Medal of Honor Recipient Portrait

Hi All,

Happy Tuesday!  It's a great day....taking another step toward wrapping up a big project, the sun's shining, and I'm breathing in and out....not bad.

I came across an old piece of artwork today that I produced for the Air Force Art Program.  I completed the artwork while still on active duty while stationed at Bolling AFB in the District of Columbia.  While working in DC I learned about the Air Force Art Program (AFAP), from my pals at the Pentagon.  The AFAP's office was right down the hall from Air Force Media and I got to see the operation and what it's about.

The Air Force Art Program is an office at the Pentagon that handles an amazing volume of artwork.  The artwork is donated by artists who create artwork with Air Force themes, in various sizes and media. They coordinate and catalog all of this artwork and sign it out to units all over the planet, to be displayed.

To have my work accepted into the AFAP was really an honor.  There was even an annual Art Induction dinner, where the year's newly inducted artwork was displayed as a show and the artists were invited to attend, along with guests and some other VIPs.  It was fun, and really a cool experience to be able to meet these other artists, get to know them, break bread together and just be a part of it.

Pitsenbarger - pencil and airbrush, 16"x20"

So I decided that I'd draw a portrait of A1C William Pitsenbarger.  He was a true hero and awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.  He was serving in Viet Nam in 1966 when he went on a rescue mission to help some Army infantry soldiers who were pinned down and taking heavy casualties.  He was lowered from the helicopter thru the trees and immediately started tending to the wounded and loading casualties.  When the helicopter started taking fire and had to leave, he waived them off and stayed to provide aid to injured on the ground.  He coordinated the evacuation of nine casualties. He continually put his own life on the line, pulling wounded from the line of fire, providing medical aid and returning fire when he could.  In the end, he didn't make it out alive that day, but was able to assist many others that day who did.

I drew the portrait of him in pencil depicting him in uniform with his helicopter aircrew helmet on.  The medal of honor is also on the pic, drawn in pencil.  I airbrushed in a warm background of a light yellow to brown.

As a graphic artist in the Air Force - it's an honor to have a piece of my artwork in the Air Force Art Program.  It's also an honor to have served with so many amazing men and women, who put mission before self every day. 

I'm glad that my artwork hangs somewhere in an office or hallway, in an Air Force building where Airmen and civilians alike can see his image and reflect on the inspiration that this man, William Pitsenbarger was.

Take care and have a great day everyone.

Peace,

Tom

US Postal Service Design Work

Hi All,

I hope things are going well for all of you.  Things are pretty good here.  Everyone's doing alright and the holistic biz is going pretty well.  I've also got a few artwork projects in progress - I can't share them right now, but will soon.  Of course - while most people in North America are suffering in very cold weather - this is the absolute best time of the year here in Arizona - and I'm enjoying it so much.

Today I want to bring out a project I did for my cousin several years ago.  My cousin Kaye is the postmaster for a small town post office in northern Wisconsin.  At the time, she was coming up to a date when the actual date would match the postal zip code for her area.  What I found out is that's a big deal and stamp collectors like to collect postmarks and custom stamps from occasions like that.

When approaching the date she asked if I'd help her come up with a few items to mark this occasion and the town's centennial as well, for the collector community.  People in the local community would also like to mark this date as well.  It was kind of an interesting little job, because I learned a little bit about stamp and postage collecting. 

So I agreed to design a custom rubber stamp for the postmark for that day, and also design a collector envelope.  She had a piece of artwork already that she was going to get custom postage stamp made for the special occasion.  So in the end the local and the serious stamp collectors could have a combination of custom envelope, stamp, and postmark to commemorate a rare occasion.

Artwork for the postmark rubber stamp for May 30th, 2011, for the Cascade, WI post office

 First - I created a pen and ink illustration of the Cascade falls for the postmark, and I helped her create a design for the rubber stamp postmark.  All of this was part of the Centennial celebration for the town of Cascade, WI.

The other piece is the the envelope.  It's a collage that depicts some "then and now" landmarks in the town.  It also features the falls and the old mill in the background.

Collectors Envelope for Cascade's special zip code match up day.

It was a fun job and fun connecting with my cousin Kaye.  She's oldest cousin of us Kreienbrinks and I don't get to see her very often, so it was kind of fun collaborating with her.

