Han Solo Illustration

Hi Everyone,

I hope you're all doing well.  Things are good here in Phoenix.  As you may know - I am a professional massage and holistic therapist and also an illustrator and designer.  Recently my son Andy and I formed a partnership - Kbrink Design.  Feeling inspired, I started a Han Solo picture.  I also was inspired by the new Star Wars movie.  So today I thought I'd highlight the mature Han Solo artwork that I recently completed.

I started with pencil and paper.  Started drawing...

Original Pencil sketch

I like combining the traditional artwork tools like pencil and pen techniques, with computer painting in Photoshop and/or Painter.  So I brought the pencil sketch into my Apple computer and using Photoshop I started tinting and painting the illustration.  I use a Wacom tablet with cordless pen to do the painting on the computer.  The original sketch had some proportion issues so I made those adjustments as well.

In progress....

Finally, I continued to work the colors a little more.  Adding some warmth in the highlights and cooler colors in the shadow areas....giving him some life.  By the time I'm getting toward the finished product, I'm using the airbrush tool with about 23% opacity...just adding very soft layering, nothing harsh.  I also made the border a little more solid and with a little richer color. 

And there he is...a little older but still cool and looking good -- Han Solo. 

Have a great week everyone...hope things are going well.

Peace,

Tom

You can check out my on-line portfolio at www.behance.net/tk-art

also -- "like" my Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/Tom-Kreienbrink-Art-and-Design

Reiki Share

Hi All,

Happy Valentines Day - I hope you're having a good February.  Things are going well here...getting a little warm early.  I can't complain though, I know the East and North are getting a lot of severe cold right now.  Stay warm up there folks.

Today I'd like to highlight a favorite of mine...my monthly Reiki Shares.  My biz, Holistic Therapy Solutions, LLC has teamed up with Kathy Miller of OMBodyworks to host monthly Reiki Shares.  We trade months - this month it's in my office, next month it'll be at hers.  I'm in West Central Phoenix and she's more on the West side of Phoenix.

Our next event

You may not be familiar with this kind of thing and wonder, what is it?  First, Reiki, is an energy work, healing modality.  Reiki is a full therapeutic healing system, but at a very basic level, you allow Universal Energy (thats everywhere), to flow thru you and into the client, for the client's benefit.  This energy promotes healing, relaxation and well being. It's gentle and soothing and can be a profound experience for the client.  It's very relaxing and can be very healing.

A Reiki Share is an event where practitioners come together to share Reiki with each other.  We take turns giving and receiving Reiki Therapy treatments with each other.  One person (the client), lies on the table and 2 to 4 practitioners give them a Reiki treatment.  When finished, we rotate.   We may have a few tables of folks working at a time. 

Reiki Precepts - by Dr. Mikao Usui - founder of Reiki

Reiki Shares are a lot of fun.  It's an opportunity to practice in a non-judgmental place.  Not everyone is a professional therapist and may not have a place to practice regularly.  It's also a great place to meet some folks who practice this healing art as well.  I've made many friends this way and am grateful for it.  It's also a great opportunity to receive a Reiki treatment from 3 or 4 people at the same time.  It can assist with healing, pain and stress relief, and is very soothing. 

There's also a place for folks who don't have experience, but are curious.  We welcome them as well.  Kathy and I meet with newcomers at 6pm to give a short intro to energy and energy work.  We'll also answer questions and encourage them to participate in the Share as well.  Also - we welcome practitioners of other energy modalities.  We have some folks who regularly come and practice CranialSacral or other modalities.

Our next Share is at my shop - Holistic Therapy Solutions, LLC in Phoenix, AZ.  It's a "by donation" event (no set price and donations help to cover expenses).  We will have some refreshments and we hold the Share from 6:30 - 8:30PM.  The date is the 21st of February.  Come join us if you'd like.

For more info:
My website: www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com
Kathy's Site: www.OMBodyworks.com

I hope you all have a great week and maybe we'll see you at the Share.

Peace and Love,

Tom

Tom Kreienbrink is a Massage Therapist, Reiki Master and Teacher, and CranialSacral Therapist in Phoenix, Arizona.  For more info, see the website for Holistic Therapy Solutions, LLC.

Present Moment Awareness

Hi Everyone,

I hope you're having a great start to 2016.  It's a great day to be alive...I hope you all feel the same way.  Enjoy it....I'm going to talk about how you can lower stress in your life.  You don't have to change anything on the outside - just make a little change on the inside.

