said there are four animals who are here with the purpose to be of service and connect deeply with humanity. They are the horse, the cow, the dog and the cat. With this in mind, how have horses touched and inspired you in your life?

Kathy: Well, there’s no doubt which animal I resonate most closely with! Looking back at the many horse references in my life it’s obvious that horses are my totem animal. I was born in the Chinese Year of the Horse in a state claiming the horse as its state animal and my high school mascot was a horse. I got my first horse in another Year of the Horse and was invited to create a horse sculpture for a national art project during yet another Year of the Horse. The horse in my life now, Skip, is a true inspiration and helped me to open my heart again after the death of my mother. He was an older horse who’s owner had just died and no one wanted him. Initially thinking he was too old, I didn’t want to put myself through the possibility of getting attached only to lose him too. But he taught me that wasn’t a way to live and constantly amazes me in how two completely different species can clearly communicate with each other. Horses have the ability to mirror us  – you can’t hide, lie or B.S. a horse, they’ll call you out on it every time. Riding and trusting my horse with my life is an honor as it means he trusts me as well. Recently I began volunteering for a therapeutic riding program and am witnessing yet another aspect as to how horses enhance our lives. Horses truly help us in so many ways, spiritually, emotionally and physically.

Kala: I was born in the Year of the Horse too and agree horses have so much to teach us and to share with humanity. I can see your love for horses in your work, tell me more about your inspired “Quarter Horse’’ design…

Kathy: I remember first encountering the life sized painted horse sculptures on display for an art for charity program called Horse Power New Mexico (later to be known as the Trail of Painted Ponies). It was July 2001 and I was standing on a Santa Fe sidewalk when suddenly the words “I want to do this!” came unconsciously flying out of my mouth. After returning home I started working on sketches but when the events of 9-11 occurred, I set them aside as now designing a horse specifically for America became my creative outlet to deal with the confusing times. After weeks of many new ideas and sketches still nothing felt quite right. Then one night I had a dream in which I was reading a newspaper article about a woman creating a new design for the American quarter and woke up wondering why I was dreaming about coin designs when my problem was coming up with a horse design. I immediately gathered a bunch of quarters, cleared my mind and stared at them. One quarter with a dark tarnished patina caught my attention so I began experimenting, focusing on the eagle and selected words of the reverse side of the coin. The discovery of the opportunity to reflect a theme of national allegiance and unity hit me. E Pluribus Unum. Out of many, one. That was one of most memorable inspired Ah-ha! moments I ever had.
Photo caption: Detail of original Quarter Horse sculpture created for the Trail of Painted Ponies

Kala: Your latest creation is Love Rocks. I love how many words you’ve worked the rocks into… love, hope, yoga, om, joy, and many others. When I look at them, I see the stone… as being strong, enduring, and long lasting and the clay plaques as being of earth, warm, fragile, and encompassing. Together, they hold love. Perhaps the two things most needed during this time on earth is love and kindness. What do you wish for each piece as you create it and what are your hopes for the world?

Kathy: I love your take on this! For me they are also like condensed versions of affirmations. Many times they are often messages or reminders I need for myself. Since words conjure up different meanings and reactions in people I think their simplicity has a pure essence. It’s also interesting to see how people, especially children, are instinctively attracted to the rocks. There is something grounding and reassuring about rocks. The words aren’t set in stone, rather the stone is set in the words and the heart shaped rocks only help to reinforce the words. I want to share and remind others that we are all loved with the idea that the heart shaped rocks are angelic offerings echoing my own hopes for the world to include love, peace and respect for the Earth and all of its inhabitants.

Kala: You also work in mixed media and an author, I enjoyed your Food for Thought design. As a creative person, you’ve found many outlets to share your talents with the world. How do they differ and how are they the same when you are expressing yourself?

Photo caption: Food For Thought, mixed media collage
Kathy: I’ve accepted that I have many interests and facets to my personality and need various ways to express them. My collages are always intuition and process based and made from found and recycled materials. I literally will start with one object that captures my attention and then build a piece entirely around that, often inserting words or hidden messages in them. I have absolutely no idea what the end result will be and the entire process is a dance of the divine, with me constantly asking, getting out of the way and letting the inspiration guide me. The way I work on them is a great reminder and metaphor for how I try to live life. The horse portraits are more straight forward as they are mostly representational commissioned pieces and I generally have an idea of what the desired end result is. But these drawings are the most meditative to work on and I love being able to capture the essence of the horses and why their owners love them. The Love Rocks are my most restrictive pieces as the words must fit in my predetermined plaque sizes and contain a letter O which can be replaced with a heart shaped rock. Sometimes too many choices or options can overwhelm the creative process so working within narrowed parameters allows simplicity to emerge. These are also the pieces where I am most out of the way as they speak for themselves and people will extract their own personal meaning from them. But the spirit of love is literally embedded in each one.

