
I’m excited to share the results of the People’s Choice Award from my most recent Art Reception Open House! Out of the 36 pieces displayed, 24 received votes, reflecting the broad appeal of both the style and the themes explored. Here are the top results:
First Place: Pierced
Second Place: Jars of Clay
Third Place: Mind Shift, Seashell Beach and First Fruits (3 Way Tie)
This week I continue to highlight a few new neurographic drawing pieces, all infused with color and elevated full of powerful emotion and story. I hope you will take a few minutes to gaze at them and let them whisper to you you their message. You can also click into each a see a snippet of the story they shared with me, while creating them. For real time releases and updated information about what I am working on, be sure to follow me on Facebook at Therese Bohanek Kettman or on Instagram @theresekettman. Enjoy!!!
My Heart and My Mind: Sharing Space Together This series explores the dynamic relationship between heart and mind, brought to life through mixed media techniques that blend the fluidity of pour painting with the intricate structure of neurographic drawing. Each piece serves as a visual dialogue, reflecting the complexities and depth of this relationship. The heart speaks through bold, flowing colors, while the mind responds with deliberate, interconnected lines—together navigating the layers of emotion, logic, and perspective.
Creating this union is no easy feat. It is a labor-intensive yet deeply rewarding process, mirroring the real-life journey of aligning heart and mind amidst the challenges that life continuously presents. Through this work, I invite both my heart and my mind to collaborate—acknowledging their differences, honoring their needs, and embracing their combined wisdom as essential guides in shaping the life I desire to live.
Mind Rest: The Art of Neurographic Drawing This series is born from a practice of giving my mind the freedom to express itself—without judgment, comparison, condemnation, or expectation. Neurographic drawing invites me into a space of openness, where there are no rules, no right or wrong—only the opportunity to "be." It allows me to listen, accept, and even celebrate the rational strategies and problem-solving nature of my mind as a valuable guide in shaping the life I desire to live.
Through this process, I embark on a journey of transformation—from being bound by rigid, hardwired stories and patterns to embracing curiosity and wonder. It’s about learning to see what is present, even when it defies logic. By loosening my grip on control, I make space for miracles—the quiet, interconnected moments of life happening all around us.
Neurographic drawing empowers my mind to trust in the gifts of imagination, opening doors to the miraculous possibilities of change in places where doubt and hopelessness once lived. It is an act of imagining and co-creating a world where hope, goodness, and love reign supreme. I choose to look with wide-open eyes, to ask for more, and to discover what I could not see before.
The Mind Rest Series Mind Rest embodies moments of pause—an invitation to stop overthinking and simply let the mind follow a line, moving without expectations. It’s tracing and retracing, smoothing the rough edges, and allowing continuous movement to flow. The adventure lies in observing the shapes and images that emerge, free from the pressure of outcomes or judgment.
The drawings in this series are filled with restorative energy—designed to renew tired and weary spirits. They radiate hope and encouragement, offering strength to persevere even through life’s hardest challenges. At its heart, this series celebrates the journey of reclaiming what life’s difficulties have tried to steal, reminding us to keep going and find joy in transformation.
Heart Expressions: The Art of Pour Painting This series emerges from a heartfelt process of allowing my emotions to speak, express, and feel freely—without judgment, comparison, or expectation. Using pour painting techniques, I create a space where my heart is safe to "just be." Here, there are no rules, no right or wrong, only the freedom to explore and embrace the emotions and perspectives held within.
Each piece begins with a commitment to listen, accept, and celebrate my heart as an essential guide in my life. It is an intentional act of inviting my heart to inform and influence the choices that shape the life I desire to live. At first, I thought my heart simply needed to be heard. Yet, through this process, I’ve discovered that my heart also longs to express itself—boldly—through the dynamic interactions of color and the intersections they create.
This journey has been one of transformation: from being bound and hardened by pain and misunderstandings to experiencing healing, renewal, and a newfound freedom to live openly. Pour painting provides the space for introspection and growth, where I can see life from fresh perspectives and find the courage to let go of what no longer serves me.
The Process Pour painting allows my heart to heal, restore, and reestablish itself. Through flowing colors and organic patterns, I explore the depths of my emotions and the miraculous possibilities of transformation. The resulting artworks are vivid expressions of this restorative journey—an invitation to step into the freedom, hope, and wholeness that emerge when we let our hearts lead.
Word Art Designs: Layers of Meaning In this series, I use Word Art Designs to explore the profound layers of meaning that words hold—for understanding, application, growth, and rooting truth in our lives. These drawings bring words to life, letter by letter, stacked from bottom to top. The final letter rests at the base, supporting the layers above, while the first letter proudly crowns the top. Each letter is outlined, with intersections broadened and reinforced, and sharp corners softened to allow a continuous, flowing movement without abrupt stops.
The result is a design that transforms a word into a cohesive, unified object—composed of individual, unique parts. Each letter plays a vital role, contributing to the strength and clarity of the word’s meaning. Some letters take the lead, while others support and stabilize, reflecting a balance of collaboration and integration. Together, they deliver a message of harmony, strength, and purpose, waiting to reach those who need it most.
A Yearly Journey of Words Every year, I choose a single word to guide my focus—a lens through which I see the world and live my life. These words become my companions, shaping my understanding and actions throughout the year. The designs I create reflect the words I have lived with, offering a visual representation of their depth and significance. My hope is that by sharing them, others may also find inspiration and meaning in their journey.
Name Art Designs: Celebrating Identity and Meaning This series brings to life the profound layers of meaning embedded in names—their connection to identity, gifts, and character. A name is more than a label; it carries a message of blessing and goodness, spoken over a person each time it is called. Through Name Art Designs, I seek to honor the depth and significance of these names in a tangible, visual form.
Each piece is crafted one letter at a time, with the last letter forming the foundation and subsequent letters layered on top until the first letter crowns the top. The letters are outlined, their intersections broadened and reinforced, and any sharp corners rounded to create a seamless flow without abrupt stops. The final design transforms the name into a unified object—an interplay of individual, unique letters working together as one.
Each letter is essential, contributing to the word’s strength, meaning, and wholeness. Some letters lead, while others support, reflecting the harmony and balance needed for the name to stand strong and convey its message. This process mirrors the beauty of individuality within community—where each part is integral and valuable, yet together they achieve something greater.
Discovering Meaning in Names I find it fascinating to uncover and share the meanings behind people’s names. Each name holds a story, and by looking deeper, we can uncover its unique message. My hope is that these designs serve as a reminder of how special and significant each person is. May they inspire you to embrace the blessings and identity tied to your name and the gifts you bring to the world.
Therese Kettman
Studio Owner
In 2021, I answered a long-silent call within me—the desire to create. It began with colors: letting them clash, collide, move, and flow side by side. The more I immersed myself in the process, the more I became lost in a world of boundless exploration. I discovered that I had been holding back, denying the inner tug to take a chance, to embrace freedom, to get gloriously messy. I realized something beautiful: I don’t need to know what the end will look like, because the real magic happens in the adventure of the 'in between.'
This journey has been all about taking a plunge—a leap into the unknown, into a new world of exploration:
A plunge into discovering my artist voice.
A plunge into building new connections and finding my creative community.
A plunge into recognizing my worth in simply being—giving and receiving.
A plunge into vulnerability, visibility, and courage to take risks.
A plunge into unfamiliar territory, like stepping into a foreign land where I don’t know the language or the cultural rules.
And so, here I go, stepping boldly into this adventure of creativity and transformation.
— Therese