PHASE 1: The Art of Gifting

WE BUILD OUR COMMUNITY starting with a Facebook group, where members can sign up for free art supplies. Members can be anonymous if they choose, however we'll need a real shipping address for this program to work. Women can interact with each other privately or on the social media feed. Further down the road I plan to build a private directory where we can find each other silently.

Quick Blog Summary-- 

The thing about trauma is we isolate, everything is different, we don't understand what has happened and we do not know who we aree are in a reality that is SURREAL. We feel that no one really understands, we don't want them to. If we have to tell our story, what happened, then we have to reopen those wounds and relive our nightmare--not here. No one is alone in the dark here, because we DO understand, we are there too. 

At some point we must breath again, at some point it is time to survive. We do something nice for ourselves, something easy, something creative, we know that art is meditative. When I was really struggling my mom sent me sharpies and a coloring book. This small gesture was huge. All I had to think about was what colors to use, and for a moment, I wasn't thinking about my baby. So I kept going I finished one, a minor achievement. I started feeling better with something so small.

There is no real skill to coloring, something so silly, anybody can do it. Cost of materials are very minimal and you're not triggered, sucked into a cell phone. Completing a task feels good and it gives us a little dopamine release, just like it feels to finish a puzzle. This is a common variable of addiction, that tiny lil' rush is achieved but without a toxic coping substance. When we drink and do drugs, coping destructively, we need to replace that with something positive instead, help with those cravings- so we're trying to replace that substance WITH ART.

I want to provide free art supplies, a basic beginning to recovery, reprogramming, healing, processing and moving forward positively. I know this isn't much of a plan, but it is SOMETHING BENEFICIAL proven scientifically over and over again. We send something we've made just for the receiver, something custom IN ADDITION to the art supplies it takes to, make their own art. We ask you to do a simple task, just color one blank page first, just finish this one thing with no timeframe of completion. We keep checking on each other from the moment you hit the button for help. It will work or it won't, but we've got to TRY SOMETHING. 

After awhile, things in their world start to make sense, little by little. After we've finished that first coloring, we ask you to complete another one, but this time it's intended for a person you care about; someone that you may also be worried about. This is the second step in the program-- THE ART OF GIFTING. There is just something SO sacred and remarkably beautiful, about when two souls connect by exchanging art. A bond is forged, there is connection and this is important between sisters. The coloring represents your journey, it's special just like you are!

We dive further into our pain creating for others. It is scary in the beginning but you will not have to worry about rejection, everybody loves a gift! We are fearful in the first parts of PTSD, we are afraid people will stop loving us along with the millions of other emotions we experience. That uncertainty brings us to our to our knees but we can distract ourselves from our broken heart, creating. When I started coloring for others, even though it seemed juvenile, it was thoughtful and kind-- I felt appreciated gifting others, I felt love again in return. Kindness is what this whole thing is about, we are tapping into our pain and doing the real work with art, we are healing TOGETHER! We are thinking about more than just the coloring and we are wishing them well, sending thoughtful energy. This simple thing is important no matter how silly it seems...

There is no deadline or insistence to start or finish this, but I bet when you finish something it brings a sort of accomplishment or closure somehow. Even this small gesture really helps us. Gifting and receiving presents triggers the dopamine you need for balance in your mind and body. Starting your blank drawing symbolizes the strength to power through each day, that I know deep down you indeed have. All that strength comes out, we're willing and wanting your brain to rest, you want your brain to shut down, this will help insomnia. 

Perhaps and just maybe, finishing the coloring can symbolize the part of your journey where you can begin to breath again, and you can have a little peace. I wish I could be there in person to hug you, so instead please take this art and supplies as if I were there, I just want to hug you with these kits!  So what do you think, you want to try this with me? 

Pick two drawings from the books sent to you, one for you and one for someone dear. You'll have two sets of materials, pick one for yourself. “The deeper the pain, the bigger the heart.” It’s fucking cruel this has happened to you! 