Kala: Do you accept custom orders for your art and for love rocks? What has been your favorite piece that you have designed thus far?

Kathy: Yes, I have done and do accept custom orders and commissions for all of the variety of my art forms. The Quarter Horse figurine is retired from production but I do have a very limited supply of special editions available for collectors. It’s difficult to say which piece has been my favorite as I love them all for different reasons. But I have a special affinity for the works made as a result of being outraged about something and consider them my art activist pieces. I’m a firm believer in that energy flows where attention goes so I’m very mindful of my creative intentions. I don’t want to make angry negative art, so I try to step back to see the bigger picture and focus on what I perceive a positive outcome to be. A piece called 50 States of an American Dream, featuring 50 positive words, or states of being, was created during the heat of the last presidential election and another piece titled Paradise was my response to an environmental issue. These pieces represent my way of enacting Peter F. Drucker’s quote, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

Photo caption: 50 States of an American Dream, rubbing drawing on architectural paper

Kala: Who is Kathy Morawski? If your friends and family were to describe you in five sentences, what would they say?

Kathy: This is great because as for the answers I actually posed these questions to my friends! Though my family is no longer physically here, they always said I was talented and smart and I loved my grandmother telling me I had the Midas touch. My polled friends said I’m compassionate, have a good sense of humor, and am a good friend and offered some responses that were surprising in their depth: Kathy embraces the scared sensuousness of life and is able to tap on a creativity that exists outside of the box while still being able to communicate to the rest of the world in an enlightening, entertaining and expressive way. Kathy is free spirited with a daredevil quality that inspires others and is extraordinarily creative and wonderfully adept at gathering her creativity to make significant visual contributions to the world. Wow!

Kala: What advice would you give to someone who wanted to connect more with their creative side?

Kathy: First of all, I believe everyone is creative, and anything can be done in a creative fashion. Just thinking about how to do something differently than you usually do it is being creative. Immersing yourself in activities you enjoy and learning new ones is a great kick start to creativity as is discovering what other creative people are doing. I’d also suggest slowing down to be aware and open up to intuition by asking and allowing yourself to receive answers in whatever form they may arrive. I find looking for the humor in situations makes life more fun and creativity breeds when you’re in a lighter state of mind. And when you get an idea, instead of dismissing it, act on it!

Kala: Beyond your artistic creations here Kathy, what inspires you? How do you Explore Your Spirit?

Kathy: I also believe spirit and inspiration can reside in anything, it’s the connection that counts. Some things I’m inspired by are music, nature, beauty, truth, books, dreams, great minds that explore the blend of science and spirituality, and words which includes quotes, song lyrics and even catchy lines on junk mail! I’m also moved by moments when humanity bands together to make a difference or help others. Methods that help keep me in that state of being include spending time with my horse, going for walks, listening to music, yoga, traveling, learning new things and spending time with good friends and being grateful for all of it.

Kala: It was a pleasure speaking with you Kathy. Looking forward to seeing more of your work and best wishes for your continued success.

Kathy: Thank you so much, Kala, the pleasure’s been all mine. I look forward to keeping up with you on your work as well! It’s inspiring people like yourself who help raise the consciousness of the planet.

Photo caption: Kathy with her horse, Skip. Photo by Susan Kozlowski
Artist Kathy Morawski is known for her articulate assemblages featuring found objects taken out of context and placed in unique perspectives, encouraging the viewer to look at them in a new way or to find hidden meanings. She also expresses her life long love of horses with her equine portraits and is an official artist of the Trail of Painted Ponies. Her current Love Rocks series is part of her recent work exploring life experiences and the clues that cross her path. More information on the artist and her work can be found at www.kathymorawski.com.

My one-of-a-kind Goddess jackets, cover-ups and coats are composed of sophisticated combinations of rich, elegant and exotic fabrics and trims, all appliquéd and carefully tailored into timeless, glamourous garments imbued with serene beauty and enchantment.

I specialize in creating luxury masterworks that fuse fashion and art. For the client that requires a special order, a brief but meaningful conversation enables me to incorporate my client’s distinctive style, colors, and symbols. The resulting work of art is meant not only to be worn or displayed, but to promote protection, hope, courage, and joy.

As my work has progressed, so has my interest in how ancient cultures used art and how that might relate to the art coming through me and its place in our world today. My fabric collage paintings are descended from the ancient Persian and Oriental concept that art should be used as a cultural tool to remind us of the beneficial power of Harmony and Beauty—the Divine effects of the creation of art.

