2Over-training. - Natural Awakenings Magazine Charlotte

coverartist
Creative Dreams
by Lori Portka
A former counselor and educator, fine
artist Lori Portka delights in the favorite
things that inspire her: nature, traveling,
animals, yoga and friends. She lets her
art pour out in boldly rendered images
that burst from each canvas via saturated
pastels, paints, chalks and inks to forge
a visceral connection between artist and
viewer. “I make artwork that is a reflection
of gratitude and joy in the world,”
says Portka, whose expressive works
fulfill her mission of spreading happiness
through art.
A personal loss led Portka to begin
painting again at 30-something for
the first time since the tenth grade, a
process she says has opened her heart
even more deeply. Inspired by Australian
photographer and filmmaker
Hailey Bartholomew’s documentary,
365 Grateful, about living on the sunny
side of life, Portka embarked upon her
own project, A Hundred Thank-Yous,
creating and giving away 100 paintings
to 100 people that have touched her
life, she says, “in a beautiful way.”
“I feel like I am on the right path,
doing what I am supposed to do,” she
explains. “Art feels like home to me.”
View the artist’s portfolio and follow her
blog at LoriPortka.com.
newsbriefs
8 Greater Charlotte AwakeningCharlotte.com
Native American Drum Making Workshop
Native American drums have played an important part in tribal celebrations and
spiritual ceremonies. Robbie Warren, Otter Woman Standing, will hold a Native
American Drum Making Workshop on Nov 19. Participants will create a unique drum
that carries its own sound and energy and end the day with a Shamanic Journey for
the name of each drum created.
In Shamanic tradition, it is believed that the skins used for the drum heads hold
their own medicine. Elk Medicine is to be considered about stamina and has a curious
type of warrior energy while Buffalo Medicine teaches abundance is present
when all relations are honored as sacred creation.
Warren’s natural insight and connection to the spirit world have been developed
and nurtured by Joseph Rael, Sammye Jo Harvey, Jeanne White Eagle and other
powerful teachers. “The Drum is the heartbeat of Mother Earth and a medicine tool
used for centuries by medicine people for healing and celebration. When we connect
back to Mother Earth’s heartbeat, the healing and balancing that we need comes easily,”
says Warren.
The workshop is from 9am-5pm and costs $190. A deposit of $100 is due Nov 11th.
Info/Deposits:OtterDance.com or Robbie@OtterDance.com.
Healthy Home Market
Adds Matthews Location
Healthy Home Market, a locally owned chain of health food stores has opened their
fifth area location. The opening of their new store at 1816 Galleria Boulevard in
Matthews makes Healthy Home Market the area’s largest health food store.
The new location in Matthews Galleria features a full line of health foods, special diet
foods, organic groceries and local produce, vitamins and more. “As a locally owned chain,
we try to make each of our stores unique to the areas they serve,” says Mike Maddox of
Healthy Home Market. “A lot of people get excited about some of the new national stores
that come into the area. But we are growing in spite of that because we really believe in
what we do. We strive to be the best health food store we can be,” he adds.
For more information, visit HealthyHomeMkt.com.