Broken Wings: ArtPrize Ten

Me and that first ArtPrize now years ago? Let’s just say that when I began ArtPrize, I traveled a very steep learning curve. I didn’t know how to use a computer. I couldn’t remember ever attending a formal speech class. And I had very little training in writing. And all of these skills are essential to be successful as an artist. And then there was this little problem: I hadn’t painted in almost two decades.

But here are some of the strengths that I did have: Life experience. Perhaps age is a limiting factor with athletes. But for an artist, age deepens creativity and adds a fullness that continues to intensify with age. I also have heart. I’m willing to work hard and learn new things. And I can be persistent, which for artists is a must. So, these qualities combined with unwillingness to quit spells: She’s on the right track.

But even having these strengths don’t guarantee success. So, what is the secret behind the work? Why do thousands of visitors keep coming back, year after year, to experience it? Well, the answer is quite simple.

Each of my art installations have this huge army of friends praying for the work and for the ArtPrize visitors. Simply put, that’s what empowers my healing art. That’s why people connect with it. No other reason. Period.

Broken Wings
Grand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl Street NW (west of the river)
September 19 to October 7, 2018
Vote #66688

In light of the recent tragic school shootings across America, find out how you can create positive change from national bullying specialist Jeff Veley.

Share your story #BrokenWings

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Broken Wings: Collaborating with Marijo

The creative journey brings wonderful surprises as I meet other creative soul mates along the way. When some of these relationships turn into collaborative partnerships, I am especially excited. So, may I introduce my very special friend, Marijo Heemstra?

Marijo has worked behind the scenes on our healing work with Broken Wings, Let Go, Color Me Orange—Color Me Kind, and the recent expansion of The Scarlet Cord. Marijo makes the journey fun plus she’s downright talented! After I once spent 15 minutes trying to create a wave shape for Color Me Orange—Color Me Kind, Marijo just snipped a few cuts and within seconds created the perfect wave shape. I bring the creative concepts to the table, and she often expands the creativity. We make a great creative team.

Moonlight Graphics: Helping Better Our World Through Art

A special thank you to Moonlight Graphics for printing all the promotional materials for Broken Wings. We deeply appreciate the generosity of Paul Block and his team.

Bridge Street Electric: Shining a Light On Hope

A special thank you to Bridge Street Electric for creating custom fixtures and donating a large part of the lighting for Broken Wings. It was a pleasure to work with the owners, Jim and Deb Dagley, and their staff at Bridge Street Electric.

Broken Wings
Grand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl Street NW (west of the river)
September 19 to October 7, 2018
Vote #66688

In light of the recent tragic school shootings across America, find out how you can create positive change from national bullying specialist Jeff Veley.

Share your story #BrokenWings

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Broken Wings: Unity Through Adversity

Today we remember the heroes of 9/11. Men and women who put their lives on the line for others. Like the firemen who tried to save lives or the Catholic priest who died while praying for and helping others at Ground Zero. This event was a time when our country pulled together. A time when we helped each other.

But today, America is going through a different struggle. A struggle where divisions are growing deeper and wider. Broken Wings is about coming together, like the Monarch Butterflies clustering on the trees to survive, to overcome our differences and recapture the spirit of unity and love.

What is one thing you can do to impact another and foster inclusion? Share your story #BrokenWings

To learn more, visit watercolorbypamela.com…

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Ten Years of ArtPrize: Thanks for Being Part of it

After interacting with ten of thousands of visitors, I’ve actually survived ten years as an ArtPrize artist, earned all ten t-shirts, and watched special answers to prayers unfold. But for me, every year prompted the same questions and same learning curve all over again—which required an enormous amount of faith and perseverance.

Interestingly, even after ten years of ArtPrize experience, these questions still haunt me: Will I be able to pay for my big ideas? Will I be able to secure the right venue? Will my work continue to communicate hope and healing?

The artistic struggle is always ongoing, but in the midst of the challenges, I have experienced divine favor every single time! Donors, the perfect venue, friends and volunteers—all arrived as special gifts—year after year! And for EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU, I give thanks!

How have some surprising resources enabled you to accomplish more than you ever thought possible? Share your story #ColorMeKind

To learn more, visit watercolorbypamela.com…

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Join Our Team for ArtPrize Ten!

Butterfly paintings

Who We Are

We create spaces where visitors feel personally cared for and validated. Our healing work has touched thousands of ArtPrize visitors—one person at a time (ArtPrize is a huge art event held in Grand Rapids, Michigan). Last year, 70,000 ArtPrize visitors participated with our soul healing artwork by writing Let Go notes.

Your Healing Stories

An ArtPrize visitor wrote: “I will be clean from crack cocaine sixteen years. Finally letting go!”

A mom wrote: “I want my son back. I feel like watching his internal battle is slowly killing me. I’m now choosing to let go of my lack of control. I need to take this step for my own emotional healing.”

A third grader wrote: “I am letting go of perfection because I want to be myself—the self that is not perfect!”

A son wrote: “Dad, you’re supposed to protect me from people like you. All I ever wanted was your love and approval. My heart longs for a real father.”

Our Next Challenge

This year’s interactive work will address bullying and school shootings by starting a Butterfly Effect—where one positive action impacts another positive action—to help better our world.

Make a Difference

We would love for you to be part of this journey. Since our art is very much collaborative and interactive, we would like to invite you to be part of our team for ArtPrize…and beyond. We would be so grateful for your help. Come join our team! Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Summer’s a Comin’!

Artist brushes

It’s that time of year again. Time to power down for summer. It’s been a busy year!

I may check in a time or two here with brief updates on expanding The Scarlet Cord: Healing and Freedom for Sex-trafficked Children and other works. Exciting times—with my sex-trafficking work increasing.

Watch for my regular posts starting again mid-August as we ramp up for ArtPrize Ten. Yes, this will be my tenth year participating. I’m pleased to announce that my ArtPrize Ten work will be hosted by the Grand Rapids Public Museum. I can’t wait to unveil my Broken Wings collection and invite the ArtPrize audience to participate again.

Enjoy your summer!

Let Go and Refocus

My dad on hand written Let Go note

Mental illness is rarely discussed. Yet a couple of different Let Go submissions dealt with this seemingly taboo topic. Art invites honesty. Within the context of art, we can say things that may not be as acceptable in another arena.

I’m so thankful for the honesty of the participants at the Let Go installation. They have inspired the rest of us to persevere through the difficulties we all encounter. Tell us your story at #LetGo. We would love to hear from you.

Mental illness is a horribly debilitating thing. But I’m letting go of my focus on the disease, and I’m refocusing on my journey towards wellness.
Signed, Camilla

Note: One hundred twenty-six participants pre-submitted Let Go letters and sentences to be collaged into the painting. The names and some details have been changed to protect identities.