Phillip Seymour Hoffman Caricature

Hi All,

How's it going out there?  How's summer time where you are?  Here in Phoenix, it's been hot, as it should be in summer.  This morning I cleaned the swimming pool and I've got a couple massage clients later in the afternoon.  So it's a good Monday.

The other day I watched the documentary about Drew Strewzan - the amazing movie poster artist.  Back when I was doing mostly airbrush work and illustration, he was one of my heroes.  So I got out the sketch book and a pen, as I was watching and started sketching a caricature of Phillip Seymour Hoffman.  I love his movies - such a great actor and I'm sad we no longer will have him around.

pen and ink in sketchbook

Initially I sketched with a ball point pen and sketch book in my lap....just for fun.  Then I took a photo of it with my phone and did a little painting in Photoshop on the computer.    I started with a magazine photo to work from.

sketch after painting in Photoshop with Wacom tablet.

I enjoy sketching once in a while as I sit around.  It's good for all of us to do this.  It gets us into the right side of the brain...let that creativity flow.

I hope you all have a great week.  Enjoy a little sketching today.  If you're not very artistic...make sure you do the sketching.  It's good for you.

Peace,

Tom

web portfolio:  www.behance.net/tk-artwww.behance.net/tk-art

Medical Illustrations - the Talus

Hi All,

This past winter and spring I had some illustration work come my way.  I don't actively persue illustration work, but I do welcome inquiries and I'm an artist, I love the work.  So, I'm always grateful to have some artwork projects come my way.

This past winter, Mary Meyers, from the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, contacted me about producing a few illustrations for a book that they were putting together.   So we worked out the details and I got to work.  Dr. Brett Sachs was the author of the chapter which I illustrated, and he brought me up to speed on what he needed and I got to work.

First illustration showing various types of injuries to the superior medial area of the Talus bone.

The first illustration shows the Talus bone and highlights the superior, medial part of the bone that sometimes when injured, doesn't heal very well.  It shows the five most common types of injuries that happen in that area.

Second illustration showing the technique where the drill goes thru the Tibia.

The second illustration shows a technique where the surgeon would drill thru the Tibia in order to be able to drill into the Talus.  When that area of the Talus is injured, it doesn't always heal very well or quickly for some, because there's not a lot of circulation in that area of the bone.  By drilling into it they can then do some things that will bring blood flow into that area and stimulate healing.

Third illustration showing the Drill Guide technique.

 The third shows a similar technique using a drill guide.  Using the guide, the surgeon drills thru a tube into the bone.  The direction of drilling is from the lower lateral area diagonally to the injured area in the superior or upper area of the bone.

I started with tight pen and ink illustrations.  I scanned them in to my Mac and finished the illustrations with Photoshop and my Wacom tablet.  I drew the black and white layer and then filled color on layers beneath it.   A simple yet effective technique. 

All in all, it was fun to get into a little anatomy drawing again.  I worked in Air Force teaching hospitals for 10 years as a medical illustrator and I still enjoy this challenging and educational work.

Have a great day everyone.  Check out my web portfolio at:  www.behance.net/tk-art
If you'd like to commission a piece of artwork or hire me to illustrate your project, let me know and we can talk about it.

Peace,

Tom

RELAX....and Breathe

Hi All,

I hope you're all off to a great start on your Friday.   My last post was about control.  Today I'd like to stay in that vein a little bit.  I'm featuring some pictures with messages that may help to inspire you to relax and take care of yourself and not try to manage or regulate other people or events.

Here's a great one.  "When you try to control everything, you enjoy nothing.  Relax, breathe, let go, and just live."  How many of us try to manage or control everything or most everything in our lives?  How about controlling people?  How is that working out for you?  Probably not very well.  When we let go and relax and live in the present moment...things begin to flow....and that feels great.  So let all of that go...

What do we think about most of the time?  Do you have thoughts that weaken you?  Obsese about others or maybe you think of how you've been treated by others and how you'll "get even" with them.  Those thoughts won't serve you...Try to let go of the negative thoughts.  Thoughts come and go - you really can never turn off the mind.  However, you can train your mind.  Watch what you think - without judgement.  Observe.  When you have thoughts come that "don't make you strong," or that don't serve you, tell yourself - this is not true - know it.  Then - let it go.  Perhaps, tell yourself what is true, how you are a strong, beautiful child of God.  Let go/train yourself not to dwell on the negative. 

I love this one..."20 Stress Reducing Self Care Ideas."  Self care is very important.  Be good to yourself - mentally and emotionally, and also physically as well.  Great ideas here on this picture...take a walk, watch a good movie, get a massage, read a good book, etc....  I'm sure you can think of other ways to be good to yourself.

