2010 Reflections - Visiting Cherie

I guess one can always find good in tragedy. I am happy to have been able to help Cherie's family in their time of need with the creation of the fund raising book Art with Heart which gives $12 to her family for each purchase. Most of all I am happy to have had the means and support from my fantastic husband (and kids!) to visit her every week in Fort Pearce when she was at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and now to have been able to fly from Orlando to Atlanta to visit her here at Shepherd Center Spinal Cord Rehabilitation.

Cherie remains very positive, she is smiling and focused on her recovery. She tells me that she refuses to allow negativity into her heart. She is not bitter or mad, she is just staying focused on the positive,

Since being here we have shared long talks over tea, we looked at photos from our trip to Spain in high school, we looked over our 1982 Science Class final exam The Sludge Test, and we have taken a lot of trips down memory lane.

I am so lucky to have a friend that has been in my life for so long.

2010 Reflections - Solo Exhibition

A big HUGE, maybe the BIGGEST highlight of 2010 for me was my first full scale solo exhibition of Paper Paintings at Maitland Art Center (MAC) outside Orlando, FL. Exquisite Harmony was well attended by the community thanks to the marketing efforts of Gloria Capozzi at MAC.

Richard Colvin, the curator at MAC, was amazing in his encouragement as I spent the year preparing the show in the theme of "Music," something a little different for me. Not only did Richard offer me the opportunity to exhibit, but he attended the United Arts of Central Florida grant application review meeting in my stead.

Many thanks to United Arts of Central Florida for giving me a Professional Development Grant (my second from them) which helped in part to fund Exquisite Harmony.

Many thanks to the entire staff of the Maitland Art Center for all their amazing efforts in making the show and coordinating collage workshop a success. Heather Corino in the gift shop has sold many Flashbags™ and other unique Paper Painting gift items.

2010 Reflections

Hummingbird on Cactus / ©Carol Flatt

DVD sales have been wonderful this year. Thanks to all of you who not only purchased the DVD but also took the time to send images of your artwork and your comments. Carol sent a glowing review of my instructional DVD that I just had to share with you:

Dear Elizabeth,

Recently, I purchased from you a Download and a DVD with your Paper Painting Process outlined. I wanted to tell you how pleased I was to receive it and immerse myself in this wonderful, new (to me) activity. I'd like to compliment you and your husband on a high quality, beautifully photographed presentation that is one of the best tutorials I have ever used. The color and sound and transitioning are perfect, and the oral description of the process is wonderfully sequenced with just the right amount of dialogue to grasp the concepts. I thank you so much for your efforts in this project and for sharing the talent and skills of your art. It's a highly motivating segment, and I have begun the pack-ratting process!!

I'd like to share my first project. Although not perfect it was a joy to do and a fun learning project. Best wishes to you...

Carol Flatt

http://carolflatt.blogspot.com

Reflections

Reflecting back on 2010, many wonderful opportunities came my way and  I am thankful for each and every one of them. Over the next week or two I'd like to remember some of the people who gave me opportunities and opened doors for me.

The Growing Bolder video piece that was done on me "Creating a Life of Exquisite Harmony" is one of 2010's highlights. The opportunity could not have been possible without Josh Garrick, fellow artist and photographer. Josh put me in touch with Marc Middleton, founder and CEO of Growing bolder, who was initially very interested in my artwork as well as the fact that I had completed my first Triathlon at age 40 and my first half marathon at age 42.

I am proud to say that my story just missed the top ten list for most watched videos of 2010 by Growing Bolder. To date, my story has been viewed 2,478 times!

Thanks to Growing Bolder for telling my story and giving me an amazing video to share. And many thanks to Josh Garrick for making the connection.

Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association Cover Art

Back in February, my rooster collage was featured on the cover of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association! (top center cover) My cousin (who is a vet) showed it to my Aunt, who was most impressed! Even my own vet saw it and told me how great an accomplishment it was.

I was pretty proud to have been chosen for the cover of this prestigious Journal. I did receive many requests for 24 x 20" giclée prints of the rooster as well.

Click here to see the whole gallery of cover artists

Big Smile

Annette Graves and her friends had a lot of fun collaging from my DVD. What a great job they did of making holiday collages from their own painted papers! Annette is one of the artists in my fundraising book for Cherie: "Art with Heart" available at www.cheriestannard.com.

Check out Annette's blog post here, she's just having so much fun with friends making collage that it makes me smile so big!

The Book is HERE!

Cherie's book is finally ready to order! What a labor of love. 52 pages, hard cover. I have priced the book $12 above production costs from Blurb. This means that $12 of each book goes to Cherie's family and the rest of the price you pay is production costs. A quick update for those of you who are new to the story, Cherie is my life-long friend of 42 who rolled her Jeep in September and suffered a spinal cord injury. Cherie is currently in rehab in Atlanta and when she comes home, her brother and sister have to adapt a home and provide 24-hour care for her as she is paralyzed from the shoulders down.

Use coupon code CHEER for $10 off the book through December 31!!!

This book is raising money for a family in need, what better gift to get for someone special in your life?

Please help me to spread the word. Many thanks to the 40+ artists who donated images of their amazing work to make this book possible. Every artist has their own full page with an image and contact information. I have artists in the book from the UK, Spain, Singapore, Canada and the US!

Here is a preview of the book, and to order yours, just click on "Art with Heart by Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson" at the lower left of the preview window.

Thanks to everyone who can help, from the bottom of my heart.

Art with Heart by Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson | Make Your Own Book