Painting for Hailey: August 2011

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Can your child be featured on this years Christmas cards?

I don’t know about you, but It would do my heart good to see a Christmas card that features children/people with disabilities. It’s all about raising awareness and I do that every chance I get.
But how are we going to do that you might ask. Easy... i’ll paint it! Then, i’ll make my painting into a card and have them to your door by December 1st just in time for you to send them along to your family and friends for the Holiday Season.The only problem is, I’m having a bit of trouble picking the perfect image, so i’m looking to the special needs community to send me images via email. If you have an awesome image that you think will make the perfect Christmas card for our special needs families, send it to harrold.janet@gmail.com If I decide to use your image, I will send you the original painting, a 16x 20 this is typically a $500.-$700. value, all rights to the image will remain mine and can not be duplicated or reproduced. Images must fit the following criteria: Only 2 images per email, (if I choose your image, I may also need you to send me a 4x6 image by snail mail) I am looking for something that any special needs family can relate to, an example would be an image of your child sitting in a wheelchair facing the
Christmas tree, admiring all of the beautiful lights, not a full frontal view, it may be best if you can’t exactly tell the gender or maybe this individual is in a walker standing in the snow among siblings making a snowman and totally included in the days festivities. I’m not exactly sure, I only know it should be rather general, something we can all relate to. We really don’t have much time for this project so start pulling out your family images of years past. The image below is a perfect example of what I am looking for, it is whimsical and fun without revealing the identities of this family, an element of surprise awaits them. This image would make a nice image for a fall greeting card, help me find the best image for a very special Christmas card .One that you would be proud to send to all of your family and friends. Deadline for photo submissions will be September 9th so don’t hesitate, Christmas will be here before you know it.
Oh, and I will post some of my favorite images on my new facebook page Painting for Hailey, so be sure to head over there and like my page. I will definitely be considering your votes!

Monday, August 22, 2011

My children's book

Finally the price of my book has been reduced!

A couple of years ago, I wrote a children’s book for Hailey. Hailey loved to read and I loved reading to her. I never dreamed it would actually get published, but to my surprise it did! I was thrilled and beaming with excitement. But, the publisher was asking a ridiculous amount of money for this soft cover children’s book. The retail price on this book was $24.95 totally out of my control and way above industry standard. My discouragement led to anger and dismay and because I signed a 7 year contract, there wasn’t a single thing I could do about it. The few stores I showed it to loved it, but also thought the price was not justified. I decided it wasn’t worth the effort to try and get it out there. As long as I had one copy for Hailey, I was happy. So I discontinued my promotional efforts. Today I found out that the price has been reduced to $12.95 Yay! Now that is more like it. I only hope they keep this more affordable price.

For those of you who have not seen my book, but may want a sneak peak. This is what is said on the back cover.
Not your typical alphabet book, this beautifully illustrated book is filled with oil paintings and fun rhyming facts. Specific to the Boston Public Gardens, children of all ages as well as adults, will have fun reading this book while learning about nature.

A page from the book...

“Weeping Willow, such a dramatic tree,
at the edge of the water is where it should be.
With it’s branches hung low,
if you just take a look,
you might find me below it
curled up with a book.”

For those of you who already have my book, you probably don’t realize that a few of the illustrations actually tell a hidden story about some of my family. For example,
A few fun facts I bet you didn’t realize:

the illustration on the first page “A is for artist” is actually supposed to be me, standing in the Public Gardens painting. I love flowers, I work as a florist and I love to paint. Majority of the illustrations are floral related, and Hailey loves to smell flowers too.

also...the reason I put “V is for violin that the wandering minstrels play” is because my son (Hailey’s dad) was a music major and is passionate about music.

and last but not least... The “M is for magnolia” page has a young man sitting on a park bench reading The Boston Globe. That is because my husband is a pressman for The Boston Globe.

For those of you who don’t know my family, you would never realize these connotations. For those of you who do, it is easy to miss these hidden treasures that depict what my family is all about.
Thank you for reading. If you would like to purchase this book while the cost is reasonable you can go here

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Amanda and Luke

I finished this painting awhile ago but have been unable to post it because it was a surprise gift for the bridal shower I attended over the weekend. I'm happy to finally post it, I just love the colors in this painting and also the subject, hope you enjoy viewing. Congratulations to Amanda and Luke! xoxo

Monday, August 8, 2011

Windrush Farm Horses Helping People

I have recently had the honor of writing an article for Windrush Farm. Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equitation is a nonprofit horse farm specializing in teaching physically, emotionally, and learning disabled children and adults to ride and work with horses.

Beautiful things happen when children with autism and horses are brought together
In this magic-like union! “Horse Play” is a program designed specifically for children on the autism spectrum who range in ages from 5-12. This summers program was well received by all who attended. Listen to a few things the volunteers had to say “ Lila improved a lot on speaking to the horse and became more confident giving verbal commands. I saw her fine motor skills improve as she worked with buckles and latches and becoming more comfortable grooming her horse.”-Casey
“At the end of the program Jon could put all his grooming tools in order and groom Chief all on his own, he seemed very happy.”-Erin

Each child got their own horse/pony to care for. Because the horse has a natural way of calming the child’s sensory system, they often times help their language skills to emerge.
Here is what Taylor had to say...“Jeff got better at grooming and touching Guiness, on the last day he could even do it by himself. He became a lot more verbal as the week went on.”

The children were encouraged to explore, process and enjoy the sights, sounds and textures found on the farm. This type of horse play was an unmounted approach, while concentrating more on contextual factors and interaction between them and their gentle partners. Fun and games were also high on the list, along with arts and crafts.

The parents were just thrilled as a sense of camaraderie unraveled in the barn. One parent marveled as she exclaimed “Every morning I asked Jon “Do you want to go to school or Windrush?” Jon loves school but he always said Windrush. He really enjoys his time here.”-Mary

An assessment from Susan, our very own instructor was that huge progress was made from each of the children as they developed unconventional ways of accomplishing motor tasks. She reminds us that we are all more capable than we think. Each child left feeling more confident than they came.

Watching with amazement as your child builds a trusting and equal relationship with the horse is pure joy. We believe that a very important piece of the puzzle is found right here at Windrush Farm. We believe in your child and when their comfort and confidence level grows, they believe in themselves.

Windrush Farm is an exceptional Farm that helps so many families in need. They have created a website that supports folks with special needs and their families in Massachusetts. It is designed to educate and walk them through all the different activities and therapies that involve horses. It then connects them with a program near them that offers what they are looking for. For more information go to their
website http://horseshelpingpeoplema.com/
© Copyright 2011 by Janet Harrold

Friday, August 5, 2011

Painting of Natalie and Hailey!

My new favorite painting. A beautiful Mom with her beautiful daughter.

I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers. ~Claude Monet

I am a delicate flower...you are the sunshine that helps me grow -Janet Harrold