A Window Between Worlds - Art as a Healing Tool

view detail		From Pain to Promise $2 (per bookmark) artist: Dianne Susag Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope. Artist Statement: “Fear, depression, anger, loneliness, control, pain, intimidation: these were my clouds of domestic violence. Healing, happiness, a new life: these are my rainbow of survival.” These words by the artist appear on the back.

view detail		The First Step $2 (per bookmark) artist: Anonymous Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope. Artist Statement: “They say that a ‘journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step.’ When you are in a bad situation that seems too much to deal with, take small steps at finding a solution. Do something everyday - even if the only thing you can do for yourself is to give yourself a hug.” These words by the artist appear on the back.

view detail		Oracle $2 (per bookmark) artist: Debora Cooper Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope. Artist Statement: “Hope and faith were the ways I dealt with the fear that filled my past. My future is filled with the reality of things hoped for by the grace of faith.” These words by the artist appear on the back.

view detail		Beacon of Hope $2 (per bookmark) artist: Betty Haskell Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope. Artist Statement: “As a beacon of light to ships lost at sea during a storm. Recovery from domestic violence has guided me to the safe harbor of a loving life. These words by the artist appear on the back.

view detail		Strength in Numbers, Strength in Love $2 (per bookmark) artist: Lu Ann Robinson Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope. Artist Statement: “It took a long time before I could even admit to myself how bad things had been. I was finally able to share my story with other survivors and listen to theirs. Much to my surprise, the compassion I had for them eventually wore off on myself. Now, I love myself enough not to let it happen again.” These words by the artist appear on the back.

view detail		It’s Behind Us... A New Life $2 (per bookmark) artist: Anonymous Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope. Artist Statement: “We left. We stand together as mother and daughter to help create a safe and secure world in which to live. Life is too full of beauty and mystery to remain in the shadows of silence.” These words by the artist appear on the back.

view detail		Silence and Shadows $2 (per bookmark) artist: Anonymous Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope. Artist Statement: “I have been silent too long. I let my shadows speak for me. Now I'm going to speak for myself.” These words by the artist appear on the back.

view detail		No Holds Barred $2 (per bookmark) artist: Rosemary Rothwell Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope. Artist Statement: “When I was in my abusive relationship I did not know myself and I was fragmented. The pale white flower represents me then, and the scary mask represents the horror of that relationship. My path of healing has made me whole again, vibrant. The whole flower at the top represents me now. The peaceful picture is the serenity I've obtained by becoming free.” These words by the artist appear on the back.

view detail		Untitled $2 (per bookmark) artist: C.A. Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope. Artist Statement: “My ex tried to steal my dignity and my safety but he did not succeed. No one can steal my future. My journey has been from rough, sometimes dark times, to a time of love and tranquility. My daughter's name means tranquility, and the symbol of her name on the marker means man and woman living in harmony. I have my future - it is a happy family living in harmony.” These words by the artist appear on the back.

view detail		Fix-it, Guilt, Growth $2 (per bookmark) artist: Ms. Lydia Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope. Artist Statement: “I spent years trying to fix him, trying to save my marriage, trying to fix his ex-wife and my step-children. When I left, I felt guilty that I left a sick man who truly needed counseling. I started taking care of myself and I have shown such growth, I am happy now.” These words by the artist appear on the back.

view detail		You Made Your Bed, You Must Lie On It $2 (per bookmark) artist: Sybil Rynhart Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope. Artist Statement: “All my life I did what other people thought I should do. Now I have learned to do what I want to do. The dark shadowy images show my life as it was and the colorful bits show how I would like my life to be. The end piece shows how my life is now, happy and content and frivolous. I am also concerned for other people going through the same journey as I.” These words by the artist appear on the back.

view detail		Sometimes Heaven is a New Pair of Glasses $2 (per bookmark) artist: Anonymous Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope. Artist Statement: “There was a time when death seemed to me to be the only way out. I was miserable in the life I was living. I saw myself trapped like a caged animal in the zoo. Then the job that I had started to offer free 1-hour a week counseling sessions. I went in on my lunch hour, and little by little I got "a new pair of glasses." I started to see options, choices, and freedom. I was able to develop a plan to help me leave the situation I was in: a plan that made sense to my personal situation.” These words by the artist appear on the back.

view detail		Breaking Away $2 (per bookmark) artist: Alejandrina Bojorquez Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope. Artist Statement: “I needed to break away from my partner, from the pain that burns inside of me. Escaping and trying to find your way through to a home of peace and tranquility.” These words by the artist appear on the back.

view detail		Life Is Not A Gamble $2 (per bookmark) artist: Mary I. Hernandez Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope. Artist Statement: “We must: Love ourselves enough to leave. Believe in our own worth. Know we are special enough to love. Love enough to dream and Dream enough to SOAR!” These words by the artist appear on the back.

view detail		And Still We Rise $2 (per bookmark) artist: Mary I. Hernandez Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope.

view detail		Reflections of Fear $2 (per bookmark) artist: Barbara Connor Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope.

view detail		Tunnel to What I Deserve in Life $2 (per bookmark) artist: Carolyn M. Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope. Artist Statement: “My life seemed dark around the edges but somewhere deep inside I always saw a light a sparkle of true happiness.” These words by the artist appear on the back.

view detail		A Lifetime of Learning $2 (per bookmark) artist: Dolores Sanico Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope. Artist Statement: “We are always learning new ways of being quiet, of following other’s demands, of not seeing ourselves. No walls please as I have a lifetime to know what is for me, myself, and I. Me, myself, and I will begin a new life and not look back on the dark rooms with walls but where the best and bright rooms don’t have walls. For now I am soaring like the eagle, to go beyond the foggy road that another paved. My life is becoming a bouquet of flowers for I am enjoying the height an eagle can go.” These words by the artist appear on the back.

view detail		She’s Made of Stone, But She’s Unaware of It $2 (per bookmark) artist: Suzanne Karcher Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope. Artist Statement: “She forgets she's made of such a durable substance. When I was in school and in an abusive relationship, I was very isolated. I needed sleep, but nervousness kept me awake. I had things that needed to be done the next day and I always did them, but I felt weak and stupid for being in my situation. Now I’m able to share my art and my experiences with other women in similar circumstances. I see them as strong and brave and I am able to see my own past differently.” These words by the artist appear on the back.

view detail		Rebirth $2 (per bookmark) artist: Megan Torrey Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope.

view detail		Edged in Red (Always Waiting)” $2 (per bookmark) artist: Hannah Lee French Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope.

view detail		Night Terrors $2 (per bookmark) artist: Betty Haskell Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope. Artist Statement: “My past contained nights of terror, days of constant surveillance Watching eyes always watching me.” These words by the artist appear on the back.

view detail		Remaining in the Essence $2 (per bookmark) artist: Peggy “Alena Marie” Bookmarks are in full color and laminated, with the artist’s name and thoughts on the back. Each bookmark is a personal reminder of a survivor's strength and hope. I am learning to let go of the fairy tale - the prince ... Forgiving ... Remembering nobody is perfect ...We all have lessons to learn. I am opening to the continuing journey of life and love as God's guidance provides the passage. These words by the artist appear on the back.