Packers vs. Bears Rivalry Artwork

Hi All,

In American Football...known as the National Football League or NFL, the oldest and one of the most fierce rivalries is the Chicago Bears vs. the Green Bay Packers.  It's been going on for almost 100 years, and year in and year out - it's always a game both teams look forward to...and so do us fans.

Today, they met again and the Packers won (played in Chicago).  Full disclosure - I'm from Wisconsin originally and have always been a Packers fan....so I was happy with the outcome.  It's always a tough game and today was no exception.

Clay Matthews - pencil and computer illustration by Tom Kreienbrink

I don't know that I've shared the Clay Matthews piece before (forgive me if I have).  He's a star linebacker currently playing for the Packers.  I produced this piece a few years ago.  He's a great player.

What I'd also like to do today is to feature my Bears artwork.  While stationed in Washington DC in the Air Force, I worked with a guy, who was from Chicago and huge Bears fan.  He talked me into doing a couple of Bears pieces, do I did and made copies for him.

Sweetness...Walter Payton - Pen and Ink by Tom Kreienbrink

Another reason for the artwork, is that I've got Chicago connections.  My wife Sue and her family are originally from Chicago and we have friends there as well.  I thought it would be fun to offer them copies of the artwork as well.  I did the pen and ink artwork on bristol board with technical pens, then made copies at 11" x 17."

Former Bears Coach - Mike Ditka - pen and ink by Tom Kreienbrink

The Chicago artwork that I drew were pictures of Walter Payton and Mike Ditka.  Payton was perhaps the greatest running back of all time (I'd probably put Jim Brown and Barry Sanders in that group as well - and maybe Emitt Smith).  Ditka was head coach of the Bears for several years and took them to a Super Bowl Championship in 85.  He also had a great career as a player for Dallas and Chicago.

So there's my Bears artwork.  It was fun drawing these.  As much as I dislike the Bears - I respect them.  For just about as long as I can remember, they've put a decent team on the field, year in and out.  They go back as far as the Packers, and no matter what, it's always a gut wrenching game (for me anyhow), when they play.  For today, though, I celebrate a Packers victory - and hope there's more where that came from.

Take care all.  Have a great week this week.  Remember - the games are fun, but it's just a game.  Enjoy the moment and every day.  If your team loses, shake it off.  There's always next week or next year.  Be good.

Peace,

Tom

On-line art gallery
www.behance.net/tk-art
FB-Art page
www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Kreienbrink-Art-and-Design

Healing Heart Creations

Hi All,

Well - it's fall here and we'll have a high of 102 degrees here today - Ha!  Still hot! The good thing is it's still warm enough for swimming.  I really miss the pool when it gets too cold.  The other good news is, my business is growing and I'm renting additional therapy space for Mondays and Fridays.

Currently I rent space for my holistic therapy and massage practice at Beyond Today (off I-17, between Cactus Blvd and Peoria Blvd).  I work Tue, Thurs, and Saturday at Beyond Today.  I share the room with another practitioner, who has the other days.

As I've blogged recently, I'm also starting to do massage in Wickenberg once or twice a month.  And, now I'd like to introduce you to my new office on Monday and Friday; Healing Heart Creations (HHC).

Front door entrance

My friend Ginger Hay is the owner of HHC.  Recently she found out she'd have a room available.  Another friend, Brandi Campbell was going to rent the room, but it helped her to have someone to share time and expenses.  So it worked out well for all, for me to come in and rent Mon and Fri.

The comfortable front area at Healing Heart Creations

HHC is a smaller operation - theres 5 of us working there, but it's a great place with great practitioners who practice a variety of healing modalities.  The good thing is that I really enjoy my fellow holistic practitioners.  There's also a classroom there as well, where we can hold classes.  It's a great place.