Stress in your life can be a killer.  It's hard on the body and the mind....mentally, emotionally, physically - it's damaging in every aspect of our lives.  We live in a busy time.  Many of us have demanding jobs and hecktic lives.  It's hard not to be stressed out, right?  Surely there are ways of dealing with and reducing stress, right?

There are several things I do to reduce stress in my life.  I try to eat good food, get enough rest, regular massage, exercise, prayer, have an attitude of gratitude and feed my spirit.  One other thing that I find very helpful is being present; being in the present moment...or just being. 

Being present is simply being in the moment.  That's pretty simple...OK, my work here is done, right?  Ha...well maybe not so fast.  I don't know about you, but for me, my mind can drift off into past situations, memories, etc...  Or, conversely, I can get going about the future.  How am I going to, "make that happen," or plan out something in my mind, working out all the details, how it'll go, what I'll say, etc. 

Why do I want to be present and in the moment?  Too often thoughts of the past run over regrets and scenarios of what we should have said or done differently.  And we can go thru them over and over again.  Whether you're going over very deep seeded stuff or maybe something pretty innocuous,  it's all the same and has the same result: we cannot change it.  Period.  It's the same with anticipating the future.  As much as we plot and plan, does it ever really work out to our exact specifications or expectations?  Running these tapes over in our minds is distracting and adds stress in our mind and also in the tissues in our bodies.

Now - try this.  Take a nice slow deep breath and exhale...while doing this, bring your mind and awareness to the present moment.  Be right here and right now, in this moment, without judgement or expectation.  As you breathe, pay attention to the air going in and then going out.  How good does it feel to be right here (releasing the past and staying out anticipating the future).  How does that feel?  Perhaps your shoulders soften a bit, and you may find your forehead relaxing.  Now see how long you can stay right here, right now.  It's not long before your mind starts to drift off into thoughts of something else, right?  That's ok...just gently come back to the breath and present.  Now do this for the next few minutes as your body and mind relax in the present moment...no worries, no fear....

This is referred to as Mindfulness practice.  It's a meditation of sorts.  You can do it with your eyes closed, sitting or lying down.  You can do this while doing chores around the house or walking the dog.  It takes practice, (which is why it's called a mindfulness practice).  It's not always easy.  A lot of people have so much going on in their heads that they have a very difficult time being in the present.  Many get frustrated and give up, especailly if they try it on their own.  I would invite you to try this for 5 minutes at a time at first.  Also - be kind to yourself.  Don't get frustrated or down, and don't beat yourself up if it's difficult for you.   

As you spend more and more time in the present, you'll find you probably feel a lot less weighed down by so many concerns - most of which we have absolutely no control over.  On a physical level it can help you to relax and reduce your blood pressure, release muscle tension, and even help reduce pain that you may have in your body.  I even saw a  scientific study recently that noted some amazing physiological changes in the brain from mindfulness and meditation, (which doesn't surprise me at all).

So this winter, take care of yourself in all the ways you should (diet, exercise, massage, etc...), and stay in the present.  Don't long for Summer or even the weekend...enjoy this one moment and whatever you're doing.  Whether you're working, driving in traffic, chilling on the beach or whatever - stay right here, right now and enjoy.  You'll feel much better - in many ways.

I do have to make a note here, just so no one misunderstands.  I'm not saying, never make plans, or never enjoy remeniscing with an old friend.  Of course we'll do that.  Also - will we perfect this ability to be present?  I haven't.  But, today I can enjoy the moment and whatever activity I'm participating in, a little more than I did in the past.  I also enjoy less stress in my life today.    

If you feel like you need some help or support with meditation, let me know.  I have a mindfulness class - I can work with you in a group or one on one.  There's also a lot of materials on-line and books on meditation and mindfulness.  If you ever feel stressed out...give it a try.  I hope this helps...have a great day.

Peace,

Tom

Web: www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HolisticTherapySolutions

KBrink Design

Hi All,

I hope you all are having a good Holiday Season.  I had an excellent Christmas and looking forward to a good New Year.  It's even been a little like winter here (northern tier folks - don't laugh too hard).  Anyhow - I'd like to announce a new design start up that I'm involved with....KBrink Design.

KBrink Design Logo

KBrink Design is the brainchild of my son Andy.  Andy is an artist and designer with experience working in screen printing and some work with punk rock band logo and flier design.  We've talked about collaborating on a business for a while, but the timing was never quite right.  However, this time the timing seems good.

