- Load More
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
In compliance with NY guidelines for safely re-opening during Covid-19 precautions, the details for Arts & Entertainment-Low Risk Indoor Activities determine the possibilities for winter activities from the studio. At this time, future public activities will be conducted in compliance with host site guidelines until the studio resumes regular open studio hours. Studio offerings and projects have been minimized as I continue to work as part-time support staff for a local essential business.
The most current projects and updates from the studio are posted on my patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/SheilaLynnKart NYSBizAffirmationScreenShot11.4.2020reopeningEdit
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
2020 SheilaLynnK Art Studio News and Updates with opportunities for local creators. https://mailchi.mp/sheilalynnkart/opportunities-for-local-creators-and-patrons?e=67321cf0ce 2020StudioNewsScreenShotB1.22.2020
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
The Sun In My Heart; An Arachnoiditis Survivor’s Ode to Spring
re-posting from Poetry by Survivors April 28, 2015 in honor of National Poetry Month.
(A Poem about coping with Chronic Pain Inspired by the warm morning sun and The Cat In The Hat by Dr. Seuss)
© Sheila L. Kalkbrenner
The sun, how it shown
It was too bright to stay
In the dark in the house
On this warm, warm, spring day
I sat there with wonder
On the deck, in the sun
And I said, "How I know
There is much to be done!"
The seeds did just sprout
And the debris from the fall
Still sits over the lawn
So, I wrote a new list
Found my yard shoes and all.
So, all I could do was to
Rake,
Dig,
And
Plant
And Oh! How I loved it!
Every little bit!
And When
Something went Buzz!
And I heard a loud Chirp!
I looked!
Then I saw them hovering about
The Bees!
And the Robins!
Spring! I had to shout!
And they chirped and buzzed
As I worked with the dirt in and out.
I know I’ll be tired
But the sun is so sunny
And I can have
Lots of good fun that is funny!
I know some new ways that I can rest
In Between
I know some new tricks
So it won’t be so mean.
A lot of new things
I can do just for me
My Body
Will not mind at all what I do.
But, that Voice said, “No! No!”
Make that urge go away!
Tell the Sun and the Seeds
You just cannot go to play.
You should stay down here.
You should NOT move about.
You must be still here
When your Body’s worn out!”
“Now! Now! Have no fear.
Have no fear!” said my Heart.
“These things are not bad,”
Said the Heart that is smart.
“Why, we can have
Lots of good fun, if we move,
With one step at a time
We will get in the groove!”
“Lay me down!” said the Pain.
“This is no fun at all!
Lay me down!” said the Pain.
“You do know I could fall!”
“Have no fear!” said my Heart.
“We will go slow, start small.
We will do little bits
And rest to keep tall
With our tools in one hand
And our mat on the ground
This work is not all we can do!
When the sun is around!
“This is great!
Moving right now!” said my heart.
“With my hat on my head
And my gloves in the dirt
I can plant these new seeds
I can work with my hands
And find edible weeds!
To be food on my dish
And know
I got up on my own, in the sun
Careful not to fall
But knew
That was not all….
Slow at first
Nothing worse
Pacing the time
It is fun in the sun
But you have to know how.
I can slowly get out
With the plants and the trees
I will rest in the grass
I will do as I please.
At the pace to enjoy
All the warm things around
And Look! With Good sense
I can breathe with the Pain
I can work or have fun
And it’s keeping me sane!
But that is not all.
Oh, no.
That is NOT all…
That is what my Heart said…
It’s not all in my head.
I get up. I get down.
From the Spring to the Fall
And Pain is NOT
The One Boss of it all!
And my heart can sing, too
With Bees and with Birds
I will know all the words.
I work, then I rest
I know when it is time
I will stop when I should
Shining is good!
Now look what I’ve done
I have found a new way
Inside or outside
I can choose every day!
I worked and listened
The pain, will always stay
But my heart’s here, too
It can come out to play.
It should not be stuck
When my body cannot
I am out of the house
And I like it a lot!!
And it likes to be here
My heart, likes it a lot.
The green and the sun
It really hits the spot.
“I will NOT hide away
When the pain makes me slow!
And so,” said my Heart in the Sun
So,
So,
So,
I will listen
And do this the way that we know!”
My Body gave out.
But then strong as an ox
The faith in my Heart
Said, “Get out of this box!”
“It’s a hard dark box.
It is shut with a hook.
But look at this trick,”
Said my Heart.
“You can look!”