I also feel connected to other cross-cultural ritualistic art, especially the mysterious power of the meditative “Tonkas” of Tibet and bur¬mese”Kalagas” of the 19th century, not just because they are also elaborately appliquéd and embroidered hangings of the mythological significance but because, like my work, they are conscious attempts to produce work that is, as André Malraux wrote in the “The Metamorphosis of the Gods”, “Sacred art—art that imposed the presence of another world.”

The central panel of each of my Spiritual Couture garments is made of precious, carefully chosen silks and brocades, velvets and satins, and special ribbons, embellishments and trims. Each is reinforced by the beauty, the rarity, and the uniqueness of the combined variations to imbue each garment with vitality, affirmation and ceremonial intent.

The act of seeing these embroidered mythological gardens come to life is itself a potent form of visual meditation. It creates a condition that is regenerative of our sense of our own possibilities and divinity. When these garments are worn, we can become the essence of The Goddess, and remember our true beauty and power. We can become the deep mystery of ultimate spiritual experience where concepts and explanations are transcended.

My creations are in the collection of many notable women including Elizabeth Taylor, Patti LaBelle, Shirley MacLaine, Oprah, Goldie Hawn, and Martha Stewart and are sold through Bergdorf Goodman in NYC  and my website  www.TheEnchantedWorld.com.

PATTI LABELLE on Amy Zerner’s Spiritual Couture-

“All of Amy pieces are simply divine! None of my words can adequately describe their beauty and uniqueness! It’s as if they speak to your soul! They are definitely healing garments, every time I wear one it is an uplifting experience. Amy made me a special entrance coat to wear on stage and I must tell you…every time I wear it the audience goes wild! I keep my back to the audience for about 5 minutes so that they can get a chance to take it all in. I def feel like a queen when I wear it! Her pieces give me a better understanding of how richly ornamented and special Joseph’s coat of many colors (Genesis) had to be. They are all poetic works of art!”

View Amy’s Spiritual Couture Collection here:
http://www.theenchantedworld.com/productshowcase/productshowcase.php?Subpage_ID=0&Section_ID=12

My lower- priced denim jacket Art-to-Wear collection is created for the customer who wants to display their individuality and interest in fine craft and nature. They are great to wear everyday, or for special occasions. The “enchanted world” on each jacket is richly appliquéd, embroidered, and embellished with beads, trims, and magical details. See them here:

http://www.theenchantedworld.com/productshowcase/productshowcase.php?Subpage_ID=0&Section_ID=11&Subsection_ID=18

In my upcoming blogs I will write more about my artistic process. Thank you, Goddesses!

Visit Amy’s award winning website: www.theenchantedworld.com

Listen to the interview with Kala and Amy Zerner and Monte Farber on The Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show.

The show airs on August 7th, 2009.

More About Amy Zerner and Monte Farber:

Internationally known self-help author Monte Farber’s inspiring guidance and empathic insights impact everyone he encounters. Amy Zerner’s exquisite, one-of-a-kind spiritual couture creations and collaged fabric paintings exude her profound intuition and deep connection with archetypal stories and healing energies. For more than thirty years they’ve combined their deep love for each other with the work of inner exploration and self-discovery to build The Enchanted World of Amy Zerner and Monte Farber: popular books, card decks, and oracles that have helped millions answer questions, find deeper meaning, and follow their own spiritual paths.

Together they’ve made their love for each other a work of art and their art the work of their lives, with over two million books in print in fourteen languages. Their other best-selling titles include The Chakra Meditation Kit, The Tarot Discovery Kit, Karma Cards, The Enchanted Spellboard, Secrets of the Fortune Bell, Little Reminders: Love & Relationships, Little Reminders: The Law of Attraction, Goddess, Guide Me!, The Animal Powers Meditation Kit, Astrology Gems, True Love Tarot, The Instant Tarot Reader, The Psychic Circle, Wish Upon A Star, The Pathfinder Psychic Talking Board, The Truth Fairy, Spirit of the Ancestors Altar Kit, Vibe-Away!, The Mystic Messenger, The Breathe Easy Deck, The Healing Deck, and The Ghostwriter Automatic Writing Kit.  More info at: www.TheEnchantedWorld.com

Hello there. I’d love to tell you the story behind one of my favorite paintings called “Into the Mists”.  It is an oil painting on canvas about 14” x 18”.   I started the painting about a year before I finished it and in that time I let it sit for several months because I couldn’t figure out how to complete it. It began as a simple landscape.  I was driving in Maine right after sunset one evening and it was a particularly misty foggy night.  I drove past a lake where the mist was rising and the colors and the atmosphere was absolutely magical.  I was with my boyfriend who was used to me screaming out “pull over!!” anywhere we would be driving so that I could photograph for future paintings.  This was so awesome that he didn’t do the usual griping over having to wait for me to finish. He knew how special it was.