Here's the idea that he had for the business.  We would focus on the markets/areas where his interest lies.  Punk and Rock n Roll Bands, Horror Movies, and related topics.  We'll be putting together products for sale at Horror Cons, Comic Cons, and on-line.  TShirts, buttons, stickers, artwork prints, original artwork, etc.  We'll also be providing original designs, artwork and products for clients.

I bring most of the experience to the project.  The knowledge of the industry, artwork production techniques, and thing of that nature.  We're already working on products and designs and will be open for business at an event soon.  Updates to come soon.

Have a great day and Happy New Year.

Peace,

Tom

Expectations and Attachments; a Holiday Trap.

Hi All,

Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday, Seasons Greetings....etc, etc....  I hope you're enjoying the Holiday Season, whatever you celebrate.  We've had a nice little taste of winter here in Phoenix, AZ this year.  It's been on the cool side - and I'm loving it.  I hope wherever you are, things are going well.

I got up early this morning and was doing a few things around the house, before going in to work with a client.  It was peaceful and quiet, and my thoughts turned to the expectations and attachments that we can sometimes have around the holidays.  Those are two things that can be a huge trap for resentments and disappointment during what should be a festive season of joy.  Because I've fallen into this trap before, (several times), I thought it might be a timely topic for the blog.

When we're kids, so often we had expectations of Santa Clause, friends and relatives bringing toys and gifts for us.  When I was growing up, we had a routine - Christmas Eve we went to church and while gone, Santa came and delivered presents.  After church we had treats, opened gifts, enjoyed family, and had a great time.  Expectations met, right?  What if we were really attached to recieving a certain special gift - and didn't get it?  If we got it, what if it didn't live up to the hype?  What if it got broken shortly after recieving it?  Sometimes the disappointment could be pretty big. 

As adults we can have expectations and attachments that set us up for disappointment also.  These expectations may not even seem unreasonable.  However - are we attached to them so much that when things change we have a resentment?  It's a trap, and especially easy to fall into during this season of peace and love.

Here are some examples many of us can relate to.  We may make plans with friends and relatives and excitedly look forward to them... then, they cancel.  We may be counting on a particular special gift from someone near and dear...and they don't deliver.  Are we attached sometimes to Holiday traditions going off in a particular fashion...but then they just doesn't measure up to past celebrations?  These can be a sure fire way to become sad, angry or even resentful.  It's happened to me before, (more than once), and probably has happened to a lot of us.

So this Holiday Season, I'll be celebrating Christmas with my family as usual.  Sue and I go to church on Christmas Eve, exchange gifts with the family Christmas morn and enjoy other festivities.  There are things I need to do to keep my expectations and attachments in check, so I can just enjoy the season.  The first thing is obvious - take a look at myself.  Am I attached to people, places, things, events?  Do I have expectations for any of these?  If so, who or what am I judging? What I need to do is release these; let these go.  When I do, I release myself from them.

When I'm in the middle of the Holidays what can I do to stay centered and feeling good?  For me, I find I need to remain flexible.    I find that I need to go with the flow.  This means not being rigid or attached to things going my way.  Things change and sometimes they don't go the way we want them to.  Relax, take a deep breath and just enjoy the ride.  For me, so many times situations like that turn out better than my expected agenda.

The last thing is, remember to fill your heart with gratitude.  There's always something to be grateful for.  A quick prayer of gratitude or carrying an attitude of gratitude with me always makes me feel good.  It just seems to work that way.  It's been said, nothing changes the energy of a situation like gratitude.  I find that true in my own life.

Enjoy the Holidays.  I hope you find joy and peace and happiness this Season of Celebration.  Take a little time to be grateful and enjoy those around you.  While you're celebrating, remember to keep an eye on how you're feeling.  If you start to feel a little out of sorts...perhaps you might take a look at any expectations you're having, or are you attached to anything?  Regardless of the details - you may just have the best Christmas (or other Holidays), ever.

Enjoy.

Peace and Love,

Tom

Great Easy Holiday De-Stress and Energizing Ideas

Hi All,

Seasons Greetings...I hope your holiday season is shaping up to be a good one.  Things are pretty good here in Phoenix.  It's an amazing and beautiful time of the hear here.  Whether you celebrate Christmas (as I do), or whatever holidays...I hope they're happy and blessed.