Today - enjoy what you're doing (working, cleaning the house, hiking, seeing family or friends, etc).  Be present, without judging - just enjoy the moment.  And be grateful....gratitude makes everything better.  For most of us, this is do-able.  If you have big huge needs and issues...get help.  Ask, search the web, call a hotline, and make the changes you need to...you can do it. 

Have a great day everyone - and a great weekend.  I'll close with one more that I've seen on social media occasionally.  "Kindness - it's free, spread that shit around."  Now go do it (and I'll do it too).

Peace and Love,

Tom

Check out my Holistic Therapy practice and let me know how I may serve you:  www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.comwww.facebook.com/HolisticTherapySolutions
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HolisticTherapySolutions

Got Enough Control of your Life?

Hi Everybody,

I've been enjoying the last couple days of spring here in Phoenix...at 115 degrees F, and the beginning of summer.  Ha....yeah, it's pretty warm.  So what can you do about it except enjoy the moment, and try to keep cool when you can?  We all would like to have a little more control over various aspects of our lives, but what do we really have that control over?

I've been thinking about doing a post on Control issues lately.  Many of us have control issues in one form or another (including myself).  Some control issues may include being bossy or wanting/cohercing/manipulating others to do what you expect of them.  Other control issues may be more subtle and private like "reminding," someone of something more than one time or several times; just to make sure they follow thru.  Do we try to fix others, or change them, maybe just "help" them to improve (even though we weren't asked).  How do you react when things don't go the way you expect or plan for them to go?

We may think we've got it all planned out in life.  We've got finances under control, the people we want surrounding us, the job, the lifestyle, etc....everything is set up how we like it and nothing can change that...and is that true?  Sometimes we may even go to great lengths to ensure we keep it all together.  We may manipulate or try to coerce others to fall in line with our plans...either overtly or maybe trying to be very smooth in trying to pull this off.  We want things to go, "the way they're supposed to go."

The truth is, control is an illusion.  Trying to control the people in our lives can be a tricky business, and in the end will leave us with a lot of heartache.  Whether it's a sibling, spouse, or friend; we may be able to get them to fall in line, behave, or do what we ask or demand for a while.  Sooner or later though, if we have expectations that others will change to meet our desires, we will always find ourselves getting frustrated and our expectations unmet. 

We may want to control events, our businesses, jobs, etc.  Again - you may get the outcome you want for a while, but if you're trying to force solutions, sooner or later you'll end up stressed out and very frustrated.  Basically, we may have control issues in almost every aspect of our lives.  Do you do everything in your power to get the outcome you want?  Do you try to force your solutions to any or every situation?  If so, you may have issues with control and you may want to do something about it.

Then there's denial.  Denial can play a huge role in keeping the controlling person from making changes.  They may feel they have to "control," to keep it all together.  They probable feel like they're trying to help...how can that be bad, right? 

First - you need to realize, you're not in control of everything and everyone.  If you feel like you are, go get a handful of water or sand and hold it tightly...the harder you squeeze, the more it goes right thru your fingers.  It's a great metaphor for how we try sometimes to hold on too tightly in our lives.  The more we try to get others to do what we want, and hold on to and try to manage outcomes, the more elusive it seems to be.  So what can we do?

We can go with the flow.  We can do our best, and take the steps necessary, but sometimes things don't go our way.  When that happens we need to adapt, adjust, and perhaps go with the flow and not hold on so tightly.  When we fight the flow, it wears us down.  Back to the water/sand example; when we try to hold it tight, it slips thru our fingers.  When we gently cup our hands together and dip out some water, it will stay in our cupped hands. 

There's a couple of sayings - "Give it over to God," and "Let Go and Let God."  If you're a person of faith or spirituality, you can give that person or situation over to your Higher Power, and let Him handle the details...and try to keep my fingers out of it.  When I do this, things don't always go the way I want them to, but they always work out just right.  Of course sometimes it's hard to immediately see that they turned out just right, but that's not really for me to dictate, anyhow.

The bottom line is that controlling is a fear based behavior.  When we release that fear and move over to a place of love and allowing, things immediately shift.  This means, I let go of the outcome and doing only my part.  With people, I need to accept them for who they are and release feeling the need to change them in any way.  I only give help to people who ask for it (because I think someone needs my help, doesn't mean they need it or want it).  For plans or events - I do my part, do my best, and let the chips fall where they may.  I detach from forcing outcomes or solutions. 

