Bogey and Bacall 2023

Bogey & Bacall

 

Illustration:  By Donna Massa  2018. 

February, the official month of  L.O.V.E celebrated all over the world.  What better classic love story can we compare to falling in love then Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.  Despite the 25 year age inference their souls were brought together in 1943 while making their first film together “To Have And To Have Not.”  This was the introduction to a unique chemistry not only felt by them on screen but to the audiences that experienced them falling in love while watching the film.  

They made-up nicknames for themselves Bogy was Steve and Lauren was Slim.  The famous line that brought the house down and will live on forever was when Lauren turned and looked at Bogy as she was about to leave the room and said, “You know how to whistle, don’t you, Steve? You just put your lips together and blow…”  

Only three weeks into filming they were seen together in Lauren’s dressing room laughing and kissing, Bogey asking for Bacall’s phone number which she wrote on the back of a matchbook.  Their romance together was difficult at first as Bogey was still involved in a unhappy marriage.  They cherished the times they could share being together.  

The success of their first film together led them to reunite in the fall of 1944 to make “The Big Sleep.”

Again the connection and chemistry between Bogey & Bacall was magnetic.  He was torn by his marriage commitment to his wife and his enduring love for Lauren.  Lauren out of respect was patient and accepted the situation has it was however on May 10th 1945 Bogey divorced.  On May 21 at age 45 he married Lauren age 20 at a friend’s Ohio farm.  During the service Bogey became emotional while their vows were being exchanged.  It was just another indication that the tough guy character, fell hopelessly in love.

This story follows suit to so many other couples that have graced this Earth as well as fictional characters like Catherine & Heathcliff from the novel Wuthering Heights.  A love so deep that the soul cannot live without the other half.  This is referred to as “Soulmate Love” and everyone’s searching for it now a days.  

I know this kind of special soulmate love through watching my parents that were married 71 years.  Everyone knew Joe & Lydia, they will be remembered by all those who ever knew them.  They were referred to as “The Hollywood Couple.”  My mother was beautiful as well as my father strikingly handsome.  Working in the fashion industry they both looked like they stepped out of Vogue everywhere they went.  

In 2014 my parents turned 88 years old.  My father contacted Type A Influenza and passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on May 19th, my mother was devastated.  She barely survived from a broken heart, she wouldn’t go on living without her Joe.  Three months later to date she passed away in August.  

Lydia collected over a thousand elephants from all over the world with their trunks up.  She loved these highly intelligent mammoth animals.  She believed they brought luck, strength, compassion and loyality.  It has been told when a male elephant dies his mate will leave the group lay down in some remote and quiet place and stop eating.  She starves herself to death to join her mate that is how deeply devoted and connected they are to each other.

After Joe’s passing Lydia stopped eating, she couldn’t imaging life without her soulmate, and like the female elephant she did this to join Joe in the soul world…

Happy Valentines Month to all those who share this rare kind of beautiful love.  I respect your special union and look at it as a gift you both were lucky to find and share in this lifetime… 🐘🐘 💞💕

  

What I see

What I See

I will start my story when I am forty five years old.  I was diagnosed with something called IC better known as Interstitial Cystitis.  What is it exactly?  Every human bladder has a gag layer surrounding the interior lining of the bladder wall for protection.  IC occurs when there is a deterioration of the gag layer exposing the nerve ends around the bladder wall.  Ouch!

The symptoms are like a UTI except antibiotics are ineffectual. There is urgency, frequency and severe chronic pelvic pain.  IC is incurable, and needs a treatment plan for life including meds, various types of therapies and eating a more alkaline diet over an acidic diet.  Stress, anxiety and tension are its triggers because you're dealing with pain and anguish over the many changes that will take place in your life, and having to worry about bathrooms everywhere you go.  During a flare-up it is debilitating and demands for you to stay at home.  You cannot have sex, work, sleep, drive, cook, exercise or go on with your daily routines due to the discomfort and frequent visits to the bathroom.  When you’re told you have IC a chronic bladder disorder you can't believe it!  There is no positive evidence of how or why it occurs in the bladder except if your lucky, early detection will determine its severity and with immediate treatment and therapy IC can heal, or it’s prevented from getting worse.  This test is called a Cystoscopy, a thin tube with a scope that is inserted through the urethra into the bladder to see the entire gag layer around the bladder.  The amount of deterioration can vary, a mild case would be a small spot, medium case would entail a larger portion and a severe case would encompass the entire bladder.

Dr. Robert Echenberg is a brilliant specialist in this field of chronic pain.  

The Echenberg Institute for Plevic & Sexual Pain is located in Bethlehem, PA www.theechenberginstitute.com / office@drechenberg.com

Dr. Echenberg, better known as Dr, E is deeply committed to finding the answers to these disorders.  He has a brilliant theory and is writing a book. It remains his life’s mission to find the missing pieces that links all those who secretly suffer with these chronic pain disorders, what links us together and the nature of how these pelvic disorders are all connected, this will be his legacy. You could say he is trying to connect the dots to a one of the most complex and misunderstood areas of women's chronic pain. His research extends as to why some women and men get IC and others don’t?  Why does IC later on lead to Chronic Pelvic & Sexual Pain, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Overactive Bladder Syndrome sometimes even IBS.  Young woman who have had multiple UTI over a certain period of time are prone to getting IC therefore there is a need to be extra careful of bacteria as with sexual activity and proper hygiene.  

