Fiscally sponsored by the New York Foundation for the Arts, The Art For Arachnoiditis Project is working to Empower Spinal Arachnoiditis Survivors via participation in the Arts. This website is dedicated to providing healing support to fellow Survivors.
With your help this project becomes a valuable resource to Arachnoiditis Survivors around the world…93 Countries! We couldn’t do it without you.
FUND YEAR 2 ~ It’s tax deductible AT NYFA [The New York Foundation For the Arts].Or by check payable to the New York Foundation for the Arts, Memo: The Art For Arachnoiditis Project mailed to: SheilaLynnK Art Studio, 345 South Main Street, Wellsville, NY 14895.
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for artforarachnoiditis.org. Check it out to see how we’ve been doing!
Here’s an excerpt:
A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 4,900 times in 2015. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 4 trips to carry that many people.
I have finished the written aspect of this publication.
Introduction excerpt:
“Hearing of many more cases of uncompensated Arachnoiditis while struggling both physically and financially, as well as, in numerous other aspects of my life; in the end, I felt compelled to present this case to the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court….The details of that pro se appeal follow.” ~slk
When I reach the $200 per release mark on my Patreon Page and/or Pending adequate funding, I will purchase an ISBN for this publication so that it can become an affordable resource for Arachnoiditis Survivors working toward accountability for this preventable medical injury. This publication will be free to all who subscribe to the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Newsletter. Proceeds from any purchase of the publication will be invested in the project.
The Art For Arachnoiditis Project YEAR 2 Budget includes ISBNs for this and other Independent Publication for and by other Arachnoiditis Survivors. We can get 10 ISBNs for $295. Tax-Deductible Contributions made via my fiscal sponsor, The New York Foundation for the Arts, also Support the purchase of ISBNs for Survivor Publication.
Still Standing, Sometimes Part 2: Survivors’ Stories from the Art For Arachnoiditis Project will be Sheila’s Adaptability and Survivor story into Creative Wellness with a collection of all of the stories entered in Year 1 of the Art For Arachnoiditis Project.
Still Standing, Sometimes Part 3: Survivors’ Stories from the Art For Arachnoiditis Project will be a collection of all of the stories entered in Year 2 of the Art For Arachnoiditis Project.
The Survivors’ Exhibit is an art book for the coffee table featuring a collection of all works displayed at the project exhibits during Year 1 of the project.
Thanks to patrons on my Patreon Page ; we have reached the $50 per release goal which allows me to purchase an ISBN for this Publication. (updated April 25, 2015)
The Creative Pain Management Assessment and Activity Book is NOW Available for purchase for ONLY $15.
When I get to $400 per Release at Patreon, I will order FIFTY copies of the Creative Pain Management Assessment & Activity Book for Arachnoiditis Survivors. These copies will be sold to interested Arachnoiditis Survivors registered at the Art For Arachnoiditis Project at the Survivors’ Rate of ONLY $5.00 (to cover shipping expenses).
I will purchase an ISBN for this publication so that it can become an affordable art & coping tool for Arachnoiditis Survivors Registered at the Art For Arachnoiditis Project and affordable for others living with Chronic Pain.
FUND YEAR 2 ~ It’s tax deductible AT NYFA [The New York Foundation For the Arts].Or by check payable to the New York Foundation for the Arts, Memo: The Art For Arachnoiditis Project mailed to: SheilaLynnK Art Studio, 345 South Main Street, Wellsville, NY 14895.
At the request of members of the Arachnoiditis Survivor Community; the on-line payment option to support the Art For Arachnoiditis Project as a gift purchase to them is now available.
100% of the gift amount is contributed to the Art For Arachnoiditis Project in honor of the intestinal fortitude of the Arachnoiditis Survivor.
Gifts Purchased in the Art For Arachnoiditis Project SHOP also help support these Independent Publications and other aspects of the project. These fair market and below prices are not tax-deductible purchases.
These works are made possible with support from people like you.
“Last Blooms of the Season” found under the large pine tree outside of the studio a few days after the first snow.
