The 2012 Art of Healing Artist Spotlight features Frankie Buckley, a professional artist from Stringer, who has shared two of her original paintings on canvas.

“Art has always been an important part of my life,” says Buckley.  

After she completed high school, Buckley studied and worked in the commercial art field for several years. Over time the demand for her art grew and she decided to pursue a career as a professional artist.

In the late 1970’s Buckley and her husband, Tom, started publishing her art to make pieces available throughout the United States and Canada.

“After owning and operating a retail art gallery for fifteen years, we closed the daily retail to focus on the art distribution market,” says Buckley.

Buckley has won numerous awards throughout the years. During the Reagan administration, she was invited to hang one of her original paintings in the White House. Buckley was also selected to place 14 of her paintings at the World Fair in New Orleans to hang in the Mississippi Pavilion.

In addition to her art line, Buckley has designed for other publishing companies, book illustrations, numerous cross stitch designs and gift products. The art has been displayed in galleries, gift markets and private and corporate collections throughout the nation.

Currently, her focus is creating one-of-a-kind original paintings with a contemporary and abstract style.

“Abstracts enable me to have no limitations of expression,” says Buckley. “The avenue is open for moods, emotions, rhythm and mystery. Through these designs my abstracts evoke an emotional and personal journey for the viewer.”

Presently Buckley is working primarily in acrylics and mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas. She has donated two pieces to the Art of Healing Auction and Exhibition. Red Horizon is an abstract acrylic painting on canvas. Docking is a representation of sailboats in an impressionist style.

All artists, amateur and professional, are invited to submit artwork by Monday, February 20^th to the Art of Healing Center at South Central Place. All proceeds from ticket sales and auction purchases go directly to the South Central Health Care Foundation.

The Art of Healing will be held on Saturday, March 24^th at Sanderson Farms’ Corporate Office from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $30 each at South Central Place in the Art of Healing Center or the South Central Gift Shop.

For more information about the Art of Healing, please visit schfoundation.com or contact Brook Jones at brook.jones@scrmc.com.

To view more of Frankie Buckley’s pieces, please visit frankiebuckleystudio.com.

Dressed for Sunday by Dwelia Haas

The 2012 Art of Healing Artist Spotlight features Dwelia Haas, a “story telling painter” from Ellisville, who has shared her acrylic on canvas, Dressed for Sunday. To Dwelia, each of her paintings evoke a story that has been shared with her through her mother and grandmothers.

“Story telling has always been a part in my life,” says Haas. “Today, I draw mainly in blues to tell stories of the creatures that share my home.”

Haas donated Dressed for Sunday to the 4th annual Art of Healing in honor of her mother. “She is 80 years old and a frequent patient at South Central. When I was a child, she gave me a necklace that had a mustard seed charm. This mustard seed is represented in my painting because it taught me a lesson on faith” says Haas.

Haas believes that the painting of the cross should represent how everyone should dress in life. “The cross is there is remind us all of how we should dress every day, not just Sundays.”

In 1983, Dwelia Haas graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a bachelor’s in fine arts education and began her teaching career in the Jones County School System. Her illustrations were featured in Kristen Twedt’s children’s book series, My Crazy Catastrophe Cat. Her art is showcased locally at Frames Unlimited in Laurel and Westside Studios in Hattiesburg and online at artbyhaas.com.

All artists, amateur and professional, are invited to submit artwork by Monday, February 20th to the Art of Healing Center at South Central Place. All proceeds from ticket sales and auction purchases go directly to the South Central Health Care Foundation.

The Art of Healing will be held on Saturday, March 24th at Sanderson Farms’ Corporate Office from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $30 each at South Central Place in the Art of Healing Center.

For more information, please visit schfoundation.com or contact Brook Jones at brook.jones@scrmc.com.

The Art of Healing Artist Spotlight features Russ Farris, a contemporary artist living in Ellisville, who has shared his acrylic on canvas, Harmony. To Russ the process of making art has the power to heal the body and soul.

“For me, art is a way to heal.” says Farris. “It is a way of connecting deeper within ourselves and with something greater than ourselves and our problems.”

Russ describes the cat motif as a symbol that connects a healing quality to nature. To many the progress of healing connects us emotionally, physically and mentally.

“In Harmony I chose the green and blue colors to create a calming, soothing quality.” says Farris. “The process of making the quick marks on the canvas relate to the time, place and feeling I was experiencing at the moment of the painting’s creation, therefore this painting aids in sharing a moment in my life with the viewer.”

Russ attributes his inspirations in art to painters such as Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro and Juan Gris. The lines and shapes in their paintings and the spontaneity with which they create the lines and shapes are what attracted Russ to their work.

All artists, amateur and professional, are invited to submit artwork by Thursday, February 24^th to the Art of Healing Center at South Central Place. All proceeds from ticket sales and auction purchases go directly to the South Central Health Care Foundation.

The Art of Healing will be held on Saturday, March 26^th at Sanderson Farms’ Corporate Office from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $30 each at South Central Place in the Art of Healing Center.

For more information, please visit schfoundation.com or contact Brook Burroughs at bburroughs@scrmc.com.

The Art of Healing Artist Spotlight features the work of Joyce Bradley, a contemporary artist living in Hattiesburg. Bradley’s oil on canvas, Peaceful Meadow, is viewed as a peaceful and serene landscape.

Bradley is well known for her natural talent and passion for impressionist painting. Her designs of landscapes of colorful fields of flowers, quaint cottages on hillsides and overflowing views of water lilies, showcase her love for art.

“As I painted this South Mississippi landscape, I not only painted the actual subject but tried to capture the tranquility of the moment.” says Bradley. “I like to take a simple subject and make it compelling.”