Ginger - making coffee - you know I like my coffee

So that's the big news.  Things are getting busier and I'm now going to be available 5 days a week.
Come see me now at Healing Heart Creations on Monday and Friday.  I'm still enjoying my practice at Beyond Today on Tues, Thurs, and Sat.  And - once or twice a month I'm traveling to Wickenberg to work also.

http://www.healingheartcreations.com/ - Check out the new place, on the web.

I hope you're having a great week.  Be present - past is done, the future will get here when it get's here. Enjoy this present moment - whatever's going on - and - Be kind.

Peace,

Tom
Owner and Therapist at
Holistic Therapy Solutions
Phoenix, AZ

443-850-4126

tom.kbrink@gmail.com

www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

http://tomkbrink-design.blogspot.com/

www.facebook.com/HolisticTherapySolutions

Taking Massage on the Road

Hi All,

Here I am again, pursuing a new opportunity.  As most of you know, I run my holistic therapy biz out of an office in Phoenix, AZ and I'm always open to new opportunities to expand my business.  I only have Tues, Thurs, and Sat in my room at Beyond Today Co.  I'm also starting to work Monday and Fridays at Healing Heart Creations in October (Peoria Ave and I-17).  So I'll be available for appointment 5 days a week.  But - I've got an opportunity in an unlikely place....Wickenberg.

A few months back I designed a logo for a friend of a friend, Laurie Hernandez, and her new store in Wickenberg, AZ.  It's called At The Center Of You.  It's a small shop with various CDs, crystals, clothing, organic soaps and candles, and much more.  It's a really great little place.

At The Center of You...the shop.

Afterward, as we got to know each other, I got the opportunity to do chair massage at Laurie's grand opening and eventually, we discussed me traveling once or more a month to provide massage and holistic therapy at the store.

On the road thru the desert

Well, I was happy to accept the invitation and give it a try.  Wickenberg is a great little western town about 60 miles NW of Phoenix.  There's not very much massage or holistic therapy available in the town either.  So I'm excited about the possibilities.

Selfie...on the road...don't crash the car!

Recently, I took my table and drove up there for a couple of massages.  It went great!  The space is great and very peaceful.  It's truly a great little place for relaxation and healing.  I'll be providing Massage, Reflexology and CranioSacral Therapy to those who want it.  Laurie (a practitioner herself), is a Reiki master, Life coach, and Hypnotherapist and will practice those modalities.

Shops and courtyard by At The Center of You

Wickenberg is a great little town with a lot of history in the old West.  I'm told John Wayne (and others), filmed a lot of westerns in Wickenberg and surrounding area.  The shop is right in the old town area and it's located in one of the "suite's" of an old motel.  There's other shops, restaurants and entertainment immediately surrounding the shop.

The logo I designed for the shop

So if you're in Wickenberg - stop in at At the Center of You, and check it out.  It's a great place.  I'll be up there on Mondays sometimes too.  Schedule a massage there or with me in Phoenix.
Take care - be good to yourself and be kind to others....help make this place a better place for all of us.

Peace,

Tom

www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

Public Healing Day

Hi All,

Well, it's been quite a night and morning here in Phoenix.  We've had our most rainy day on record (rain last night and this morning).  It came down good and caused much damage from flooding all over town.  I'm so grateful that we haven't sustained any injury to family or property.  Hopefully we don't get too much more rain today.

Hopefully your week is starting out well.  Enjoy the week - if you're working this week, have a great work week.  If you are in or around Phoenix, come check out the Public Healing Day at Beyond Today Co (where I rent space, to practice massage and holistic therapy).  Let me explain the details.

Facebook and social media advertisement

We're holding the public healing day on the 4th of October, from 11am - 4pm.  The day will have holistic practitioners that work out of Beyond Today co. coming together to provide mini sessions, for donation only.  The mini sessions will be 20-30 minutes.  The modalities include Massage, Reiki, Re-connective Healing, CranioSacral Therapy, Reflexology, Toe Reading, Intuitive Readings, Hypnotherapy and Guided Imagery.

