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Book Overview: The Woman with the Elephant Heart is the story of my personal journey to healing and self-discovery depicted through the paintings I have created. The book entices the reader to feel and relate to the images and writing nestled in the figurative heart. Layers of pencil and paint draw the viewer into the images while the text speaks in a familiar yet, often silent language shared within the hearts of women. This book is a companion for those who feel they are alone in negotiating life’s challenges, offering hope, kinship and comfort. The Woman with the Elephant Heart unveils new insights and discoveries with each reading. My experiences with my son’s diagnosis of cystic fibrosis my own head injury and the resulting painful movement disorder dystonia have been the catalyst for creating The Woman with the Elephant Heart. The process of painting and imprinting my innermost feelings on large watercolor paper became a healing tool in the inner and spiritual journey of accepting my changing life. Ensuing discussions with women who viewed and identified with the paintings and revealed the need for a book that coincided with the same raw honesty revealed in my renderings. This prompted me to create the first prototype of The Woman with the Elephant Heart. Today, the book has a spirit of its own. The emotions exposed in The Woman with the Elephant Heart resonates the underlying feelings of many and in doing so fulfills the need for expression. As a result, many, satisfied with their purchase of this self-published book, returned to obtain copies for others. Readers recognize this as a story about a real person, who fell down, dusted herself off, and was still inspired to risk her heart again. |
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 Laughter Feeds My Soul |
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 Angel Dog |
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The Woman with the Elephant Heart, filled with twenty-eight full color prints, and inspirational text, is priced at $36. To purchase a copy of The Woman with the Elephant Heart Contact: Symmetry Gallery Phone: 518.584.5090 or email: dzack@symmetrygallery.com Click here to view the Gallery. |
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| Click on images to enlarge | Other prints for sale through Symmetry Gallery: Symmetry Gallery |
 Hope Grows |
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 Hugs In A Pot |
 I Am A Mother |
 Wine Lover |
 I Am The Woman With The Elephant Heart |
 I Offer Peace |
 Java Joy |
 Saratoga Beauty |
 Sweet Indulgence |
 My Soul Speaks To You |
 Yoga |
 This Is Who I Am |
 Tree Of Growth |
 I Believe In Miracles |
 The Bath |
 Walking The Path |
 I Have A Blanket |
 I Am Forgiving |
 High Tea |
 Sometimes I Don't Fit In |
 Song Of The Sea |
 The Earth Teaches Me |
 I Just Want To Be Me |
 I Weep |
 Therapy Mouse |
 Tender Love |
 I Am Changing |
 My Heart Aches |
 Life and Roses |
 Story Of Love |
 Life Immersion 101 |
 This Moment As A Blessing |
 The Path To Recovery |
 The Lion’s Roar |
 The Violinist |
 Spirit |
 Blossom |
 Embrace Love |
| Click on images to enlarge | Paintings created for the National offices of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: 
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive systems of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene causes the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food. In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond. The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a nonprofit donor-supported organization, is to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis (CF) and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease. The Foundation is one of the most efficient organizations of its kind. For more information about cystic fibrosis contact the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at www.cff.org. |
 Breathe Deeply |
 Rose In The Garden |
In early 2006, I created a series of expressive paintings during a condensed period of time. The resulting body of work became the beginning of an unexpected journal of intimate feelings. The first prototype of The Woman with the Elephant Heart was produced in May of the same year. As the book was self-published, a business plan was designed to meet the following criteria:
Elephantheart.net was launched in 2007. Today The Woman with the Elephant Heart is in its 5th printing. Most paintings were created in 2006. Deterioration in my neck and spine have greatly limited my work over the past year and a-half. However, the dream moves forward. Lots of love to my husband Art, my sons Andrew and Matthew, and the many friends and family members who have supported this journey. Thank you to David Strauss dstraussdesign.com for creating and managing my website, Andrew Friedson and Jackie Albanese for editing, and my sister Lynne Frank for artistic criticism. Special thanks to Symmetry Gallery symmetrygallery.com located in Saratoga Springs, NY for sharing my vision for The Woman with the Elephant Heart since the beginning. Many thanks to art director Frank Romeo, of Camelot Print and Copy Center, who donated countless hours to redesign and update The Woman with the Elephant Heart for the expanded fifth edition. Frank's spirit of generosity and production excellence are appreciated beyond words. www.teamcamelot.com
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Join the movement Regular People Becoming Philanthropists
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~ The goal of Elephant Heart Charitable works is to bring about a sense of nurturance and compassion to those who are struggling with life’s various challenges through the visual arts. Paintings, prints and books are accessible in areas where they can reach those in need of comfort and healing. Books, framed prints and/or paintings continue to be donated to the recipients listed below:
SAFE House is being filled with books and framed prints. Over a dozen framed prints have been installed to date.
The original painting entitled Saratoga Beauty Too, 2007 is installed at this location to inspire strength and courage. Books are available for patients to view as well.
A gallery of The Woman with the Elephant Heart prints and one original painting welcomes clients to the downstairs clinic. The theme, path to recovery, is the collaboration between clinic personnel, clients and artist to help create a visually healing environment.
The Woman with the Elephant Heart books and over sixteen framed prints are installed in the Trauma Recovery Program treatment rooms located in the upper level of the Ellis Hospital Outpatient Mental Health Clinic and Continuing Day Program. The book The Woman with the Elephant Heart has inspired some healing work with clients.
Framed prints are installed and books are available to support those in need at the Community Hospice building. The Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital, Albany, NY is filled with framed prints as well.
Four original paintings, Breathe Easier, Heart of Love, Rose in the Garden and Breathe Deeply, 2007, are installed in the National Cystic Fibrosis Headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland. 20% of the purchase price of every The Woman with the Elephant Heart book sold benefits the national foundation and is featured in the online CF Marketplace.
The original painting entitled, I am the Woman with the Elephant Heart, 2007, and framed prints of the original paintings installed in Bethesda, MD are currently installed at the NENY office to thank the volunteers and staff for all they do to raise money to find a cure for CF. Books are available to support those in need.
Framed prints are installed and books are available to support those in need.
Framed prints are installed in the treatment area and books are available to support those in need.
The original painting entitled, You Touch my Heart, 2007, is currently installed to thank doctors, nurses and staff, for all they do to provide hope and care for those with cystic fibrosis. Books are available for patients to view as well.
The logo Who I Am has been created for the American Dystonia Society. The original painting Who I am, 2009 is housed at The Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Center of Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York.
With appreciation for creating an environment where a disabled teacher can have success and grow, laminated posters of The Path to Recovery have been donated to the eight counseling centers in the district.
Framed prints are displayed and books are available to support those in need.
Path to Recovery prints have been donated to veterans who need ongoing support.
Books and prints have been sent to Africa to bring comfort and stimulate discussion to help women open up to us about their needs. |