Bradley’s technique forms within the use of color and application from the palette knife. The method of color movement aids in determining the scene of the picture. Strong, bold colors portray the imaginary impressionism scenes, which transports the viewer into a tranquil world.

The Art of Healing Auction and Exhibition features professional and amateur artists who express their individual form of healing through art. Whether the artists was personally affected by sickness or touched by the illness of someone else, their artwork provides a release from the pain.

The Art of Healing aims to offer all in our community the chance to experience healing through art.  The exhibition is intended to bring hope, healing and awareness to the community through the creation and appreciation of art.

A new category, Friends of the Foundation, has been created for those wishing to donate in remembrance or celebration of someone for those who are not artists. These art pieces can be donated to be included in the auction.

The deadline for art submission is Thursday, February 24^th.  All art pieces may be submitted to the Art of Healing Center at South Central Place at 2260 HWY 15 North in Laurel.

For more information, please contact Brook Burroughs at bburroughs@scrmc.com or visit us online at schfoundation.com.

Stone Soul Potter creator Crystal Bowers generously shares her creative designs and inspiration with the Art of Healing Auction and Exhibition.

Bowers, a second year art donor to the Art of Healing, is a pottery creator from Virginia Beach, Virginia. She began her process with the The Art League School in Alexandria, Virginia and later opened her own studio in Virginia Beach.

The work from Stone Soul Pottery is inspired by nature, both outdoor and human. “Many of my designs begin with a challenge.” says Bowers. “It is not unusual for me to create a piece from a strand of beads, a shell from the beach, a nightmare or a clever phrase.”

Bowers graciously donated a stoneware piece entitled “Cho Ku Rei”. The piece is made of cobalt, pepper stone and crawl glazes with precious and semi-precious beads, pearls, coral and bone. Cho Ku Rei is an ancient Japanese meditation practice used for healing rituals. The energy that is gathered during the meditation practice is believed to make one’s life easier and more peaceful.

“The Art of Healing is a beautiful example of how members in the community and beyond are willing to support less fortunate individuals who need medical care.” says Bowers. “I hope this piece brings happiness and good health to its new owner.”

The Art of Healing Auction and Exhibition will be held Saturday, March 26^th from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. at Sanderson Farms’ Corporate Office. Event tickets may be purchased from the Art of Healing Center at South Central Place.

The art submission deadline has been extended to Thursday, February 24^th. All artists, amateur and professional, are encouraged to submit artwork. All proceeds from ticket sales and auction purchases go directly to the South Central Health Care Foundation. These contributions help to fund community education and health screenings for everyone in the community.

To learn more about Stone Soul Pottery and Crystal Bowers, please visit Stone Soul Pottery.

For more information or to submit artwork, please visit us online at South Central Foundation or contact Brook Burroughs at 601-399-0519. For ticket purchases, please call the Art of Healing Center at South Central Place at 601-399-0503.

Over 7 years ago Laurel native, Molly Wall, began collecting antique vintage jewelry. She would often come across old and broken pieces that were still beautiful, useful and full of character. Seeing these broken pieces is what inspired Molly to recreate jewelry. Each design she makes is a one-of-a-kind piece.

“Jewelry making has taught me that you do not have to paint like Picasso or sculpt like Michelangelo to be creative.” said Wall. “I believe creativity is something divinely inspired in all of us.”

Since becoming a part of the Art of Healing, Molly has learned that even simple acts of creativity can have a major impact on the lives of others. She feels blessed and humbled to know the proceeds from this auction will be used to fund necessary health screenings and education in our community.

“I feel this is what makes this jewelry significant and whoever wears it can have confidence in knowing that they too have helped make a difference.”

The Art of Healing Auction & Exhibition will showcase artwork of all types submitted by amateur and professional artists in an effort to celebrate the lives of those who have been touched by an illness.  All proceeds from the celebration will go to the South Central Health Care Foundation to fund community health screenings and community outreach programs.

The South Central Health Care Foundation invites all amateur and professional artists of all types to submit art for the 3rd annual Art of Healing Auction and Exhibition on Saturday, March 26th. The deadline for submitting art is Thursday, February 24th.

The purpose of the Foundation is to inspire charitable giving that advances South Central Regional Medical Center’s pursuit of excellence in serving patients and their families.

For more information regarding the South Central Health Care Foundation or the Art of Healing, please visit schfoundation.com or contact Brook Burroughs at 601-399-0519.

Robert Patrick, better known to friends and family as Buddy, has had a lifelong passion in woodworking.

He began his journey by creating Martin houses. Since then, his ability has grown and he now designs mission-style and primitive furniture, bowls, cutting boards, keepsake boxes and more.

In the fall of 2009, Robert was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer in humans. Basal cell skin cancer tumors typically appear on sun-exposed skin and are slow growing cells.

After his diagnosis, Robert underwent surgery in December 2009 to remove the cancer. After surgery, he received 36 radiation treatments through the winter. In March, on the last day of his radiation treatment, Robert celebrated his accomplishment by embarking on his annual fishing trip with his friends at Tombigbee River.

Robert has supported the Art of Healing for two years. He continues to donate and support the South Central Health Care Foundation because he believes in the mission of the Foundation. Early detection screenings are one way the Foundation provides support to the local community.

The funds raised at the Art of Healing contribute to community screenings and health education initiatives in an effort to save lives. The purpose of the Foundation is to inspire charitable giving that advances South Central Regional Medical Center’s pursuit of excellence in serving patients and their families.

For more information regarding the South Central Health Care Foundation or the Art of Healing, please visit schfoundation.com or contact Brook Burroughs at 601-399-0519.