I also try to stay in the present moment as much as possible.  That means not dwelling on the past or anticipating or trying to manage the future, but just being right here, right now.  This moment is the only one we have, and I let the future unfold as it is supposed to.

These are some of my thoughts on control and how I deal with it in my own life.  Of course, I'm still a work in progress, but I like to think I'm moving in the right direction.  If you feel you have control issues, try some of these ideas.  If it's still too much and the compulsion to control is too great, there's help to be had; therapy, 12 Step Groups, etc.  Believe me when I tell you; it feels good when you don't feel like you have to control everything and everyone around you.

Have a great week and be kind to each other out there.

Peace,

Tom

I'm an Holistic Therapist in Phoenix, AZ.  Check out my website at:
www. HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

My Grandfather - an Amazing Craftsman

Hi All,

I hope you're having a great day.  I've got a busy weekend going, but I wanted to take a little time and share about one of my grandfathers, Arnold Vahl.  As not only a grandparent, but also an artist, he was a huge influence in my life and my work.

I was blessed to know all four grandparents who were all amazing and talented people, but today I'm going to highlight my Grandpa Vahl.  Last week, while at my parents place in Texas, I came across a very old photo of Arnold Vahl; my grandfather.  He's seated at a work table in a print shop where he worked.

My Grandfather: Arnold Vahl (seated).

 As a young man my grandfather served a four year apprenticeship to learn the art and trade of being a lithographer.  He learned to create the master artwork for printing; they etched the artwork into the surface of very heavy stones.  Labels were then printed off of these stones.  The precision work on these stones is exceptional and the detail; nothing short of amazing.

Lithography Stone; artwork etched by Arnold Vahl. Size: 10" x 8"x 2.5"deep.

Not long after my grandfather became a skilled craftsman in lithography, printing technology advanced and lithography stones were no longer used.  So my grandfather became a printer.  He ran huge printing presses.  I remember once when I was a young boy, visiting the shop where he worked.  He showed us around...everything seemed so huge and magical - as printed products came out of these big printing presses on large sheets.  If I remember correctly he worked on an 8 color press.  I remember they did a lot of labels for Oscar Meyer back then at the shop where he worked.

Lithography Stone; etched by Arnold Vahl

Arnold Vahl was a very talented man.  He learned a trade and when it became obsolete, learned a new one.  He was an artist and skilled in many ways.  He was also a painter.  He painted oil paintings, signs...I remember him producing many creative projects.  He was meticulous and precise.  He never did sloppy work.  Perhaps something that became habit when he was etching the precise artwork on to the surface of the lithography stones.

Tools of the master: scribes for etching, pens, pencils, brushes, watercolor pads, a steel triangle.

My Grandpa Vahl was musically talented also.  He was a very good violin player.  I believe I remember hearing about him playing in the orchestra pit for the silent movies.  I just remember enjoying his playing at parties when I was a kid.

My grand dad has passed on several years ago now, but I'll always have fond memories of him.  As a kid, he would bring me piles of scrap paper from the print shop to draw on.  I never ran out of paper and he always encouraged me in my drawing and artwork.  He was also the guy that showed up at the house with Grandma and had some kind of treat that he would judiciously dole out (Hershey's Kisses or MnMs).  He enjoyed listening to the Brewers game on the radio, on a summer day while enjoying a cold Pabst Blue Ribbon and he loved playing dice games.

As a kid we sometimes butted heads; we were so different and so alike in so many ways.  I've learned so much from him and as an artist myself, I treasure the photo, the stone and tools I now have of his, but most of all I treasure what I've learned from him.  I wouldn't be the artist or the man I am today, without so much of the experience that he passed on to me.  Thanks Grandpa.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Peace,

Tom

On Line Portfolio:  www.Behance.net/tk-art
On Facebook:  www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Kreienbrink-Art-and-Design

Mindfulness and Meditation

Hi All,

Today I'd like to introduce you to a technique that can help you be more at peace and serene.  It's called mindfulness.

Imagine it's an ordinary weekday afternoon and you're in rush hour traffic.  People are driving in an all out frenzy to try to get home, or wherever they're going.  Your day at work was hectic and stressful.  You've been dealing with demanding and sometimes unreasonable customers.  You're still playing the tapes over and over in your head when thoughts of all you have to do this evening enter your consciousness as well...kids soccer practice, shopping, dinner, maybe do some laundry....etc.

