Tagged: VERONICA’s Voice

Nov 30

‘You Are Not Forgotten’ Holiday Walk

This year survivors of commercial sexual exploitation with Veronica’s Voice will be walking on Christmas Day, regardless of weather, in recognition of victims still in bondage. As Christmas Elf for this event, I will be collecting funds in sponsorship of SURVIVOR Lesa Miller. Lesa’s bio:

I grew up as an only child of an only child. My grandfather was the man who groomed me for prostitution. Showering me with extravagant gifts just so I would keep his secret. At 19 I found massage parlors and felt this was the direction I had been designed for. For 32 years I kept my secret as my life spiraled into a dark, dark place. Then God did for me what I couldn’t do for myself. He stripped everything from me and gave me only myself and Him to focus on. Today I am on a different path and I am proud to say that I am a peer counselor at Veronica’s Voice!

I am honored to call Lesa a friend.

All monies raised from this 14 block walk will be used to assist victims; specifically used for Magdalene Manor, Veronica’s Voice new home for victims.

In  the words of the survivors in honor of the victims:

We as survivors recognize that as the world around us celebrated the holidays, there are women and children suffering working in the sex trade.

  • We are walking for those who are and feel forgotten;
  • We are walking for those who won’t be spending the holidays with family and friends;
  • We are walking for those across America on our streets tonight;
  • We are walking for those who are hidden away from our sight, in houses, strip clubs, massage parlors, and on the internet.

We know you are out there, we love you, we have walked in your shoes, and we still will today. While others are opening presents, waiting for Santa Claus, eating the family holiday meal, surrounded by love and acceptance, warm and comfortable, we are walking because we never will forget where we came from, and because…
WE WILL NOT LET YOU BE FORGOTTEN!

It is so easy for us to become passionate about helping with the international sex trafficking campaign. It is very easy to not think about what is happening in our own communities to domestic victims. What we see are adults making a choice about their profession. If the average age of entry into prostitution is 13, why do we not believe that children sell themselves by their own choice? If the average age of entry is 13 and some are not sexually exploited until adulthood, how young are some victims? Would we have ever heard of Shaniya Davis if she had not died? When a child is being sexually exploited, does she suddenly become a consenting adult the day she turns 18? Did she ever consent to the lifestyle that she has become trapped within? Another disturbing thought, if this is taking place in my community, who is purchasing?

I live in the Kansas City area (US), smack dab in the middle of my country. Kansas City is a smaller sized city, but we do have those zones in which “street walkers” are known to roam. These zones are in the “bad part of town”, but the highest volume of prostitution takes place at I-435 & Metcalf, one of the wealthy suburban areas. Prostitution is hidden in plain sight. This makes sense. Those with a disposable income will be more likely to spend money on what they want with the means to do it discretely.

Victim of Child Prostitution Profile (presented by Sgt. B.A. Fassett, Dallas Police Dept., at the Call For Community Action Conference, KC MO 3/15/10)
Abuse:
Sexual Abuse = 93%
Physical Abuse = 96%
Abandonment = 87%

Family Risk Factors:
Parent Physically Abused = 82%
Parent Sexually Abused = 74%
Parents Divorced = 71%
Single Parent Home = 63%

Drug Abuse:
Youth Uses = 79%
Family Usage = 86%

Mental Health:
Suicide Ideation = 89%
Lethal Suicidal Plan = 54%

Some of my dearest friends are survivors of sexual exploitation. I honor them and the trauma they endured before and while trapped in the sex industry. I honor their passionate hearts as they diligently work to give other victims the chance to be free from enslavement.

When the commodity is a human, it is slavery. Please stand with me in partnership to provide victims a safe haven at Magdalene Manor. Please sponsor Lesa in this walk. To give, click this link, or click Chip In on my sidebar. All donations go to Veronica’s Voice.

amanda ∞

3 comments Posted in VERONICA's Voice
Nov 05

Jammin’

My husband bought a bass guitar to add to our family of instruments. I fell in love. I call it mine, but haven’t told the family yet.
My new instrument
Although we are not a musically gifted family, music is part of each of us. Among our instruments include the accordion, violin, electric & acoustic guitar, bass, drum set, piano, trumpet and flute. Our family favorite to play right now would be this:

My daughter rocks on the accordion.

