Jan 25 2012

Diane English: Your Art Picks Up Your Vibe

Diane English is a self-taught artist and founder of The Great Cosmic Happy Ass Card Company, combining her art and career with her spiritual path. She sells her original designs internationally in bookstores, galleries and on her website as greeting cards, prints and magnets.

“My definition of art is that it’s meant to delight, inform and inspire. You’re inspired to create art and then you pass inspiration on. That piece of art that you’re creating will pick up your vibe and it will be passed on. So do it. Don’t deny the world your talent.” ~Diane English

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

Diane has survived countless spiritual crises; has managed to see the occasional “light”; and discovered the secret of Higher Consciousness along the way. She says that after years of deep meditation, medication, fasting, prayer and a few bottles of Merlot, she now knows the secret to enlightenment is being in the “Now” with a piece of rich, dark chocolate.

She says, “I think God has a fabulous sense of humor. The spiritual evolution of my art was learning to play instead of taking it seriously. More often than not, artwork for me is play.”  

Contact Diane at her website www.GreatCosmicHappyAss.com and “like” her Facebook page.

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

Jan 19 2012

Shelly Ryan: Laughter is the Universal Language

Michele (Shelly) Wendling Ryan is a comedian and an author. She was born funny with a vivid imagination. Being an only child this trait was useful, although her parents never determined how many imaginary siblings Shelly had. By high school, she realized a sense of humor was more than entertaining; it was therapeutic.

“Laughter connects people. Look at how contagious it is. Someone can be laughing and even if you don’t know what they are laughing about, it makes you want to start laughing.” ~Shelly Ryan

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

Shelly’s spirituality is based in gratitude and she believes her unique blend of humor is a gift from God. Her mission is to make the world a happier, healthier place. Fans comment how laughing with Shelly helps them cope with both emotional and physical pain.

The conglomerate of Shelly’s work, known as Comedylove, includes:

  • Sketch comedy scripts, several  of which have been performed in Atlanta
  • Stand-up comedian (her closest brush with fame was  Nickelodeon at Nite’s  “Funniest Mom Contest”) and emceeing a variety of charitable events in the Southeast
  • Creating ripples of laughter world-wide on the airwaves plus numerous guest appearances; her own comedy cabaret, variety talk show and ovarian cancer awareness podcast Feel Teal Talk
  • Prolific blogger, humor columnist and regular contributor to Feel Teal Magazine
  • Fasten your seatbelts and enjoy her book Floor It! Road Trips Down the Humor Highway
  • She shares her own fairy tale in her CD Shelly’s Nursery Rhymes: The REST of the Story…

Contact Shelly at her website www.ShellysComedyLove.com and “like” her Facebook page Shelly Ryan Comedy. Join a group of other lovers of laughter at The Seriously Weird World of Shelly Ryan.

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

Jan 12 2012

Anita Beyer: My Creativity and Talent are a Gift from God

Anita Beyer is an interior designer who thinks of herself as a “creator” (with a small “c”) more than as an artist. She believes her talent for turning her client’s dreams into the reality of a beautiful space is a gift from God. She says, “The aesthetics of our homes and offices are so important. Your surroundings can be harmonious and make you feel wonderful, or they can deplete you of energy.” She goes on to say it’s not only important how YOU feel in your space, but how others feel when they come into that space.

“Listening is the initial step in any project. Not only listening to my client, but listening to my inner voice.” ~Anita Beyer

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

Anita says, “Often when I walk into a space, I see a flash of the color that is going to be in that room or how accessories should be arranged. I get amazed knowing it’s divinely inputted to me. I’m just an instrument — the person who’s interpreting it.”

In 2002, Anita founded Beyer’s Design, Inc. to help clients transform their homes & lives with her full service interior decorating and renovating services. Whether a client needs a complete home renovation or just wants to personalize a room or office, Anita orchestrates each project from start to finish. Her work has been written about in the Atlanta Journal Constitution and other national publications.

Contact Anita at www.BeyersDesign.com to discuss your vision for your own space reinvention. Check out Anita’s video series on eHow Home.

Anita also loves to dance. You can see her as part of a fun flash mob at Atlanta’s Atlantic Station in this YouTube video. She and her partner come in with second set of dancers about 30 seconds into the video. She is in the back… spot her by her short blond hair.

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

Jan 5 2012

Molly Elkind: God Lured Me with Art

Molly Elkind

Molly Elkind is an artist who works with fibers. She says, “I love the tactility of it – the texture of those materials in my hands. I love the repetitive process of stitching, weaving or papermaking. I also love making larger works from lots of many small pieces.”

“I was away from church for 20 years. I feel like God lured me back to a life of faith through art.” ~Molly Elkind

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

Molly earned an MA in Studio Art, with a concentration in Fibers, from the University of Louisville in 2002.  Molly’s mixed media embroideries, handmade paper sculptures, wall hangings and collages, and artist’s books have been exhibited in juried shows locally and nationally, as well as being included in private collections.

In addition, Molly holds a B.A. and M.A. in English and taught this subject for many years.  She says, “Circling everybody’s mistakes and wielding a red pen as an English teacher was beginning to feel like a soul killing activity. I wanted work that could allow me to say yes instead of no. Yes to the possibilities. Yes to creativity. Yes to making mistakes and picking up and going on. Yes to that uncertain process of creating. Making art allowed me to do that. What I realized in the process of making art was that this was bigger than me. There was something else going on here besides my own brain and my own abilities. There is a creative force that is moving through me and that allowed me to come back to a life of faith.”

