...find Kara...

MotherHenna & Kotapress are
relocating to Vashon Island, WA
in Spring of 2013
928-225-5416

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But what do you do?

When grief comes, everyone pretty much accepts that we remember. But we also need time and support to re-member. Re-member our shattered hearts. Re-member our shattered communities and families. Together with my clients, we creatively explore the pieces after loss or trauma. And in their Grief & Creativity Coaching experiences, my clients come away with the unique mix of tools that will let them find their way again, to both remember *and* Re-Member. You will find your way, too.

Hear free podcasts from Coach Kara here to learn more.

And why do you do what you do?

After cremating one son and burying a second son, I know first-hand how much creativity it takes to find your way out of bed each day after someone you love has died. In a decade of certification process to become both Reiki Master Teacher and a Hero's Journey Coach, I found not only my own way, but a myriad of ways that will help you, too. While in mentorship with Fred Rogers and Hedda Sharapan of Mister Rogers Neighborhood, they convinced me it is an utmost service to humanity to offer individuals sacred space where they feel safe to bring the whole of their being to the table. The Grief & Creativity spaces I offer have been created as safe space, and I extend them out to you now. Together we can foster peace from the pieces. I look forward to meeting you soon.

To see a detailed CV of her publications, exhibits, and appearances, visit the As Seen In page.

The term "radical" has the same meaning in politics as it does in mathematics or in the word "radish." It simply means "root." So a radical would be a person who wants to address the root causes.

~Wendell Berry

History of HerStory

In my dynamic Cultural Theory work at Carnegie Mellon University, Child Development work at Chatham College, and while mentoring with Hedda Sharapan, David Newell, Fred Rogers and the team at Mister Rogers Neighborhood, I learned first hand how very creative each individual can be in the face of grief.

My theories were put to the test in 1999 when our son Dakota died, and our family had to get creative and make the choice to live fully again. With the help and support of people like Dr. Joanne Cacciatore of the MISS Foundation and ASU, my partner Hawk and I co-founded a creative advocacy for bereaved parents via Kota Press (KOTA: Knowing Ourselves Thru Art). Through our KOTA work and in partnership with MISS, we have been mentoring other bereaved parents, siblings, family and caregivers around the world, offering creative perspectives on learning to life again in the full face of mortality. In 2001, we were featured on NPR with Megan Suyks who then hosted KUOW's show "The Human Condition."

In early 2000's, I've studied and received my Reiki Master-Teacher certification with Masters Jeanne Robinson and Jane Valencia. I also apprenticed with Professor & Coach Sherene Zolno of The Leading Clinic exploring The Hero's Journey (based on Paul Rebillot's work) as a personal and professional development tool. I have since received my Certification in Appreciative Inquiry and Whole Systems IQ (tm) Coaching with the Hero's Journey as the key model. I brings all of this experience to the coaching table to help you explore grief and creativity using a variety of tools for alternative mind, body, spiritual health.

In 2010, Hawk and I buried a second son Mizuko Star. Since then I have put my work to the test again as we've put the pieces back together. I am more convinced than ever that The Hero's Journey and other creative explorations are most helpful and life-saving tools available for bereaved people.

You are cordially invited to begin LIVING A RADICALLY CREATIVE LIFE in the full face of grief, death, loss.
Contact me today.

1,000 Faces Project

In 2007, I began the 1,000 Faces of Mother Henna project as personal and spiritual commitment to my heART. In May 2009, due to loss of a hard drive & back-ups, 498 of the 1000 Faces were entirely lost. But I had an epiphany that the 1,000 Faces were just the first thousand and that if I kept exploring creativity, there would easily be thousands more. Today, I continue exploring...

Sampling of the 1,000 Faces Project

My inspirations for this project include: Joseph Cambell's "Hero with a Thousand Faces"; Studying "The Hero's Journey" with Sherene Zolno; and the Jizos for Peace project which started at the Great Vow monastery near Portland. Visit the JizosForPeace.org website to learn more.

Because Jizo affected my life during the pregnancy with and stillbirth of our son, Dakota, I decided to make a vow honoring this Bodhisattva through heARTwork. Just as Jizo was a light through the darkest times for our family, I hope to offer each face, each piece of heART, as a light to those who are seeking.

Some of the 1,000 Faces are available as prints, cards, products via the Mother Henna Red Bubble Gallery. A big, glossy paged, full color, coffee table book feature a full 1,000 pieces from the project is now available also.

Privacy Policies & Disclaimer

Our mailing list or information gathered from our give-aways or mailing list/blog subscriptions will only be used for our own work within KotaPress / Kotagraph / Mother Henna. We do not sell or rent lists to other organizations. You will always see "unsubscribe" opt-out links at the bottom of our mailing list messages. You control your mailing list membership entirely. If you leave give-away comments that contain very personal information like street address, we may edit or delete/repost to protect privacy. We reserve the right to refuse to post any comment we deem racist, sexist, or any other -ist on the planet. You can contact Kara via MotherHenna.com. When we do review books or products, we'll tell you in the review if anything was sent to us free for purpose of review or if we bought it personally. Many of the freebie books or cds are donated forward to local libraries or to support groups lending libraries or offered in blog give-aways. All information and ideas presented on our websites, forums, blogs, and in our printed and electronic materials are meant as information and do not in any way replace needs you may have for seeking professional or medical advice. Please take responsibility for your own best self-care!