But, back to Art Every Day Month, today is day 5, and what a creative and artistic day it’s been. The morning started with our creativity class at Veronica’s Voice. I lead a class once a month that engages the right side of the brain as we focus on nurturing and appreciation. Today we painted on rocks that my husband collected from the Flint Hills of Kansas. Here is some of the beautiful pieces created:
Student work: Love, growth, peaceStudent work: Lean on meStudent work: recoveryStudent work: FamilyStudent work: He is the vineStudent work: God is still in controlStudent work: God is LOVEStudent work: freedomStudent work: first day at Veronica's VoiceStudent work: dramaStudent work: celebration of selfStudent work: celebrating 30 days clean!Student work: position in the heavenliesStudent work: thankful for family
Each of these rocks carries a beautiful story of thankfulness and appreciation.

My first Remains of the Day journal cover was completed today as well. I just love the free hand stitching on the sewing machine. Today seemed to be a swirly day as many circular patterns appeared.
Free hand swirly-doodles
Words seemed to flow easily, penned with a needle and thread.
Free hand MEOW
Can you see my signature?
Free hand signature
Complete with a vintage ribbon tie.
The ROD cover complete

amanda ∞

1 comment Posted in Art Every Day, VERONICA's Voice
Jun 11

Summer Soldering Class

This summer I am doing a great deal of growing and planning. My business is unfocused. As many of you know, my heart is really aimed towards creatively worshiping my God, and sharing the creative process with others to facilitate growth and healing, introspection and thoughtfulness. The small income I do receive from my Etsy shop and from the classes I teach go to fund supplies used in teaching monthly classes at Veronica’s Voice. If I were to make a larger income, it would go towards furthering my own artistic education, so I could continue to expand what I share with others. As I refine my business plan this summer, the classes I’ll be teaching outside of Veronica’s Voice will be minimal. Besides the soldering class below, I will also be scheduling one art journaling class (date will be announced early next week). That said, my dream is one of growth, and of sculpting and refining many new and fun classes to come.

Introduction to Soldering: Making Jewelry

Date: Sat, July 17, 2010
Time: 1-4pm
Place: 2926 Campbell St, Kansas City MO 64109

Hear pendant promise ring*Examples: your pieces will be unique.

Learn the funky art of soldering, and make your own one of a kind jewelry. After receiving instruction, you will be constructing and soldering your own ring and pendant. We will be using images from vintage books, music, and papers, or if you have a special image in mind, please bring it to class. The glass sizes available to make pendants include 1×1, 1×2 and 1×3. The diameter of the ring will be approximately the size of a dime. All supplies are included in the cost of the class, including choker or ball chain for your pendant. If time allows, you may make a marble charm as well.

Class size: 8 students max.
Fee: $35

Policies:

  • Prepayment is required to register for class.
  • A 48 hour notice is required to cancel your spot in class, so that I may contact others who may be on a waiting list. If you do not notify me of cancellation, your class fee will not be refunded.

amanda ∞

comment? Posted in Art, Art Journal, Balance, soldered, VERONICA's Voice, Worship
May 29

Strathmore Visual Journals

Strathmore is introducing a new product which will be released in stores June 1, a line of Visual Journals designed for those of us who love to paint, draw, journal, collage, and otherwise freely express ourselves in journal form. These spiral bound journals are available in 3 sizes and 6 paper selections, so we finicky art journalers can chose the right size and paper for our favorite medium. I received a box with a variety of the sizes and papers this month, and look forward to giving each of them a try. Thank you, Strathmore, for including one of my pages as an example of visual journaling at your trade show, and for the generous box of inspiration. My favorite to touch is the 140lb. watercolor paper. Its thickness and texture are inviting me to express myself in collage and paint. I can already envision the messy hands and joyous heart. My plans are to visually express the goals & visions that come from diving into Lisa Sonora Beam’s book, The Creative Entrepreneur: A DIY Visual Guidebook for Making Business Ideas Real. I’ll be sure to share the pages that come from the union of this book, my mind, and the visual journal.  Pam Carriker will also be sharing a series of instructional videos using these journals. Can’t wait until these are available!