You can come to try one specific therapy or practitioner, or try all.  You may find yourself moving towards wellness or find much relief from physical and/or emotional pain - without the side effects that often accompany other things (won't name anything).

Flier for the event

I hope you'll come join us on the 4th of October.  Also - come schedule a massage or other holistic therapy, today!

Have a great week folks.  Be present, enjoy today - whatever you're doing.  And - be kind to others....all of them (not just your friends).

Peace,

Tom

Tom Kreienbrink is a licensed massage therapist and holistic therapist in Phoenix, AZ
www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

NFL Season is Here - Eddie Lacy Artwork

Hi All,

Are you ready for Football?  I am!  I'm a fan of the Green Bay Packers.  They were the local team, when I was a kid growing up in Wisconsin and I still follow them today.  The old loyalties are strong sometimes.  So naturally as an artist I like to occasionally create Packers artwork.  I do it for fun.

Last year the Packers drafted running back Eddie Lacy and he had an amazing rookie year.  It looks like this year may be even better for him.  This made him a natural choice to become piece of artwork that I can share with friends and internet.

reference material and layout

I found a couple of photos on the internet that I liked and started with them as reference material.  I like the contrast between him with helmet off, in a candid moment and the other photo, with Lacy running with great intensity straight at the camera.  I combined them in a photoshop file.  I removed/erased all the material around the photo without the helmet and laid it over the action photo.

re-drawing, or drawing over the photographs

Usually, I'll do a pencil drawing to start with.  In this case, I just started drawing right on the actual photo layout itself.  I kind of consider it "cheating."  However - in the interest of saving time, that's the way I did it.  This technique is still not instant, it still took a good chunk of time to "re-draw" the photos and background.

smudging the background

When I started working the background more, I used the smudge tool to give it a little illusion of motion.

after applying the duo-tone color

To add color I applied a duo-tone to the artwork thru Photoshop.  Giving it the green and gold coloring over the entire picture.

Eddie Lacy - Running Back, Green Bay Packers, by Tom Kreienbrink

I made some adjustments to the colors, added a border, a little more drawing/sketching and added a logo overlay and.....it's finished.  I hope you enjoy the artwork and the upcoming football season.

Take care everyone and have a great week.  Summer's fading fast, so enjoy it while it's here.

Peace,

Tom

www.behance.net/tk-art

Tom is also an holistic therapy practitioner in Phoenix, AZ.
www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

Having Difficulties on the Scale?

Hi All,

Hope you're all doing great out there.  Summer is winding down.  I hope it was a good one for you.  Personally, I'm still enjoying the warm Phoenix weather, but I'm ready for a little cooler weather too.

Today I would like to talk about releasing the extra weight some of us carry around.  Of course we know that you need to eat less, and move the body more and you will probably drop the pounds, right? But there's a little more to it for most of us and maybe a more holistic or complete approach is what we need.

flier for Holistic Weight Management with Hypnotherapy Group

Sometimes the change is not quite so simple.  If it was, none of us would be overweight.  One thing we need is to bring a desire to change.  Do you want to be healthy and fit?  Do you drop the extra pounds that do not serve you?  Well, if you have desire and some dedication, you can do it.

We need to change our relationship to food.   Hypnotherapy can be a big help with that.  We can change our view of food and beliefs about it.  We love food and desire to eat healthy food in the amounts we need to power this body....thru hypno, we can internalize this.  We train ourselves to desire good food in the right quantities.

We also want to change our view of ourselves.  We are all beautiful, in a beautiful, wonderful amazing body, but sometimes we don't believe it or know it.  We want to take care of this wondrous vessel.  We can train ourselves to enjoy feeding it good food and exercising it.  We can eat in moderation if we want.  We can exercise it more also - either way, we learn to and train ourselves, easily and gently, to care for our body and love our body.

All of this is fine - but if we don't remove the blocks to this, we won't really make meaningful change.  So we address the reasons why we eat the way we do; the emotional eating, insecurities, etc.  We need to get to the bottom of this and release those old emotional blocks that keep us trapped in the old habits and patterns...and we can do that.