Most importantly what I see is that IC affects all types of intimate relationships it is the main cause of interrupting the harmony of the union and tests a couple's coping and full understanding of how IC will change both their lives forever.  This may call for couple's therapy sessions to be added in the mix.  These disorders affect every area of your life and big adjustments must be made.  One being acceptance and understanding, unconditional love, patience, empathy and tolerance.  The hope is, these disorders can be managed over time and many people live full lives by adjusting their lifestyle with the many challenges these disorders present.  This brings me to my next issue of what I see…

When an individual lives with any form of severe chronic pain that is incurable their treatment plan is as individual as the disorder or disorders they suffer from.  Depending on the level of pain opioid medications are a necessary treatment plan and is determined by the specialist.  Taking pain medication is monitored closely, deciding on the right pain medication is a unique doctor patient relationship that is strictly confordential and must be respected by all pharmacies. No pharmacy has the power or right to refuse a provider, a nurse practitioner who has a licensee to prescribe class 3 medications. Nor should they refuse a patient when the threat of withdrawals are imminent. Again we are not dealing with drug abuse! If a pharmacy finds poor excuses not to fill a controlled substance just because they can they should be reported to the Better Business Bureau. Bottom line, pharmacists and staff should have a better understanding of how severe chronic pain elevates when a patient does not stay ahead of the pain and is outright denied class 3 medications. They are putting the patient at high risk anything can happen…  This is an atrocity!

The CDC and the DEA have no idea of how chronic pain works, except what the census or overall issues are surrounding opioid abuse in this country. Chronic pain patients become dependent due to the elevation of pain not because they want to get high. Unfortunately pain drugs are addictive and having to live on them is not a patience’s choice but taken out of necessity so they may function as best they can. There are two distinct types of opioid patients, one is the chronic pain patient and the other is a drug abuser.  One takes the drug for severe chronic pain the other for recreation. The chronic pain victim receives normal-icy, the abuser receives pleasure. I”m seeing something wrong with this picture perhaps the colors are off…

Solution: All chronic pain patients should have a card similar to a drivers license with a photo ID, account number, validation that they are Chronic Pain patients approved for taking class 3 medications and a specific code or password that only they know to ward off identity theft. Once the information is typed in their whole profile and history comes up in the system approved to take class 3 medications and everything is absolutely legitimate.  Their profile is automatically entered into the system stored with all providers and pharmacists database. They are confirmed chronic pain patients with a real history of chronic pain.  This solution differentiates the chronic pain patient from the drug abuser and makes everything safer and easier for everyone involved. 

However this brings me to the next issue I see brewing.  Benzodiazepines, this is another treatment plan under Behavioral Health.  Anybody that knows anything about how chronic pain works in the human body fully understands this factual evidence.  If you suffer with severe chronic pain it is accompanied with anxiety, stress, fear, panic, PTSD, trauma and mild depression.  Therefore, a full treatment plan designed for many chronic pain patients is both, an opioid for pain management, and Benzos for the emotional aspects of living with chronic pain, they go hand and hand.  For example, you can’t design a garment unless you know how to sew, you can't be in a committed relationship without the other half and you can’t sell a home without a deed and the list goes on…  There should be no separation or controversy between using these two drugs to combat chronic pain. This ridiculous dilemma of giving many chronic pain patients both these medications under their doctors approval is going to slow down their breathing and stop their heart is far fetched. In fact this is part of a well thought out treatment plan designed exclusively for the the patient by his or her specialist.  Whether the specialist is licensed to give out both medications or it involves two separate specialists they need to work in unison to properly treat the whole issues surrounding severe chronic pain. This includes the human brain, the spinal chord, the Central Nervous System and the Immune System for they are all compromised with chronic pain. 

 In closing, I see the inability to place the patient first due to unreasonable guidelines that don’t apply to the reality chronic pain patients live with.  I see no division between the chronic pain patient VS the drug abuser they are labeled as the same growing problem in the US and treated as such.  Pharmacies have no right to deny an order from a provider that calls for an Opioid, Bensons or both regarding chronic pain patients within the systems database.  I see a flaw in the health care system regarding Chronic Pain, Class 3 medications needed to properly treat Chronic Pain and the big organizations with unreasonable demands placed upon guidelines that don’t pertain to chronic pain patients whatsoever.  There needs to be another federal reform bill passed under the present Health Care System in the US.  An identity card issued, entered into the system that separates treatment between Chronic Pain & Drug Abuse.  

Also, Chronic Pain and disabled patients are sometimes looked upon as addicts and labeled just by appearance only.  Sometimes on occasion they may shake due to the medications they are on and It’s extremely disturbing to watch people stare at them in judgement. However, they have no idea what it’s like to live with chronic pain disorders when labeled by sight alone, what it’s doing to the emotional psyche of that individual.  Try to have empathy and less judgment, for what you see may not always be what you think…

I’m an Advocate for Chronic Pain:  As a collective try to have a little compassion and sensitivity for the human condition especially when it comes to your fellow man when afflicted with something they cannot control.  Whether the suffer with real chronic pain or drug addiction. They both need extra help to try and live a fairly normal life.  Please respect whatever treatment plan it takes to help them survive and cope with everyday life so they never lose hope.  Suicide is not an option in todays New World… 💟

 

 

Angels@yourservice

Angels At your Service

Holistic Archangel Readings by Donna J Massa

Photo of Tasha Ada my daughter who I’ve been blessed with in this life.

