WAY BACK WHENSday ~July is Arachnoiditis Awareness Month ABOUT SQUARE TIME (2013) Time stands still as it passes us by parallel lives wondering why wait and watch get to know rehabilitation moves so slow sweating, shaking, holding time in trembling hands pages align unglued the muse falters and flashes adhesion brings ashes stifles the spark breathe glow struggle to know adjusting the pace wasn't a waste resigned, refined a new design today, tomorrow tainted with sorrow blessed by hope alive! ~slk- "As I assembled the work for A Round Now In A Square Time, I was forced to revisit the phases and stages of my own physical rehabilitation. The internet has the power to be an incredible rehabilitation tool for conditions which leave the patient isolated from society. Parallel lives meet in the support groups there. They share resources and frustrations. They grieve in empathy for the time that was and the now that is. Together they inspire enough hope for tomorrow because there is strength in numbers. The internet links us to the outside world while we virtually live within the confines of adhesive arachnoiditis. Until we adapt and find a way to live independently in real time we are forced to survive vicariously through and at the mercy of the people around us." ~slk [From notes about the exhibit (2013).] #arachnoiditisawareness arachnoiditisPreventionPost7.23.2023

"Resting Rhomboid" ~ Naked Wellness (Patrons saw this first, July 3, 2022.) Illness. Injury. Isolation. Impact. Intimacy. Illustrated. Our relationship to the landscape of our own bodies is too often tempered by judgment of a harsh inner critic followed by our assumptions about the inevitable criticism of others. Add structural damage and a dose of perfectionism to that equation and you become a person who refuses to own a single full length mirror. Systemic nerve damage has a multifaceted impact on movement and muscle memory. Other parts begin to compensate for the ones that are impaired. Gradually, those compensatory parts begin to suffer from added wear and stress. In a very chicken-or-egg-first kind of way, it can be quite difficult to decipher the actual origin of each new consequential injury. To put it simply... Things get really out of whack. Successful physical rehabilitation has no place for Hollywood-esque comparisons, deceptive blinders, hopeful illusions, or shame. The need to rehabilitate the landscape forces a closer look at what is working, what isn't, and what needs to be done to improve general operations and functionality. For fourteen years I have been adjusting to multiple modes and rotating cycles of pain management and physical therapy to address this broad and diverse assortment of seemingly random developments. There is an intimacy that evolves in taking the time to know the body this way. Taking the time to be still and lovingly ask my One-and-Only body, "What do you need right now?" is not a skill that is cultivated in our society. Occasionally, in the midst of maintenance and attention to these interconnected details, Grace steps in and allows me to see the beauty which resides in my scars and perfectly imperfect parts. Creating a new rewards tier about this intimate journey and its impact on my creative process, I was naively going to call it IntimateArt4U. Which, I was bluntly told, glaringly implies an entirely different sort of content. Though I feel called to share these reflections and what I've learned in the last fourteen years about the discipline it takes to nourish the inner landscape in this modern world; the raw nature of images born on this journey may NOT be something some of my patrons will actually want to see. Rest assured, other than the images in the introductory public post, you won't have to see them if you don't select the support level associated with this content. In this new Naked Wellness Tier you should know: Patron support at this level supports the Art For Arachnoiditis Project website, organic supplies and maintenance of the Creative Wellness Garden, and expenses for other charitable projects at my studio. This tier will contain adult content that can only be unlocked at this tier Benefits Patrons subscribed at this level will have exclusive access to one monthly post containing my original visual art (i.e. drawing/painting/photography/collage), and/or written work, research and resources, and any other content which supports this intimate level of the healing process, conceptual journey, and awakening that may be coming through that month. Access to all content posted at lesser payment tiers As always, the option to unsubscribe at any time Click "see all five levels" to choose this on the rewards page "While the motivation for stripping down to one's birthday suit can vary, the result holds true for all: the naked body is a celebration of what nature gave us (or how damn hard a woman worked to get what she has now), and nudity increasingly signifies strength more than vulnerability, choice rather than subjugation, a victory of female perspective over the male gaze." from How Posing Nude Became the Ultimate Celebrity Power Move by NATALIE FINN July 2017 [Embedded links and additional details are included in the original post here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/resting-rhomboid-68621403] RestingRhomboid2

