tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65213940127060416142024-02-18T22:35:48.790-08:00Bearing Witness: The Art of Pregnancy Loss and InfertilityKLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00864392458076055600noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521394012706041614.post-30419219042131436752016-06-25T14:51:00.001-07:002016-06-25T15:03:03.246-07:00The Future of Bearing Witness: The Art of Pregnancy Loss and InfertilityWelcome ~<br />
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In 2012, I curated an art show in Portland, Oregon for artists, writers and musicians who experienced pregnancy loss and infertility and created artwork about their experiences.<br />
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It was an amazing experience for me personally, and I cannot thank my fellow artists enough for sharing their work and grief with their community.<br />
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Four years have passed and though the art show has not happened since, a new chapter of Bearing Witness is underway.<br />
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The future plan is to offer creative and therapeutic retreats in Oregon for women who have experienced loss and infertility.<br />
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If you are interested in future opportunities to attend a retreat, please send me a message.<br />
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Thank you.<br />
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KLKLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00864392458076055600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521394012706041614.post-76169325872781531092012-07-29T07:47:00.002-07:002012-07-29T07:47:16.897-07:00Coming to a close<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's hard to believe, but the end is near for the Bearing Witness Art Show, the first art show of it's kind, featuring visual, written and musical works from 32 artists exploring the experience of pregnancy loss and infertility using the creative process. It has been an profound experience, one that artists and visitors will likely not forget. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Friday night I went to the gallery with my dear friend and together we sat looking at the artwork, sharing tears and moments of reflection on this emotional journey. For me, and perhaps others, this show gave me the opportunity to connect with a greater community of individuals and feel less isolated in my experience with loss, all the while bringing my community together to share each of our powerful stories. For my friend, she opened herself up to the grief and loss that she has not experienced, nor could she imagine trying to comprehend this experience for myself and others. We came together, each of us from different places in the experience, each of us changed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Please join my fellow artists and me for the Closing Reception, where we will gather together one last time to honor these creative expressions of loss.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Closing Reception</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Sunday, July 29th</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>4:00-6:00 pm</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Marylhurst University</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Streff Gallery- Located in the Shoen Libary</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>17600 Pacific Highway, Hwy 43</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Marylhurst, Oregon</strong></span><br />
<br /><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you!</span>KLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00864392458076055600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521394012706041614.post-61962039280020749612012-07-15T22:09:00.001-07:002012-07-18T21:54:31.858-07:00Artist Updates!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I have had the great pleasure of collaborating with 31 artists from all over the country </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">(and Wales too!) This talented group of men and women have amazed me with their creativity, stories and celebration of life after loss. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Take a look at some of their new projects and celebrations!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Laurinda Reddig</strong> recently won the grand prize at the Vogue Crochet Design contest! She exhbited her </span><a href="http://rememberingrowan.blogspot.com/2012/07/making-reversible-rowan-tree-vest.html?utm_source=BP_recent"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;">Rowan Tree Vest</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">, a beautiful crocheted piece that is a new addition to the July exhibit at Marylhurst University. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Abby Lazerow</strong> recently launched her brand new <a href="http://www.abbylazerow.com/">website</a>. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Meet Abby and view her amazing body of work and figurative paintings, including her Elise series under the Grief and Loss section.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Katie Rose Alexander</strong> recently published her piece of writing from the show, <em>Of the Water</em>, in the Summer 2012 <a href="http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/400149">Squat Birth Journal</a>!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Nikki McClure</strong> will have a solo exhibit, <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bellevuearts.org/exhibitions/upcoming/nikki_mcclure/index.html">Cutting her Own Path</a></span>; 1996-2012, at the Bellevue Arts Museum this coming November 2012-February 2013. This is a must see exhibit if you missed it in Portland!</span></span><br />KLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00864392458076055600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521394012706041614.post-45879266778282095092012-07-02T21:30:00.002-07:002012-07-02T21:32:28.882-07:00An open letter<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIF_3yMWCoxI8TRf84GTbH6dLcndQboqLKNJ54chhHHeyAXD-alU4CMZNxilSPBfPof141P34ChQzWi3Wv8W9Na89VUOSuD9_naYmurgEfy2h24UgMtWHutvoKvRuLZ1LIg4Lzy1i00g/s1600/marylhurst+exhibit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIF_3yMWCoxI8TRf84GTbH6dLcndQboqLKNJ54chhHHeyAXD-alU4CMZNxilSPBfPof141P34ChQzWi3Wv8W9Na89VUOSuD9_naYmurgEfy2h24UgMtWHutvoKvRuLZ1LIg4Lzy1i00g/s320/marylhurst+exhibit.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Over the last few months I have spent some of my quiet moments in