I began the painting some days later after we returned home.  I just couldn’t finish it.  So I let it sit.  It sat for almost a year until a friend was visiting and commented that I should have a moon in it.  At the time it didn’t.

I placed the moon but it still did not feel complete to me so I continued to let it sit.  One day as I was shuffling through some photos in my studio I came upon a series of shots I had taken of a friend at a nearby mystical location and realized that she would look great in that painting.  Voila!  As soon as I placed her there I knew that was the ideal solution to what was missing.

I hope you like it as much as I do. To see more  of my images visit my website at melissaharris.com.

More About Melissa Harris:
Melissa Harris holds an MFA and BFA in Painting and was awarded a Fulbright grant to study painting in Paris. CREATRIX is her company featuring her artwork and messages on notecards, prints, and other gift items. Her work can also be found on book, magazine and CD covers as well as calendars. Watch for her new affirmation deck called “Goddess on the Go” soon to be released. She teaches art-making workshops at spiritual centers throughout the US and at her home studio. Melissa finds her inspiration in nature, travel, personal relationships, and dreams. Series include butterflies, women and magic, women and nature, women and dreams, cycles of the moon, intimacy, and more. According to Melissa, “Whatever my subject matter is, I like it to have a certain edge whether compositional or emotional. I like to think that a key word for my work could be “depth”, depth of space and depth of emotion.” More info at: www.melissaharris.com

Listen to Melissa’s interview with Kala on The Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show here: http://exploreyourspirit.com/Media/shows3.shtml#CREATIX

Greetings. I love telling the stories behind my paintings. Some of them are more interesting than others but since they are all my “children” and they each have some history to them. For those of you just being introduced here I am an artist and a psychic empath. I have embodied each of these for as long as I remember. My parents fed me a steady supply of crayons and paper in order to keep me quiet. And I was hooked, And from as early as I can remember I had clairvoyant dreams as well as knowing what those around me were thinking. I just didn’t understand why other people didn’t see the same things as I did. Or “know” the same things I could instantly feel about people or situations. My painting became my “medicine” in that it was the place I could always go to to feel connected or grounded. Their was a lot of trauma that went on in my household growing up so I went as far away as I could and pulled out my art supplies to escape into my own world. It always worked and was the place that was comfortable and safe.

That’s just a bit of background info for you . Now I’d like to tell you about this painting I call “Magic Carpet”. It is a 9″ x 12″ watercolor that was purchased by a couple in the UK after seeing it on my website. By the way, I love seeing where my “children” end up and I like that this one flew over the ocean.

I’ve always loved the concept of magic carpets as a device that could take one far away into the fantasy of one’s own creation. In this way we are free to create the destination or leave it up to chance. I’m not sure which I like the best! Surprises are always fun.. In this image we see the couple ready to go off on their journey together, experiencing the magic of the unknown in a joint venture. In the first draft of the painting I had painted one of the figures with their arm pointing up to one of the stars. But I didn’t like the way it looked anatomically. It just wasn’t right for the painting. I had to paint it out which is very difficult to do with watercolors. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. Fortunately in this case it did. I included the cat because it was there to hold down the fort while they went off to play. I have 4 cats of my own and that is how I feel about them when I go off on my work trips. The shape of the earth below them is rounded to suggest that they may be leaving the planet. I used soft colors to create a feeling of levity in the mood of the piece.

By the time you read this Valentines Day will have passed but I hope it found you with the love that you want in your life and if not, the vision of the love that you would like to call in.

Until next month, Melissa

You can visit my website at www.melissaharris.com to see more of my art and to purchase prints, cards, candles and many other gift items.

More About Melissa Harris:
Melissa Harris holds an MFA and BFA in Painting and was awarded a Fulbright grant to study painting in Paris. CREATRIX is her company featuring her artwork and messages on notecards, prints, and other gift items. Her work can also be found on book, magazine and CD covers as well as calendars. Watch for her new affirmation deck called “Goddess on the Go” soon to be released. She teaches art-making workshops at spiritual centers throughout the US and at her home studio. Melissa finds her inspiration in nature, travel, personal relationships, and dreams. Series include butterflies, women and magic, women and nature, women and dreams, cycles of the moon, intimacy, and more. According to Melissa, “Whatever my subject matter is, I like it to have a certain edge whether compositional or emotional. I like to think that a key word for my work could be “depth”, depth of space and depth of emotion.” More info at: www.melissaharris.com

Listen to Melissa’s interview with Kala on The Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show here: http://exploreyourspirit.com/Media/shows3.shtml#CREATIX