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Left: Mandala for a bat mitzvah, honoring her spiritual

journey from "cub" to young woman taking wing.

Our easy to wear hairpieces and wigs

The mandalas she created ignit-
ed a new passion in her. She started
selling her art to help her ill friend.
By the time she graduated in 2001,
Basham had started her own busi-
ness, Personalized Healing
Mandalas Inc. Today, her work is in
private collections around the
world, including the United States,
Canada, England, Africa and Japan.
Her fans include actress-comedian
Tracey Ullman.

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Above: Mandala to help the recipient focus on an

image that brings her joy during treatment and

healing from cancer.

Below: A mandala commissioned by a woman

working on her marriage, learning to be open to

the spirit of God and to the support of a partner.

Her colorful mandalas also were
featured on the covers of several
newspapers, including the San Diego
Jewish Times and Wisconsin Jewish
Chronicle.
"Art saved my life," said Basham,
who encourages parents to further
children's interest in art, music and
dance while they are young, espe-

cially if they have a gift. While
many discouraged her from going
into fine arts — not an easy way to
make a living — she said, "I'm
painting and drawing and happy
doing what I love to do."

easily blend with your hair to create a

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As she created her images, she
began to incorporate mystical
symbols from a variety of cultures
in her work: Hebrew letters, the
Celtic knot and Japanese and
Buddhist symbols.
She read about people making
mandalas as healing gifts that
helped them focus on getting well.
"I've always felt a connection to
helping people heal," said Basham,
whose father is a doctor.
Her mother, divorced from her
father, is a physical therapist who
teaches classes on Kabbalah.
Each of her mandalas is an
original work of art, individualized
for the client. Some have commis-
sioned her for works celebrating a
bat mitzvah or special birthday;
many are for healing, like a piece
to focus on during chemotherapy
treatment.
Basham interviews each client to
learn colors and symbols meaning-
ful to them and includes a blessing
explaining the symbols and a per-
sonal message about the uniqueness
and divinity in the person receiving
the piece.
Basham's mandalas are made
with oil-based colored pencils and
start at $450.
While her work has gleaned
many testimonials from people who
have received it, she said it also
continues to deepen her. "My life
has become a meditation like my
work," Basham said. "Each
moment, I try to be focused, give
love and be present." ❑

For more information, call Ruthie
Basham at (734) 417-3202. Examples
of her work can be found on her
Web site: www.ruthiebasham.com

alopecia client,Wendy's Wigs will help

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Wigs • Hairpieces
since 1975

Mid-Five Center
Five Mile Rd. at Middlebelt • Livonia, MI

(734) 522-9420

Recommended by: University of Michigan,
Providence and Karmanos Cancer Centers

Hours: Mon 10-3 I Tues-Sat 9-4
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Danielle Peleg Gallery

BEST Fine Art Selection!
BEST Quality Framing !
BEST Service for 25 Years

4301 Orchard Lake Road. West Bloomfield 48322

In Cross Winds Mall at Lone Pine Road

248. 626.5810 www.daniellepeleggallery.corn

Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat. 10-6. Sunday 1-4

JNPLATINUM •

FEBRUARY 2005

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