GET TO KNOW US

About Graceful Art

The Journey Begins

Hello, I am Crystal. My return to the world of art in late June 2021 wasn't by choice, but by necessity. Just two and half months after a car accident left me with post-concussive syndrome, I was grappling with frustrating speech problem, blurred vision, light and sound sensitivity, debilitating migraines and a growing sense of anger at my own limitations. Words, once readily available, become elusive, replaced by jumbled sounds and reversed syllables - it felt as if my very being was misfiring. It was my physical and speech therapists who gently nudged me back towards the creative outlets I'd once cherished, some 20 years earlier: writing and art. While my vision made writing a struggle, art became my sanctuary. With each stroke of a brush, with every color that bloomed on the canvas, a subtle yet profound healing began, even when I couldn't immediately see it.

From Healing Hand to Helping Hearts:

The Vision Takes Shape

As I continued to paint and draw in those early months of recovery, something shifted. Around October 2021, my friends began to notice a significant improvement in my speech - a direct result, they believed, of my renewed engagement with art. This external validation sparked a new curiosity within me. In 2o22, I ventured into the online art world, connecting with fellow creatives from across the globe. Meeting artists like Sair from Canada, who introduced me to a supportive community of women artists, broadened my horizons. While I began selling some of my pieces around April or May of that year, a deeper question began to take root: how could art truly help others, beyond the personal solace it offered me?

This question lingered, a gentle unease, until later in 2022. Through another online art challenge and a painting class, I connected with Lucy in England. Her artistic style resonated with mine, and her encouragement unlocked a new level of confidence in my own talent. It was through these connections and my continued creative exploration that the answer began to dawn. Art had been profoundly therapeutic for me, a lifeline through the fog of post-concussions and a way to process emotions that words still failed to capture. This realization ignited a desire to understand the deeper potential of art for healing.

In January 2023, I joined Mandy's Creative Mastermind program, a community that would become an unexpected source of strength and support. As I navigated the joys of artistic growth and challenges that life inevitably brings, the women in this program, led by Mandy, from Scottland, became a pillar of understanding. When I faced the devastating temporary loss of my son in October 2023, their unwavering support was invaluable. This experience further underscored the importance of community and connection in navigating difficult times.

It was during this challenging period that my "Scream Painting" process was born. The raw frustration, anger, sadness and fear I experienced found an unexpected outlet in the visceral act of applying paint to the canvas, fueled by intense emotion, providing an immediate and profound sense of release. This personal breakthrough solidified my understanding; it was a powerful tool for navigating and processing even the most overwhelming emotions. This experience, coupled with the incredible support of my artistic community, including Mandy's guidance later in the summer of 2024 that steered me towards the idea of building a nonprofit, finally illuminated how I could bridge my artistic passion with a genuine opportunity to support the well-being of others on a larger scale.

The Philosophy and Approach of Graceful Art

At Graceful Art, my core belief is that creativity is inherent in everyone. We are all born with the capacity to create; sometimes, we simply need to rediscover and unlock that innate ability. Regardless of prior art experience or perceived skill, I believe that with the right guidance and a supportive environment, everyone can re-emerge their creative spirit. My mission is to make the healing and self-discovery available through art - what I call Self-Awakening Through Creativity - accessible to all.

I emphasize the power of process over product. By shifting our focus to the experience of creating, we can delve deeper into ourselves, connecting with and working through the traumas, hurts, pains, and stresses we may unknowingly carry. This journey of exploration allows us to gain a clearer perspective on who we are, where we are, where we aspire to be, our core beliefs and our true goals and dreams. Embracing the creative process opens us to a world of new possibilities and unlocks a wellspring of inner creativity.

Central to my approach is the creation of a safe and on-judgmental space. I am committed to providing a welcoming environment, both within our local community and online, where individuals can freely express their emotions, no matter how raw they may be. My aim is to cultivate a space where people feel comfortable and secure in being their authentic selves, without fear of criticism or judgment.