Have a great weekend everyone.  Enjoy each day and make each and every day a work of art...be creative in your work, play, and living.  All you up north...keep shovelling that snow...Spring's coming soon.

Peace,

Tom 

www.Behance.net/tk-art - web portfolio
www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Kreienbrink-Art-and-Design - follow on Facebook

Holistic Therapy Solutions - New Year Updates

Hi All,

Well, we're in the midst of winter here...it's 80 degrees and perfect in Phoenix today.  Sorry - I know up north its pretty cold; I shouldn't rub it in.  This is the season we love the most here - and it'll change soon enough too....but not today.

It's been a busy winter with changes happening in the business and events coming up.  Of course - I'm still providing the work;  Healing and Nurturing Massage, CranioSacral Therapy, Reflexology, Reiki, and Hypnotherapy.

First, as of 1 February, I've moved full time into a new location near 24th Ave and Peoria Ave....right around the corner from Beyond Today(my previous location).  

I'm renting my own therapy room in Healing Heart Creations.  I'm really excited to offer more scheduling options.  Since I'm not sharing space anymore, it provides much more scheduling flexibility.

Address:  Healing Heart Creations (my new base of operations)

               2432 W Peoria Ave.

               Bldg 10, Suite 1180

               Phoenix, 85029

Upcoming Events:

I've been doing regular Reiki/Energy Shares for a while now.  I'm going to continue that, once a month.  If you're a practitioner, it's a good place to practice, and if you're new to it, it's a good place to come experience Reiki and learn more about it.  It's very healing, nurturing energy...and we try to have a good time too.

Next share: 26 Feb, 6:30-8:30pm in the classroom at Healing Heart Creations.  Refreshments are provided.  Cost: Donation.

Mindfulness and Meditation Workshop.  5 March, 7-9pm at Healing Heart Creations.

If you'd like more peace and serenity in your life, this may be an event for you.  Learn mindfulness techniques and meditation techniques as well.  It takes some gentle practice, but you can change your mind/thoughts - and change your life...remember - it's all an "inside job."

Cost: $15

Mondays - I've developed a part-time partnership with Lauri Hernandez at, At The Center of You.  It's a shop and holistic center in Wickenburg, AZ.  I'll be providing massage and therapy there on Mondays.  It's a great shop - right next to the old movie theater in the historic district on Hwy 60.  Stop in when in Wickenburg.

I know there's a lot going on right now - so make time for yourself.  Take a walk, meditate, go to a movie...and massage or holistic therapy is excellent as well.  If you're feeling good; it's good maintenance.  If not, my therapies are very therapeutic and can be very healing.  What ever you do - make the decision to take good care of yourself - today.

Call, Text, or Email me for a session.

Peace and Love,

Tom

Tom Kreienbrink, LMT, CST, RM

443-850-4126

tom.kbrink@gmail.com

Web: www.HolisticTherapySolutions.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HolisticTherapySolutions

Super Bowl Sunday and the MVP

Hi All,

Writing a quick post before the Super Bowl.  As any of you who read the blog know, I'm a big Packers fan.  The loss to Seattle two weeks ago was a devastating loss.  I know it's just a game and there's so much more to life than football.  That being said - the loss and the manner of the loss is still hard to swallow.

Rodgers - pencil and computer...I did this one a few years ago.

There's one bright spot in all of it.  Aaron Rodgers was named MVP of the NFL.  He's truly the best of the best, and a good guy too.   Congrats to Rodgers.

Packers fans - chin up.  Next year is another year.  Keep the perspective.  It's a game.  We love our team.  And...as we know, they don't always get to the Super Bowl.

Rodgers Toon - I did this one this year.  Worked it with Photoshop and
my Wacom tablet on Mac.  Fun project.

Today - I'm pulling for the Seahawks.  I'm going to enjoy the game, the commercials, and even the Katy Perry halftime show.

Enjoy the show today...enjoy whatever you're doing.  Be in the moment every day in gratitude.  It makes it a lot better.

Well - I've got to go...the game is starting.  Congrats Rodgers.  You're the best.  Good luck to the two teams playing today.

Peace,

Tom