Bang! Original Biffybeans Mandala Painting

"Bang!" was created in August of 2011 and has been sold via my Etsy shop: Fee Bean Art. Please visit my shop for other original creations.

It was painted with professional acrylic paints on a 11 x 14" canvas which has a depth of about 3/4 of an inch- the sides of which are painted. You may choose to hang the painting as is, add additional hardware for mounting, or have the piece framed for display.

A different kind of trauma

2001 was a difficult time for me as I was battling depression, or should I say, battling the medicine that was supposed to be helping me. (A story for another day.)

I was at home on September 11th of 2001 due to a short term medical leave. The tv was on in the living room but I wasn’t paying any attention to it as I was sitting in the kitchen and working on the computer. I happen to walk into the living room minutes after an airplane had crashed into the North tower of the World Trade Center. I stood with my mouth open watching smoke pouring out as the newscaster was speculating on whether it was an accident or something else when all of a sudden, right before my eyes I see another plane hit the South tower.

I sat glued to the tv with no one to call, no one to talk to about what I was seeing. I watched the entire event from when the 2nd plane hit until each tower collapsed. How was this even possible?

Fast forward to now.

Each year as the anniversary rolls around I can’t watch the news, the HBO specials…. It’s just too much. The “Never Forget” slogan makes me want to scream. How could anyone ever really forget that day? At that time I didn’t know anyone who worked at the towers or who was directly involved in any way but the other night as I watched an episode of CSI New York that included flash backs to 9/11, I had a huge realization. Sitting alone and watching the events as they happened brought up feelings and emotions that I never really shared with anyone and have never known what to do with. I realized that even as a person watching from afar, I was involved in the events of that day and had myself experienced a traumatic event. Ten years later, I am still not healed. This is because every time I try and mentally revisit those events, I return to my own personal experience of feeling completely alone when the world was seemingly falling apart. (And I'm sure my depression issues at the time compounded the situation for me.) I now understand this as another aspect of myself that requires healing and can finally do something about it.

I wonder how many people like me indirectly suffered this trauma and have also never worked through the emotions caused by what they experienced?

I have great sympathy for all who have in any way been affected by the tragic events of 9/11. My heart goes out to you.

With love & light,
Stephanie

Saturday Oct. 15th Mandala Workshop w/ Stephanie Smith at The Baum School of Art in Allentown, PA

Mandala: An Artful Meditation w/ Stephanie Smith
Saturday October 15th 10:30am-1:00pm

Location: The Baum School of Art
510 West Linden Street
Allentown, PA 18101-1416
Call (610) 433-0032 to register

Join visual artist Stephanie Smith as she guides workshop participants through simple rhythmic drawing techniques to create a mandala - a circular art form which can be a powerful tool for meditation and creative self expression.

Self-taught and often referred to as “fearless” by her peers for her bold artistic expressions across multiple media forms, Stephanie’s ultimate goal is to encourage creativity without fear of judgment. Through the use of motivational storytelling, Stephanie will empower and inspire those to wishing to bring art into their lives via an immediately accessible technique regardless of prior art experience.

In “Mandala: An Artful Meditation” you will learn:

    •    How to set a safe space to create
    •    Stephanie’s mandala method
    •    Benefits of creating with intention
    •    Creating art without self-judgment
    •    Using mandalas in your journaling
    •    Making mandalas with found objects
    •    Choosing the right art supplies for you & your budget.
    •    What to do when wish to improve the overall quality of your creations.

No previous art experience is necessary, and everyone age 17+ is encouraged to attend.

Cost: $50 per person. All materials will be provided.
Call (610) 433-0032 to register.