What are Archangels! They are beings of love and light that dwell as high as the 20-22 dimension closest to the Divine or Gods. Whatever religion or gods you worship they work closely with them in the soul world as well as on Earth.  

But what are they really? There are sixteen Archangels that are known there could be more since last recorded. Archangel Michael “Who is like God” is the leader of the Order of these Angels called “The Virtues.” Archangel Michael makes sure there is always order and structure and his purpose on Earth is to work with gifted souls, leaders, light workers, Earth Angels and many spiritually gifted human beings to rid the Earth of darkness, evil, and toxins associated with fear and hate. He guides them to perform spiritual teaching and healing work on a professional level or on a casual basis.

Archangel Michael is also referred to as the patron of Soldiers, Police Officers and Fireman because of their heroic deeds and bravery. His aura is a flash of royal blue or bluish purple light that comes within a second of a flash, and if any of you have seen this happen in front of your eyes on occasion it is not your eye sight going believe me it is real, and this means he is around you for a reason. Some have even explained it as a sudden heat wave or quick hot flash no menopause intended…

Every Archangel has up to three to four missions they help us with during our lives and they reach us as a form of energy or current through your brains. You may not even realize where these ideas, notions or suggestions even feelings come from as their vibration and frequency is tuned very high.  

The Medium I work in is not learned but felt. It can only be performed one-on-one within a private secession. There is a process and the client is engaged in the entire time. This way the energy from the cards is transformed from me to them. Holistic means healing and that is the process we aim for.  

The cards I use are Doreen Virtues Archangel Oracle Cards and I have used this deck since 2005. The traditional spread is a Celtic Cross Spread of which the client picks twelve cards. These cards make up the reading and the Archangel’s they chose are the ones presented to help them with their healing journey.  

In a reading there is typically a final out come, however this is never enough, what we try and achieve is clarity and peace of mind. In order to find this many times if not all the time we go over the allotted time of a 90 minute reading. There is no additional charge for this. My goal is to make sure my client feels safe, secure, happy and at peace with whatever issues or situations they have come to me to help heal through the guidance, love and light from the energies of these Archangels. I would say I do not channel messages rather I’m Clairsentient and highly intuition with a strong 6th sense. This knowledge and wisdom I receive are these angelic beings.

Angels@YourService is exactly what your receiving when you choose to come to me. It is an uplifting, enlightening and spiritual experience. I receive great joy in helping souls to heal that is why I am here and of service…

These readings are 90 minutes long at $2.50 a minute is $225.00 a secession.  However, there will be no extra charge for going over 90 minutes.  To obtain clarity and healing at this point in the secession it is not measured by money but by time.  This is the true purpose behind my Readings.

For more information please like, share, comment and subscribe to my YouTube Channel Donna J Massa Angels@YourService.   HTTPS://www.YouTube.com/channel/UCO9z7VJvkCcDbL0uyZ2rDjQ. “The Interview”

Https://www.facebook.com/ArchangelsHeal

For questions or to make an appointment. 

Archangelsheal@gmail.com 💙

Classic film Blazing Saddles

 

Blazing Saddles

Rendering by Donna Massa  2018

The TCM classic film Blazing Saddles was released on February 7 1974 the date of my birthday.  Directed by the talented Mel Brooks, music by John Morris and the screenplay by Mel Brooks, Richard Pryor, Andrew Bergman, Allen Uber and more.  The cast: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens, Alex Kara’s, Mel Brooks, Harvey Korman and Madeline Kahn.

The film is based on a satirical take on Westerns.  The crafty railroad worker Bart is played by Cleavon Little and becomes the first black sheriff of Rock Ridge a frontier town about to be destroyed in order to make way for a new railroad.  The people of Rock Ridge harbor are nearly all racial bias toward their new Sheriff, however over time they warm up to him.  The people of this western town realize that Bart, and his perpetually drunk gunfighter friend played by Gene Wilder, are the only defense law makers they have against a wave of outlaw thugs. These bad guys were sent to rid the town of it’s corrupt politician, and the towns entire population.  

This film among many other of Mel Brooks films is one of my favorites.  There isn’t a scene that you can keep a straight face!  It is delightful to watch and every time I see it, I always seem to see something I never noticed before.  

This rendering was created as a tribute to Mel Brooks and designed on a t-shirt for TCM Turner Classic Movies… 🖤

“You’d do it for Randolph Scott!”  

Tasha & Alvaro wedding

 

The City of Toledo

Illustration Wedding Invitation By Donna Massa

This is the area of Toledo where Tasha & Alvaro wanted me to illustrate in respect to their special day.

This is the landscape of where they were getting married and having their reception.  The church they were married in was St. John’s Monastery and the reception was held at Cigaral Santa Maria.  Both these magnificent structures are within this illustration above along with other tourists attractions.  

