Categories
Art

Reign Fancy

Fancy

Fancy is such an interesting word. In my mind when I hear the word fancy I think dressed up, but fancy means a lot more than just how nice something looks.

Fancy is defined as: elaborate in structure or decoration, also created from the imagination rather than from life. It comes from the word Fantasy, which comes from Greek phantasia â€˜imagination, appearance’, later ‘phantom’, from phantazein â€˜make visible’. 

When you are fancy, you decorate or rather make with your imagination. To be fancy is to make your imagination visible.

Reign

Reign is the quality of prevailing and overcoming opposing forces, to live with sovereignty which is a state of self governing.

Reign Fancy was painted using my imagination. Imagination is the action of forming new ideas, or images or concepts of external objects not present to the senses.

Intuitive Painting

Bringing my imagination to life through the use of my intuition, I created this painting without knowing exactly what it was going to be.

I first began with a lotus flower shape, and slowly added layers of colors while flipping the canvas different directions. Slowly I started to see a woman figure from the flower and realized it was an indigenous fancy dancer.

  • Fancy
  • Fancy

Fancy Dancing

When I was young we would go to powwows and I would dance the fancy dance category. Fancy dance, or shawl dance was first a men’s dance but after a while women adapted it. The women’s fancy shawl dance represents the opening of a cocoon when the butterfly emerges. The shawl is usually the most extravagant piece. The fringed shawls are colorful and flashy, often featuring embroidery or ribbon work. The fringe on the shawl have movement that coincides with the dancer.

The fancy dancers shawl represents the wings of the butterfly. The butterfly is a metaphor for transformation and hope; across cultures, it is a symbol for rebirth and resurrection, for the triumph of the spirit and the soul over the physical prison, the material world. Among the ancients, is an emblem of the soul and of unconscious attraction towards light.

When I dance I imagine that I am swirling energy up into the ether vibrating peace, love, unity, harmony, balance and bliss. I feel supported by the energy of those who came before me, the energy of lives lived on this land. The rituals of everyday life, charging the land with intention.

When I dance I feel uplifted by the energies around me, and it feels like a new dawn.

Spirit Name, Raining in the Dawn woman

At age 11 my parents sent my sister and I to North Dakota. While out there we receive our Spirit names from our tribes medicine woman in a naming ceremony. As my name was being presented to me, our giiwa had to take a moment to explain that it was unusual for our Ojibwe Spirit names to be the same as our Christian names. She said that Creator told my mother to name me Raine Dawn because that was who I am. My Ojibwe name is Raining in the Dawn woman. When I think of what Raining in the Dawn means about who I am… there is no shortage of synchronicities, it is who I am.

As this painting emerged I felt the true meaning of raining in the dawn… rising above into a new dawn. Dawn is the beginning of a phenomenon or period of time, especially one considered favorable. Dawn is to come into existence.

When I think of raining I think of the purification rain brings. I think of the ions in the atmosphere and how they change before and after a storm. How they rebalance themselves to bring back equilibrium.

The title evolved through all of this as the painting unfolded. I decided to use the word reign over rain because I’ve always had the inclination to think of the word reign just as much as rain. Being able to prevail in any situation, to have a growth mindset, is one of the most important things in my life.

Lets all reign in the dawn of our own lives.

If you’re interested in purchasing a print of this painting you can go to my Etsy Account here.

Categories
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Art

Art Speaks – Dream House Uganda

Dream House Uganda

Dream House Uganda, founded in 2012, is a non-profit organization working directly with marginalized people such as girls and women, the elderly, street children and the disabled regardless of age, religion, ethnicity, gender and tribe streamlining programs that empowers, engages and supports them to transformative lives.

Dream

Dream House is in eastern Uganda in Mbale. Mbale has an estimated population of over 80,00 people. Over 40,000 of these people live in the Namatala slums, and over 60% of these residents are young people between the age of 4 and 30 years. Most people have settled here because of the civic unrests, drought, and natural disasters like floods and landslides, in search for a better life.

However, due to the dire poverty situation of the people living in Namatala slums, many young people are also facing challenges like; limited access to education, food and clean water, teenage pregnancies, and unemployment among others issues leading to increased drug abuse and crime rates in the communities.

As the future of their nation rests in the hands of the young people, the founders of Dream House Uganda believe that creative arts are a vital component of nourishing, educating and raising awareness of how the Sustainable Development Goals can help them create the life they desire.

Art Speaks

John Paul is the creative facilitator, assistant director and founding member of Dream House Uganda. Recently he facilitated a wonderful art event called Art Speaks, a platform where children, young people, developing and professional artists come together to share knowledge, and life stories.

