Pieces of the Whole

 A yoga instructor and a photoartist cross paths. An immediate connection is felt. A moving experience leads to a concept. The concept morphs – expands, contracts, and ultimately takes shape in the form of a book entitled Pieces of the Whole.

And yet Anne Miller, the yoga instructor, and Jim Dukes, the photoartist, will tell you this is not a project about yoga or photography. Pieces of the Whole is a soulful exploration through images and meditations – a project that encourages awakenings. At the same time, it is also a project bound – literally – by original art.

Artizan is proud to host the unveiling of this amazing collection of meditations, affirmations and imagery, as well as the originally created art covers. Like all of us, we are the sum of our parts, and still each of us is unique.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Anne Miller’s interest in and fascination with the body began with her dance studies at Columbia College. After graduating with a BA in dance, was later introduced to yoga and completed her 200 hour yoga certification as well as her Level I & II wall yoga training. Anne is an instructor at Amsa Yoga and Mindfulness Practice Center, Jamie Scott Fitness, Yoga Fit and her church, all located in Columbia, SC. Anne has co-taught two art and yoga retreats in Mallorca Spain and also instructs at leadership workshops, guides professional staff retreats, and teaches in schools, for youth groups and at church retreats. Anne’s father is a Lutheran minister who instilled deep heartfelt intuitive prayer at an early age so her reflective meditations come to her quite naturally. Vivid words brush soulful images into the spirit of all who are fortunate to have Anne’s voice wash over them.

Jim Dukes’ love of photography blossomed during his recovery and rehabilitation from traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress. Art is a big departure from his engineering degree and related work experience. His many brain injuries have now squelched his technical side, but his creative side has exploded. So, Jim is adapting new skills and tools to make his life productive again. He only uses his cell phone for his art as his way of expressing how he visualizes the world around him. Jim’s work was seen in The Art of Healing at Tapp’s Arts Center where he was the Resident Artist for a year. There he established multiple healing art programs and was featured in two additional art exhibits, Imagine if, A world without violence and COLA: Inked. Jim has self-published three photography books as well as developing and maintaining his own social media sites. Being fully and permanently disabled, Jim volunteers his time working with art and photography groups as well as speaking about brain injury and how he uses art to recover. Jim is excited about this collaboration with Anne and the opportunity they have to provide readers with unique images carefully paired with profound, unique meditations.

ABOUT THE GALLERY
Artizan is an interesting and eclectic gallery of art and jewelry created by local and national artists and artisans. With a curious juxtaposition of a more contemporary setting housed in a 1930s downtown building, Artizan is a colorful and diverse space, known for interesting and unusual merchandise, as well as interesting and unusual conversation.

Owners Clayton King and Jeffery Schwalk have procured work from known artists, as well as some who are emerging in their disciplines. In addition to more traditional mediums like oils and water color, other exciting offerings are found in textiles, glass and pottery. From jewelry to framed art, pottery to woodwork, and glass to fiber, the collection is aptly described by Artizan's tagline: Nothing Ordinary Here.