As a Therapeutic Art and Self-Healing Facilitator, my role is to gently guide and encourage participants on their creative paths. Through various therapeutic art techniques, individuals can explore, connect with, process and release the emotions that may be hindering them form pursuing their desired paths and dreams. These techniques offer pathways to being present in the moment, freeing the mind from worry, stress, anxiety and other burdens.

Graceful Art currently offers and will continue to expand upon a range of therapeutic art modalities, each with unique benefits:

• Zentangles: Offer mindfulness, enhanced focus, accessible structure, stress reduction and the potential for a deeply calming "Zenful" state.

• Mandalas: Facilitate meditation, self-expression, and self-exploration through geometric patterns, aiding in stress and anxiety reduction, and alleviating symptoms of depression. They can also provide insights into daily emotional fluctuations and their triggers.

• Scream Painting: Provides a powerful avenue for true emotional release and uninhibited expression, allowing participants to connect with and liberate raw, confusing emotions that may feel heavy. This process can often reveal deeper layers of underlying issues.

• Expressive Arts: Encompasses collage, mood and vision board creations and broad emotional expression through diverse mediums and tools, including possibilities like sculpture and pottery making. Scream Painting can also be considered under this umbrella.

My goal is to cultivate a calm, safe, empowering, supportive and trusting space for all participants in classes, workshops, groups, or individual sessions. I see my role as guiding individuals on a journey of creative healing and self-discovery, providing them with sage, healthy, new, exciting and creative way to break free from the constraints of their trauma and emotions. I aim to empower them to express themselves freely and comfortably, in their own time and way.

Ultimately, my hope is to show that there are constructive ways to express ourselves without causing harm to ourselves or others. I am particularly passionate about reaching our youth, demonstrating that they don't need to suppress their feelings. I also aim to connect with workplaces, offering tools to release workplace stress and prevent it from hindering personal goals and dreams. I want participants to experience reduced stress and anxiety and a lessening of depressive symptoms and feelings of hopelessness. My overarching goals include fostering self-awareness and self-discovery, facilitating emotional release and building connection within the community and with oneself. I want participants to feel self-empowered, recognizing their own strengths, creativity and unique value.

My deepest hope is to demonstrate that there are better ways to navigate our challenges, way that don't involve bringing others down.

Graceful Art, Inc.: Making Therapeutic Art Accessible

Graceful Art isn't just a service; it's the operational arm of my nonprofit organization, Graceful Art, Inc. Our core mission is to make the therapeutic benefits of art accessible to individuals who cannot otherwise afford it, helping them work through their emotions, trauma, and stress, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression through creative expression.

The proceeds generated from all Graceful Art offerings - including classes, workshops, group and one-on-one sessions, and corporate and school programs - are directly reinvested into fulfilling this mission by providing reduced-cost and free sessions, along with all necessary art materials, to support our services and to those facing financial barriers. To further support our mission and create engaging opportunities for participants, we envision periodically hosting silent auctions or sales at events featuring artwork created during Graceful Art sessions and workshops. Participants will have the option to contribute their creations to these fundraising efforts, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. Additionally, as a personal commitment to Graceful Art, Inc., I will be donating 20-30% of the proceeds from the sale of my personal artwork to support the nonprofit's essential needs.

The raised through sour services, participant artwork initiatives, personal art contributions, donations, and grants will be strategically allocated to ensure the sustainability and growth of Graceful Art, Inc. These funds will cover program costs, materials for participants, and essential operational expenses such as website maintenance, advertising, domain upkeep, communication costs (phone and email), event fees, and providing refreshments during sessions, workshops and classes. To ensure transparency and maximize our impact, our initial financial goals for Graceful Art, Inc. are to allocate a significant majority of our proceeds - ideally 70-80% or more in our early years - directly to program costs and materials for services and those in need. The remaining funds will be carefully managed to cover essential operational expenses and build a sustainable foundation for the future. As Graceful Art, Inc. grows and our needs evolve, we will regularly review and adjust these allocations to best serve our mission, always prioritizing the direct support of our participants. These decisions will be made with the guidance of our board of directors.