Art Speaks asked participants to come up with solutions that address socio-issues, and to take ownership of their implementation. Participants came up with innovative ways to lend their voices to ensure that the entire community is knowledgeable about the significance of the 17 SDG’s such as gender equality, clean water and sanitation, and climate action among others.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

The word art incorporates diverse art forms such as painting, music, dance, sculpture drawing, poetry, photography, and fashion. These help young people to express their emotions and imagination.

John Paul Ojirot

Collaborating

Creative Balance Institute was able to collaborate with Dream House Uganda for their first annual Art Speaks event in December 2022. We collected over $500 USD. which is approximately 1,820,590 Ugandan Shillings. The funds were used to purchase all of the art supplies for the Art Speaks event. Thank you to everyone who donated! You made this event possible.

The event was a great success! There were many in attendance and wonderful performances and teachings shared with all. There was music, dancing, making art and painting murals!

Dancing and Music

Teaching about Community

The art projects were not just drawings, but also educating and engaging. The community created words like sharing, togetherness, and peace. It also involved a session where participants could explain what these words are and how beneficial they could be if they were practiced their daily lives. The participants were divided into groups and went on to draw these words around the community. They aimed to project beauty and messages of sharing, togetherness, and peace around the community

Community Murals

Future Plans

John shared that they want to start an art hub where young artists share resources, serve the community, earn skills, make and sell their art work and also use the space to connect local and international artists.

They are also hoping to have a boot camp 4 weeks before the next annual art speaks event day. Its aimed at training developing artists in the development of their artist approach, entrepreneurial and professional skills.

Categories
Art Southern York

CULTURE ON THE LINE

Back in August I completed an artist questionnaire to be featured on Culture on the Line’s Creative Five series. I discussed how life is my medium. Art is the journey of life. The expression of self. I really enjoy expressing myself through paint, photography, henna, writing, dancing and singing… among so much more. I share my top 10 favorite books, and new ways of thinking.

Culture on the Line

An online site that brings light to local artists, and culture.

South Central Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland are separated by the Mason-Dixon Line, and this location and its settlers have had a historical impact on the arts and culture of its communities. The county lines seem to bring along their own subtle differences as well. Culture On The Line aims to share & document the area’s cultural highlights.

It is part of the Visual Realia, LLC – family, which includes the Visual Realia website featuring the art of Andrew Smith, and the Hanover-Adams-York On The Line Facebook page.

Culture
Credit to Andrew Smith, Culture On The Line. Works by Kest, Valentine, and Tompkins are part of the Hanover Area Arts Guild’s September 2022 exhibit.

Change of Perspective

I was also apart of an exhibit at the Hanover Art Guild, where artists share their unique diverse voices through their artwork. This was a beautiful example of diversity, equity and inclusion.

You can see the artists work here.

Community Asset

The founder of Visual Realia, LLC, Andrew Smith, is a true asset to the artist community here in Southern York Pennsylvania. He created the amazing online platform Culture on the Line, and facilitates so many amazing projects. I am so honored to know him and to be apart of this community!

Andrew and Deb Smith on the left.
Categories
Astrological Insights Art Spirituality

Birth Chart Astrology Painting

I have been painting birth chart’s for people for the past two years and it has been such an honor and privilege! When people connect with their painting so deeply, it is such a beautiful feeling. Knowing that my art allows others to connect with who they are at a deep level, is the greatest reward.

Here are the paintings I have created so far!

The Process

So to being the process I use the birth date, time and place of the individual to generate an astrology reading of their time of birth. This is known as the birth chart or natal chart.

Then I read the aspects of the chart which includes the planets, houses, and constellations. Generating an over all view of the energy of the person. From here I begin the intuitive painting process.

Painting

Intuitive painting is a process in which I get into a mindful state of being, and allow the paint and tools to lay the ground work for the energy I am focusing on. When I read a persons energy through astrology I often receive visuals that I incorporate into the work. The constellations and the symbols of the zodiac signs are also included into the work.

Birth Chart paintings are $250.
*they will increase to $300 in 2023.

Order Today,

More information will be sent to secure order.

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Categories
Art Existence

Canvas Rebel, Voyage Baltimore Interviews

Before Canvas Rebel, in 2021, I was interviewed by Voyage Baltimore,

Canvas Rebel

Hi Raine, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I grew up in the suburbs of Baltimore, with my mom, dad and two sisters. My mother is Turtle Mountain Chippewa, and attended boarding school from the time she was 6 until she graduated. As a result she learned very little about our ancestral teachings. So I grew up in typical American culture in the 1980s. I got where I am today because of those who came before me. I am Turtle Mountain Chippewa and German Irish. My ancestors survived many things, and it is because of their resilience and love that I am able to be who I am today.

