Living The Dream:  Karen Nell McKean

THE DREAM STUDIO: A place were dreams come true. I built it based on a dream I had in the 70's. The Dream Studio is a fulfillment of my dreams and it is dedicated to helping others fulfill their best dreams too. There are three major dreams that have informed my life and they involve art, mysticism and horses. I built The Dream Studio in 2000 with those three intentions in mind.  Here I create oil paintings and clay sculpture; teach dreamwork in the meeting and display room; and sponsor workshops with dream teacher Robert Moss. I chose to build The Dream Studio in the country in order to stay close to my horses and continue to learn and teach horsemanship.

ART: I am a lifelong artist. I was considered a child prodigy in the Chicago area winning many competitions and selling paintings before the age of 16. During much of my adult life I didn't pursue art as a career, but I kept my skills fresh by doing occasional professional paintings and works for friends and charity. Among these were 4 large mural size oil paintings commissioned by the Ovens of Brittany restaurant on Monroe Street. In my late 30's I also became interested in hand thrown pottery and clay sculpture. My clay works have been selling through small galleries and to private clients for many years.  Recently I completed a large commission of three sizable oil paintings for Epic Systems software in Verona. My dream of being a full time professional artist is coming true!

DREAMWORK: I have had a consuming interest in mysticism since the age of thirteen. I was a founder and co-facilitator of Madison IANDS, International Association for Near Death Studies for 8 years. My personal journey eventually led me to a path of inner wisdom through dreams and I discovered the work of Robert Moss and his School for Active Dreaming. I am a graduate of his advanced Teacher Training program. Dreamwork opens the doors to deeper realities in a way that respects all personal differences and belief systems. Dreaming is the voice of your inner self which helps you with spiritual guidance as well as every day problem solving. Dreamwork also requires no ideology other than the understanding that dreams are valuable and have meaning. At The Dream Studio I hold a monthly dream circle; offer private, individual dream counseling and host bi-annual weekend workshops with Robert Moss.

HORSES:
The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears.  ~Arabian Proverb My love of these exquisite creatures is intrinsic: I was born with it. I love to be with them, train them, ride them... and I love to paint them too. Growing up in the Chicago area I had limited opportunities to be involved with horses. As an adult it has been another fulfillment of my dreams to learn horse training and own 2 horses.  Cosmo is a Polish Arab and Delite is an American Warmblood that I trained myself. It is a great privilege to own horses!

There is a revolution in horsemanship taking place at this time in history and it is a joy for me to be a participant.  Better training methods, often referred to as 'horse whispering' or 'natural horsemanship', are being popularized. These methods are based on communication with the horse in its own body language as observed in the herd - through this communication one gains the willing cooperation of the horse.  I think the spread of these methods reflects a deeper reality, a quantum leap forward of inter-species evolution. I am certified in horsemanship through the Dennis Reis program of Universal Horsemanship and have been a student of local master horsewoman, Pat Fitzgerald for many years.