Kickstarter

  I see art as one of the most powerful tools for showing beauty, humility and evoking transformation. The idea of this art project came about after connecting with homeless youth. I was deeply touched with the beauty and vulnerability of these kids. I want them to see themselves through the eyes of an artist. “The Beauty of the Homeless Heart” is a two phase project. 

During the first phase of the project I plan to lead 25 homeless kids through the process of self-recognition, paint their heart essences (25 full scale art pieces), create a full color book-album with art pieces and stories “The Heart of the Homeless Child,” and mount an art exhibit. (This is what you are actually funding now: art supplies and the process itself which includes painting, framing and delivering art pieces to the gallery, plus the publishing of the book)

Art is a way of love and celebration of life for me, and if my art can positively impact the life of a child (or an adult) it is a bonus.

I LOVE CAPTURING THE SOUL AND TRUE EXPRESSION WITH MY PAINTINGS.

You will see some examples of heart essences  below (just scroll down), and handmade cards will have some of these images.

All paintings will come with unique and individual titles and descriptions (naturally, as we all are unique individuals :-))

The second phase of the project will be creating a documentary film about the experience of these kids and their journeys through the process of self-recognition. (I am not asking funding for this part of the project at this time to make it manageable and coherent. This second phase depends on actualizing the first phase.)

Why this project?

One function of art is to bring the invisible into visible…The idea painted on a canvas and brought into life

I want to focus my work on the often invisible population of kids who are still attending school.  While they are identified as homeless, they lack a regular and adequate night-time residence -- meaning they are couch-surfing or living in substandard conditions like trailer parks without running water and heat.  These homeless children aren’t seen on the street; they don’t want the stigma of being homeless.

20 years ago, when I first began working as a medical psychologist (and artist) in the first Russian teen drug rehab program, I had no idea what I was getting into. I was curious though.  Little did I know that the young addicts would burst my heart open to new experiences and a new understanding of the power of love. The human tendency, when faced with anything we perceive as different or threatening, is to get scared and to separate ourselves. I have learned that if we don’t face our shadows we cut ourselves off from an opportunity to know ourselves fully, to know our humility and to create positive change in the world around us.

I’m choosing to ART-fully explore the reality of homeless youth because I’m aware of this fear in me and I want to go beyond that fear, and I want to DO ART!

I believe this is a great opportunity for kids to tell their story and not only have a piece of art that is a reflection of them and see it in the gallery and in the book, but to have an experience of being seen...

and

That is where you come in!

Support the project!

And receive gifts!

Here are some examples of other Heart Essence projects that I have completed, to see more go to www.joyfullart.com

Here is an example of Grace's Heart Essence:

Pulsating Glow of Simplicity

The complexity of inner and outer world transformed in simple single pulsation of your heart. By simply emanating a steady even light, the life is sustained and visible duality naturally embraced.

             Magical Rhythms of Light

Although Light is not directional, it can be focused creating an element of keen attention and weighty influence. Coiling and straightening encapsulates the ancient magician's wisdom of moving in perfect rhythm of natural forces. Extremely concentrated light holds the quality of fire (tremendous assertive power) and soft glow of light contains the qualities of water (nurturing and benevolent). White light holds all colors and all polarities of creation. To achieve loving harmony between the physical and ethereal, calmly ease into places of personal balance within the cosmic balance of the whole.

http://joyfullart.com/galleries/photos.html

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS PROJECT!