guided meditation to let openness in. Openness in rekindling friendships that I
have let lapse, openness in the possibility that my body is able to carry a
baby to full term, openness to spending time with women who are ripe with
belly, openness that I can and will be a good mother, someday, somehow and that
no matter what happens in my life, I will be okay. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have been amazed at how this meditation, support networks, sunshine, along with time and energy spent grieving and creating in the face of
loss and has led me to this point. Right now, I feel pretty good. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am proud that I have helped create an art show where women, men and
families have come to share their stories of loss with mine. Throughout this
whole experience I asked myself what I was looking for during this time of
loss, reflection and creation. I was looking for many things, but one aspect of
my journey has always been that I wanted the opportunity to tell my story and
for others to tell theirs. I wanted people to listen to and look at the
stories. Not analyze, give advice, provide a sense of false hope, or minimize
the pain that is and was- just listen, look and empathize. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To some, our stories of loss, death, blood and tears are awful to
consider, fathom or think about, especially for those who have never
experienced the magnitude of the death of a child, a fetus or the inability for
one’s body to support or conceive a life. We know these stories are awful and
heart wrenching, we lived them. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Several years ago I talked to a woman with dementia and asked her to
tell me about herself. She couldn’t remember where she lived. She couldn’t
remember what she had done for a living. She remembered to tell me that she had
six miscarriages. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I will never forget that moment. This woman may never have told her story to anyone else. What if she had always wanted to talk about her losses,
but never had the opportunity to do so? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For myself and others in this art show, we know that letting people in
and expressing emotion about our losses can help us. It might not help everyone to talk
about and expose their pain to their communities, but for some of us, this is the
path towards healing, acceptance and even happy endings.</span></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Of course happy endings are just one part of someone’s life story. To be open to
knowing the whole story and the suffering that some must endure is a powerful
way to understand your fellow human beings. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>The final exhibit for the Bearing Witness Art Show will be up for the month of July at Marylhurst University in the Streff Gallery located in the library. 32 artists from all over the country (and one from abroad) have joined together to show their work and share their stories. </strong></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>It is truly a powerful and beautiful exhibit. If you have not seen it yet, please consider making the trip.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.marylhurst.edu/arts-and-events/streff-gallery/"><strong>http://www.marylhurst.edu/arts-and-events/streff-gallery/</strong></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>You are also invited to join us for the closing reception on Sunday, July 29th from 4:00-6:00 pm. Details to follow.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thank you for opening up your hearts and minds and supporting this project. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Kristen</span><br />
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<br />KLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00864392458076055600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521394012706041614.post-4305598354017747452012-06-21T20:43:00.000-07:002012-06-21T20:43:36.080-07:00Artist Profiles 9<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Chistiane Crosby</strong> created a piece of artwork to honor and remember all of her babies in one place. After 10 pregnancies in 10 years, which included miscarriages, stillborns and the live birth of her daughter at 26 weeks, Christiane has appreciated the opportunity to create a piece of art to share both the grief and the hope she experienced when she and her husband tried to start a family.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Kelly Martin</strong>, an artist and teacher, has always found that the creation of art can lead to healing, understanding and clarity when we are faced with challenges in our lives. Kelly and her husband have struggled with unexplained infertility over the last two and a half years and still hold hope that one day they will be able to start a family. The creation and sharing of Kelly's artwork has been a powerful experience given infertility can be such a silent struggle.</span></span>KLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00864392458076055600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521394012706041614.post-55362703842935599052012-05-22T21:41:00.001-07:002012-05-22T21:43:21.216-07:00Photos from the Opening Reception: May 11, 2012<a href="http://goo.gl/photos/nCOCgbCxjs" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-poxFWZ8gwHU/T7xeG8nriSE/AAAAAAAAAFY/Q3XhFhlX5n0/s160-c/BearingWitnessArtShow.jpg" /></a><br />
