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You are here: Home / Archives for Articles / Artists Stories

The Many Ways Art is Changing the World

By Renee Phillips Leave a Comment

More Than 100 Artists Actively Serving As "World Changers" In this series of articles and interviews you will read about more than 100 extraordinary creative "World Changers". They are advocates for positive change. These individuals  are motivated to help others, society and/or the planet and have created different artful missions to accomplish their goals. They may have … [Read more...]

Karen Johnston Artist and Founder of The H.O.P.E. Ministry

By Renee Phillips 6 Comments

A Community that Supports and Shares The Healing Journey Karen Johnston is an extraordinary intuitive, abstract painter and instructor living in Nashville, Tennessee. The powerful healing nature of her artwork is invaluable. She is also the founder of The H.O.P.E. Ministry, a community that supports and shares the healing journey. Many people of all ages have benefited … [Read more...]

Drawn to Help – Drawing Funny Pictures to Help Kids Heal

By Guest Writer 4 Comments

Drawn to Help

Drawn To Help is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization created by artist Steve Barr to supplement existing art programs at hospitals, camps and treatment facilities around the country. This outstanding organization helps arrange “celebrity” appearances by successful cartoonists and talented artists who want to improve children's lives. When Steve learned about our call for artists … [Read more...]

Artists Who Contribute Their Talent and Compassion to Bring Positive Change to the World

By Renee Phillips Leave a Comment

Nature Nurtures by Carole Claude T

Artists Who Inspire Us! You may be familiar to our extensive series on this website titled "World Changers", which includes in-depth inspirational interviews and articles about extraordinary individuals and organizations that are actively contributing to making a positive difference through their art. If you ever need to restore your faith in humanity visit that series that … [Read more...]

An Experience With Digital Art in Pain and Illness Management By Dr. Shanali Perera

By Guest Writer 11 Comments

Shanali Perera "Collective Strength"

By Dr. Shanali Perera MBBS, MRCP Editor's note: A few days ago Dr. Shanali Perera shanaliperera.wixsite.com/digitalart from the U.K. sent me an email and expressed her interest in sharing her story with The Healing Power of ART community. It's a pleasure to present her article "My Experience With Digital Art in Pain and Illness Management". Dr. Perera's message is personal and … [Read more...]

Artists Confront Life’s Challenges With The Help of The Healing Power of Art

By Renee Phillips 2 Comments

Creating Art as a Healing Modality In this article you’ll meet extraordinary artists who have faced enormously difficult challenges. As you will see, their remarkable art, lives and statements provide hope, comfort, and inspiration for us. We can learn from them how to also prevail and thrive through the healing power of art and having the right attitude. “The Healing Power … [Read more...]

Corrina Thurston Transforms Her Life Through Drawing

By Guest Writer 3 Comments

Corrina Thurston, African Elephant, graphite and colored pencil , 24" x 18".

Creating Art From A Bed Corrina Thurston is a professional wildlife artist specializing in detailed, vibrant colored pencil drawings. In this inspirational article she shares her story about how drawing helped her gain a new perspective on life. After becoming chronically ill and having to medically withdraw from college she taught herself how to draw from her bed. What began … [Read more...]

Artists Transformed Cardboard Into Hope and Healing in the “Together While Apart Project”

By Guest Writer 1 Comment

Together While Apart Project

By Deane V. Bowers Deane V. Bowers, deanevbowersart.com, is a self-described self-taught artist who lives in Seabrook Island, South Carolina. She is driven by a desire, "to be a responsible Environmental Steward in every aspect of my life. As an artist, whenever possible I always use reclaimed, recycled, repurposed and Eco Friendly materials." Her purpose is to create art … [Read more...]

Betsy Cole Finds Herself Again in Art

By Guest Writer 2 Comments

Betsy Cole

Betsy Cole is an artist who expresses her feelings in free-flowing colorful abstract paintings. She reminds us of the importance of letting go and states, "I meditate and there is no planning or thinking, no judgment and no expectations." After experiencing a series of traumas and challenges, she finally found the joy in art that she once knew as a child. In this article she … [Read more...]

