A New Survivor Portrait in Progress, The Status Quo, Plan "Q", and Other News

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Survivor Portrait for Linda In Progress Part III ~Read More

Since the close of the YEAR 2 show, I have wondered if I should call the project "done" and move on to something else. There are times when I get discouraged (especially when I play the That-was-then-this-is-now-Game) but, making comparisons to the past or to the circumstances of the lives of other people makes me blind to my own progress.
Caught up in the day-to-day obstacles; I almost didn't notice that I have recently achieved the final goals in my initial Vocational Rehabilitation 1-3-5 business plan and Self-Employment goals. The end goal being to create my own self-sustaining art studio which Reasonably Accommodates my arachnoiditis needs. This has been a lot of work moving at a pace I would have once felt was unforgivable but, I have come to learn is MORE than acceptable. The time is going to pass anyway. I may as well be spending it doing something that matters.

It is not surprising then that in the rhythm and flow of the year, I have begun to feel it is time to formulate a new plan. It is time to release that which no longer serves my wellness and make room for the new things that will. This year has been a call for a shift in focus for me.

The Art For Arachnoiditis Project is ONE part of my Mission.
~Creatively striving to participate in the Community of Life~
In addition to offering Affordable Prices on my own Original Art Work via diverse methods of accessibility, media, and genres; SheilaLynnK Art Studio has become a living work in progress with a focused Mission to provide the public with Affordable Tools for the development of Sustainable Independent Creative Wellness through the facilitation of:

an Online Creative Wellness Program,
Events, Projects, and Activities which support Intentional Global Unity
The practical application of Indigenous Knowledge for Modern Wellness and Sustainable Autonomy in Upstate New York,
the therapeutic exploration of self-expression,
the development of individual creative skills,
the promotion of & participation in Creative Community Action,
as well as, offering Affordable Space for local artists to display and sell their own work.

Torn between Inspiration, Dedication, and Perspiration; I have been asking for some guidance from the Universe.
A recent (two days ago) series of comments from an uninformed medical practitioner administering spinal injections without any awareness or consideration for the risks involved reminded me of ONE of the most important reasons that I created this project in the first place. AWARENESS.
As this has grown From a One on One Survivor Portrait Project to an International Creative Wellness Project to Empower Survivors via participation in the arts; I am extremely thankful for the encouragement, support and consideration of my fellow Survivors and Advocates working to increase Awareness. All of the work created within the project in service of Spinal Arachnoiditis Survivors since March 2014 will remain online and active for as long as I can afford to keep it there. So far, our small budget manages the maintenance fees and cost of keeping those things online.
Still dedicated to keeping art affordable for those who need it most; it has come time for me to attend more to some of my own needs and to do more work which generates SOME revenue to maintain this and other charitable art projects and Creative Wellness Programs that I offer from my studio. These are the things that I am passionate about. For me, they make Life With Arachnoiditis about more than just surviving.
As I learn more about the Feminine Face of Spirituality and see it coming through into my own art, I am growing and thriving as an Arachnoiditis Survivor.

While I develop these other meaningful-to-me things; The Art for Arachnoiditis Project will continue to grow and expand as Resources permit.

One of the most difficult things I have come to accept is that I can't do it alone.

ONE OF THE EASIEST AND MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO SUPPORT THE ART FOR ARACHNOIDITIS PROJECT IS TO SHARE OUR ART, POSTS, AND AWARENESS MESSAGES. PLEASE CONTINUE TO DO SO.

Mar.2014-Dec.19, 2016~Contributions from SheilaLynnK Art Studio to The Art For Arachnoiditis Project
Art In-Kind (unpaid) Admin & Studio Hours: 1,460
StudioCash Contributions: $1,729
Artist Stipend Paid to date: $213 of $5,040 set at Year 1

Plan "Q"

As anyone who works in the not-for-profit industry or who lives with Chronic Pain knows; the plan changes often. A willingness to adapt is the Key to Longevity. I hit plan B and Plan C sometime during YEAR One of the Art For Arachnoiditis Project. At this point, we MUST be on Plan "Q". In any case, the project continues with these
Affordable Creative Wellness Tools and Resources for Survivors

