LaShawnda Crowe Storm

Art for Change

<p>I bet you are wondering who I am and how I came to follow this journey of art. I am an accidental artist. In essence, I didn't find art, art found me. And my journey into the creative realm is one of the most a** backwards manners one could imagine on the road to artdom - while hiking cross the good ole U.S.A.</p> <p>Summer 1997 would be the pivotal moment. Before this life altering journey, I spent two plus years taking continuing education art courses for fun. I was friendless in a new city and this was the easiest way to scratch an intellectual curiosity, meet new people and fill those empty evenings. What I didn't know was after the first class, I would be hooked. After two years of figure painting courses, I knew these evening sessions were no longer enough. I wanted and needed more. But, I also knew that working in the community was where my heart and soul found solace. I loved volunteering, working with people to create a new and better future.</p> <p>So, instead of attending the graduate social work programs I had painlessly applied for over the previous 12 months, I deferred entry for a year, quit my job, packed my bags and convinced my roommate to go gallivanting across America with me. During this adventure I examined which path my life should take - art or social services. Between cleaning houses for money, sleeping beneath the stars because I was living at the camp ground and encountering some of the most absurd behavior and events - sometimes scary, often funny and more than once I had to stop and raise an eyebrow - I found the peace and quiet I needed for my brain and soul to align.</p> <p>In the end, I chose both paths. For what I discovered is that for me art is my form of social work and I use it to open doorways to community dialog, which is the first step to healing, which in itself leads to wider social change.</p> <p>There I said it. I am a pragmatic blue skyer. I don't believe my art can necessarily change the world, but it can at least influence the dialogues around me. And during these conversations help individuals down a more healed, conscientious and tolerant future, which ultimately impacts society. As Gahndi so eloquently stated, "Be the change you want to see in the world."</p> <p>Now aren't those good words to live by and better yet create by?</p>

About Me

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