Art Therapy & Me in the news

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New Art Seeds # 3

The latest edition is ready!! This one covers the use of materials in art therapy. It has information about Don Jones "the father of art therapy". Also a little bonus- how I used artist trading cards with a mentally and physically challenged population!

Art Seeds # 3 in progress

Yes, I am about three months off track getting this zine out. But alas, today is the day I will begin work on it with the hopes that I finish it on Monday!!

Still here

I have been working way too much and making art way too little. This weekend I will be making art!!!!

Famous People

I was standing at the bar ordering a coca cola and getting a water for a colleague when Joanna Bull, Gilda Radners therapist and founder of Gilda's Club came and introduced herself to me. She is a lovely woman and very passionate about cancer awareness. She said we are all living with one thing or another the key is we are living.
The mayor Laura Miller came and gave an introduction to Joanna and spoke a little about her cancer experience. The Lake Highlands dance team did a series of western style dances that were very fun! it was really nice. To top it all off I got to meet Michael Radner, Gilda's brother. He was very funny and also quite soft spoken. He lives in Detroit and is an active board member. I was surprised to see him there. I commented that everyone should be so lucky to have such a supportive brother. He replied that they told him if he didn't do it nobody would like him anymore! He is a hoot. We are all going to Gilleys on Saturday night. I'll let you know if he two steps!! Joanna will I am pretty sure- she even brought her cowboy boots!

Paper Forest

Here is a cool site by an artist I admire:
Paper Forest

Ahh, relaxing at home.

Well, I started my new job on Thursday. Things are a little discombobulated there because the Program Director (over me) position needs to be filled AND the assistant position needs to be filled. So the staff is short two people. Next week is a wash because there is a conference being held starting Tuesday night- Saturday. People from all of the Gilda's clubs all over will be in Dallas. The keynote speaker is from the Lance Armstrong Foundation. We will have a big party at Gilley's in Texas style (oy). It should be very fun. Joanna Bull, Gilda Radner's therapist and the founder of the clubs, will be here. I am looking forward to learning more about the whole deal. I will sit in on some lectures, attend networking groups and breakout sessions that discuss topics for non profits. Philip picked a good week to be out of town- I won't be home much with all of these events!

Got the job!!

Sorry I didn't post this yesterday!! I went shopping after work. I am the new Program Coordinator/ Noogieland Coordinator for Gilda's Club of North Texas!!! Very exciting!!! I start next Thursday! I have officially given my 2 weeks notice to the groups I lead. I am rearranging my individual clients to Saturdays and evenings. I only see 4 clients regularly and three others on an as needed basis. Here is the Gilda's Club website which is very cute but actually is the works to be overhauled because it does not include all of the new things Gilda's has to offer : http://www.gildasclubtx.com/
Here is the purpose of the club:

"Having cancer gave me membership in an elite club that I'd rather not belong to."
– Gilda Radner

Gilda's Club Free Program
Comedian Gilda Radner reclaimed her gift of laughter and feeling of control when she joined with others who also had cancer. Gilda discovered hope and a way to share the wisdom of experience while learning strategies for living with cancer.
Gilda's dream was to create a free community for people with cancer and their families and friends. Today, that dream is fulfilled at Gilda's Club, with clubhouses in eight states, Canada and London.
The center for all Gilda's Club activities and programs is the Clubhouse, a non-residential, home-like setting with the Gilda's Club members comfort in mind. Gilda's Club members can relax in the Living Room, join meetings in the Wellness Group Room or take refuge and enjoy the quiet in the "It's Always Something" Room. Kids can be kids in our wonderful playroom - Noogieland. Most of all, the Clubhouse is a place for inspiration, relaxation, hope and learning. A place to gather and celebrate life with fellow members, families and friends. A place to find strength for living.
"There's still a lot of taboo about cancer, a lot of fear. We don't want people to stay in a room and be scared…. We want them to come to Gilda's Club, a place where they can feel like a human being again."– Gene Wilder, Founder

The welcome to Gilda's Club begins with a New Member Meeting for people with cancer, their families and friends. Here people tell their stories or just listen as others share, and learn about the various resources and activities available to all members of the Club. Following the New Member meeting, each prospective member schedules a Customized Membership Plan with a licensed mental health professional to shape their social and emotional support. Members come together to participate in the Gilda's Club program called The Basic III 'Plus'.
Men, women and children with cancer and their family and friends join together to share their collective wisdom in the Gilda's Club community. All activities are free of charge.
Sounds pretty cool huh?!

Art Seeds #1 sold out!