Arachnoiditis is a preventable spinal cord injury caused by the neurotoxins in spinal injections and invasive spinal procedures. Prevention is the ONLY cure. In 2014, inspired by The Culture of Possibility: Art, Artists & the Future by Arlene Goldbard; I created the Art For Arachnoiditis Project to increase awareness and promote prevention while giving myself and other survivors the valuable connections, support, and creative opportunities we need. ART FOR ARACHNOIDITIS SURVIVORS Started as one-to-one Survivor Portrait Project in the Western NY Wilds of Allegany County, NY; the Art For Arachnoiditis project eventually became an international Creative Wellness Project serving survivors in 93 countries (WordPress Report 2015). Fiscally sponsored by the New York Foundation for the Arts, the project was most active from 2014 to 2018. ART FOR ARACHNOIDITIS AWARENESS At no cost to them, Arachnoiditis survivors from around the world were able to submit art entries for an annual exhibit to increase arachnoiditis awareness. Though we no longer have the resources to continue that aspect of the project, there is a great deal of free content and coping tools that will remain available to anyone who would like to use them. You can find headings for those topics when you scroll down to the bottom of the home page of the website I created for arachnoiditis survivors and their care providers. Via email, survivors are still invited to submit digital images of any artwork they have created which helps them cope with arachnoiditis. (Subject: Add my Art to A4A gallery.) As my schedule permits, these images are added to this online gallery of art by arachnoiditis survivors. Though it has been impractical for me to pursue additional legislative efforts in recent years, working with Senator Catherine Young during the project resulted in the NY Senate Resolution No. 5436 and No.3551 proclaiming July (2018 & 2016) to be Arachnoiditis Awareness month. At the time of my injury, arachnoiditis was unknown to the medical professionals and community attempting to assist with pain management, rehabilitation, and helping me to adapt to this new way of life. Some of the survivors included in the art for arachnoiditis project, Lori Verton, Dr Terri Lewis PhD, and well known community elder, Louise Carbonneau Vermeiren, created ACMCRN, a Collaborative Research Network in 2017 in order to bring light to this rare disease and a voice to those who suffer with it. ACMCRN leads the collaborative effort in bringing patients, caregivers, doctors and researchers together to work as one team in furthering research and education goals of the Arachnoiditis community. Their goal is "to employ the latest in Rare Disease data sharing/ research tools and the power of online community engagement to advance our understanding and treatments for Arachnoiditis & Chronic Meningitis." They have posted some ways to help participate in Arachnoiditis Awareness Month. More About the Art Shown in the above July awareness poster, "Honesty and Hope (a.k.a. No Pain, No Gain)" is a copyright protected 36" x 36" acrylic on stretched canvas, painting included in the digital display on jumbotrons in NYC during Art Takes Times Square via Artist Wanted/See|me. It is licensed for Gallery use at Pain Exhibit.org Featured in American News Report National Pain Report.September 2013 It is also featured as the Cover (with Essay p. 194) in Volume 28, Number 3, 2014 of The Journal of Pain & Palliative Care This last piece in the Facing Phases Series (2009-2012) is dedicated to fellow adhesive arachnoiditis patients and the support networks that keep them going. The project provided an affordable venue for Survivors to tell our story through Independent Publishing Services, display original healing art by Arachnoiditis Survivors, encourage healing through assorted Healing Art Activities, and creative practices used in ancient and modern art therapy applications, provide methods for arachnoiditis survivors to document survival and adaptation through the arts, establish a venue to publicize arachnoiditis awareness/prevention events using original art by Arachnoiditis Survivors, and (to the best of my ability) supply credible links to resources for survivors. The Art For Arachnoiditis Project continues to provide international Creative Wellness Services to arachnoiditis survivors, their families, and care providers. Find important embedded links and updates about the project in the July Arachnoiditis Awareness post on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/arachnoiditis-85416929 HnHprSlkJULYpost7.10.17

By request, I am reposting this archived Art for Arachnoidits Project publication from 2016 in the Coping Tools for Survivors category on my website for survivors. You can find it here: https://artforarachnoiditis.org/2023/05/21/how-to-trust-your-doctor/ OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

FOURTEEN Years... Coping Tools for Helpers and Survivors So much gratitude for where I am now and the supportive people who have been here for this journey! Fourteen years ago today, with inadequate information about the risks involved; I consented to spinal anesthesia for a "routine" knee arthroscopy to repair a torn meniscus, a minor injury that occurred while playing basketball with my students. Spinal adhesive arachnoiditis was the eventual result. In honor of the weight of all that I have learned & experienced and the New Paths I have discovered in the years since this preventable permanent injury; I am sharing this link to bits and pieces of my story that helped me define, "How to Help an Arachnoiditis Survivor" (from a 2015 post at the Art For Arachnoiditis Project website I created for fellow survivors.) https://www.patreon.com/posts/coping-tools-for-48484613 ...Some of these coping tools are likely useful for care providers and survivors of other injuries and chronic conditions, too. I hope these discoveries are helpful to others. As always, please consult your trusted practitioner prior to making any changes to your treatment plan. Image Credit: The above digital collage is from the "Arachnoiditis In Real Life" digital photo series of survivors that was displayed in the first public exhibit of the Art For Arachnoiditis project to promote awareness and prevention. You can browse that collection here. slkNewWay

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

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

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

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

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

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

WELCOME TO THE STUDIO APRIL 2018 https://youtu.be/eWqC54MBDDI OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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

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

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

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

"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

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

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

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