Seventeen-year Springfield Township resident Heidi Keesling has found a way to use her artistic talent to give back to the community.
Keesling is a mother of four kids who have all gone to Clarkston schools and been involved in SCAMP and the Autism Spec Disorder (ADS) program.
‘It’s influenced their lives in a lot of ways and I just kind of want to give back,? she said.
Twenty percent of her profits from her paintings will be given to SCAMP during the month of February. Keesling said she is ‘grateful for both programs? because she has seen how it has benefited her two oldest children’s futures.
Keesling’s son Alex, 19, is currently working at Bailey Lake Elementary in the Autism Department as a paraprofessional.
‘That’s his passion and he is going to school to become an Autism teacher,? said Keesling.
While her daughter Jamie, 21, who is an art student in Chicago helps works with special needs individuals in a program called ‘Outside of Art.?
‘The special needs individuals create works of art and then are sold and money keeps the program going,? said Keesling. ‘Kids and adults, I think it’s mostly adults have an outlet to do their art.?
Keesling started painting on canvas eight years ago, before she was only painting wooden furniture and doing ‘craftsy things.?
‘Once I started painting on canvas, it’s like that’s my niche and I found it,? said Keesling. ‘It’s my passion now.?
Keesling does a lot of ‘Dot Art? which is Australian Aboriginal style of art. She said she is inspired by Aboriginal Art.
‘I like to have meaning in my pictures, like spirituality,? she said. ‘I don’t box myself in, whatever I want to do, I do it.?
Keesling noted she is also inspired by spirituality and interested in different cultures of spirituality.
‘I just got into spirituality and I love it. I love hearing what people believe in, it’s just really interesting to me.?
Keesling attends the ‘Center of Light? Spirituality Center in Oxford.
‘I just like to be open-minded and expand my views and ideas,? she said.
Keesling said she paints everyday.
‘If I get a canvas out it sits there and I just get ideas and ideas just a lot of ideas, or while I am working on one, I might have an idea for the next one.?
Sometimes sketching, drawing, or even searching pictures of a specific subject on the computer helps her with ideas.
‘Inspiration comes from all over. It’s mostly spirituality something that has meaning. It has to have meaning. If it doesn’t have meaning I can’t paint it. I have to be inspired,? she said. ‘I have sat down and tried to paint before when I wasn’t inspired, and you can’t force it. It’s like writing; you just can’t force it you have to go with the flow.?
Previously to putting all of her efforts into painting, Keesling worked at Lighthouse Path helping homeless mothers and worked in the daycare with the babies.
Keesling’s art can be seen at the LA Caf? of Dixie Hwy, Sweet Grass store in Davisburg, Moonbeam massage in Clarkston, and Center of Light in Oxford.