Sometimes, quietly sheltered knowledge blooms in the strangest and most unexpected places at the best possible moment.
On the Arachnoidits Journey, as in the Journey of Life itself; there are many questions we have that cannot be answered or resolved by the practices of “modern” medicine. I attempt to keep open eyes, ears, and mind for rumblings of sound guidance from many assorted sources.
(DISCLAIMER: I am in no way affiliated with the marketing or compensation received by these individuals. I am in no way “professionally” qualified (read “certified”) to assess the value or merit of the information or references provided by them. I am sharing this information as an experienced patient who has found some comfort in the knowledge shared by these people willing to share the insights they have collected along the way. What you do with this information is done at your own discretion under the influence of your own ability to weigh the benefit/risk value of the written word.)
My list of Go-To-Gurus
Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Author, Gift From the Sea
Alan Alda, Author, If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? Adventures in the Art and Science of Relating and Comminicating
Katrina Blair ~ at Turtle Lake Refuge, Author of The Wild Wisdom of Weeds; 13 Essential Plants for Human Survival, A forager’s guide to ultimate food security, including 100 nutrient-dense recipes for food, medicine, and self-care.
John S. Workman ~Author of Fireflies In A Fruit Jar: On Religion, Politics, and Other Wonders by a Southern Preacher-Turned-Journalist
Norman Cousins ~Anatomy of An Illness on combating life-threatening illness through humor and patient participation in care.
Vanessa Couto ~ Liminal Astrologyweaving elements from archetypal astrology, depth psychology, storytelling, dreamwork and art in her coaching and mentoring approach, she helps broaden the understanding of life’s stories, and view the path ahead with more clarity and confidence.
Sarah Love ~ I Stand For Love IS A MOVEMENT THAT CULTIVATES AND CELEBRATES LOVE WARRIORS AROUND THE WORLD just like YOU.
Susan Jenkins~Shamanic Healing ~bringing over 30 years of experience to her practice as a shamanic healer.
and some of My Favorite Authors: Tom Robbins, Anne Rice, Diana Gabaldon, Gregory Maguire, Robin Wall Kimmerer, William Blake, Sharon Kaye Penman, Carol Kaesuk Yoon, Terry Tempest Williams, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Susanne F. Fincher, William Carey Grimm, Edith Holden
Day 29 ~ “Sweet November” Mandala in Progress. The final Mandala will be available as a Monthly Printable Mandala for my $3 and Up Patrons to print for personal use.
Day 30 ~ This Brick Wall mural in progress is a new addition to the studio. I will be posting updates and progress on this new project in my activity feed at Patreon.
Busy Bucket with Activities for Toddlers Includes Hand-Painted Rocks Alphabet
The activities in The Busy Bucket, modeled after the My Busy Bag trend I saw on Pinterest, welcomes independent exploration for the child, as well as, opportunities for easy interactive activities with an adult.
Although my nephew and his family won’t need to worry about these aspects of using them; the activities I used were created as examples for other survivors. Along with the Creative Learning Activities; all of these DIY toys are easy to work on from multiple positions and created with the idea that they can also be used for interactive time with a toddler while the adult adjusts to assorted positions to accommodate physical limitations. The most difficult part is getting the bucket open if you seal it shut completely.
The seat cushion is stored inside of the bucket. I made sure it is washable and it doubles as a small pillow.
The busy bucket also includes a re-purposed Healthy Choice vegetable steamer container with a lid for use as a toddler’s first sewing kit (not shown). [I think my daughter left this container in my cabinet a few years ago…it was also great for so many other things!]
This container is easy to re-purpose
The holes in the strainer lid are a perfect size to “sew” patterns with the purple shoe laces I put inside…along with some empty thread spools, and yarn with a plastic child-friendly needle. The needle is stored in a re-purposed blue prescription bottle with a child-proof lid so that she can only use it with adult supervision. There are also a lot of easy and fun ideas for DIY Toddlers’ Sewing Kits Here.
Total Cost to create the busy bucket= <$5 for remnants of acrylic paint, thread, yarn, and water-based gloss gloss to seal the painted rocks.