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All Photos taken by Kari Cornelius Hay, All Rights Reserved 2012KLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00864392458076055600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521394012706041614.post-62094917663524601422012-05-12T08:46:00.000-07:002012-05-12T08:46:15.059-07:00About last night...<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Last night was an amazing experience. The opening reception at the Peace House was filled with so much. Artists found one another and connected through shared experiences. Friends, families and community members looked at powerful artwork together. Writings honoring loss and ritual were spoken. Music and song of celebration and pain filled the room.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">The Peace House, a private residence, graciously opened up their beautiful home for this exhibit. The house was a place where people could see powerful artwork in a setting that was comforting and real. I cannot thank the residents of the Peace House enough. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">The show is still up at the Peace House today only.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><strong>Saturday, May 12th from 10:00-6:00 pm.</strong> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">If you have a moment, please stop by and take a look.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><strong>The Peace House</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><strong>2116 NE 18th Avenue</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><strong>Portland, Oregon</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">If you are unable to see the show this weekend, it will be up the month of July at Marylhurst University. Details to follow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Thank You to the artists, the volunteers who helped hang the show, the friends and family who donated time and energy in helping put this show together, to Pat and everyone at the Peace House, for all they have done to welcome the show into their home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Thank you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Kristen</span>KLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00864392458076055600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521394012706041614.post-26549078618821586302012-05-06T21:23:00.000-07:002012-05-06T21:23:08.151-07:00Opening Reception: May 11, 2012 <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Opening Reception</strong>: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Friday, May 11th from 5:00-9:00 pm. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Musical performances and readings will take place at 7:00.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <strong> The Peace House</strong></span></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> 2116 NE 18th Avenue</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> Portland, OR</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Viewing Hours:</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br />Saturday, May 12th from 10:00-6:00, artwork will be on display and open to to public.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">*Children are welcome if you feel comfortable bringing them to the event.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span>KLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00864392458076055600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521394012706041614.post-71549379391561562322012-04-26T19:51:00.001-07:002012-04-26T19:51:28.709-07:00Artist Profiles 8<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Megan Joplin</strong> has been a freelance photographer for over fifteen years. She is currently working on a series of portraits of men and women who have exeperienced recurrent miscarriage. This series is a very personal one, Megan miscarried four times prior to having her now three year old son. Meet Megan and her work at </span></span><a href="http://www.mjoplinphotography.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">http://www.mjoplinphotography.com/</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Alyssa Dawn St. Peters,</strong> age 15<strong>,</strong> wrote a song, "Butterfly" about her infant sister Aurora who died during childbirth in September of 2009. The song is inspired by a recurring dream Alyssa has about Aurora and the life she was never able to live. Alyssa wrote the song with the help of her best friend Christian and recently performed it with a <em>My Voice Music</em> and <em>SUN School</em> program hosted at David Douglas High School. Learn more about the program at </span></span><a href="http://www.myvoicemusic.org/blog/?p=740"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.myvoicemusic.org/blog/?p=740">http://www.myvoicemusic.org/blog/?p=740</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Katherine Greer</strong> is a midwife serving families in Portland, Oregon. Katherine created a piece of artwork dedicated to the three families she has grieved beside, as they excitedly anticipated the birth of little ones, only to be met with loss and having to say goodbye. She is committed to not letting the grief of loss be silent and alone. "Just like the work of raising children is work we do together. We must come together to let them go."</span><br />