Barbara Rachko’s Life and Art After 9/11

By Renee Phillips Leave a Comment

Barbara Rachko, barbararachko.art, is an internationally exhibited American contemporary artist best known for her pastel-on-sandpaper paintings that are inspired by Mexican and Guatemalan cultural objects. She is also the author of “From Pilot to Painter,” (available on Amazon.com), and maintains a popular art blog “Barbara Rachko’s Colored Dust” which has more than 28,000 … [Read more...]

The Rewards of Teaching Art to Children With Disabilities

By Guest Writer 3 Comments

teaching art

Maryan Myres Shumway is a writer, musician and an expat living in the Middle East. She is also an advocate for families and people with disabilities. With her global travels, she tries "to offer a perspective of people who have faint voices in the world." She is the mother of six children. Her youngest, Elias, has autism, artistic talent, and a huge spirit of generosity. He and … [Read more...]

Artist Joanne Turney Celebrates Aging with Joy

By Renee Phillips 4 Comments

Detail of “The Ballet of the Unhatched Chickens” by Joanne Turney, from her “Pictures at an Exhibition” series.

Living Life and Art With Passion, Gratitude and Courage Update: This article was originally published in 2020 and remains here as a tribute in honor of Joanne Turney who died on April 6, 2025. I wrote articles about my dear friend Joanne Turney several years ago and it was published in Professional Artist magazine and also Luxe Beat magazine. Here is a version of it on The … [Read more...]

John Danks Takes His Art Cart to the Children’s Hospital

By Guest Writer 1 Comment

children's hospital

It is a pleasure to present this article by John Danks, an artist who devotes time to helping others heal through art. Known as the "Crayon Man" at Philadelphia's St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, he takes his Art Cart to the children's hospital and creates artwork with them. To keep his cart fully stocked with supplies, the remarkable artist donates a percentage of all … [Read more...]

Heidi Hooper’s Determination to Create Art Led to World-Wide Acclaim

By Guest Writer 3 Comments

Heidi Hooper

This article by Heidi Hooper is about her passion and fortitude to create art in spite of obstacles and how it led to world-wide acclaim. After having achieved many accolades as a metalsmith artist, she was faced with cancer which left permanent damage to her arm. She could no longer work in that medium. Her persistence led to her becoming a world-acclaimed, award-winning … [Read more...]

The Art Memorial As Storyteller

By Guest Writer Leave a Comment

The Memorial Tells the Story of Steven Sotloff’s Wish for Peace By Tracy Ellyn Throughout the history of art, memorials have always been both a reflection of their times and the power of the image to shape our remembrance. Ancient Egyptian memorials evoked not the pharaohs’ facial likenesses, but rather their impossibly larger-than-life power and strength via the imposing … [Read more...]

The Zen Tov Project: An Oasis of Healing Through the Arts

By Guest Writer Leave a Comment

A hallway at Sylvester Cancer Center is filled on both sides of the long entrances into both the Breast Cancer and Crohns and Colitis departments with pieces by artist Tracy Ellyn from her award-winning series, "On the Undulation of Trees." Color, nature and organic imagery are sought-after qualities in healing venues.

Tracy Ellyn is an internationally acclaimed artist who lives in Miami, Florida. She works in layers of 19th, 20th and 21st century techniques, often all within one piece. Her website is tracyellyn.com. Her art work has been exhibited at The Louvre, SCOPE/Art Basel, The Jewish Museum of Florida, Wynwood, and other venues around the world. She is also the founder and director of … [Read more...]

The Rewards of Being An Art Therapist

By Guest Writer 1 Comment

In this article by artist Christine Jolly we gain tremendous insight about the rewards of being an art therapist and about the many benefits art therapy brings to people of all ages. Christine obtained her diploma as an art therapist from the medical university of Lille and the Tours School of Art Therapy (AFRATRAPEM) and has cared for individuals and groups of … [Read more...]

