They Take Positive Action to Help Others!

As the curator of “The Healing Power of Color” 2026 Online Exhibition it is a huge honor to present six extraordinary artists I selected from the show to receive Special Recognition Art Awards. In addition to creating superior healing works of art these artists take positive action to help those in need. They exemplify the true meaning of compassion for humanity and the spirit of generosity.

The artists are
Karen Johnston, Rajul Shah, Rebecca Knaggs, Frantisek Strouhal, Kate Cruickshank and Carole Claude T.

A More Detailed Article is Available on Manhattan Arts International
This article is a brief introduction into the artists’ contributions. A more detailed article titled “Artists Who Practice the Art of Compassion and Generosity” has been published on our parent website Manhattan Arts International. You can read it here.

Visit the artists’ websites to learn more about them.
Purchase their art and help them support important causes.

Rajul Shah ~ Co-Founder of Purple Octopus Art, LLC

Rajul Shah is currently based in the United States and Singapore. She creates healing art that immediately arouses a transcendent experience for the viewer. She states, “Drawing inspiration from the Japanese art of Kintsugi, my paintings represent the restoration of emotional balance and renewal of chakras, emphasizing the beauty in imperfection.”

Rajul’s prior career involved a dedication to patients and healers across various therapeutic areas. Combinig her varied talents and experiences she co-founded Purple Octopus Art, LLC. Its mission is, “To provide a platform for art and expressive writing that address human and environmental ailments. Art works and writing are published online and in books to offer inspiration to sufferers/families/caregivers.

Visit Rajul’s website: rajulshahart.com

Visit the PurpleOctopusArt website purpleoctopusart.com

Frantisek Strouhal ~ Co-Founder of G.S.U.W.

Frantisek Strouhal is an esteemed visual artist and poet based in the serene West Kootenay region, in British Columbia. He is renowned for his transcendent, innovative artworks.

Frantisek is also the co-founder of Global Symphony for a United World, (G.S.U.W.) with his wife Chantal Robert. He donates his time and work to community-based initiatives that include free community concerts and interdisciplinary art events, particularly for those with limited access to live art experiences. Through G.S.U.W. he is expanding these efforts by bringing art therapists into schools and senior homes, and by supporting charitable fundraisers through art donations.

Visit Frantisek’s website frantisekstrouhal.com

Visit the G.S.U.W. website gsuw.org

Karen Johnston  ~ Founder of The H.O.P.E. Ministry

Karen Johnston is an extraordinary abstract painter and instructor who lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Her gorgeous, uplifting paintings can be found in numerous private and corporate collections throughout the U.S.

Karen is also devoted to community work and projects that integrate the arts with healthcare and well-being. She is the founder and a leader of The H.O.P.E. Ministry, a community that supports and shares the healing journey through any stage of cancer or life-changing illness, including caregivers, family members and friends. This is Karen’s 15th year of leading this support circle. Many people of all ages have benefited from her compassion, love and generosity.

Visit Karen’s website studiokarenjohnston.com

Kate Cruickshank ~ Provides Cancer Support Coaching

Kate Cruickshank lives in Dallas, Texas and creates life-affirming paintings of butterflies. Her art serves as a symbol of hope, transformation, and resilience. She states, “Each wing is intentionally jagged, a reflection of a life shaped by adventure, challenge, and growth.”

Kate is also a Cancer Coach and Registered Nurse. She combines her extensive professional experience, artistic skills and heartfelt spirit of atruism to help others. She recently released two beautiful, limited edition, fine art prints of her original butterfly artwork. 100% of the profits from these prints fund free professional group coaching “for people navigating cancer providing group coaching support and emergency.”

Visit Kate’s website alchemyinks.com

Rebecca Knaggs ~ Co-Founder of the Permisso Collective

Rebecca Knaggs is an Australian artist who creates uplifting restorative paintings imbued with organic symbolism. She describes herself as “Intuitive painter, Creative catalyst, Permission granter, Sacred space holder, Compassionate guide, and Renegade artist.”

Rebecca is also a creative therapist and co-founder of Permesso collective with Gisela Boetker. Permesso inspires creative curiosity through intuition and process-based painting in public spaces. Its purpose is “Through a process of meditation and intuitive painting, participants are invited to paint on a large mural canvas, re/connecting with the part of themselves that responds spontaneously and imaginatively. The experience can be a confronting, insightful, invigorating and ensouling creative process.”

Visit Rebecca’s website rebecca-knaggs.squarespace.com

Carole Claude T. ~ Donates Money to Charities

Carole Claude T. is an artist and author living in Australia. She creates drawings that capture a sense of childlike wonder and curiosity about the universe, spirituality, human experience, and nature.

Carole generously donates proceeds from sales of her art prints to worthy charities. They are: WIRES (Australian Wildlife Rescue); WORLD VISION (Ukraine Appeal); and CHILD FUND (Worldwide Children Charity.

She also brings together free weekly gatherings of seasoned art professionals with passionate newcomers. She states, “I always encourage a spirit of playful experimentation.”

Carole has written inspirational e-books and offers them for free, available to download from her website.

Visit Carole’s website caroleclaude.art

View “The Healing Power of Color” 2026 Exhibition

Related Articles You May Want to Read

Karen Johnston Artist and Founder of The H.O.P.E. Ministry
Frantisek Strouhal and Chantal Robert: Founders of Global Symphony for a United World
Carole Claude T. Shares Excerpts From Her Enlightening Ebook

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