There is a hole in the top
The sun shines through this part.
It gets you out of the dark box,”
Said my Heart.
“In this spot there are things
That will show you just how
To reach through these walls
But, you must want to now.
Love will pick up that hook
You will see something new.
Two things. And I call them
New World and New You.
These things will not bite you.
They want to have fun.
Then out of the box
I walked into the sun!
My breath it came so fast
It said, “What will you do?
Would you like to find hope
With New World and New You?”
My Body said I
Was not sure what to be BE
But I chose to find strength
In New World and New Me.
I looked at them hard.
And my heart said, “Go, Go!”
They will let you get out but, you must go slow!”
You need to be there
The old body it’s not
Take it slow. Let it show.
It’s the one that you’ve got.
“No fear of the pain,”
Said the love in my heart.
“Can stop these Two Things.”
And then slowly I sat.
“They are strong. Oh, so strong
They have come here to stay
They will give you much love
On the best and worst days.”
“See Them. Just There. Next to Old You?”
Said my Heart.
“They work for new life,”
Said the Sun in my Heart.
“Yes! The pace is slow
And your body is on the cot
But you should not stay
In the BOX! You should not!
Oh, the things you will miss!
Oh, and miss you they will!
You have got to try it!
You are ALIVE STILL.”
Then my Body said, “I
Cannot run down the hall.
I will try these new things
And get up when I fall.”
Bump! Thump! Thump! Bump!
My hands broke down the wall.
New Me and New World
They woke up! They sat down!
Like the string of a kite
It all floated around.
The light of the day
The warm blue, green, and gold
Lifted the lid of the box
And renewed what was old!
Then these things walked about
With deep breathes, and short steps
And with hope and small dreams
In search of New Tricks
And I said,
“This is NOT the Old Way that I played
My body may fight it
But, it’s moving today.”
Then my Heart said, “look! Look!”
And I knew something was near
“Your body is hurting now!
Do you hear?
Oh, What will you do with it?
How will you stay?
Up in this Life, like this
Will you hide it away?”
“You must decide fast!” said my heart.
“Do you hear!
It’s your Life. Your Moment.
Just getting shorter
While you waste it right here.
Think of something to do!
You will have to work hard
For New World and New You!”
So, taking a small step
I reached out for the rail
And I said, “With some help
I can get there I bet.
I bet if I ASK
I will find those things yet!”
Then, I held tight to the rail
Moved forward from the top
Pain, it came back. A rest.
These Two Things would not stop.
Then I said to the Pain,
“Now, I know you will stay
But, step to the side
These things can make a New Way!”
“Okay” said the Pain.
“I will stay by your side…
Oh, dear.
I can’t go
I can’t go
But you know
Your Two New Things opened
That dark box with the hook
And we both can get out
If we know how to work
Together, It’s good.” said the pain.
“We’ll do it your way, Yes.
But your body will hurt.
WE MIGHT MAKE A BIG MESS!
And it may be so big
And so deep and so tall,
We cannot pick it up
There may be no way at all!”
But, then!
Who was back for the day?
Why, my Heart!
“Have no fear of that mess,”
Said my brave little Heart.
“We’ve lived through this thing
And so…
There is always another
Good trick you should know.
Then, I felt it reflect
On the times I was down.
It remembered the pain
With cold snow swirling ‘round
And the shakes, and the grief
And the aches, and the burn
And the looks, and the wish
For some sleep, and the night
And it put them away
And it said, “Now it’s Time.”
And it showed the grace
And the joy in between.
Then my Body and Heart
Said to the Pain,
“Without any Fun?
Tell us. What does it mean?”
Tired of pain I did not know what to say.
Can I look for
The grace and the joy of each day?
With this Pain will I see it
Now, what will I do?
Well…
What would you do
IF your Body asked YOU?
~slk
© Sheila L. Kalkbrenner
Visit the original post here: https://artforarachnoiditis.org/2015/04/28/the-sun-in-my-heart-a-survivors-ode-to-spring/ #arachnoiditisawareness #artmatters #poetrymonth OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
This winter has been all about transitioning into creating more live offerings for local patrons. This month, I am getting ready to start a new adventure with an all new intense wellness experience.
Let’s get ready to rumble!
