Jackie Elliott

Bio

We have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through the loss of family members, grief, divorce, unemployment, and other mental stresses being quarantined. While being quarantined with people that you may not like, you really get to see yourself as well as your family members whom you love but may not like. I personally experienced the loss of family, house and a very emotional divorce. My therapist suggested a hobby, but I was already splashing my tears and pain onto the canvas. It became such an outlet that when I shared it with others, it exploded into the Art for the Heart Program.Our goal is to support our programs and provide an improvement to their quality of life. We reach our goals by seeing the joy and appreciation on the faces and in the lives of the people we impact through our initiatives. Our "secret sauce" is that our volunteers operate with love and integrity and make each participant feel as though they are the only one in the room. We have taken the concept of "Sip n Paint" to a new therapeutic level. We use paint splashed on canvas to release pain, anxiety, and stress. This initiative has brought out positive things in people that they were surprised that was in them. The revelations, self-reflection, practical application and transformation that are revealed are so personal and profound that we have grown into an organized, scheduled program. Our target audience is anyone who has feelings and can hold a paintbrush, ages 5 years old to senior citizens. We combine painting on canvas and use of other mediums while having therapeutic discussions on topics and themes prepared in advance. The A-Z themes are just that, topics of love, confidence, spirituality, personal, anxiety, relationships and other topics related to mental wellness and spiritual development.