It’s Never Too Late to Become An Artist

By Guest Writer 8 Comments

Mary Mirabal, www.marymirabalart.com, is an artist from Tampa, Florida, who transformed her life when she began painting after spending 30 years in Corporate America. She paints exuberant contemporary abstract expressionist works of art that have been shown in many exhibitions including those at the Tampa Museum of Art.  The artist also has a "Mary Mirabal Art VIP Circle" on … [Read more...]

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About ~ Us

The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS (HPAA) is an initiative of Manhattan Arts International, NYC, NY. It was founded in 2015 by Renée Phillips, artists’ advocate & mentor, and also Founder, Director & Curator of Manhattan Arts International. As a community of artists, writers and advocates we believe ART & ARTISTS are positive catalysts for enhancing the well-being of individuals, society and the environment. ART & ARTISTS have the power to bring positive change to the world.

Learn more about us.

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Headwind at Perdido, acrylic, 22" x 28"

David G. Rickman is our Featured Artist of the Week

Advice – For – Artists

Renee is the Founder & Director of The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS. She also maintains another website devoted to "Helping Artists Achieve Their Fullest Potential". Visit Renee-Phillips.com

Read ~ Art – Reviews

Art Reviews

What – Artists – Say

Praise from Artists about My Art Reviews

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Hiske Tas Bain

Hiske Tas Bain is our Special Friend of the Week

Popular – Articles

Art With the Magical Color Blue by Contemporary and Historical Artists

Plus Many Fascinating Facts About the Color Blue Including Its Healing Impact The color Blue has … [Read More...]

Therese Boisclair

"Seeking the Light" About Thérèse Boisclair: Therese is inspired by nature. She has technical … [Read More...]

Artist Members Tell Us What They Love About Their Favorite Medium

Enjoy This Wonderful Article! Artists develop special relationships with their chosen mediums and … [Read More...]

Celebrate Mother Earth With Our Nature-Inspired Art and Articles

For Nature Lovers Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental … [Read More...]

The Healing Glow of Pink in Art by Artist Members, Famous Artists, and More

Glowing Art and Facts About Pink! We invite you to bask in the healing glow of pink in art by … [Read More...]

Artist Members Tell Us What Inspired Their Works of Art

Enjoy This Delightful Article! It is an honor and pleasure to present "Artist Members Tell Us What … [Read More...]

Artist Members Share Proud Achievements of 2023

Bravo to Our Members! It is June, 2023, and we embark upon the midpoint time of the year. I invited … [Read More...]

Tanis Bula

Masterful Watercolor Paintings of Florals About Tanis Bula: Tanis Bula is an internationally … [Read More...]

Art About Love, Peace, Harmony and Unity by Artist Members

Be Prepared to Be Inspired It's easy to get distracted by the loud noises of negativity and forget … [Read More...]

Bren Sibilsky

"Figures, Equestrian Statues, Portraits and Reliefs" About Bren Sibilsky: Bren Sibilsky is a … [Read More...]

Sandra Belitza-Vazquez

"A World Wonderland" About Sandra Belitza-Vazquez: Sandra is an internationally exhibited, … [Read More...]

A Healing Touch of Red in Art by Members and Masters

Beautiful Art and Facts About the Color Red We are delighted to present this online exhibition "A … [Read More...]

“Spring” An Online Art Exhibition

Art by 14 Artists from The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS Website No matter what time of … [Read More...]

Fantastic Flora and Fauna

View Inspirational Art! In this inspirational presentation view some fantastic images of flora and … [Read More...]

“Autumn” Art by Artist Members and Artists from Art History

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting, and autumn a mosaic of them … [Read More...]

View Our Artist Members Exhibitions Devoted to Color

It is undeniable that color affects our behaviors, moods, and thoughts. It has the ability to bring … [Read More...]

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