Connection through creation, trauma healing using any creative and/or artistic means necessary, we create FOR EACH OTHER but also INDIVIDUALLY FOR OURSELVES, and WE ARE TOGETHER. We're not meeting each other in a class or group session, learning artistic techniques. Now we know this coping mechanism is nothing new, we know that it works though, let's give it a go...

In this brutal world who can afford art supplies? It's not an "essential cost," many of us don't have access to these resources, let alone afford food. But, art is very vital to me and my existence. My mental stability relies on creation just as much as it does for my physical health. When we are consumed with grief and anxiety, doing something constructive is too much, so take your time with this and try to be kind to your own heart!

"AOG" is an acronym for "Art of Gifting," which is the B-Sisters Project's first program, PHASE ONE. We are attempting to connect women who have severe PTSD, and similar circumstances...

The story behind these colorings

Somewhere along the line, I realized that the act of creating for somebody specific, no matter how complicated or easy the designs were, was really helping me move past my broken heart. I didn't need the alcohol anymore fully understanding that the traumas were the root of the alcoholism, going back God knows how many generations, like A CURSE!! Gifting my creations gave me even more relief, a sense of purpose on a whole other level, because it was not enough just to make the art for somebody. I needed to give them away and forgive myself in the process, I needed to let go and this was the way. My goodness, such kindness was returned to me! By allowing me to create specifically, and by others choosing to receive these over-the-top care packages. My problems were all about not being able to let go, and having to accept that the rejection from my loved ones, was absolutely all my fault. It was all my fault how I chose to respond and react, to people who were just merely asking questions, with genuine concern. Fully accepting what I had done to my heath, the significant bodily damage, made me determine how to make things right.

Now there is motivation to get to work on this project. This very easy act of coloring is so beneficial for us, (in more ways than we are conscious of) more than just to process grief. It is therapeutic, meditative and centering, especially when our nervous system is in overdrive. It helps distract us when we are psychologically triggered. I found making these for my friends, who were also really struggling, was beneficial for us both. We were connecting on a level difficult to describe, exchanging art through the mail. We were there for each other and not alone, we were isolating with our despair BUT TOGETHER. I found hope when I could pass on my art and supplies and see them do better too. They would discover what I had! Gifting, WAS WORKING! So now I just want to share this super easy, simple thing and give other women facing impossible challenges the opportunity to help themselves, as I had. Coloring is just a basic thing we learn super young to help ourselves, to sooth ourselves into relaxation while simultaneously expressing ourselves. So why not challenge ourselves in this manner again in our lives, in order to gain "higher" healing? It works, IT HELPED ME, just coloring! It worked and now I'm showing you this possibility, just a tiny bit of hope, just a tiny bit of light, just a tiny bit of peace, and with just a tiny bit of relief we will find you joy again! May this art remind you of all these things, survival is possible and I am holding your hand, I’ll be WITH YOU if you find yourself in darkness, may this remind you that YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Alright so, I know I know, this gift seems juvenile but this is just so much MORE than a 2D line-art drawing; it’s about the gesture. I light a candle and color these keeping a specific person in mind, holding them so very tightly in my heart! I'm sending kindness with this coloring, it is infused with unconditional love. May this creation bring you healing from me, may this drawing represent me with you in your darkest hour, YOU WILL NOT BE ALONE with this coloring! Even though I can't be there physically, it is my greatest hope to bring you comfort with this picture, wishing you only the best. This silly thing is my art, a physical manifestation of my heart– this ART IS MY HEART!! Therefore this coloring is TANGIBLE LOVE! It means I CAN BE WITH YOU, but in this way, ok? So now you have a little piece of me, I am sending hope and strength with this. This picture is me hugging you, this gesture is so much more than just a coloring…

1- Receive custom coloring
2- One blank coloring page
3-Two coloring books, one used by their person
4-Two sets of supply material
5-Two new frames
6-Postage paid envelope and packaging for their chosen person
7-Choose your person of concern
8-Color yours I picked
9-Color your chosen person's picked coloring
10-Mail your person's gift
11-Finishing your own that I picked, framing of is task completed signifying acceptance to a survivable degree
12-demonstrates hope, tangible love sent now