Earlier this evening, a friend of mine shared these images with my wife and myself.  She thought I might find them helpful...and I agree.  These are nice little ideas for relaxing, energizing and letting go of stress and tension.  These are from Dr. Oz's "The Good Life," magazine, and also on line at www.DrOzTheGoodLife.com.  Check it out.

Below are some very easy to to beginner yoga moves that can help you de-stress during this hectic Holiday Season, or anytime.  Enjoy...

Peace,

Tom

Some Thoughts...

Hi All,

I've got some thoughts about all the shootings in our country and violence around the world as well.  I thought I'd jot some down and see if it makes sense.  My heart goes out to the people of San Bernadino and Colorado Springs...and people and communities around the country affected by gun violence.

Typically, we're peace loving people, here in the USA.  We also have rights to buy and own guns.  Many times, people take guns and lash out at other people, the community, etc, with firearms.  So the question is; what can we do about it?  As a nation, as an individual, as a community?

As an individual, what can we do?  Do you know your neighbors - most? any of them?  Can we reach out to neighbors who we don't know?  Can we reach out to people at work, who we don't know...like the person who may seem sad, isolated or angry? What would happen if we showed some of these folks some kindness, compassion, etc?  Would that change things in some small way?  Conversely - when we're at odds with people who are a little different than us; perhaps we don't understand them or agree with them about issues of race, religion, country, and the like.  If we show them hostility because of that, does that solve anything?  Does that make things better in any way?  Or does each side walk away with strengthened resolve?  Could this push someone over the edge? (don't assume that I'm removing personal responsibility from people...just asking some questions).

What is it that drives a person to shoot up a church, a school, a healthcare facility, or to kill anyone?  Hatred, fear, feeling isolated and persecuted, anger, feeling powerless; all of these play a part.  Many of the people who carry out these shootings are mentally ill and need help.

What do you see in your neighborhood?  Keep your eyes open.  People rarely act out in a vacuum.  If you see suspicious activity, report it to the authorities.  Who knows, you could prevent something bad from happening.  It doesn't mean we have to be prying into peoples business - just be aware of your environment.

As communities - we can be alert in our communities as well.  Perhaps we're part of a spiritual community.  We can pray for our neighbors, countries and the world.  Prayer is powerful.

Does the community have a responsibility to help people who suffer from mental illness and don't have the insurance or money to cover it?  Are there resources available in your community? Can we pull together a little bit more as communities and can this prevent tragedy?

How about as a nation?  Can we pass some legislation to address the unfettered access to firearms in this country?  Should we?  Some say yes, some adamantly say we should do nothing.  Unfortunately, here in the US, many of our politicians are beholden to lobbyists and special interests like the National Rifle Association, who are vehemently opposed to any gun legislation - however small.  I was a member of the NRA as a kid.  Back then it was about gun safety and hunting - now it's something much different.  Can we as a nation, continue to have a free society, and balance gun rights with some restrictions that may keep some guns out of the hands of folks who would do harm to others?  It seems to me that there has to be a middle ground, where we don't overreact, where we find some solutions and common sense actions we can take.  Does this mean I oppose people's right to keep and bear arms?  No, of course not.  Does this mean I'm calling for the government to round up the guns?  No - absolutely not.  Should all Americans have access to all the assault rifles and military gear they want; no questions asked?  Does that sound like a good idea?  Not to me.  Does that make me anti-gun rights?  No...of course not.  So can we make changes?  Changes that make sense?  I'd like to think our politicians can put partisan bickering aside and get to work on this.

Now, I'm not removing responsibility from the people carrying out shootings/killings.  People have to be accountable for their actions.  I don't have a pollyanna view of the world, (some will think so).  I'm disturbed by the constant mass shootings in our country that happen every week (sometimes every day).

There's also so much hate speech out there as well.  There's politician suggesting that Muslims should be registered (like sex offenders??).  There was a suggestion that Muslims should have some kind of identifier so they could be identified on sight.  Tell me - does this solve anything?  I feel like this will cause more and more resentment and hard feelings.  We have 15 or 20 million American citizens who are Muslims and how many of these domestic terrorism acts were carried out by them...3 or 4 over the years?  How many mass shootings have we had in this country this year so far?  35.  Think about it.

We've got some issues....we really need cool heads to prevail and we need leaders with the sense and the courage to do what needs to be done.  And again - there are things each of us can do.  Fear and hate are not going to help anything.  We need solutions...and we need to stand on our principles.

I hope and pray that we can pull together in these times, not fall apart.  God bless you all.

Peace and love,

Tom