Category teacher

Jul 11 2012

Kathleen Kurre: Adventure Happens in the Present Moment

Kathleen Kurre is an accomplished executive and entrepreneur, with a broad range of experience on the leading edge of technology adoption and organizational change where people, process and technology intersect for success.

“Life is like the wave. You take your surfboard — everything that you know how to do — then get up on the wave. The sweet spot of life is your adventure — and adventure always happens in the present moment.” ~Kathleen Kurre

Listen to Kathleen’s Art as Worship interview on Empower Radio.

Kathleen’s work in the world of business and technology reflects her artistry in the world and includes teaching, speaking, writing and more.  She says, “I wasn’t really encouraged as a young girl in terms of my art work so I just went looking for other things that I could create. I’m really curious about things and I always like the leading edge. I like doing things that haven’t been done before. That’s really the definition of an artist. Even when I was in college and working with mathematics and technology, I realized that business is a wonderful canvas for us to create our lives.”

Kathleen has served as CEO of two venture capital backed healthcare technology services companies and of a social entrepreneurship, technology services nonprofit. Currently, Kathleen is President of Fusion Advisors LLC, which focuses on organizational change and adoption of new technologies.

She is on the faculty group for the Graduate Leadership Program at Georgia Tech for BioMed Engineering PhD students. Kathleen has served on the board of several companies and contributed to the start-up of new organizations.

She says, “We often think that the creativity comes from one place, but it comes from the heart AND from the mind AND from our physical body. It’s that total integration which is beautiful because that’s who we are. We are these wonderful physical beings and everything we do is through our physical body. We’re also these nonphysical beings and we get to work and play in the ethers. That combination is where the divinity is. That’s what we bring through in our artwork.”

She has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Purdue University and a Masters of Divinity in Spiritual Peacemaking from the Beloved Community in Ashland, Oregon.

Find out more about Kathleen at www.fusionadvisors.com or read her blog at www.kathleenkurre.com.

Learn more about show host Vanessa Lowry at www.vanessalowrycreative.com.

Jul 5 2012

Matt Janke: I Became Grateful

Matt Janke is a glassblower. He loves the medium, the craft and building the equipment. Matt has been on one mission for nearly 20 years… to expose and promote the art of glassblowing throughout the Southeast.

 “For many years I didn’t fully appreciate my skill level. I didn’t think of my talent as a gift from God — I approached it like work and thought of it as a curse at times. I finally realized I needed to change my attitude and I became grateful for my talent and skill. I realized it came a lot easier for me than for a lot of other people.” ~Matt Janke

Listen to Matt’s Art as Worship interview on Empower Radio.

Upon arriving in Atlanta in 1986, Matt discovered there were no glassblowers and therefore no studios to work out of in the metro Atlanta area. He decided he was going to blow glass in Atlanta even if he had to build a shop himself. In 1990, Matt moved his family back to his native Ohio and his alma mater Kent State University to attend graduate school on a teaching assistantship where he received his Masters in Glassblowing.

Returning to Atlanta in 1992, Matt built a glass blowing studio in his basement. In July of 1996, Matt and his wife Kim opened Janke Studios – Atlanta’s first glassblowing studio.

Matt says, “Glassblowing is sort of like controlled chaos. I like to create chaos every once in a while. Everyone always tries to control everything.”

Matt and Kim run an open studio with the mission to expose and promote the art of glass making throughout the Southeast and to provide a means for other artists to practice their craft. Janke Studios is Atlanta’s premier glassblowing studio and virtually all of Atlanta’s glass artists have all been active in Janke Studios over the years.

One piece of advice he gives other artists is, “Be persistent if you have a dream or a vision. Don’t let obstacles get in the way — just go around them.”

Find out more about Matt, his work and classes offered through Janke Studios. Check out the video where Janke Studios was featured on CNN as a Small Business Success story.

Learn more about show host Vanessa Lowry at www.vanessalowrycreative.com.

Jun 28 2012

Jo Crawford: Make Your Muse Comfortable

Jo Crawford is an artist, teacher and intuitive reader based in Berkeley, California.  Through her business, Crafting the Sacred, she works with women to access their intuitive wisdom and express their creativity.

