Healing through Art
Art is many things…it is Creation, Exploration…it helps you connect with feelings and emotions, express Joy or Anguish, it Unites people when they see and feel themselves in someone else’s work…it Heals both the Artist and the Viewer.
Art can be drawing, painting, stamping, collage, music, poetry, song, wood carving, watercolors, making jewelry, pottery, photography, sculpting, making videos, graphic artistry, the way you express yourself through clothing, lifestyle…it is You expressing You.
I have expressed myself in many ways through the years…most of which was never photographed but with today’s technology, it makes it so easy to capture the memories. I used to do tole painting, airbrushing, made porcelain dolls, fabric dolls, needlepoint, cross-stitch, quilting, twilling, fabric baskets, jewelry, built a gypsy wagon (which I look forward to working on some more this summer!), and of course my stained glass.
Since my horseback fall in 2005, it has been almost impossible to do glass. I have managed a few pieces but cannot be upright long enough without major pain for days so I had to let it be. I have been working very hard to regain enough strength and pain control to be able to do glass again and I think I have finally discovered a way! YAY!
In 2015, I joined an Art project called Project Angel <3
Project Angel was created by Atara Schimmel. It is a group of women (we have a guy too!) that want to actively and openly raise awareness about Chronic Pelvic/Genital/Sexual Pain. We want to create and to inspire awareness through many different mediums including social media and all forms of creative and expressive arts. We seek healing, growth and expansion as individuals and as a community. We strive to support and to encourage each other on our journey towards healing and wholeness.
We decided to each choose one word a month and aim towards one piece a week. My first word was Grace. The first piece, Pain introduced me to Grace is so true! The lessons and growth that have come from these experiences have been priceless. We All have our challenges, they may suck at the time but it’s the darnedest thing how they shape and mold us into these Amazing sculptures, maybe a little cracked…but miraculous! LOL
Look, here’s the thing…I’ve been living with this for 17 years now, and was also diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) last year following a broken ankle, so I’ve developed some real coping skills and have a whole toolbox of things that help, Art being one of them. If you are using Art, Poetry, Song, Music, etc to express and heal yourself please share at http://Trees.LiveDreamBelieve.me
Why do this? Because people are suffering and Doctors are not being taught how to recognize some of these conditions which leads to years of excruciating pain, botched surgeries, further nerve damage, and disability…even suicide. People are fighting for their life every day behind their Smiles, let’s raise some awareness however we can <3
Here is the best description and anatomy lesson on Pudendal Neuralgia and Pudendal Nerve Entrapment that I have ever heard from a Doctor! https://youtu.be/yn4vBlB8TQg
I will be adding more images soon! More from Project Angel and other fun or healing pieces 🙂 If you haven’t let your inner artist out to play in awhile I highly encourage it! You don’t need any special supplies, use what you have. Many of mine are done with Bic pens LOL The point is just to express yourself and have FUN <3
Thoughts on Grace
I chose the word Grace because that is the only word I can use to explain why I am still alive. Before my pudendal surgery, there were so many times that I wanted to give up. I Begged for my death, day after day and yet it wouldn’t come. In those moments, when I thought I could not stand one more second of this life…Grace came over me and got me to the next one. She held me as I weeped and promised me there would be better days. In that moment of Grace, I knew I was never alone or abandoned.
Grace brought me to the surgeon I needed and watched over me while he worked. She has been there with me through the good and bad. In the good moments she shows up as overwhelming Joy in my heart to be alive to witness that moment and in the bad as Pure Unconditional Love and Comfort. She is the ray of light peaking through the clouds, the story teller of joys past and future, ever inspiring me to continue and push forward because I know she will Always be there to catch me if I fall.
“Just when I thought I could no longer go on…Grace wrapped around me like my Grandmothers quilt…”
Katherine Clement
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Pieces of PN by Katherine Clement
This series of photos are all morphed from the first, symbolizing how pain morphs us in a strange but beautiful way.
7 stones, 3 feathers.
Ready to Fly…
God Bless all my PN Sisters and everyone out there in pain of any kind, keep searching and stay open to possibilities in your life. Doing Art really DOES help distract from the pain. <3
If you want prints of the Angels by Atara Schimmel, please contact her directly at https://www.facebook.com/atara.schimmel
I had the Amazing experience of participating in the 2015 International Soul Art Day! It was a day that artists around the world connect as a whole and do art together. Obviously, we can’t all get together physically but we were connected! They did several hangouts throughout the day and had some guides to help you get the most out of your piece. We all started by choosing two body parts. One that was Challenging to us and one that we Loved (we Love all of ourselves but you know what I mean). Having had excruciating pelvic pain for the past 10 years, I chose my pelvis of course, and my Healing Hands. I will be honest, it was a challenging day for me. I had overdone it the day before and started out with little more than the urge to participate.
I put some music on and jumped into the flow. Next thing I knew I found a paper sack and a little while later remembered some fabric scraps I had. After digging through boxes to find them I spent hours connecting with the fabric, finding the right pieces to fit together. As I saw the Spirit Animals start to appear in the designs I knew I was on the right track!
What did I learn from participating? To Trust the Process! I had no supplies and no ideas but what emerged was a Beautiful Personal Healing tool. My Soul reminded me that sometimes we need a proxy when trying to heal ourselves, so now I have the Perfect one!
As Always, as We Heal Ourselves, We Heal the World <3
This is an annual event so I Highly recommend you participate next year! I will but I will have more supplies on hand! LOL
For more information on International Soul Art Day please visit https://www.facebook.com/soul.art.studio
Please visit the Soul Art Gallery and enjoy all of the Amazing pieces that were created that day! http://www.soulartday.com/2015-pages/menu-items/your-soul-art-journey/gallery/
I am Honored to say that my piece made it into the gallery too! http://www.soulartday.com/2015-pages/menu-items/your-soul-art-journey/gallery/?journey=59719
A Huge Thank you and HUG to Everyone that participated!!
Katherine Clement
Since I hadn’t been able to do glass for years I found other art forms that I could do from bed.
Prints below are available for $15. including shipping
For more information or if you would like a custom piece done, please email me at Katherine@LiveDreamBelieve.me and put GLASS in the subject line!
Thank you!
Thank you so very much! Many Blessings to you and your loved ones!