You can visualize and sense in this pen & ink rendering how unique Toledo is and why they both chose this mid-evil city for their wedding, it leaves an ever lasting impression on you when your there.  

When I go back to Spain I will want to visit Toledo again, there is so much to see and the sensation you feel by being there is magical…❤️

Tasha & Alvaro wedding

 

Tasha & Alvaro

Illustration Wedding Invitation By Donna Massa

Tasha Ada is my only daughter who resides in Madrid, Spain.  I was delighted when she asked me to design her wedding invitation.  She had a few concepts in mind as to what she wanted and discussed them with me over WhatsApp.  

Her wedding was planned to be in the city of Toledo.  The city reflects a magical even mid evil flavor to it and her husband to be families were from this beautiful city.

Toledo is noted for its extremely unique Damasquino style jewelry.  This illustration is taken from that style of jewelry from Toledo and this design is the way Tasha & Alvaro envisioned it to be.  The two Dove love birds in the center are symbolic of their soulmate love they share in this life.  The intertwined swirls, leaves, flowers and symmetric scrolls are typical of the patterns in their intricate jewelry designs.  This emblem-design embodies the feeling they both wanted to represent the front and center of their wedding invitation.  The Medium used was pen & ink.  

The following illustration will be the inside of the invitation that extends from the left side across the crease to the right side all along the top of the invitation. The text of the invitation is below on both sides of the invitation.

Trump

Trump

Illustration By Donna Massa     2018

Trump The 45th President of the United States.  Served one term and in those four years the country was divided between two parties those that wanted equality & justice, and those who wanted to end our Democracy as we know it.  

There were times during his administration when many artists created different drawings and illustrations of Trump, somehow he always seemed to be an easy target.  I was one of these artists who wanted to express how I felt about him as a man not as our President, that would have been a whole other series of storyboard illustrations.

This pen & Ink/charcoal line drawing speaks for itself there is no need for a description.  It was just one of those urges I had to express myself through the world of illustration…

Graphic Design, Title and Lettering by musician Jeff Hayford

 

Tribute to Tom Petty

Learning To Fly

Illustration/Rendering  Poster Art.  2018

Thomas Earl Petty born October 20, 1950 was from Gainesville, FL.  Tom was an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and actor.  His music was his life and he was loved and respected among his fellow musicians as the dynamic frontman for The Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Band formed in 1976.  In his earlier years he led the band Medcrutch, and later on in his career in the 1980’s he was a member of the supergroup the Traveling Wilburys.

Bob Dylan tells Rolling Stones “I thought the world of Tom.  He was a great performer, full of the light, a friend, and I’ll never forget him…”

In an interview with Rolling Stones Tom said, “although this might be my last tour around the country it’s not my intention to quit playing.  I need something to do, or I tend to be a nuisance around the house.”

The majority of Petty’s albums have been certified either gold or platinum.  In 2002 Tom Petty was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

Tom Petty’s hit songs have defined rock since the 70’s of which he never stopped writing music.  His devoted fans adored him and his band all over the world.  In 2006 in an interview with Esquire he defines himself in this way quote, “What’s changed these days is that the man who approaches me on the street is more of less thanking me for a body of work - the soundtrack to his life, a lot of them say.  And that’s a wonderful feeling.  It’s all an artist can ask…”

Gone too soon… 

Thank you Tom for your incredible contribution to humanity…

A4H Arts4Humanity (For The Benefit of All)

Rendering by illustrator Donna Massa

Graphic Design & Lettering by musician Jeff Hayford

 

OBAMA POSTER 2012

MONEY, GREED & POWER

Poster Illustration By Donna Massa  2012

In 2012 as part of the Obama “A Call to Artists Project,” and a member of the Democratic National Campaign I participated in this artistic competition.  An invitation was sent out to me asking to join all artists nationally to come up with a poster to be used in President Obama’s new campaign project.  We were given the details to apply, dates, size, when the posters were to be submitted for review and the different topics to choose from.  I chose the topic, “Ask Millionaires & Billionaires To Pay Their Fair Share.”  

I wanted the illustration to make a strong statement one that would be taken seriously.  I decided to create three characters one was named Miss Money, the second a traditional feline breed know as a Money cat called Greed,  and third a Mr. Power.  These three characters were partners in crime, and were walking on nice soft green grass when little did they know there was a land mine just in front of them.  Well planted in the ground there was an Obama Logo on the top of the lid.  Miss Money see’s it first and cautions the rest to stop dead in their tracts.  Mr. Power holds up his hand as if to say stop don’t move a muscle!  

The land mind is to symbolize the administrations position on this issue.  In order to have a fair democracy of a united people we should all do our fair share, and nobody should be treated any different or exempt from paying income taxes like everybody else.  