 “Nurture your creativity by producing a lot. Expect the first hour to be about clearing house — see it as tidying up before a visitor arrives. You do a bit of vacuuming and dusting before you invite a guest. Fill up your internal space so your muse is very comfortable upon arrival.” ~Jo Crawford

Listen to Jo’s Art as Worship interview on Empower Radio.

Jo was born and raised in South Africa where she had her first art training in drawing, painting and fiber art in her teens.  She pursued a degree in Industrial Sociology and Adult Education at the University of Cape Town and spent several years of working in the non-profit sector. Jo relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 90s where she worked as a paralegal for the next decade.

In 2007, she took a leap of faith to leave her full-time office job and focus on her creative and spiritual path. Jo cashed out her 401(K) and embraced a year of self-discovery where she studied massage, herbs and tarot more deeply, went on spiritual retreats, meditated, slept late, made art, traveled home to South Africa, spent time with her loved ones, and delved into personal growth work.

It was during this time that Jo birthed her business, Crafting the Sacred, and recommitted to her creative passions of visual journaling, fiber and mixed media arts. She is currently working on the themes of Art as a Sacred Expression; Home and Belonging; and Fertility and Birth.

Jo says, “I have a lot of ideas. I keep notebooks of all my brilliant ideas —and they all feel brilliant at 2 am. Deciding which ideas to pursue comes down to questions like: What are my resources? How much time do I have? What do I have in front of me? What can I create right now? That will determine what urgency I have. Sometimes something keeps bugging me and it’s not really a choice then. I have to be the conduit to make it happen.”

She goes on to say, “Our creative force is a Divine force. We are creative beings and have to get it out. It doesn’t matter what your medium is, it doesn’t matter how well it’s executed or whether you ever show it to anyone else. It’s important to allow yourself the breathing room to get that beauty inside of you out.”

Find out more about Jo at www.CraftingtheSacred.com. Download her e-book, Follow Your Heart, and other freebies.

Learn more about show host Vanessa Lowry at www.vanessalowrycreative.com.

May 31 2012

Claire Paul: I Start with Impulses

Claire Paul is an instructor of art at Georgia Perimeter College. A graduate of Georgia State University, Claire completed her MFA in Drawing and Painting. While her art intends for the viewer to explore the unseen, her interests in music and sound performance also shape the content of her visual art.

“ I start with impulses, then I narrow from there — sketching, gathering thoughts, writing down ideas. Creativity is a lot of play.” ~Claire Paul

Listen to Claire’s Art as Worship interview on Empower Radio.

She goes on to say, “The beauty in making art is the mystery. I search for this quiet area where things recur, patterns happen and then I expand on that idea.”

Through her spirituality, she taps into the “cloud area of unconscious workings.” She says, “Whatever quiet wanderings or whisperings are happening in my life, I stop and record them. Whether or not that becomes artwork is on the side. I have a lot of work that never gets shown because it’s more about the process of making art and listening to that voice.”

In addition to her visual art, Claire holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in music and continues to perform music.

Find out more about Claire and her work at www.clairepaul.com.

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Learn more about show host Vanessa Lowry at www.vanessalowrycreative.com.

May 17 2012

Roz Zollinger: I Am a Channel

Roz Zollinger has an international reputation for her therapeutic work and instruction in Reflexology and Aromatherapy. She has 20 years of experience in the practice and teaching of these healing arts.

 “I ask Source to help me, help my client. I am a channel and touching them is really touching God. I do my best work when I let go and let God use me.” ~Roz Zollinger

Listen to Roz’s Art as Worship interview on Empower Radio.

Roz qualified in Reflexology in 1983 through the South African Institute of Reflexology in Johannesburg, and in 1984 trained in Aromatherapy with the Institute of Clinical Aromatherapy in London. She subsequently pursued advanced Aromatherapy studies with the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy in California, and has taken the International Training Program in Essential Oils at Purdue University in Indiana, USA.