“A rumble is a discussion, conversation, or meeting defined by a commitment to lean into vulnerability, to stay curious and generous, to stick with the messy middle problem identification and solving, to break and circle back when necessary, to be fearless in owning our parts, and as psychologist Harriet Lerner teaches, to listen with the same passion with which we want to be heard….this is our cue to show up with an open heart and mind so we can serve the work and each other, not our egos.” ~ Brene Brown
This interactive session will guide participants through creative processes which facilitate the evolution of the life force energy needed to courageously and lovingly live a most authentic life. During this imaginative, empowering mixed-media practice we will have the opportunity to unlock and follow our own inspiration and give ourselves permission to receive the exceptional gifts waiting for our acceptance.
All creative supplies & materials will be included.
Light refreshments provided.
Limited seats available.
Not able to make it to this first session?
No worries! Mini workshops like this coming soon...
CreativeWellnessRumblePost4.2.19
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
Arachnoiditis Survivors registered at the Art For Arachnoiditis Project receive this Creative Wellness Independent Study Program at no cost.
https://artforarachnoiditis.org/2018/07/15/creative-wellness-program-for-survivors/ WellnessProgramCoversKalkbrenner72
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
Creating Drawings and Illustrations to Fund Charitable Art Projects and Creative Wellness Programs at SheilaLynnK Art Studio https://www.patreon.com/SheilaLynnKart PatreonCover4fb4drawingsATstudio7.18.18
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
WELCOME TO THE STUDIO APRIL 2018 https://youtu.be/eWqC54MBDDI OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
FOR WELLNESS SAKE ~ SPRINGING INTO SIMPLICITY
Beginning April 16th 2018, inspired by my own #ScreenFree Week Goals; I will be making the art and wellness that I want to make and spending less time writing, talking, and posting about it on social media. I am choosing to have faith in the Patreon platform.
My page at Patreon will continue to grow as the hub for all links, offers, and information about my work. You will still find the same free content for patrons and participants in charitable projects that you are used to seeing on my social media platforms but, instead you will find it at Patreon.
Online messages are monitored on Tuesdays and Thursdays via the contact page on my website. http://sheilalynnkart.com/contact.html
OBSERVING SCREEN FREE WEEK ~ I will be offline April 30th -May 6th.
Updates about: The Art For Arachnoiditis Project, SWAN Days Allegany County NY, BOFA, Wellness Circles, Wellness Garden Adventures, The Tree Project,Events, Classes & Workshops, New projects, and THE ART will be in my studio, on my website, and at Patreon.
It is FREE to follow along. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS DECISION: https://www.patreon.com/posts/for-wellness-18038381 ScreenFreeChanges2018
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
Elusive Bloggy Moments of Clarity on: Video, Things, Brambles, and Resilience. http://sheilalynnkart.blogspot.com/2018/03/elusive-bloggy-moments-of-clarity-on.html QwertyShiftEZprintSLK
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
Tell an artist how much you value her Creative Work.
Send a Custom Greeting of appreciation to a Woman Artist.
DEADLINE: March 25th
Cost $4 ea. (Includes postage and NYS sales tax)
Via USPS she will receive this supportive message and ONE complimentary entry ($2 value) for a chance to win the Creative Wellness Theme Basket promoting our local resources. (Value has exceeded $100. Total value to be calculated after March 15th.)
Custom greetings to be sent from the studio by the end of March.