We are currently in the process of obtaining our 501(c)(3) status, which will allow corporations, schools and individual participants to recognize their contributions to Graceful Art, Inc. as charitable donations for tax purposes.

Beyond participating in our programs and events, there are several other ways individuals and organizations can contribute to our mission:

• Direct Donations: Financial contributions of any size are deeply appreciated and will directly support our programs. Donate here.

• Grants: We will actively seek grant opportunities to expand our services and reach a wider audience.

• In-Kind Donations: We gratefully accept donations of new and/or gently used art and craft supplies (paint, brushes, paper, canvases, etc.), as well as furniture suitable for artmaking (easels, tables, chairs, etc.) and office equipment (desk, printers, etc.). To donate materials, contact Crystal.

• Volunteer Support: We welcome individuals who are willing to donate their time and expertise in areas such as art instruction, administration, marketing, fundraising, any form of counseling or therapy work or fundraising, etc. Click here to sign up as a volunteer.

Initially, to minimize overhead cost and maximize our impact, Graceful Art, Inc. will utilize community centers, art & craft stores, and art supply stores for our programs. Our long-term vision includes establishing a dedicated space where individuals can come to unwind and engage in therapeutic art and art making in a safe and supportive environment.

My Qualifications and Experiences

My commitment to supporting well-being through creative expression is back by accredited certifications as a Therapeutic Art Coach and a Self-Healing Coach (obtained in 2023). I am currently pursuing my Master Certification in Therapeutic Art and Art therapy through Oxford's Master's in Art Therapy Diploma program on Udemy, demonstrating my ongoing dedication to expanding my knowledge and expertise in this field. Further enriching my understanding of the therapeutic power of art, I hold a Certificate of Completion in Neuro-Therapeutic Arts Foundations and Intuitive Graphic Drawing and Art Meditation (obtained in 2024).

As a mother of three boys, I bring a deep understanding of nurturing and supporting individuals through various life stages. My professional background further reinforces my caregiving abilities, as I have worked in the medical field as a Certified Nurse's Assistant (CNA) in both on- and off-campus mental health facilities and group homes. This experience has provided me with valuable insights into the challenges individuals facing mental health concerns may encounter. Additionally, I was also a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), further solidifying my foundation in healthcare.

My experience extends to working with a diverse range of individuals. I am certified in working with daycare-aged children and have extensive experience providing care for children from preschool through 8th grade, including those with high-functioning autism and special needs. In this role, I not only provide educational support but also introduce and guide children through various therapeutic art techniques tailored to their individual needs.

My Self-Healing certification has equipped me with knowledge in different forms of meditation and somatic Movements, which I integrate with therapeutic art techniques when appropriate to support holistic healing.

Recognizing the importance of community and continuous growth, I have been an active member of Mandy's Creative Mastermind Program since January 2023, a supportive environment focused on nurturing the creative businesses of women. My insights and experiences have also let to contributions as a Collaborating Author in two self-help books: "Seasoned with Empowerment" by Nixie and "Beyond the Ordinary" by Mandy.

Embracing Your Creative Journey

My passion lies in guiding individuals like you towards self-discovery and healing through the transformative power of art. It is incredibly rewarding to witness the unique potential that unfolds when we tap into our innate creativity.

Invite you to take the first step on your own creative healing journey with Graceful Art. Book a free, no-obligation consultation call with me to discuss your individual needs and how therapeutic art can support your well-being. Whether you're interested in exploring individual sessions, upcoming classes, workshops, or setting up tailored corporate sessions and event, this call is an opportunity to connect and discover the possibilities.

I also encourage you to browse our upcoming classes, workshops and events to find a format that resonates with you. Each offering provides a unique space for exploration, expression and connection.

Your participation directly supports the mission of Graceful Art, Inc. in making therapeutic art accessible to those who need it most. If you're inspired to further contribute, you can make a donation here or explore volunteer opportunities or get in touch to donate art materials or supplies by email.

As the wise Pablo Picasso once said, "The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls." I look forward to connecting with you and witnessing the beautiful awakening that creativity can bring to your life!