Roz says, “Essential oils have energy and there’s always something that can help a person. Roses, for instance, have the highest vibration of all flowers and being in a room with beautiful fresh roses changes the energy.”

Roz founded the Heal Center in 1992 and currently has multiple practitioners offering a full range of natural therapies. The center has gained a national reputation for its therapeutic services and instruction. Roz lectures at regional and national conferences in addition to teaching courses and workshops from their Atlanta location.

She developed the BodySystems Method of Reflexology and Aromatherapy, which stresses the interaction of all bodily systems and addresses the physical, emotional and spiritual well being of the individual.

She says, “People think that I love feet because I work on the feet, but I love the connection that the feet give me to the soul of the person.”

Roz is co-founder of the Georgia Reflexology Organization and is a regional director for the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA). She is Assistant Director of the US Branch of the International Institute of Traditional Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy (ITHMA), which is based at the Heal Center.

Find out more about Roz and the offerings at the Heal Center at www.healcenteratlanta.com.

Learn more about show host Vanessa Lowry at www.vanessalowrycreative.com.

May 3 2012

Krista Goodrich: Helping Others Embrace Art

In 2009, Krista Goodrich quit her job as a financial analyst and started Masterpiece Mixers Paint and Party Studio in Braselton, Georgia.  This business has allowed her to return to her art roots where she helps others embrace art in a positive and healthy environment.

“Much of the time I spend painting is when I am teaching. I go within before each class and get into ‘teacher mode.’ I block out the rest of the world so it’s just me with my students and the painting. God helps me through the times I’m having a bad day so I’m able to be upbeat for my students.” ~Krista Goodrich

Listen to Krista’s Art as Worship interview on Empower Radio.

Krista focuses on expression through color variations and enjoys painting with strong, bright colors on big canvases. Born in south Florida, she moved to Georgia in the early eighties. She attributes her preference of vibrant colors to her south Florida roots.

Her art love affair began at a young age through her mother who introduced her to a wide variety of art — from pottery, to bow making to becoming part of a young Asian art society, exploring the use of art in Asian cultures.

Krista attended college in France — learning the techniques of art masters and their history.  She graduated with two bachelor degrees — one in French and one in Economics.

She says, “When I opened Masterpiece Mixers I was not very well connected with God. During the first year and a half of the studio, I had some things happen in my life — specifically a very close personal death. It was during that that I created my very favorite painting. While I was painting, I was reflecting on my life and reflecting on the one who had passed. There was a presence with me and that presence was helping me while I was creating art. Since that time I’ve reconnected to God through my art and through my daughter.”

Krista believes everyone can paint with just a little instruction. “Our slogan at Masterpiece Mixers is ‘It’s Fun Art, Not Fine Art.’ We want our clients to have fun and enjoy the process. People hug me after a few hours of painting and say it’s the best thing they’ve ever experienced. I love helping people embrace something they didn’t think they could do.”

A “Crazy Heart” painting by a Masterpiece Mixer autistic client was chosen for the Autism Awareness postage stamp.

She lives in Hoschton, Georgia with her husband Colin, her daughter, Tiana and their two dogs Dot and Danja. They enjoy family time involved in activities such as tennis, boating and wakeboarding.

Find out more about Krista at www.masterpiecemixers.com and join her at one of her studio to create your own painting.

Learn more about show host Vanessa Lowry at www.vanessalowrycreative.com.

Apr 25 2012

Karen Vuranch: God’s Energy Comes Through Me

Karen Vuranch weaves together a love of history, a passion for stories and a sense of community. She has toured throughout the United States with her traditional storytelling and living history performances, as well as made five performance tours of Wales and England performing her play, Coal Camp Memories. In 2002, Karen participated in storytelling exchange in China.

“The ancient Celtics had the sense that God is in everything and everything you do is spiritual. That’s how I look at my life — spirituality is part of everything that I do. When I’m creating, I draw upon God’s energy, but I also just let it come out through me.” ~Karen Vuranch

Listen to Karen’s Art as Worship interview on Empower Radio.