I received a letter thanking me for my contribution.  The letter gave us a URL to see the three runner ups, and the poster that won the competition.  They appreciated my sense of humor, style, technique, concept,  and ability to take on such a controversial issue.  I was content just being a part of this artistic venture along with other artists.  There is one thing you should know about me if you haven’t already noticed, I’m not afraid to speak, support or honor the truth, it is my belief system.  I’m proud to be an Italian American, as well as my country and the leaders who have throughout history tried to do their best for the American people and keeping us safe.  Running a country was and will never be an easy job to fulfill!  The only regret I have is unfortunately this poster’s title still applies today in 2021/22…🇱🇷

BiPolar Disorder

   

Bipolar Disorder & Schizophrenia

Medical Illustration By Donna Massa   2010

Bipolar disorder with Schizophrenia was the diagnosis of my dearest late girlfriend Joan.  Our friendship spanned over decades of thirty-five years.  I was her only close girlfriend who unconditionally accepted her illnesses when so many others could not,  

Joan was partially diagnosed at age fifteen as Manic with suicidal tendencies.  It wasn’t until much later did they determine the real diagnosis as Bipolar Disorder.  The medications she was asked to take were a blend of psychotic drugs to control high anxiety and depression.  If anyone has dealt with this type of disorder one knows the individual experiences dualities of extreme highs and lows with mood swings.  The highs are euphoric with intense bouts of excitement and happiness like adrenaline bubbling through their veins however, the down side are the very lows by which the individual sinks to a level of paranoia, panic, hysteria, physically destructive, disoriented, hallucinogenic, introverted or extroverted thoughts of suicide, and deep depression.  In Joans case besides an anti anxiety and depressant she was given the drug Lithium.  Lithium is just one of the drugs offered for the control of Bipolar Disorder however with it comes numerous side affects that in itself are difficult to live with.  

One of the first issues that I noticed with my Joan was her inability to stay on the medications given.  She loved those highs and wanted to be in that state of mind all the time!  Also, after being on the medication for awhile this brings a sense of calmness and balance that tricks the brain into thinking I’m ok, I’m doing well and better each day!  In turn they make the sudden decision to come off the meds.  Unfortunately the symptoms slowly return and each time this happens it sets them back ten fold and labeled high risk. This up and down roller coaster ride of on and off the meds can go on for years.  In Joans case this is what happened and I sensed every time she was doing it!  She would like to call me and talk for hours and the first thing you never do is make them feel they are a burden and you don’t have time for them.  The best thing to do is just listen and interject when you can, never interrupt as they are quick to anger.  

Joan was a classically trained ballet dancer and studied at Boston Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA.  She also was a poet, a model, intuitive, clairvoyant, loved to write and enjoyed many genre’s of music.  She was absolutely beautiful, with long thick golden blond hair, green eyes, perfect figure and stood 5’8” tall.  There wasn’t a place we could go in our teens, twenty’s and thirty’s when Joan was the focal point of attention.  However, Joan did not care to be the center of attraction, she was not flirtatious, and desired to be left alone she handled herself well with diplomacy like a lady.  

As Joan got older living on the Lithium took its toll on her and she experienced weight gain, dry skin, problems with her teeth, skin boils, and a feeling of being lethargic and inactive.  She accepted taking her medications and went in for bi-annual checkups to measure her Lithium levels.  I would go and visit her as her desire to go out in public became an effort and she was extremely self conscious of her body.  

I asked my Joan one time what it was like living with these disorders and she said “it’s like pistons in an engine.  And all the pistons but one stops firing up causing confusion and everything after that just falls apart.”

I sort of knew what she was describing, however as the on looker watching these disorders slowly take her away from me I intrinsically sensed her brain and thought patterns were never normal.  She didn’t understand any other way to think, she was so young when these symptoms started surfacing.  When she was diagnosed by three different doctors during her life she would reject the diagnosis and state they don’t really know anything, and they don’t understand me.  She would see a therapist for only so long and grow tired of the whole process.

Joans sudden and tragic passing occurred in the month of September 2010.  I could not reach her for a few days thinking she was either resting or out for a walk, she did not have an answering service, cell phone or a computer.  She did have a telephone and a TV from which she watched her daily soap operas, and classic films without fail.  If I had to compare her to a classic Hollywood actress I would say Veronica Lake.  If I had to compare her to any other person I could not.  Joan was a unique artistic woman who came into this world under adverse circumstances, completely misunderstood.  I loved her with all my heart and when she unexpectedly left this world she took a piece of my soul with her.  I will never forget this angel who gave so much unconditional love to those she loved.  Her loyality and devotion was a sisterly love I had never experienced even though I had a sister.  She never gossiped or talked behind another persons back, she always saw two sides of the story, extremely forgiving, and never sat in judgement.  

There is no need to describe this illustration it speaks for itself.  Those of you who know someone dear to you who suffers with mental illnesses understands what I’m conveying in this illustration and for those who don’t just use your imagination… 💕

In Memory of my Joan.  November 10, 1953 - September 10, 2010

A Solar Chart IC

 

A Solar Chart  Living with IC

Medical Illustration By Donna Massa  2011

IC stands for Interstitial Cystitis a chronic bladder disorder.  When being diagnosed with IC the test is called a cystoscapy.  This procedure involves the insertion of a thin tube into the urethra with a light and lens for viewing the entire walls of the bladder.  

What is IC?  IC occurs when the bladder’s gag layer of protection around the bladder wall becomes deteriorated allowing the nerve ends to become exposed.  When the bladder starts to fill up with urine the heightened pain and inflammation affects these exposed nerve ends and the bladder’s reaction is urgency, frequency and voiding.  This is a chronic debilitating condition that is incurable, however with proper diet, prescription medication and therapy plan it can be properly managed. 