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<br />KLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00864392458076055600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521394012706041614.post-48823577710531486432012-04-19T20:38:00.000-07:002012-04-19T20:38:28.139-07:00Artist Profiles 7<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Jocelyn Rahm's</strong><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> painting process has been an important place for her to reconcile the experience of not being able to conceive. Jocelyn feels that it connects her to her inherent ability to create in the face of not being able to create a life. Her process has provided a forum for both catharsis and possibility. Meet Jocelyn and more of her work at <a href="http://www.jocelynrahm.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.jocelynrahm.com/">www.jocelynrahm.com/</a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Kristen Larsen</strong>, experienced unexplained recurrent miscarriage in her attempt to start a family with her husband Marc. Kristen created the <em>Bearing Witness Art Show</em> in an attempt to find community and understanding, build relantionships and share the healing possibilities that come with art making and sharing ones story. She is honored to be a part of this amazing collection of artists.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Rachel Rekord</strong><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"> experienced her second pregnancy loss in 2010 in the form of an ectopic pregnancy, followed by emergency surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Taking a</span> drawing class that fall helped her get out of bed on those crisp, late fall days. Drawing is also what gave Rachel an outlet this past winter after the birth of her daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">When Rachel thinks about the losses of 2010, she is reminded of what she has today, her daughter, for which she wouldn’t trade anything, not even loss.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>KLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00864392458076055600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521394012706041614.post-30046668953462777652012-04-03T19:05:00.001-07:002012-04-08T09:27:12.091-07:00Artist Profiles 6<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Laurinda Reddig</strong> lost her first daughter Rowan shortly after birth. Laurinda created the <em>Remembering Rowan Project</em>, and designed Rowan's Crochet Sampler Afghan as a Crochet Along on her blog, encouraging others to make squares to donate locally while learning new crochet stitches. Meet Laurinda and learn more about her project and passions at </span></span><a href="http://rememberingrowan.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">http://rememberingrowan.blogspot.com/</span></a><br />
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</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Sally Foster Rudolph</strong> is grateful for the processes of art-making and writing as ways to cope and attempt to make sense of life. Her mixed media image represents a miscarriage she experienced. This loss is sandwiched by unbelievable luck; her two daughters. She is constantly surprised by how hardships and beauty seem to work in partnership. She is constantly surprised by how renewal can emerge from pain and loss with the help of creative expression.</span></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Ginger Burrell</strong> is an artist and teacher.Ginger’s primary medium is artist’s books. Her work includes photography, monotype and composite imagery and explores a range of topics from the personal, to the political, to the universal.Ginger has struggled with infertility. And, like many artists, she makes art about those topics which are the hardest and the most important to explore. Meet Ginger and more of her work at </span><a href="http://www.gingerburrell.com/index.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">http://www.gingerburrell.com/index.html</span></a></span>KLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00864392458076055600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521394012706041614.post-28866819888866248052012-03-24T17:43:00.001-07:002012-03-24T17:43:56.700-07:00Artist Profiles 5<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Dori L</strong>. is a child free woman, and she is blessed. Dori works full time as a mental health counselor and part of her role is to re-parent the wounded. Dori feels that sometimes it's not about who birthed you but instead, who took the time to listen and allow you to be yourself, and not put unreasonable expectations on you... To Dori, we all have a part in the parenting process whether we have children of our own or not.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Heather Mitchell </strong>knowingly struggled with infertility for two years before miraculously conceiving her daughter. She has since had two subsequent miscarriages. Heather feels this show will help bring closure to her grief stricken heart.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Abby Lazerow </strong>created a series of narrative figurative paintings after the illness and death of her daughter from cancer at the age of 22 months. These works record the spiritual journey of a heart torn open, exploring grief and the human spirit's relentless search for hope and meaning in the face of death.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Deb Jones Yensen</strong> is an artist and grandmother who recently lost her granddaughter shortly after birth. Deb was flooded with grief which was compounded by the fact that she had to leave her daughter, a grieving mother in Singapore and return to the states. She made artwork to interpret her feelings and to begin the healing process. Meet Deb and more of her artwork at </span></span><a href="http://www.debjonesyensen.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">www.debjonesyensen.com</span></a>KLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00864392458076055600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521394012706041614.post-44785599743763694372012-03-12T18:42:00.003-07:002012-03-24T17:42:31.361-07:00Artist Profiles 4<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Monica Wiesblott</strong> created a body of work using photography,assemblage and printmaking to symbolize her struggle with infertility and to reflect how the world is seen through her eyes. Visit Monica and her work at </span><a href="http://www.monicawiesblott.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">www.monicawiesblott.com</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Marc Greenstein, </strong>a singer songwriter with a love for blues and roots Music wrote a song, "My Baby Gets Carried Away," after he and his wife experienced multiple miscarriages.