Karen brings history to life with historical interpretations of women from America’s past. She recreates author Pearl Buck; labor organizer Mother Jones; Indian captive Mary Draper Ingles, Civil War soldier and spy Emma Edmonds, humanitarian Clara Barton, Renaissance pirate Grace O’Malley, Wild West Outlaw Belle Starr and, the first lady of food, Julia Child, Hollywood gossip columnist Louella Parsons. Her newest character is beloved children’s writer, Laura Ingalls Wilder. Additionally, she performs a WWII play, Homefront.

On a lighter side, Karen writes and produces audience participation murder mysteries. She often works with community groups, creating a production in just two or three days using members of the community.  She also has a troupe of actors that travel to present the mysteries. The In Cahoots Players are a troupe of incredibly talented actors from Southern West Virginia. Collectively, they have performed in plays, musicals and murder mysteries throughout the region. Their stage presence, lively and spontaneous banter and quick replies make for a hilarious evening of entertainment.

Karen says, “The art of storytelling and live performance becomes intrinsically involved with the audience  — the audience is as much a part of it as I am. I have a little mantra that I always do before I go onstage. When I offer my work to God, the connection with the audience is magical.”

Karen has been honored by many organizations including the Corridor Tourism L Commission, receiving the Robert C. Byrd Community Service Award in April of 2005. Other honors include the McWhorter Achievment Award from the West Virginia Storytelling Guild; Performing Artist of the Year for Tamarack, the West Virginia state arts center; the Spirit of West Virginia Award from the state tourism office and the Celebrate Women Award from the Women’s Commission of the West Virginia Legislature.  In 1994, Karen and her husband, Gene Worthington, performed together at the Ellipse Theatre at the White House.  On her audio tape, My Grandmother’s Necklace, Karen performs stories she has written and collected.  She is currently in production with a new CD of the stories and song show Potluck: Stories and Songs about Women, Wisdom and Food, which she performs with Julie Adams and Colleen Anderson. Karen also has completed a DVD of Coal Camp Memories.

Karen graduated from Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio with double majors in Sociology/Social Work and Theatre.  She earned a M.A. from the Marshall University Graduate College in Humanities, focusing on American Studies with a minor in Celtic Studies. In addition to her work as a storyteller and actress, Karen is an adjunct faculty for Concord University, teaching Theatre, Speech and Appalachian Studies. She is a freelance consultant for the Coal Heritage Highway Authority. For this organization, she wrote and developed their Interpretation Plan, organized an event celebrating coalfield baseball and is currently directing an oral history project.

Karen says, “My spiritual beliefs and artistic growth are totally intertwined with each other. As I create, I draw upon spiritual energy. As I become more of a spiritual person, I become a better artist.”

Find out more about Karen and her upcoming shows at www.wventerprises.com. Here is a recent article about Karen from the Register Herald newspaper in Beckley, WV.

Learn more about show host Vanessa Lowry at www.vanessalowrycreative.com.

Apr 19 2012

Dixie Speck: Communing with God through Nature

For Dixie Speck, President, CEO and Lead Designer of Solterra Landscape Inc., plants and landscaping aren’t just a business, but an obsession. Her passion led her to leave a career in the engineering field, move to Atlanta, receive training in landscape design and horticulture, and start a landscaping business.

“I get to be outside every day enjoying communion with God through nature. After walking a property with a client, I walk through again on my own and start to get a vision of what the finished landscape could be and what plants could work well. I feel that God is leading me in that way and helping me figure out what would look great in my design for that particular property.” ~Dixie Speck

Listen to Dixie’s Art as Worship interview on Empower Radio.

Solterra has gained a reputation for delighting their customers both in creating beautiful, distinctive landscapes and providing excellent maintenance service. Solterra customers know that they can request special services and it will always be accommodated.

Solterra’s clients are looking for MORE – particularly more quality and more communication. Dixie and her Solterra team have won local and national awards for landscape design.