There are over 35 million women in the United States alone living with IC and it is now detected in men as well.  This is a serious growing problem around the world without any real answers as to what are the causes of this disorder.  One aspect of this disorder that has been determined is it involves some type of emotional trauma connected to the human brain, spinal chord, Central Nervous System and Immune System, setting up a kinetic chain involvement with these four areas of the body.

I studied the Science of Astrology at Mass Art in Boston when I was a teenager.  It was a fascinating subject to learn the Science of Astrology, and it has played an important in my life.  There are two principle readings in astrology and you need the proper books and tools for mathematically calculating and determining a Solar and a Nadar Chart. One of these books is called the Ephemeris.

In this illustration I’ve combined the concept of a Solar chart and living with IC.  When calculating a chart in astrology you start with a wheel.  The wheel is composed of twelve sections called houses, each has a specific meaning relating to ones life.  Around the wheel are the twelve zodiac signs and in the middle is a horizontal line that is called the Midheaven.  Below the midheaven is the first house and this moves counter clockwise round the wheel.  The birth date, time and place is crucial to determining the Nadar chart of a person as to their entire life’s purpose, career, money, home, children, marriage and so much more.  However, in this respect we are working with a Solar chart.  The sign that starts at the Midheaven of a Solar Chart is Aries and the rest of the eleven signs will follow counter clockwise around the wheel.  If it was a Nadar Chart the midheaven would be calculated using Greenwich, England’s time zone by recording the exact time of birth, date and place. 

Each of the sections in the wheel represent what it’s like living with IC /Interstitial Cystitis.  From the physical symptoms, the emotional anxiety, stress and worry to a mental state of anguish, isolation and mild depression.  This disorder is all encompassing and once diagnosed your world changes forever.  

Shown in these twelve sections as we go around the wheel are the options one is given, diet alkaline vs acidity, water over wine, various therapy’s and treatments for are on the wheel to healing.

Looking outside the wheel we see various astrological symbols, the Astrological nature of the sign and the Planets that rule them.  This is symbolic reality representing the number of ways and areas of our life that are directly affected living with this debilitating disorder.  

There is no known cure for IC at this time however, they have made great stride in early detection, proper hygiene, and preventative measures that a patient can take.  The best possible scenario is to have an excellent specialist who totally understands IC, and chronic pelvic and sexual pain disorders.  A treatment plan designed specifically for their individual needs, and various Benzodiazepine medications that help restore balance, aligning strong mental health with emotional stability. All of these ingredients help patients live fairly normal and productive lives…💜

Dr. Robert Echenberg

theechenberginstitute.com 

Producer/Director Donna Massa https://youtu.be/wy0LhIKVFog

A4H(TM) illustration

A4H “Arts4HumanityTM”

Illustration By Donna Massa.  2018

Arts4Humanity is a not-for- social enterprise* with the slogan “For The Benefit Of All” It is owned and operated by its founder Musician singer, song-writer and music producer Jeff Hayford.  Jeff came up with the unique name and logo including his tattoo in 2003.  However, the humanitarian events he was implementing through music and entertainment began a long time ago.  Jeff was born a humanitarian and helped humanity in all sorts of creative ways.  

The concept behind A4H is basically helping rase money for causes by holding events that bring professional musicians together to play music and entertain.  He has helped the Kidney Foundation, Feeding America, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, devastations after natural disasters for clothing, food and shelter, and the Alzheimer’s Association. 

My Illustration theme are hands.  It is through the hands of artists that their expression comes from.  The hands represent different mediums of expression form playing a guitar, painting, a ballet dancers hands, writers, and the clasping of two hands in unity.  

The guitar’s fret markers are Native American, Iquique, geometric, symbols meaning health, prosperity, and a long life.  The headstock of the guitar is the dove a symbol of peace and on each side as the strings fan out is the Olive branch and the Lotus flower.  The fingers on the neck form an E Augmented movable chord symbolizing the essential natural tuning of guitars.  The key of E is the collective and the most common key of the instrument.  The purple ribbon intertwines through the hands, symbolizing many physical disorders including ADHD, and Cancer, they connect to a geometric symbol of two triangles.  The symbolIic meaning of double triangles has to do with freedom of expression, and the four elements fire, earth water, and air.  These two triangles rest within the unity symbol symbolizing having all four elements in perfect balance.  The large heart is love and the entire illustration lies within it.  At the base of the heart is the logo A4H. This is the foundation of the entire concept by supporting the Fine & Performing Arts & Humanity, “For The Benefit Of All.” Throughout history Arts and Humanities have had a unique relationship. 

*A not for profit social enterprise is funded by affiliated businesses rather than relying on donations. 💜

A4hpros.blogspot.com  @a4hpros

.

Christmas Card

Mother & Child “Precious Gifts”

Illustration: Christmas Card   2010

This was the first Christmas card I created in Pen & Ink using the concept of mother & child.  However in this illustration I chose to have two little girls and their mother pregnant with another on the way.