When I ordered The Creative Entrepreneur, I also ordered another book that grabbed my interest while I was Christmas shopping last winter, Art Journals and Creative Healing: Restoring the Spirit Through Self-Expression by Sharon Soneff.This book goes hand in hand with the monthly classes I teach at Veronica’s Voice. I look forward to the postal carrier delivering these books to my door, so that I can absorb all they have to teach me.

Speaking of teaching, I am planning summer soldering and art journaling classes.The planning phase of teaching classes stirs all sorts of creative juices within my soul. I often think that I learn more by planning than I am ever able to teach. My all time favorite phase of putting classes together would be the hands-on instruction. Each class is so unique depending upon the personalities and collective groove of the students. Dates will be announced very soon! All classes will be taught from my home in the Kansas City area.

amanda ∞

2 comments Posted in Art, Art Journal
Mar 06

Graffiti

Yesterday at Veronica’s Voice, we created a graffiti art, first layering words from local newspapers.

Then using spray paint, the image of the woman with raised hands was added using a stencil pattern I cut the night before.

Color was added to the pages using Portfolio Oil Pastels. The collage was then sealed with gel medium. Didn’t they turn out great? I love all the color and the layering of the words, each telling a story known only to the artist.

amanda ∞

1 comment Posted in Art, Inspiring, VERONICA's Voice
Jan 17

Why do I do it?

I was wondering this question, why do I do it?, earlier this week. The “it” would be teaching classes from my home, but the pondering grew even larger to art in general. Wouldn’t my life just be easier if I just covered the basics of partnering in my husband’s business and homeschooling those teens of ours, and dropped all this crazy art mess?

This all came from the feeling of failure. I had an Intro to Soldering class scheduled for Sat (yesterday). A couple weeks ago I thought my soldering class was almost to capacity, but by Tuesday of this past week I only had two people that had registered by prepaying. While the class did fill back up to a nice size before Saturday, I think this experience was good for me to truly take inventory of the value of the classes.

My motive for teaching classes:

  • to cover the costs of art supplies for the teaching I do at Veronica’s Voice without affecting the family budget
  • to cover costs of classes and workshops that I take myself so that I continue to have fresh ideas and techniques to teach at Veronica’s Voice
  • the joy I receive from sharing something I love with others

But I really don’t like to be on the roller coaster of class registration. I have found that if a person does not prepay for class, there is an 90% chance that the person will not make it to class. This statistic includes my friends and acquaintances.

I truly understand when things come up and the plans made need to shift. A good set of priorities is a must. But I also believe that often times we do desire to do something, but don’t make the actual commitment to do that thing. We just throw that desire out there and if it works great, but if things get hectic it’s the first thing to go. I know I’ve done this. Usually when my desire lacks the commitment to make it happen, I succumb to the activities that easily fill its place, the this and that.

My favorite book addresses the issue of making vows:

But let your statement be, ‘Yes yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil. Matt. 5:37

A vow or oath is simply a solemn promise, pledge, or personal commitment.

After this latest roller coaster ride, I really want to change this about myself because I don’t like the feeling when it happens to me. Next time I desire to do something, I will either make the commitment and follow through, or be silent. And I already know this will be difficult. There is something within me that wants to please others, so I’d rather say “yes” and back out later, than be noncommittal.

And to close this topic, for those of you who were not able to make it to class, I want you to know that I do understand. This post is not shooting an arrow at you, but is rather about me just recording the learning process of my own life.

Class photos from yesterday:






I am so incredibly inspired to see others in creative mode. Personalities really shine through in the jewelry and art journals that come from the classes. Each piece tells a personal story. After class was over and I was cleaning up, I reflected on all the reasons why I truly love to teach. It’s worth the roller coaster.

And now to the reasons I could not give up art:

  • when I do not make time in my life to do creative things, I wilt
  • it has become impossible for me to separate art from living and breathing
  • even if I stopped producing anything artistic, my mind would still process shadows, colors and images through an artistic lens
  • God made me to be creative. I would be going against His design to try to not be what He made me to be

amanda ∞

9 comments Posted in Art, God's Word, VERONICA's Voice
Dec 04

Still Tangled in Zen

Zentangle 4 Today was zentastic. We had a blast at VERONICA’s Voice playing with Zentangles. I demonstrated some of the different zentangle patterns on a large format while the group played on some squares I cut from Bristol paper. My favorite part was seeing the unique zentangle patterns that were being developed in the group. They didn’t need a demonstration, they just took off in the zen zone. As always, I forgot to take photos. Perhaps I should hire a full time photographer to document my life. Then when I would like to show you what happened, I’ll have more than words.