Dixie says, “I pay attention to little details — not just the flowers and the color, but the difference in the textures of plants and how they can work together a living design. I feel like an artist on a grand scale when I assemble the puzzle pieces together to create a beautiful landscape with a variety of plant material. I’m working with God’s gift of all these gorgeous plants.“

Dixie has taught classes on landscape design for Emory University’s Continuing Education Program, and is regularly asked to speak at Garden Clubs and other industry events.  She appeared as a guest designer for several episodes of HGTV’s Landscape Solutions. Dixie serves as an expert resource for Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine and is on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Urban Ag Council. 

Find out more about Dixie and Solterra Landscape at www.solterralandscape.com.

Learn more about show host Vanessa Lowry at www.vanessalowrycreative.com.

Apr 12 2012

Dr. Tammi Baliszewski: Creativity Takes Many Forms

Dr. Tammi Baliszewski has a double Ph.D. and is a Holistic Life Counselor. Her teachings are a blend of psychological and spiritual principles. Tammi is a hypnotherapist, Art for Healing instructor, Sacred Art Facilitator, ordained minister, artist, writer and author of Manifesting Love From the Inside Out. Her intention is to support those she works with in tapping into the creativity, power, beauty and wisdom within.

“I’m creative every day. I am not a painter every day. I am not a writer every day. I’m not a counselor every day. I start every day with a simple practice of centering myself — I invite spirit to work through me for the highest possible good of myself and for others. From that place, I’ll have something I intend to do which may be painting, writing or counseling. Creativity takes many forms.” ~ Dr. Tammi Baliszewski

Listen to Tammi’s Art as Worship interview on Empower Radio.

Her centering practice helps her overcome blocks to her creative flow. Tammi says, “If I lend myself to Spirit, there’s always something there.”

She goes on to say, “Ego can have us play small and claim that we are less than we are. I believe we are breathing in an aspect of creative intelligence and therefore we are creators. We are artists. Our life is the most important creative medium that we have.”

Tammi is host of the radio show, Journey to Center, airing weekly on Empower Radio.

Find out more about Tammi, her book and her art at www.TammiBPhD.com.

Learn more about show host Vanessa Lowry at www.vanessalowrycreative.com.

Mar 28 2012

Pat Fiorello: When You’re Creating, You’re Alive

Pat Fiorello is a professional artist who especially enjoys capturing the beauty and energy of nature in her vibrant oil and watercolor paintings. She is known for her impressionistic paintings of landscapes, gardens and florals.

Pat’s family name “Fiorello” comes from an Italian lineage meaning “one who lives near a wall of flowers,” so it’s no accident that she is drawn to painting flowers and scenes which capture the essence and beauty of nature.

“When you’re creating, you’re alive. It doesn’t matter what you are creating. You could be creating a piece of music or a dance or a spreadsheet or a casserole. When you’re in the experience of taking nothing and creating something, there’s nothing more enlivening. The creation itself is an amazing process and gets you out of your own self – out of your own ego and the voices in your head. You are present in the moment.” ~Pat Fiorello

Listen to Pat’s Art as Worship interview on Empower Radio.

Pat has an MBA from the Harvard Business School and worked in corporate marketing for 20 years including positions as Vice President, Marketing at Nabisco and Coca-Cola.

Self taught at first, Pat later studied with noted artists to develop her talents and skills. In 2002, she left her corporate marketing position to pursue her passion for art and concentrate on painting full time. Now she teaches others to paint at the Spruill Center for the Arts in Atlanta and other places in the U. S., Caribbean and Europe. While she is helping people build skills in art, her broader intention is to provide enrichment experiences for adults.

She says, “I really believe that you can never stop learning in art. I share with my students a quote I have in my studio that says, ‘I am still learning.’ That was a quote by Michelangelo when he was 87. You can start learning at any age and art is something that will last a lifetime.”

Pat has served as President of the Georgia Watercolor Society and Chairman of the Atlanta Artists Center. Given her unique blend of business and art skills, she also works as a coach with artists and arts organizations to help them be more successful.

With all that Pat juggles as an artist, teacher, coach and business owner, she says, “At the end of the day, it’s just a great day if I’ve had the opportunity to paint, learn or inspire someone to grow or get one step closer to their dreams.”

Learn more about show host Vanessa Lowry at www.vanessalowrycreative.com.