Although this could be used as a wedding card, the concept behind this illustration symbolizes children being precious gifts from God or from your Creator.  Babies are little angels and they bring parents immense joy!  Children are growing angels that cease to amaze us all in the words they say, and the actions they take to make us laugh.  They’re pure and innocent souls that depend on us in every way.  When they get to be an adolescent these precious gifts become challenging keeping us on our toes!  This is the time when we need to give extra guidance if they’ll listen.  It’s an awkward age, and girls are different from boys.  If we can get them through these years without finding a few gray strands of hair its miracle.  When they become young adults they are ready for college and are preparing to leave the nest.  We get involved with all the college festivities and watch them mature and grow.  After college some come back home due to financial dependency, others can’t find a job in their field, or their unable to find roommates or a romantic partner to help them share expenses.  

Once in their mid to late twenties they get a feel for what they may want to do with their lives however they will ask for guidance, advice, and sometimes financial help.

Parents and single parents know no mater what age your children are they will always need your love, wisdom, help and guidance.  Once a parent always a parent the job is never really over.

Then comes a time when they bing more precious gifts, grandchildren.  This is a great time because when you get tired they take their precious gifts and go home leaving you to take Advil and rest.  

In the end the roles are reversed and these precious gifts take care of you.  They worry about you, some take care of you, and all they want is for you to feel secure, protected, healthy, and content.  

They are truly precious gifts all through our lives however, one lesson is for sure how much love, time, and effort we give to these precious gifts is what we will get back in return…🎁

 

Christmas Card

The Christmas Peace Angel

Illustration: Christmas Card.  2009

The idea for this card came during a life altering six months after the passing of Michael Jackson.  This year was a spiritual awaking for me, and since this unequivocal event, I have never been the same.  To say the least it was the most incredible and unforgettable incident of my life!

My spiritual awareness was heightened and everything and everyone was connected.  I felt an enormous flow of unconditional love, creativity, and empathy for the human condition.  

This angel illustration is just one means of expression as to how I was feeling.  An overwhelming sense of serenity and peace was surrounding my tranquil exterior this particular Holiday Season like no other.  I thought it quite appropriate to create this Peace Angel.  

It seems she is needed every year, and I wonder when during my lifetime there will a time of peace throughout the world for one minute, day, week, month, year, or years…. 

I suppose World Peace will be my Christmas manifestation every year, and perhaps the Universe will eventually grant it… 

 

Christmas Card

The Nutcracker 

Illustration: Christmas Card   2008

The Nutcracker is a traditional Christmas ballet.  In this illustration I took the two main characters in the story and put them at center stage.  It is love that has brought them together, and even though he is a stoic wooden soldier,  Clara is intensely drawn to him.  She loves him no matter what size, shape, color, or form!  

The Christmas season is all about love.  Like in the story of the Nutcracker, Clara dreams about an imaginary fantasy by which her beloved nutcracker becomes a prince!  

The Christmas season is about children, and their vivid imaginations of meeting Santa Claus telling him their inner most secrets and their wishes.  It is a magical time for children as well as adults in believing that anything is possible.  It is also a time for giving and receiving.  An exchange of gifts to show our love and appreciation for each other.  Children are the real receivers of this wondrous and joyous time.  They are center stage, and the most important part of us no matter what ages they are.

The nutcracker is a symbol of faith in believing.  Believing that no matter what the circumstances are we overcome them, by putting ourselves aside, and worry about others.  This is also a cheerful, festive, merry, and bright time to get together in celebration.  It’s a time of peace around the world, unconditional love, unwavering hope, and as a collective unity for humanity.  It’s a time when all is possible, and nothing is unattainable if we have unhesitating faith.  

The spirit of The Christmas Season is a mystical time for our souls, it allows all of us to remind ourselves it is through love that we feel our best selves, and the rewards we innately feel by giving unselfishly to others unconditionally without conditions…💂🏼

 

Christmas Card

The Magic of Christmas

Illustration: Christmas Card   2007

As an Illustrator I sometimes want to work in a different Medium.  In this case I bought a set of colored fine tip pens.  In this illustration I wanted to use my imagination as if I were a child myself.  I asked, what about all the elves who help Santa? When they have a few minutes break from making toys where do they go?  I found out they go deep into the forests where it is motionless and quiet. 

They dwell high among the pine trees so they can’t be seen.  

I you notice to the right of the illustration there are two elves playing in a tree.  The male elf is in love, and he is showing off to get the female elf’s attention to look at him.  She is amazed by his strength and stability to support his legs around the tree.  This is the first time these two elf’s have met.  She has never noticed this elf before, and to her it was love at first sight!  She is simply adoring every move he makes staring into each other’s eyes.  They are whimsically happy, frolicking together secretly in the tree where no one can see them.  It is magic that bought them together.  You see, while working in the toy factory there are multiple floors with many different departments that have elf’s making particular toys.  They are trained specialists having no time to waste, for they must make all the toys before Christmas Day.  These two elf’s worked on different floor’s in different departments never having a chance to ever meet. 