Is that an accurate picture of how our busy lives can be sometimes?  We wonder why our life is so stressful and how come so many people are sick, depressed, and anxious?  You've tried jogging, eating well, yoga...it helps a little, but not really enough.  You go to church and it's good, yet, that doesn't always address your situation at hand and may not always help with the stress and chattering mind.  You did try buying a meditation CD once, but your mind wandering was too much and you gave up.  Does some of this (or all of this), sound familiar?  All to often the demands of life can be crazy and overwhelming.  However, there are things you can do that can help you have peace in the midst of the storm.

I'd like to introduce you to the practice of mindfulness and also explain a little bit, how this can be an amazingly helpful tool to assist with relaxing your body and mind.  First, what is mindfulness?  It's simply being in the present moment.  Jon Kabat-Zinn, author and leading expert in mindfulness describes it as, "Paying attention, in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally."  Essentially, it's a technique to help you be in the present moment and at the same time, releasing the need to judge everything.

Here's something you can try.  Sit quietly and in a dignified position.  Now watch your breath go in and out.  Be with your breath and detach from all past events and thoughts about them and let go of future planning or anticipation.  Just sit and breathe and be present in the moment.  When thoughts arise - don't judge the thoughts, just come back to focusing on the breath....and breathe...  It's a simple process right?  Yes.  It's not necessarily an easy one though.

Mindfulness is a practice.  Notice the word practice.  You probably won't be able to practice an hour of mindfulness meditation the first day.  It takes practice.  Perhaps you can set aside 20 minutes a day to start, and keep at it.  Be gentle with yourself and don't beat yourself up if you struggle a little at times.  That defeats the purpose, right?  You may have a very easy meditation one day and struggle a little the next.  However, if you're persistent, you'll get better at it and it will become easier.

The benefits of mindfulness can be profound.  It can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression.  All of these can affect your physical health as well.  Some benefits can include reducing blood pressure, stronger immune system and more.  Just think - being able to calm the worries, concerns and tapes you play over and over in your head.

You can take this practice to work, use it at home, while doing the dishes, driving, or wherever.  It doesn't turn you into a zombie or anything like that either.  It fits with your religion or no religion. It just helps you to be in the present moment more often.  As you know, the present moment is all you have to work with.  Being present is very powerful with your relationships; with customers, your family members, friends.  How do you feel when you're with someone and you know you have their absolute undecided attention?  Conversely, how do you feel when you don't? 

I'm finishing preparation for a mindfulness workshop that I'll be starting to teach soon.  In this workshop, I'll provide in-depth information about mindfulness, how to meditate, I'll lead the group thru a meditation, and provide the tools for you to do this one your own.  I'm also starting a meditation group again, thru my holistic practice.  It'll be a great place to continue practicing and for sharing your progress and stumbling (at times), in a safe and supportive place.  It'll be a place to continue to grow and learn more as well.

If you have questions, let me know.  If you're in the Phoenix area, come to my workshop.  More to come soon.  For info on workshops, and other services, check my website at:
www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com
I'll be scheduling the first workshop soon.

Take care everyone.

Peace and Love,

Tom

New At Holistic Therapy Solutions

Hi All,

It's a beautiful Friday morning here in Phoenix, AZ as I sit down to write a quick blog post.  It's one of perhaps that last few cool days before the hot Arizona summer takes hold.  So we're enjoying it.

As you may know, I've been in a new location for a few months now.  I rent an office suite with Ray Kopakowski, who is owner/therapist at Inner Power Hypnotherapy.  Recently, Ray and I decided it's time to reach out to the neighborhood and introduce them who we we are and what we do.  Part of that is that we're going to offer some great lunchtime and anytime services.

Flier for Holistic Therapy Solutions

We've developed fliers that we can distribute in the local area that offer some great deals to help with the stress and tension of daily life.  I'm offering Chair Massage Tuesdays - 11:30-1; 15 minute chair massages for $10.  I'm also offering 30 minute lunchtime massages for $20.  These focus primarily on the back, neck, shoulders, and arms.  I also have a coupon for 20% off your first appointment. 

Flier for Inner Power Hypnotherapy

My office partner Ray is offering a coupon for a Rapid Lunchtime Induction.  These hypnotherapy sessions can help with stress and tension release, and also weight loss, smoking cessation and other changes that people may want to change in their lives. With coupon it's only $35, ($7.50 off the regular price).

Of course these deals are open to everyone, not just the neighborhood business people.  So stop by on Tuesday for a chair massage, or make an appointment for a rapid induction session or a 30 minute lunchtime massage.  We both still provide all our other services as well.  I'll post both of our websites at the bottom of this post.  Check us out.

Have a great day everyone, wherever you're at.  Enjoy this day - be present in everything you do.

Peace,

Tom

Tom's website: www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

Ray's website: www.InnerPowerHypnotherapy.com