Well I am sold out of the first Issue of Art Seeds! Don't worry Dana I saved one for you!!
Issue # 2 is now available in either Etsy or at Sweet Candy Distro!

Happy Cat

Hello from kiggy she is atop my lap at the laptop.

Sweet Candy Distro

You will find the first edition of Art Seeds at this distributor:
http://www.eyecandyzine.com/zines_F.html

Sage has ten copies to sell for 3 bucks each. I only have 4 left (same price). I print in sets of 25 and then that is the end of that issue.

The family is gathering today at my grandmother's house. Happy Easter! I hope you have a wonderful day!! The weather here in Dallas is gorgeous!!

Art Seeds Issue # 2

Announcing the creation of issue # 2 of Art Seeds. It is a little late but never the less finally here. It focuses on the history of art therapy with a deeper look at Margaret Naumburg and Florence Cane. It is an ongoing series of study guides for the ATR-BC. You can buy it on etsy at www.amdavisart.etsy.com

Enjoy!

Gilda's

I have the job interview at Gilda's today. I am excited and nervous. EEEEEE!

I am hosting a "Paper Doll ATC" swap. Here is one of my mermaids I am making for the swap. Her hair is made from "Thick-n-Thin" yarn and she is articulated with brads so that she folds up into the ATC size but also can unfold into an attractive position.

Urgent: support funding for cancer research

For the first time there is a proposal to cut funding for cancer research. I find this amazing. Amazingly stupid!!! Come on! The cancer diagnosis is becoming more and more comon!! It is an epidemic!
We need to write to our congress people and demand them to support cancer research funding. All of us need to write not just those who have a diagnosis. It is really easy.

1. Go here: http://www.house.gov/writerep/and find your representative.
2. Then cut and copy this letter to the email.
3. Sign your name. That is it!

Please use your freedom of speech to help.

Here is the letter:

------->When the Budget Resolution is considered in the House and Senate, please oppose the President's proposed cuts and vote in support of efforts to increase funding for cancer research and programs, such as the Specter-Harkin amendment to restore funding for all health and education programs to the levels they were at two years ago. As you and your colleagues are considering the FY 2007 budget, I urge you to only support a budget resolution that increases funding for cancer research and programs. Unfortunately, the President's FY 2007 budget fails to meet even the basic public health needs for cancer patients and survivors. On the heels of approving the first cut to National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) funding since 1970 in FY 2006, the President has proposed even deeper cuts in FY 2007. As a result, the total number of NIH-funded research project grants would drop by 642, or 2 percent, below last year’s level. Funding for the NCI would be cut by $40 million. In addition to these cuts in medical research, the President's budget also proposes deep reductions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for chronic disease prevention, quality of life programs, and health promotion. Specifically, the proposal cuts nearly $20 million from chronic disease programs, which include cancer control, prevention, and survivorship. In fact, under the President's proposal, the CDC Cancer programs, which are already severely under-funded, would be cut by more than $3 million. As you well know, the Congressional Budget Resolution sets the spending caps for the year by "Functions." For health care, including medical research and public health programs, the critical Function is "550." If you support cancer research and public health programs and are serious about the commitment to end suffering and death from cancer, you should only support a Congressional Budget Resolution that increases Function 550 funding over last year's level. When the Budget Resolution is considered in the House and Senate, please oppose the President's proposed cuts and vote in support of efforts to increase funding for cancer research and programs, such as the Specter-Harkin amendment to restore funding for all health and education programs to the levels they were at two years ago. I will be following the budget process closely. Please let me know what actions you plan to take to support increasing funding for cancer research and programs.
Sincerely,(your name here)

Free printouts

If you like to do collage work like ATCs and Altered Books here is a site that has some fun images that are free!!

http://www.printmini.com/

Art Seeds Volume One

The first edition of Art Seeds, which discusses the healing aspects of art making, is almost sold out!! I decided to print in editions of 25. So far I have sent out 6 as marketing tools or gifts, 10 were purchased by a distributor, one was purchased on Etsy and 8 are left!!
Now that I have finished the bulk of the work on the second issue I am just decorating around the pages. I am hoping to take it to print tomorrow.
www.amdavisart.etsy.com

A certified mail envelope is now on its way to Austin. In it are my final hours for my LPC license!! So as of Wednesday I will begn my official countdown. It takes approximately 6 - 8 weeks for them to review the file and send out the license. One of my friends received hers in four weeks so it could happen sooner!!!

First Post

I have had a livejournal for a couple of years now. I decided to give this avenue a try. I really like the site so far.
I have a couple of friends who post here- who knows I may move here.