As we all know, falling in love is a magical experience just as it is during the Christmas season, miracles have been known to happen, even for Santa’s little elf’s…🎅🏼

 

Christmas cards

A Christmas Wish

Illustration:  Christmas Card  2006

The idea for this card came to me because of a child.  Friends of mine have a little girl who is an angel.  She is a unique little girl and her name is Charlotte.  She came with her parents to visit me before Christmas and was looking under my tree.  She asked if any of the presents were for her?  I replied “yes, but you will have to find it.” She said, “how will I know?”  I said, “I’ll let you know when your are close to finding it, or you put your hand on it” and, she replied goody!”  It didn’t take her long as if she had already knew and said “this is mine!”  She sat down on the living room floor and politely asked “can I open it now?” And, I said yes!  She didn’t rip the paper off she took her time as if savoring the moment anticipating her surprise.  When she got to the box she said “its clothes!”  When she opened the box she saw a whole outfit, a pink knitted sweater with ivory lace trim, wild black and pink leopard leggings, a long sleeve black turtle neck top, a pink knitted scarf, pink knitted gloves with Ivory lace trim, and a pink knitted French beret hat.  Charlotte said, “I wished for this!”  I was surprisingly moved by her response.  I said, “why did you wish for this?”  Charlotte said, my favorite color is pink, and I have always wanted a whole set that came altogether so everything matches!”  

She melted my heart this little angel, I knew she genuinely great full and dashed to the bathroom and put the whole outfit on.  She came out looking like a doll.  She was so happy she ran over to me and softly whispered in my ear the words, I Love You…😇

 

 

Christmas Cards

Pookie’s First Christmas

Illustration: Christmas Card by Donna Massa  2005

Pookie was named after the character Pookie Adam’s brilliantly played by Liza Minnelli in the 1969 film “The Sterile Cuckoo.”  I adored and cherished that film along with the theme song “Come Saturday Morning” by The Sandpipers.  The film had a lasting impression on me especially Liza’s character Pookie Adams.  

If you’ve ever seen a Scottish Fold or owned one the breed is not as sophisticated as other breeds.  What I mean be this is, they are not as high strung.  Scottish Folds are mellow and make wonderful loving and gentle pets.  They are smaller in size and have a personality all their own.  They are smart and train well making excellent indoor cats.  Because of their naturally folded ears they are so adorable to look at you cannot resist holding them.  Some Scottish Fold breeds do not have the life span of regular domestic cats.  My Pookie only lived for ten years, however her untimely death was at the hands of an inexperienced veterinarian who failed to order a blood panel test before surgery.  Pookie was not ready to experience an operation putting her at risk for organ failure.  I was not aware that blood tests are needed before any form of surgery on any animal, this is something pet owners should be aware of.  She went in for a simple procedure on a troubled back tooth and was sent home never to recover.  She passed away within twenty four hours and I was devastated and heart broken. 

During Pookie’s life she instinctively knew when the season of Christmas was coming.  It could have been her instinctive ability to smell and feel the change in the air, and watch the snow falling.  The first time I put up a real Frazier Fur Pine tree, and watered it she loved the smell.  She would sit patiently in a chair facing the tree and watch me rap around the lights, and trim the entire tree.  I put a soft festive skirt under the tree, and waited for dusk.  When I turned on the colored lights her big, round, sky blue eyes light up.  She jumped off the chair, and nestled herself under the tree and slept there all night.  She loved the lights on the tree, and I knew she knew every year after her first experience she would innately know when it was Christmas.  It was literally her time to shine enjoying the lights, and sleeping under the Christmas tree until it was time to take it down.  

Because of her untimely death, this unexpected event left me grieving for months, so much so, I wanted to do something in her honor, and that wanted to create an illustrative Christmas Card in her memory.  The ironic part of this story is, because of this one Christmas card it propelled me to go back to my roots as a Fine Art illustrator.  I made a transition in my career from a former Fashion designer to a freelance illustrator.  From that moment on I never stoped illustrating to as we speak. 

I believe it is through her spirit that gave me the inspiration, and internal drive to become a Fine Art hand illustrator…😽  

 

The Voyagers Series

The Voyagers Series

Fashion Illustration by Donna Massa

Europe: When Drew & Erin first discovered time traveling they found themselves in a different century and a different contentment. They are immediately transformed in the traditional style of that particular century.  This is a time when bow and arrows were the main means of defense, protection, and security.  Their first time traveling was when they landed in Europe on a Spanish Tall Ship headed for Spain.  It is there where their incredible journey begins never really knowing what trials and tribulations lie ahead!

They experience many different adventures in Europe that eventually leads them back to their home in England during the Age of Camelott…🌎

 

The Voyagers Series

The Voyagers Series 

Fashion Illustration by Donna Massa

Meet Drew & Erin.  They’re brother and sister who live in London, England.  These are the two main characters in The Voyagers Series who time travel.  Drew in just a few months older then Erin making them very close in age.  Drew has a protective personality by nature especially for his sister Erin.  He is very adventurous yet cautious as he always puts safety ahead of danger.  On the other hand Erin is fearless she is not afraid of anything and loves all animals especially in the wild.  She has a special relationship with animals like that of a horse whisper and they are not afraid or aggressive towards her.  Drew and Erin’s characters and personalities are opposite in ways that balance each other out, this makes them ideal, compatible partners in everything they do together.  Their relationship is like that of twins, they are very close they do almost everything together.  Their qualities and traits are inquisitive, strong, vibrant, intelligent, loving, adventurous, courageous, and both share a passion for time travel to journey around the world…🌎