When met with trauma...
 Morning walk sponsored by Indian Paintbrush or Castilleja, a native wildflower in the family Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)and grows in moist areas, dry areas, and sandy prairies. It is characterized by it's spikelike flower cluster, which resemble a crude brush that has been dipped in paint. (No wonder I’m in love with this flower!) The Navajos used these plants for medicinal purposes such as a contraceptive or to decrease the menstrual cycle.….just a fun fact!
I have always had deep affection for this flower with it’s striking crimson that sparks inspiration! It isn’t abundant in our New Mexican soil, so that makes it even more precious upon spotting. Kona finds it inviting also and plops down by it whenever we pass it! Take this spark of beauty into your day and create a path of smiles in your footprints! The native legend of Indian Paintbrush: The First Indian Paintbrush Once upon a time, a Blackfoot maiden fell in love with a wounded prisoner she was attending. The maiden realized that her tribe was only nursing its captive in order to torture him later. She planned an escape of the prisoner, accompanying him for fear of the punishment for such a deed. After some time in her lover's camp she grew homesick for a glimpse of her old camp. She finally went to the site of her old camp, hid in the nearby bushes, and overheard two young braves discussing what would happen to the maiden who betrayed them, if only they could find her. Knowing she could never return, but nonetheless longing to return, she took a piece of bark and drew a picture of the camp upon it with her own blood, gashing her leg and painting with a stick. After drawing the picture, the maiden threw the stick away and returned to her lover's camp. Where the stick landed, a little plant grew with a bush-like end, dyed with the blood of this girl, which became the first Indian Paintbrush. Adapted from "Old Man's Garden" by Annora Brown
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 As portrayed in my memoir, Frida and Me, I traveled to Guatemala in 1977 & visited Tikal to see the ancient pyramids of the Mayans. I became infatuated with the Mayan codices (codes used for communication before the written word) etched in the stone of these magnificent structures. Each image spoke volumes and I could almost feel the presence and footsteps of the Mayans. Their images proved a picture says a thousand words.
Many years later after my bus wreck in Mexico and PTSD struggles,I started doing batik (fabric/dye/wax technique) again after having learned it in Mexico all those years prior. This batik is an example, and part of the flood of memories that emerged from that difficult time. The Mayan codices provided me a language to begin a dialog of healing PTSD with art! Trauma is rooted in the senses initially, so it makes sense to start there when managing PTSD. Follow your intuition and creative acts will allow the hurt,confusion and pain a voice of beauty and healing! Art Heals!!!!  Juniper berries Mimicking the sky Deep purpled blue Embraced in a hug Of a segmented shawl Weathered year after year After year after year. May we learn the endurance Of nature’s conifers And wear our shawls as elegantly as does the Juniper berry. Find inspiration and creative outpouring from the beauty that graces our lives! Art Heals!  I am so humbled and thankful for the support and friendships made in the writing and release of my memoir, Frida and Me. Gifts of Frida have been given along with healing of the heart and connection to many,just like me,struggling with PTSD. I get messages all the time how my story has helped give others a hope and prayer for their own journeys, thus fulfilling my intention of writing this book. I encourage anyone struggling with mental health issues to give my story a read for understanding how art can be a very powerful tool to address all the words tucked deep within. Expression can have a voice through image and be released for a path to peace within. Art was my game changer after my bus wreck in Mexico and years of struggling with PTSD. Frida Kahlo,also in a bus wreck in Mexico, gave me permission to view my pain differently through art and validated the brokenness I hid from. That acknowledgment renewed my self respect and allowed me to connect to the world again on a path of healing and fulfillment. Writing this memoir was indeed difficult and I questioned myself daily as to whether to share the intensity which was my life. Now, I am very happy I did because so many of you have benefited and supported me in this journey. I wrote Frida and Me in hopes of easing the struggle from PTSD and present art as a tool for mental health recovery. Again, thank you friends and May we all find peace!!!!! Share with anyone touched by trauma and their support systems. Art heals!!!
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ELI N. WEINTRAUB
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