Read About These Multi-Talented Artists
The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS members are multi-talented and multi-dimensional individuals whose interests and experiences extend beyond their art studios and also have impacted them creatively. In this 2-part series you’ll discover fascinating and fun facts about our artist members.
The artists’ names will take you to their pages where you can view their art and read about their inspiration and art career accomplishments. Visit their websites and contact them directly to purchase their art. Please visit The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS online art gallery to see all members’ art and see links to Members Only art exhibitions. As you can see, this is Fascinating and Fun Facts Visit Part II here.
Bren Sibilsky
She is an internationally known artist and the founder and an instructor at the Algoma Atelier of Sculpture and Art, in Wisconsin. She has received many top awards from Manhattan Arts International and has served as a guest Special Awards juror for its competitions. Her many exhibitions include those at National Sculpture Society, Miller Art Museum, Koehline Museum, among others.
She states, “My favorite studio is the large barn my husband has been converting to classroom/studio. The cathedral ceilings and upper lofts give a spiritual feeling of freedom I never had before.”
She also has a nursery on the side of her studio of beautiful monarch butterflies. “So many cocoons. Each day I like to see who has emerged.”
Peter N. Van Giesen
When not painting Peter loves reading historic accounts of adventure. He is also an avid boater and is out year around in his ocean going kayak exploring the Pacific Northwest gulf islands. While visiting his website I discovered that his artistic and business talents began as early as in elementary school when he sold some of his first works of art at recess for snack money. He confides, he got into trouble for doing this.
Rajul Shah
“Prior to becoming an artist, I worked across various diseases in healthcare marketing for 20 years. My aspirations have always involved “healing”. Having lived with Depression/Anxiety for the majority of my life, the process of “creating” has helped me cope and heal; whether it be through music, photography or painting.”
David G. Rickman
David G. Rickman creates resplendent paintings in his inimitable style using contemporary impressionism. He has shown in many galleries throughout the United States.
David tells us that he is passionate about “Healing Arts” projects “that integrate the arts with healthcare and the well-being of people. It’s such a great way to communicate and help others in so many ways.”
Another interesting fact about David: “I grew up in a family of artists. I followed in the footsteps of my grandfather, who was a published cartoonist in the 1950’s. After college I drew editorial cartoons for newspapers and cartoons for national magazines. I started painting in college but wanted to try my luck with cartoons.”
Roopa Dudley
Roopa Dudley is widely acclaimed as “The Chess Painter”. Her bold, colorful and dramatic paintings that she describes as “gravitating towards Steampunk Art and Graphic Design”. Three of her paintings were selected in a juried competition for the PORTRAITS Exhibition at BWI Airport Gallery. Also, three of her paintings were chosen for “Artist Focus” section of the American Art Collector Magazine,
Besides painting she successfully released her first deck of situational fortune telling cards “Roopa Dudley’s Kipperkarten”. She is also a published author of “A Strategic Painter: Mastermind Your Craft” for beginner artists. It has received rave reviews and is available on Amazon.
Frantisek Strouhal
In 2025 Frantisek and his wife Chantal were inducted into The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS “World Changers” series in recognition and appreciation for his contributions to humanity.
Frantisek states, “In 2024, my wife and I established the non-profit organization, Global Symphony for United World, to serve communities through arts-based programs to promote health. The creative arts provide powerful tools to understand ourselves, one another, and the world around us. Creativity encourages interpersonal relationships that supports community connections and wellbeing.”
Sandra Belitza-Vazquez
Sandra takes photographs that share the beauty and wonder of the world. Share writes, “Three years after graduating from college, I moved to Puebla, Mexico, to pursue my master’s degree in Cultural Anthropology at the University of the Americas in Cholula. A couple of years after completing my M.A., I became a Photography professor in the Department of Graphic Arts and Design at the university. I am still in touch with my students after more than 35 years.”
Also Read
Fascinating and Fun Facts About Our Artist Members Part II
Also Visit
The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS Online Art Gallery.
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