And on another happy note, my Winter 2010 Class Schedule will soon be posted. I’ll be offering Introductory Soldering: Making Jewelry and Visual Journaling: Discovering Self Through Imagery. I’m also developing the next level of soldering in which we tackle cutting our own glass, and will be offering this in Spring 2010.

amanda ∞

comment? Posted in Art, VERONICA's Voice
Sep 04

Art Journal Morphing

First Fridays at VERONICA’s Voice are so much fun. The art journaling class has morphed into a general art class due to necessity. I found it difficult to explore new art journaling techniques when so many times the women in class did not have their journals or had not begun one yet. Many times the class was about making a new journal or altered book which did not develop past the cover. There were a faithful few who brought their altered books to add more to their pages, but overall I began to lose enthusiasm. So today we tried something new.

The assignment was to choose an image from a magazine, any image that spoke to them, and glue it on a piece of cardstock. After adding a bit of gesso, I had them add words, words about their day, their feelings, or why this image spoke to them. Then the layers with creamy Portfolio pastels were added. Some were very satisfied at that point while others journeyed on with layers of paints. My favorite part was listening to the stories behind the finished collages. One spoke of her mother, another of her new life, another of her freedom, beautiful stories, eyes lit up with sharing.







So my sweet artist friends, if you have ideas to share for this art class, please leave comments. I need projects that will work as a one-time class with limited supplies, since the audience is different from month to month. Have you experienced a project or taught a class that would work well in this setting? Art = community.

amanda ∞

8 comments Posted in Altered Art, Art, Relationships, VERONICA's Voice
Apr 10

My daughter, the teacher

While I was away at Artfest filling my head with creative things, my daughter became the teacher for the art journaling class at VERONICA’s Voice. She did a wonderful job leading and teaching and guiding.  Here’s the mosaic collage technique she demonstrated that day:

tree-collage She sketched out the tree for placement, then added the color. The paper is from magazines which she tore and placed with a glue stick. Fun!

The art journal class is going well. While we do bring suggestions and techniques to the table, the women are free to do whatever they would like in their journals. I’ve signed up for the Stencilry Class over at Dispatch from LA and am hoping I can share some of what I learn. Fresh ideas are always welcome.

On another note, I just had to share this hilarious card my mom sent me:

symbol-minded-card The inside reads, “You’re my symbol-minded friend…”

Isn’t it hilarious? My grandmother purchased this card sometime in the 60s or 70s. I come from a family that either saved or used everything, so after both my grandparents passed, my mom inherited a box of very charming vintage cards. I am so thrilled to get them in the mail on occasion. They are my absolute favorite.

Our family will be joining with all of my husband’s immediate family this weekend for the Easter Holiday. It has been years since all the siblings and cousins were together at the same time. We are all very excited for the reunion.

And then next week I’m going to share all my wonderful tales from Artfest as well as glimpses of my projects. I’m still on a creative high. Even preparing tax returns could not bring me down.

Have a meaningful and joyful Holiday in celebration of the risen Savior, and in remembrance of the Passover.

amanda ∞

7 comments Posted in Altered Art, Art, Art Journal, Family Fun, Relationships, VERONICA's Voice
Jan 09

Art Journal Class

Today I was teacher to a group of women that have much to express. I had the opportunity to lead an art journaling class at VERONICA’s Voice. The enthusiasm was contagious as they set to work on their journals, personalizing and claiming them as their own private place for self expression. Profound and deep thoughts, meaningful sentiments, statements of self were made. It was all beautiful. The tables were strewn with art supplies. Joyous chaos. And the most exciting part is that they all loved it so much they want to work on their journals every Friday afternoon.

I am so thankful for those that chipped in and made it possible to supply the journals. The goal to raise money was met and then I found such a great deal on the journals bought in bulk at Dick Blick that I was able to purchase some other extra art supplies that really put the class over the edge.

I took pictures, but forgot to get permission to post them on my blog, so just imagine very happy faces laughing and sharing, and some very messy tables.

amanda ∞

7 comments Posted in Art, Art Journal, God's leading, Hidden Art, Relationships, Transformation, VERONICA's Voice
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