It all started when I was a little girl, watching Bob Ross paint happy trees and mountains. I remember setting my paper up like a canvas on an easel, mixing colors, and tapping the brush on the paper along with him. I always loved to create. I remember during the holidays I would use construction paper to create real-life scenes of fireplaces and Christmas trees with presents under them on the walls in my room. I would doodle on pages of paper and fill each space in with a different design. Or build little towns with scrap blocks of wood in the yard. Creating has always been my favorite pastime.

Canvas Rebel Interview

In October I received an email from a project off shoot of Voyage Baltimore and was interviewed by Canvas Rebel online magazine

Here are few highlights from the interview!

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

My goal and mission is to help people to remember we are all connected, through the use of our imaginations and sharing our stories. My goal as an artist is to create art that expresses my story, which is to share with the world my experiences and how I interpret my connection to all around me. My mission is to use my art and passion for creative living to inspire others to share their stories through creative expression. Filling the world with humans who have self-awareness through a connection with themselves and the world around them helps us remember we are all connected. I often ask myself what happens when we all remember we are all connected? Simply asking the question leaves a person with the realization that we must respect each person’s part in this dance of life. Living life in harmony, with gratitude.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding thing for me as a creative is sharing my intuitive gifts. I tap into energy, to create one-of-a-kind art for each individual person. Intuitive henna readings, and birth chart paintings are a few ways I share this gift.

Intuitive Henna readings are when I spend time meditating with a person’s energy and see their energy through visuals and feelings. I use those images and the feelings of the flow of the energy to create their unique design at that moment. The design is created as a temporary tattoo which lasts anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks. When I am creating the design, I share with each person the feeling of the energy and how it relates to them. Every time I do a reading the client is surprised by the images I create, and the feeling I share with them. Being able to share my gifts with someone through art, and allow them to connect with art and themselves, is such a rewarding experience.

I love to be able to sit with another person and share my creative gifts to help them know themselves better. This is the most rewarding and the reason I started doing intuitive birth chart paintings for clients. I read the energy of their birth chart and create a piece of art that helps them see themselves better. Sharing the reading with each client helps them to know more of who they have come to this earth to be. The mission is to remember we are all connected, and I do this by helping others see themselves through art.

What does it mean to be a Canvas Rebel?

To me a canvas represents a blank slate to create new works of art. Its a new beginning and a perfect place to build a reality that I desire.

As for the word rebel, it is one who resist authority, control, or convention.

When I paint I am totally a rebel… on canvas. Resisting conventions or ideas that painting has to be one specific way.

<3

Categories
Art Art Class Education

TAB Camp Mid-Atlantic 2022

WHAT IS TAB?

TAB stands for Teaching Artistic Behaviors, which is a teaching method for Art Education.

TAB

Choice-Based Art Education is student centered and based around teaching through the use of the Studio Habits of Mind.

The Studio Habits of Mind are ways in which we process our experiences, here is a great project example. They are very similar to the Scientific Method, or the Mathematical Practices.

TAB CAMP

Teachers in the Mid-Atlantic area came together the first weekend in August for a retreat, to reignite the flame before school begins. When Pam Ehrenreich asked if I knew of a place to host a retreat for teachers in our area I was THRILLED to offer my studio space.

TASK Party

When everyone arrived we started the weekend with appetizers and a TASK party! It was a nice way to get into the weekend… start to make art and open ourselves up new ideas.

Silk Screening TAB SHIRTS

Tracy Skeels shared her method of silk screening. We created stencils from paper and worked together to print our designs.

We shared different projects and resources with each other, creating examples for our students. Julie Dimino shared all of her amazing resources with us!

There were presentations on Cold Finishes on Clay, Gelli Printing, Weaving, and Cyanotypes. Each presentation was so insightful and inspiring.

Cold Finishes for Fired Clay

Jen Byrne shared a few awesome tips for cold finishing clay! Mixing metallic acrylic paint with water in buckets for a quick dip in the shimmer bath!

Gelli Printing

Tracy Skeels presented on gelli printing, and we were able to explore and create to our hearts content.

Cyanotype

Kate Heuston presented on cyanotype, and her experimentation with the process as an artist. We tried new techniques like drawing on acetate, and using transparencies to create different layers of prints.