The hugs from her Mom= Priceless.
The Rest of the Art Every Day Month Series of Posts are Here and have been brought to the public via the support of my patrons.
Easy Art Activity ~ Also Great for on the floor with toddlers when compelled to be horizontal!
Today my A.G. (he is 5) and I created some Examples AND TOOK SOME PICTURES of Creative Learning Activities that my nephew’s daughter (age 2) can use with some of the items in her “My Busy Bucket”. This digital collage will be inserted inside the bucket with the other busy items.
The Rest of the Art Every Day Month Series of Posts are Here and have been brought to the public via the support of my patrons.
I have decided to participate in Leah Piken Kolidas’ Art Every Day Month Challenge atCreative Every Day during the Month of November. For the first time, as I do this 30 day challenge, I will be posting my progress HERE for arachnoiditis survivors and advocates.
I hope you will join me for this creative journey. If you are an Arachnoiditis Survivor creating any art during the series that you would like to share with The Art For Arachnoiditis Project feel free to do so in the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Facebook page, share links in the comments below, or submit the work for use in YEAR 2 of the Survivors’ Art Exhibit. (Accepting Entries until Feb 15, 2016.) Although the Art By Survivors’ exhibit is open only to the Survivors; other creative minded individuals are invited to share in all of the other places.
SUBSCRIBE to get the quarterly Art For Arachnoiditis Project Newsletter
WATCH VIDEO FROM OUR 2015 SURVIVORS’ ART EXHIBIT HERE
SHOP Awareness Art,Your purchase will benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Projects at the studio. These fair market prices are not tax-deductible purchases.or Make a tax-deductible contribution via our Fiscal Sponsor, NYFA [New York Foundation for the Arts] Or by check payable to the New York Foundation for the Arts, Memo: The Art For Arachnoiditis Project mailed to: SheilaLynnK Art Studio, 345 South Main Street, Wellsville, NY 14895.
To submit original art to this catalog to benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Awareness Efforts. Send submissions with your signed Art In-Kind Form to sheilalynnk@yahoo.com subject line: Add My Art
This is the first time I will be doing daily art for The Art For Arachnoiditis Project. If you have never seen these posts before; you can get a better idea of what this is all about by checking out a A Few of my Similar Month-long Projects/Posts/Series from the Past.
My 30.30.30 [30 Days, 30 Pieces/posts, 30 minutes each] activities have previously been posted on my blog and on my facebook page. The most recent one I did in September 2015 is available HERE, April 2015 started HERE:
April 2014 I alternated between painting and drawing HERE andHERE
September 2013 was a daily Mandala Project (which grew and ended up in my 2013 Show, “A Round Now In A Square Time” with artist & friend, Allison Midgley) That project startsHERE
On Day 20 I finished the last piece in my BIG ART madness series.
So, Day 21 ended up being all about teeny-tiny art. This is made from some re-purposed shoulder pads from a dressing gown and some scrap pieces of felt that I had in my sewing kit.
I am going to add some light pink spots with embroidery thread. I can work on this small art while I get horizontal on my cot. This will be included in a gift I am working on for my Grand-niece (a.k.a. my nephew’s daughter) for her second birthday. Following the “My Busy Bag” theme that is all over Pinterest right now; I decided to make her a “My Busy Bucket.” My Grandson will be helping me with some portions of this project this weekend. More photos to come.
Bench for visitors from remaining parts of that twin bedTurkey Art At School ~Day 19
On Day 19, the weather was wet but mild. So, thankfully, I was able to spend a lovely visit with my Awesome Grandson in his classroom. This is some of the holiday art that they made. These are the precious moments that make healing possible.
The Rest of the Art Every Day Month Series of Posts are Here
I have decided to participate in Leah Piken Kolidas’ Art Every Day Month Challenge atCreative Every Day during the Month of November. For the first time, as I do this 30 day challenge, I will be posting my progress HERE for arachnoiditis survivors and advocates.