Of course - in the group we continue to learn a little about holistic nutrition each week and support each other and share tips and foods that are working well in our personal journeys.

I got up early this morning and wrote a new hypnosis script that I will share tonight with the group.  It follows these themes.  I also provide a self hypnosis CD to attendees.  It's good for reinforcing the changes between group meetings.  I'll be recording the new script as well.

If you're in the Phoenix area - come by and join us tonight at 5:30 or on another Thursday soon.  I also work with people one on one, if a group isn't your preference.

Have a great day out there.  Enjoy those bodies - eat well, think well, and move it too.

Blessings,

Tom

www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

Holistic Nutrition - it's what's for dinner

Hi All,

Having a pretty good summer here.  Nature sure put on an amazing show for us last night.  Some amazing storms pop up in the desert on summer evenings.  Hope things are going well for all of you, wherever you're reading this blog.

Summer storm in the distance

So one of the things I've been working on, personally, is making changes in my eating habits.  I'm working toward eating a more nutritious diet.  I've been doing pretty well for the most part, but one thing we don't do as much as I'd like to, is cook foods from scratch.  I guess that's the next phase.

On a professional level, I run a weekly Holistic Weight Management with Hypnosis group here in Phoenix, AZ.  Of course it incorporates hypnotherapy with sensible eating, exercise and a strong desire to change your body to a healthy, well balanced, right sized vessel.  We also do this with the support of a positive like minded group.

There's an holistic nutrition aspect to this group as well. Each week we look at a few foods that we can incorporate into our diets.   We look at good wholesome foods, their nutritional content and how we can incorporate them into our diets.  Remember though - this isn't a diet.  It's basically eating healthy on a daily basis.

Last week, the South American grain, Quinoa came up in the group.  So I decided to cook dinner last night and make a dish with quinoa.  I also wanted to prepare a dish with Lentils.  Both are power foods and very nutritious.

Leftover Quinoa Tabbouleh

Quinoa is considered a supergrain.  It's high in fiber and rich in high quality protein.  It originates in South America and was a staple of the Incas.  I bought the quinoa out of the grocery store bulk bin where it's very inexpensive.  It's easy to make, is loaded with fresh vegetables, was delicious, and a very nutritious and low calorie choice at only 182 calories per serving.  I found the recipe on www.myrecipes.com.

The lentil dish I made was Mujaddara Arabic Lentil Rice.  I got the lentils from the bulk bin as well.  I prepared it with onion, brown rice, and cumin.  It's a simple dish and took about an hour and 15 minutes to prepare.  I found the recipe for this dish on www.allrecipes.com.

Lentils are an amazing food.  They're high in fiber and excellent for your heart.  They also promote healthy blood sugar.  They're low in fat and calories, but high in Iron and an excellent high energy food.

All in all it was a good learning experience and a very tasty and nutritious meal.  As I write this, I'm finishing hard boiling eggs and cooking brown rice pasta for a cold tuna and wild salmon pasta salad for dinner tonight.

Cooked Brown Rice Penne macaroni - for the tuna and salmon salad.

OK - so I want to have full disclosure here.  I don't eat a perfectly holistically nutritious diet all the time.  However - here's the key.  Do the best you can.  Try to eat as much fresh fruit and vegetables as you can.  If you get organic, great.  If you don't, don't beat yourself up about it.  I try to be grateful for the food I have and eat a well rounded healthy diet.  Little by little, I'm incorporating more and more wholesome foods and eating less processed food and fast food.  Just be gentle with yourself around food and keep making progress.

I hope you found this helpful.  Enjoy your day - wherever you are and whatever you're doing.  You can touch peoples lives every day.  Be kind to others....and yourself.

Peace,

Tom

Owner and operator at Holistic Therapy Solutions LLC in Phoenix, AZ
www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com