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Katie Rose Alexander </strong>experienced several pregnancy losses before giving birth to her son. In her work as a doula, Katie is interested in working with women who have experienced loss and who have struggled with infertility. Meet Katie and her practice at </span><a href="http://www.rosedoula.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">www.rosedoula.com/</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Liska McNally</strong> experienced three miscarriages before giving birth to her son this November. During her last and successful pregnancy, Liska and friends wrote a song to sing to the baby in utero, which everyone sang at the baby shower.</span></span>KLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00864392458076055600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521394012706041614.post-30081188761038748652012-03-01T22:09:00.002-08:002012-03-24T17:42:00.666-07:00Artist Profiles 3<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Kate Brandy</strong> explores the art of love, life and loss in her blog, Millay's House </span></span><a href="http://fossilandgem.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">http://fossilandgem.blogspot.com/</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Al Crane</strong> has been making digitally manipulated images for twenty years. Al used this creative outlet to express his grief after the death of his first child fifteen years ago.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Renee Delight-La Torre</strong> paints stories of truth and beauty. Meet Renee and see more of her work at: </span></span><a href="http://www.rldelight.com/RLDelight/Home.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">http://www.rldelight.com/RLDelight/Home.html</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Cassie Cowell</strong> wrote a poem for her daughter Hope; words to let her know that though life moves on, she will never be forgotten.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://hygeiafoundation.org/">http://hygeiafoundation.org/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Gayla Jeppesen</strong> found creativity after the loss of her infant daughter. She taught herself to draw to help cope and share her daughter's memory with others.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Molly Hayden</strong> is a graphic designer with a love for comics. Check out her online comic. </span></span><a href="http://www.selenography.com/lacrymer/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">http://www.selenography.com/lacrymer/</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Melanie Gurley</strong> survived and is healing from her loss. It helps that she found a magic portal. It led her to new life, replete with son, husband and other wonders.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>KLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00864392458076055600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521394012706041614.post-3553528893627209422012-02-13T17:45:00.003-08:002012-07-18T22:03:24.102-07:00Artist Profiles 1<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Mikal Gilmore</strong> is a tattoo artist here in Portland, Oregon. Check out Mikal's </span><a href="http://newrosetattoo.com/mikal.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Tattoo parlor</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> and online gallery.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Nikki Mc Clure</strong> is a self-taught </span><a href="http://www.nikkimcclure.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">papercut artist</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> from Olympia, Washington. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Lori Riesing</strong> transformed her </span><a href="http://www.bloomnaturalhealthcare.com/practitioners/#LR"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;">career</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> to work with other mothers of angel babies through emotional cellular release, bodywork and hypnotherapy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Dawn Thompson</strong> facilitates writing workshops for women with the <a href="http://www.pdxwomenwriters.com/aboutus/facilitators.html">Portland Women Writers</a></span></span><br />KLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00864392458076055600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521394012706041614.post-13238299238238703132012-01-05T18:59:00.001-08:002012-06-24T10:46:45.441-07:00Welcome<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Chances are if you are visiting this blog, you or someone you know has experienced pregnancy loss and/ or infertility. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Losing an infant. A miscarriage. Struggling to conceive a child. These can be the most devastating experiences of a person's life, redefining their entire existence, yet they are rarely talked about in a public forum. One can go to a support group or grieve in private, yet I have found that art is a powerful way to explore emotions of grief and loss; sharing this process can be tremendous source of healing. By having an open collaboration of artists in a public setting, my hope was to create a dialogue between the ones who have suffered and the ones who may never fully understand. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> This blog was created to reach indviduals who </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">write, play music, or create visual art about pregnancy loss and infertility. Artists from all over the country were invited to submit work to the art show “Bearing Witness: Healing Pregnancy Loss and Infertility Through the Arts." </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Allowing others to bear witness and honor the creativity that comes with loss can build a stronger community and create a deeper understanding of this human experience. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Please pass this along to anyone you think would benefit from learning about this creative collaboration.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Thank you.</span>KLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00864392458076055600noreply@blogger.com2