I hope you will join me for this creative journey. If you are an Arachnoiditis Survivor creating any art during the series that you would like to share with The Art For Arachnoiditis Project feel free to do so in the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Facebook page, share links in the comments below, or submit the work for use in YEAR 2 of the Survivors’ Art Exhibit. (Accepting Entries until Feb 15, 2016.) Although the Art By Survivors’ exhibit is open only to the Survivors; other creative minded individuals are invited to share in all of the other places.
SUBSCRIBE to get the quarterly Art For Arachnoiditis Project Newsletter
WATCH VIDEO FROM OUR 2015 SURVIVORS’ ART EXHIBIT HERE
SHOP Awareness Art,Your purchase will benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Projects at the studio. These fair market prices are not tax-deductible purchases.or Make a tax-deductible contribution via our Fiscal Sponsor, NYFA [New York Foundation for the Arts] Or by check payable to the New York Foundation for the Arts, Memo: The Art For Arachnoiditis Project mailed to: SheilaLynnK Art Studio, 345 South Main Street, Wellsville, NY 14895.
To submit original art to this catalog to benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Awareness Efforts. Send submissions with your signed Art In-Kind Form to sheilalynnk@yahoo.com subject line: Add My Art
This is the first time I will be doing daily art for The Art For Arachnoiditis Project. If you have never seen these posts before; you can get a better idea of what this is all about by checking out a A Few of my Similar Month-long Projects/Posts/Series from the Past.
My 30.30.30 [30 Days, 30 Pieces/posts, 30 minutes each] activities have previously been posted on my blog and on my facebook page. The most recent one I did in September 2015 is available HERE, April 2015 started HERE:
April 2014 I alternated between painting and drawing HERE andHERE
September 2013 was a daily Mandala Project (which grew and ended up in my 2013 Show, “A Round Now In A Square Time” with artist & friend, Allison Midgley) That project startsHERE
These works in progress are finally coming together. These ancient drop-down stairs (a.k.a. The Death Trap), were taken down over a year ago. Since then, I have been trying to figure out what to do with them. A couple of well-used and much-loved twin beds weren’t really fit to pass on to anyone else. So, I was also trying to figure out what to do with those. Cramming my life and work into one place means that space is a precious commodity. I am not really a pack rat but, I tend to hold onto things that I KNOW for certain will make the space better…EVENTUALLY.
Since the end of October/beginning of November I have been inspired with resolutions for these problems. It also helps that I managed to release the angle adjustment on my old miter saw and was gifted with the appropriate drill bits. It is truly amazing what we can accomplish with the correct tools!
All of this physical busy-ness of course, comes with a price. The use of Power tools = Muscle spasms, Lifting-bending-moving A LOT = Inflammation and more Muscle Spasms, and other Responsibilities and Obligations = Go To Bed.
So, I did.
Apologies for missing posts for Days 17 & 18. I just didn’t have it in me to post on those days as I tried to keep up with life obligations AND recover from these creative bursts of energy that demanded the making of these BIG ART pieces. I have decided these creations are “ART”-worthy because there was a great deal of creative resourcefulness involved in re-making these items into something that was applicable to the space AND affordable. TOTAL Cost in dollars….I spent $5.65 on new hardware. The rest is ALL Re-purposed materials.
The Rest of the Art Every Day Month Series of Posts are Here
I have decided to participate in Leah Piken Kolidas’ Art Every Day Month Challenge atCreative Every Day during the Month of November. For the first time, as I do this 30 day challenge, I will be posting my progress HERE for arachnoiditis survivors and advocates.
I hope you will join me for this creative journey. If you are an Arachnoiditis Survivor creating any art during the series that you would like to share with The Art For Arachnoiditis Project feel free to do so in the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Facebook page, share links in the comments below, or submit the work for use in YEAR 2 of the Survivors’ Art Exhibit. (Accepting Entries until Feb 15, 2016.) Although the Art By Survivors’ exhibit is open only to the Survivors; other creative minded individuals are invited to share in all of the other places.
