Let Go: Forgiveness

Behind the Artwork

Several people have attested to the healing they experienced as they wrote their Let Go statements at ArtPrize. We challenged the audience to write a note and then to release the crumpled paper. As their notes symbolically became one with the painting—mixing with the waves and being carried out to sea, many experienced a new level of peace.

One man shared his experience of personal growth at ArtPrize. The Let Go exercise helped him to realize that he had buried a grudge for decades. But in writing the Let Go note, the tide finally turned, marking a new point for him. As a result, he experienced a tranquil place of soul healing—at an art exhibit.

How has letting go freed you? Share it #LetGo

To learn more, visit watercolorbypamela.com…

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Broken Wings: Unity Through Adversity

From the Heart

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

Behind the Artwork

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!

Hometown Hero II and Reflections of Generosity

Behind the Artwork

My series called Hometown Hero II has joined Reflections of Generosity—a military traveling exhibit founded by veteran sergeant and artist Ron Kelsey. The work promotes healing with military members and their families. In 2016, Reflections of Generosity along with Hometown Hero II, with the generous support of west Michigan BlueStar Mothers, showcased at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. to help raise awareness for PTSD and suicide prevention.

What talents in your life can be used to help others? Share your story #HometownHero

Visit Reflections of Generosity…

To learn more about my Hometown Hero interactive healing artwork…

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

My HEART and My ART: A DECADE as an ArtPrize Artist

From the Heart

Butterfly art

So MANY of you have LOVED our past exhibits. Broken Wings promises to be just as powerful and encouraging. But we can’t do these gigantic exhibits by ourselves. Well, we can. But then YOU would miss out on the blessings and excitement of being part of our powerful work during ArtPrize. So, we invite your partnership. We offer you the opportunity to take part in our art and stand with us—as collaborators.

The Purpose

Art touches deep places in the human spirit. When the viewers encounter the work, significant conversations result. Usually the tears start to flow too. Many seek us out just to talk. Some even return just to talk again.

Your Part

You can be part of our sidewalk ART ministry. We invite you to partner with us in joy of giving—the pouring out of ourselves and our resources for others. We invite you into our circle of giving—giving away all our strength and energy during ArtPrize—for the benefit of others. So many leave our exhibit changed and renewed!! Then, in turn, some of them end up pouring out their lives for others as well. The circle of giving is a beautiful model. Isn’t this what Divine sacrifice is all about?!

Crazy Numbers!

We had 70,000 people interact with our work last year. So perhaps around 150,000 visitors actually came to our work. But only 70,000 (maybe 50%) wrote notes. We can count the interactions because we know the amount of supplies that we purchase. Last year every box contained 1,000 sheets of paper, and we went through seventy boxes!! That equals 70,000 interactions!! I don’t even have to struggle with MATH on that one!

The UPS Guy

The UPS GUY probably knows me by name!! I mean, how many ladies buy 5,000 golf pencils? I can just hear the UPS guys, “Yeah, that lady where I delivered the 5,000 golf pencils…” I didn’t actually want to buy 5,000 pencils. But IF I’m going to continue to serve the ArtPrize audience then I NEED to buy 5,000 golf pencils!!

A Decade!!

This is our 10th (last??) year of ArtPrize! Join us and fasten your seatbelt! Every day is an action packed adventure!! Every day is a chance to see the POWER of healing. The power of compassion. THE POWER OF ART!

Will you join our team and help us bring a message of hope to ArtPrize? Click here…

Join Our Team for ArtPrize Ten!

General

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’!

General

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!