One of the Woven Community banners created with the liturgical art team of Molly’s church.

In this interview, Molly talks about her personal creative process and describes collaboratively creating as part of Alpharetta Presbyterian Church’s liturgical art team.

Her awards and honors include:

2009  (Sept-Oct) One-person show, Brown Art Gallery, Mercer University.

2002  Kentucky Foundation for Women. $1,000 Artist Enrichment Grant.

2000  Norman Kohlhepp Prize, Water Tower Annual, Louisville Visual Arts Association.

Molly has taught art workshops and professional development sessions in schools, museums, community art centers, and in private classes since 1999. Find out more about Molly’s work at www.MollyElkind.com. She happily accepts commissioned projects.

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

Jan 1 2012

David Greer: What Will You Do for the First Time This Year?

David Greer, entrepreneur, songwriter and filmmaker, looks back at the end of a year and says “What did I do last year for the first time ever?” In this interview David shares examples of pursuing new venues of creative expression by giving himself permission to NOT be perfect.

“I think everyone has a creative vein in them and anybody can be creative. How many times do you stop and think that’s probably not any good or I’m not an artist? I just encourage people to take one step at a time and not be so consumed with the outcome.” ~David Greer

David talks about how a practice of daily stillness fuels his creativity. He says, “I’m open to things coming into your brain from sources unknown.”

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

More about David:

In the world of business, from marketing to publishing, and now in music and film, David Greer believes it all starts with a story.

For more than 30 years, David has harnessed the creative tools of the day to tell the stories of clients and causes – in print, online, through images, video, film and song.

His use of creative messages to achieve concrete business goals has garnered him a stellar reputation in marketing and media, while newer endeavors in the music and film industries have brought those mediums to the art and craft of his storytelling.

Extending his work into new mediums, David recently ventured into the world of filmmaking. David’s first screenplay was a quarterfinalist in the 2007 Slamdance Screenplay Competition, chosen from more than 2,200 screenplays. David’s first short film, produced and shot on location, was accepted into the International Family Film Festival in Hollywood, California.

He’s written songs like We Light A Candle and All Are Our Heroes, to benefit all those touched by cancer. The song and social media campaign became a touchpoint and a sustainable campaign to raise awareness and funds for the Cancer related charities.  Recently the Heroes Project has morphed in to a new endeavor called Faith On. Greer says seeing cancer survivors incredible faith inspired him to explore the role faith plays in every day life. Anybody can face a hardship… be it unemployment, rebuilding after a hurricane, heartbreak, illness and many other hardships. Greer seeks to use storytelling and real world examples to inspire folks to press on in faith. So far the campaign has reached 20 countries and throughout the US and a new song is in the production stages along with a Faith On Magazine and social media sites. A benefit concert is planned for 2012.

Find out more about the project at www.FaithOn.com or “like” the FaithOn Facebook page for daily encouragement.

An entrepreneur at heart, David launched his own marketing and media company in 1996, Tillman Allen Greer, enabling him to combine his technical knowledge with problem solving and creative applications in the marketing arena. A believer in vision with a keen focus on a quality outcome, David is known for balancing practical business sense with creative endeavors.

Tillman Allen Greer has provided strategic marketing services, including economic development, business development, public relations, advertising and creative design, video production, Web site development and collateral production to key organizations in the metro Atlanta area and throughout the state for more than a decade. The firm has produced award-winning work for Gwinnett Technical College, Gwinnett County Public Schools, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, Discover Point Child Development Centers, the Gwinnett Center and the The Brand Banking Company. David is the creator of the now famous Gwinnett County development campaign Success Lives Here.

In the media realm, David has launched several award-winning publications. He is the founder and publisher of both Gwinnett Magazine, the area’s definitive lifestyle and business publication, and the Gwinnett Business Journal.

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

Oct 20 2011

Art as Worship

I have been interested in my spiritual connection to life for as long as I can remember. I was raised in a Christian family in southern WV and was always involved in church activities. I also had parents who showed me how to BE love in real life. They lived the example of loving people, being kind, being curious, embracing those who are different, appreciating nature and choosing to say positive things.

My mom is amazingly creative and I grew up around art and creative expression in many forms. Even in our small town, I experienced art shows, classes, plays, music and festivals. In high school, I was blessed with a fantastic art teacher, Ellen Anderson, who opened my mind to the possibility that art could be a career for me. I’m beyond grateful for her influence.

In Gary Zukav’s book, The Dance of the WuLi Masters, he talks about the ability that scientists and artists share of “re-presenting” the common in a new way. “It is possible that scientists, poets, painters and writers are all members of the same family of people whose gift it is to take those things which we call commonplace and to ‘re-present’ them to us in such ways that our self-imposed limitations are expanded.”

As I’ve met people from many faiths and backgrounds, I’ve been drawn to people who share their gift by connecting to their spirit. This Art as Worship project is designed to tell stories of artists. To explore their process of creation and how it is an expression of their own connection to however they name God… Jehovah, Allah, Source, the Universe, The Great Spirit or something else.

Thank you for joining me in this journey. Let me know if you have a story of your own art and spirituality to share.

Learn more about me at www.vanessalowrycreative.com.