SUBSCRIBE to get the quarterly Art For Arachnoiditis Project Newsletter
WATCH VIDEO FROM OUR 2015 SURVIVORS’ ART EXHIBIT HERE
SHOP Awareness Art,Your purchase will benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Projects at the studio. These fair market prices are not tax-deductible purchases.or Make a tax-deductible contribution via our Fiscal Sponsor, NYFA [New York Foundation for the Arts] Or by check payable to the New York Foundation for the Arts, Memo: The Art For Arachnoiditis Project mailed to: SheilaLynnK Art Studio, 345 South Main Street, Wellsville, NY 14895.
To submit original art to this catalog to benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Awareness Efforts. Send submissions with your signed Art In-Kind Form to sheilalynnk@yahoo.com subject line: Add My Art
This is the first time I will be doing daily art for The Art For Arachnoiditis Project. If you have never seen these posts before; you can get a better idea of what this is all about by checking out a A Few of my Similar Month-long Projects/Posts/Series from the Past.
My 30.30.30 [30 Days, 30 Pieces/posts, 30 minutes each] activities have previously been posted on my blog and on my facebook page. The most recent one I did in September 2015 is available HERE, April 2015 started HERE:
April 2014 I alternated between painting and drawing HERE andHERE
September 2013 was a daily Mandala Project (which grew and ended up in my 2013 Show, “A Round Now In A Square Time” with artist & friend, Allison Midgley) That project startsHERE
Studio space was getting crowded. Repurposed the old twin bed frame into this All New Bench for my Ostrich Cot!
For those who haven’t seen it before, it used to be on the floor, then on a twin bed frame if I wasn’t using it outside. The twin bed frame had some broken places so can’t ever be used for a bed again. This week I decided to chop it up and save some floor space. Now the cot is actually at the perfect height for me to get up and down with ease. I also bolted it to the top of the bench so it can’t tip if I lose my balance on the way. Woohoo!
This project brought to you by ~ Mid-November and temps in the 60s!
I have decided to participate in Leah Piken Kolidas’ Art Every Day Month Challenge atCreative Every Day during the Month of November. For the first time, as I do this 30 day challenge, I will be posting my progress HERE for arachnoiditis survivors and advocates.
I hope you will join me for this creative journey. If you are an Arachnoiditis Survivor creating any art during the series that you would like to share with The Art For Arachnoiditis Project feel free to do so in the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Facebook page, share links in the comments below, or submit the work for use in YEAR 2 of the Survivors’ Art Exhibit. (Accepting Entries until Feb 15, 2016.) Although the Art By Survivors’ exhibit is open only to the Survivors; other creative minded individuals are invited to share in all of the other places.
SUBSCRIBE to get the quarterly Art For Arachnoiditis Project Newsletter
WATCH VIDEO FROM OUR 2015 SURVIVORS’ ART EXHIBIT HERE
SHOP Awareness Art,Your purchase will benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Projects at the studio. These fair market prices are not tax-deductible purchases.or Make a tax-deductible contribution via our Fiscal Sponsor, NYFA [New York Foundation for the Arts] Or by check payable to the New York Foundation for the Arts, Memo: The Art For Arachnoiditis Project mailed to: SheilaLynnK Art Studio, 345 South Main Street, Wellsville, NY 14895.
To submit original art to this catalog to benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Awareness Efforts. Send submissions with your signed Art In-Kind Form to sheilalynnk@yahoo.com subject line: Add My Art
This is the first time I will be doing daily art for The Art For Arachnoiditis Project. If you have never seen these posts before; you can get a better idea of what this is all about by checking out a A Few of my Similar Month-long Projects/Posts/Series from the Past.
My 30.30.30 [30 Days, 30 Pieces/posts, 30 minutes each] activities have previously been posted on my blog and on my facebook page. The most recent one I did in September 2015 is available HERE, April 2015 started HERE:
April 2014 I alternated between painting and drawing HERE andHERE
September 2013 was a daily Mandala Project (which grew and ended up in my 2013 Show, “A Round Now In A Square Time” with artist & friend, Allison Midgley) That project startsHERE