Weaving

April Pink presented weaving, and we learned quick and easy ways for our students to be able to weave on cardboard looms.

We also shared the many resource for how we structure our classrooms. The reflection and discussion time were super valuable.

Aside from all the learning, it was great to meet like minded individuals and also have time to create art of our own.

Painting Flow and Glow Party

On Saturday evening we had an intuitive painting party. Each teacher created their own work of art, and then we discussed how we could use this in our classrooms.

The weekend was so amazing. 10 art educators coming together to share and create!

If you missed out on this years, keep an eye out for next! It will be the first weekend in August 2023.

Categories
Education Art

Connected Arts Network 2022

In March I applied for a Connected Arts Network (CAN) Teacher Leader position, and was accepted into the program. I will be part of a virtual, nationwide Professional Learning Community (PLC). Over the course of five years, I will learn and collaborate with other visual arts educators, gaining resources to positively impact your students.

Arts educators are expected to increase their self-efficacy in and use of practices that incorporate equity, diversity, and inclusion; social-emotional learning; and leadership in their standards-based arts instruction. For students, this will lead to improvement in their expression of their identities, cultural backgrounds, and beliefs; understanding of their peers’ artworks and processes; and knowledge of the societal, historical, and cultural context of artworks.

Connected Arts Networks

What is CAN?

CAN stands for Connected Arts Network.

The National Art Education Association (NAEA), in partnership with the Educational Theater Association (EdTA), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) is launching Connected Arts Networks (CAN), a five-year grant initiative to create nationwide virtual Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) with educators in visual arts, music, theater, dance and media arts. The overarching vision for CAN is to build a sustainable model of professional learning for arts educators to strengthen their pedagogy, instruction and leadership skills in order to better serve students. This project is modeled after the successful structure of the PLC program in New York City, initiated by the Office of Arts and Special Projects (OASP), another partnering organization.

https://www.arteducators.org/news/articles/839-connected-arts-networks

As a Teacher Leader I will receive specialized virtual training to build my capacity to address Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion and Social-Emotional Learning within arts education. After year two, I will facilitate my own virtual PLC of arts educators of my same art discipline and student grade levels.

I am very excited about this opportunity and feel this is the beginning to something big.

Overall goals of the project

  • To develop highly effective arts educators, building their capacity to address ED&I and SEL in their standards-based arts instruction through sustained, intensive, and job-embedded blended professional learning.
  • To develop a local and national cadre of Teacher Leaders in the arts by building their content knowledge and leadership skills in order to expand the impact of arts learning for students and their communities.
  • To develop accessible arts-based instructional materials, strategies, and toolkits to disseminate to arts educators nationwide, including synchronous and asynchronous professional development programs and digital resources.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

  • Diversity is where everyone is invited to the art studio
  • Inclusion means that everyone gets to contribute to the artwork
  • Equity means that everyone has the opportunity to explore

These there aspects of the human journey are great to consider when collaborating and co-creating. To me they are no brainers, to create a world we all desire… we must encourage all people to find their self expression and support their journey to that the best way we can. For the Connected Arts Network teachers, we will be supporting through resources, workshops and sharing our stories.

Social Emotional Learning

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process of developing the self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and life success.

Creativity is the number one way to assist in developing self-awareness and self-actualization. Interpersonal skills are developed through creative expression as well. When a person shares their stories with another, they are learning about themselves through a new perspective while teaching the other person something new as well.

We are all Connected

I am so excited to be apart of the Connected Arts Network, and to be able to have a platform to share my stories, ideas and experiences so that others might come to a place where they feel safe to fully express themselves.

So far we have had one meeting with each arts network: Visual Arts, Music, Dance and Theater. It was so inspiring to be with such amazing art educators!

Categories
Art Indigenous Knowledge

Channeling Indigenous Teachings

Channeling: to be inspired by, (of a person) serve as a medium for (a spirit).

It comes from the Latin root word for reed. A reed was used as a channel, to allow things to flow from one place to another.

When I start painting, I tap into a flow of energy that is coming from one place and being directed into the canvas. I use many techniques to allow this energy to flow out … such as dripping paint, spraying it with a spray bottle, scraping with a card, moving it with my fingers across the canvas, turning the canvas… tapping into the energy and allowing it to flow from my hands onto the canvas.

Channel Flow

I am the channel for the flow of energy that is around me.

Recently my ancestors have been coming through heavily. The paintings showing up are based on the connection to my Anishinaabe heritage.

This image represents the Seven Generation Prophecy, along with transmuting the energy of the children lost at the residential boarding schools, and balancing the feminine and masculine energies within each of us.