The website for survivors, artforarachnoiditis.org will remain up and running with its current Activities for Healing with Art and other relevant content. A lot has been posted since the beginning of the project in March 2014. Most of it is still relevant. New content will be added as time and funds permit. For my convenience; additional free current content for Arachnoiditis Survivors and others following the project is frequently posted on my patreon page.
The online gallery of Art by Survivors will remain active on the website for survivors. Survivor Art entries submitted during YEAR 3 will be added to the online gallery in the spring. I will be accepting entries and registration fees ($5) for YEAR 3 until April 9, 2017.
Funding and participation permitting, the Third FREE public Art By Arachnoiditis Survivors exhibit will Open during Arachnoiditis Awareness Month in July 2017. Location and Dates TBA.
I will continue to host Art-in-Kind submitted by Survivors [during YEARS 1 & 2] on my marketplace website, sheilalynnkart.com, under the Art For Arachnoiditis SHOP listing. Occasional sales of these items generate funds which are directly applied to the annual project budget. Links to Arachnnoiditis Awareness Merchandise at Zazzle and Bravelets are also active there.
The Art for Arachnoiditis Project Facebook page will remain active.
The live Map of the Survivors Registered at The Art For Arachnoiditis Project will be updated quarterly at Google Maps.
The Album of the Survivors will be updated quarterly.

YEAR 3
CALL FOR ART BY SURVIVORS
Using your own individual interpretation of the Year 3 Theme,
"Gravity Sucks, Hope Floats"
you may submit an entry in any of the categories listed.
Maximum of THREE entries per person.
$5 per entry.
Entries will be accepted from
November 1, 2016 – April 9, 2017.
This must be your own original work.
***Survivors, please remember, you are not expected to fund this project. It is here to benefit you. You do not need to send any additional funds beyond the cost of your registration fee for your art entry. You are NOT required to submit an entry in order to participate in the project.
There are many other FREE methods to participate.***

THE NEW STUFF

A new FREE photography category for Survivors, Entries will be accepted until January 31, 2017.
Submit your Soul Place Entries using the NEW Soul Place ONLINE ENTRY FORM
At $39 per month; this ALL NEW ENTRY FORM service provided by 1,2,3 Contact Forms is made possible by contributions to the Art For Arachnoiditis Project.Thank You! It is my hope that this new system will simplify the entry process making it easier for more Arachnoiditis Survivors to participate in the project.

GET A FREE COLORING PAGE WITH THIS
NEW ART ACTIVITY and FUNDRAISER

"Fiction for Survivors" {An International Short Story Contest & Fundraiser} I invite YOU to Color this FREE Coloring page and write the Title and the Story for this illustration. In your own words; tell us a tale about what you see unfolding in the illustration. Get more details and the FREE Printable Coloring page HERE.
Entries and fees ($15) must be received via the online entry form HERE ~All entries must be received by 11:59pmEST on Jan. 25th 2017. Awards to be announced during SWAN Days Allegany County NY March 19-21st 2017. After awards are distributed, proceeds will benefit Allegany County Cancer Services, American Legion Post 702, and Charitable Art Projects at SheilaLynnK Art Studio (including the Art For Arachnoiditis Project).

Patrons Subscribing at the $12.50 level~$11 monthly ($1.50 service fee) funds artforarachnoiditis.org, Empowering Spinal Arachnoiditis Survivors via participation in the arts. Thank You! Get Patron Only Rewards in the Activity Feed, PLUS you will know that your money goes directly to an International project dedicated to Wellness. Increase, decrease, or cancel at any time.
Where the money goes
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Tax-deductible contributions are accepted via my fiscal sponsor, NYFA.]

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A FEW GOOD READS and
THINGS RECENTLY ADDED TO THE RESOURCE LIST
“I Won’t Apologize for Having Fun While Chronically Ill.” ~by Denise Reich popped into my news feed as a share by Rhonda Posey from a post at The Mighty.
“Complications of Spinal Anesthesia” from the New York School of Regional Anesthesia added to the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Facebook page notes.

Season's Greetings and Letting Go

The Art for Arachnoiditis Project Income and Expense Report

Make a Tax-deductible Contribution to the Project at The New York Foundation For the Arts