Creative Wellness Theme Basket Winner TBA April 9th. SWAN-o-Gram Custom Greetings are an official Fundraising Project of SWAN Days Allegany County, NY. https://www.patreon.com/posts/swan-o-gram-17263985
SWANoGramsSAMPLE2.27.18
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
How do you get creative in your pursuit of wellness? Tell us about it for a chance to win prizes. Prizes include art by Arachnoiditis Survivors and ONE winner will receive an Ostrich Cot like the one used for Reasonable Accommodations here at the studio. ENTRY DEADLINE: April 15th. https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-for-entries-17244248 CWWessayContestPrizeCover2.27.18
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
"Creative Wellness Works" First Exhibit of 2018
Exploring Natural Feminine Energy for Creative Wellness & Intentional Unity, Visions for a Well Future, Moving Meditation, Reasonable Accommodations, Balance, Physical Rehabilitation; these works include portraits, illustrations, paintings, coloring pages, and mixed-media art which address a variety of diverse issues confronted on a personal path to Independent Sustainable Wellness. Healing is happening. Find out more at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/first-show-2018-16257993 CWWeventPosterCollage1.5.18
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
Wishing all of you peace, patience, strength, WARMTH, and many joyful moments with the people who love and appreciate all of the wonderful things about you! (and all your other stuff, too). [BTW~When I opened my WU account today there were 132 notifications and 40-something messages. I am only online twice a week and simply cannot keep up with all of the mail from team WU. It's too much. If you are trying to reach me about a specific topic and I have missed your message in the midst of all of the seasonal sales announcements and offers jamming up my inbox; the best way to do so is through the contact page on my website. I am currently in no position to purchase ANYTHING. So, please use this message center for specific Q&A-types of correspondence or in reference to collaborative projects, etc. and not as a general sales pitch or spam message. Thank you for your consideration. ] ~Blessings to everyone on this Crazy Train! http://sheilalynnkart.com/contact.html CrazyTrainONcanvasSLK
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
Many thanks to all who participated in our Creative Wellness Circle under the New Moon in Libra. We are doing important Wellness work. This month we worked on clarifying our own definitions of masculine and feminine energy and finding balance and harmony between them within ourselves. "As within, so without"
Sometimes it feels like we are trying to balance the weight of the world. We use our masculine energy to create the container that nurtures, supports and protects our feminine power. Within this safe place, together we thrive in Wellness. Finding balance between the masculine and feminine energies within promotes balance without. These energies naturally exist in a perpetual ebb and flow organic to our individual life experiences. READ MORE ABOUT THIS in The Creative Wellness Circle Newsletter http://us11.campaign-archive.com/?u=fca23c0aae036821aaad16d15&id=7c5f2e059c NewsCollageNOV2017
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
Making room for more Art and Wellness: Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, people and animals are preparing for the winter months ahead. During the waning moon, it seems like a good time to make room for the things I need most in the challenging months ahead.
This Waning Moon Monday Challenge: every day, for the next seven days, I am going to remove nine things which no longer serve me. From Top to Bottom...evacuation of the big, small, emotional, physical, habits, perishable items, etc.…All of the Things that must go to make room for my intentions for Winter Wellness. What do you need to move out to make room for Wellness? Share as much or as little as you like. I will be posting my daily nine here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/making-room-for-14785455 CCI10122016-2waningMoonSLK
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
PROGRAM COST: $35 The Creative Wellness Program is Ready! This detailed video gives in depth information about what is included in the program.
The pdf containing the ENTIRE FIVE MODULES OF CONTENT OF THE CREATIVE WELLNESS PROGRAM will be posted in my Patreon Activity Feed. When you subscribe at $35 ; upon confirmation of payment you will be able to unlock this content in the activity feed. (You will also immediately get access to unlock all of the prior Patron-Only Rewards accessible at the lesser subscription levels at this time.) Unsubscribe anytime.
If you provide your mailing address at this time, a complimentary I Stand For Love 2018 Calendar with 365 days of Creative Inspiration from Sarah Love, will be mailed to you. (In the continental United States.)
SHARING THE WELLNESS
When you SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE your Creative Wellness Program Content, not only are you getting quality content to assist you in your own Transformation to Wellness; you are also providing that same content to an eligible Spinal Arachnoiditis Survivor . https://www.patreon.com/posts/creative-program-14561491 programpromoCollage9.26.17
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
It's officical~ The Creative Wellness Garden at SheilaLynnK Art Studio is now an "Officially Certified" and registered Wildlife Habitat in the National Wildlife Federation's Network of Habitats. NWFcertificateSLK9.16.17
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
Introducing my Fall 2017 Creative Wellness Program
Exploring the Nature of Now; this year we will work through weekly activities to learn more about implementing these
Five Keys to Sustainable Independent Wellness.
Shelter
Joy
Adaptability
Autonomy
Sustenance
Later this month, enrollment announcements and relevant links TBA here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/2017-creative-14289751 DSC09029TXslk9.8.17
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
Just got back from a very UNPLUGGED-for-Six-Days vacation in the Catskill Mountains with no internet and no cell phone service. I am getting caught up on email and messages as quickly as I can. If you haven't heard back from me about an urgent matter, please be sure to send a NEW private message so that it will get bumped up in my mailing lists. DSC08662
Sheila L. Kalkbrenner posted an update
"DNR #CancerSucks"
August 2017~ (12" x 12" Acrylic on Stretched Canvas) will be on display during the Belfast Organization for Artists Annual Art Show at the Belfast Public Library in Belfast NY.
My FREE Quarterly Newsletter tells more about upcoming studio events and my work that will be out and about in the world in August. http://mailchi.mp/sheilalynnkart/sheilalynnk-art-studio-quarterly-news?e=67321cf0ce OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA