Life & Work with Zhanna of Sun Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zhanna.

Hi Zhanna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am an artist and a light worker who loves rhythm instruments and has an innate desire to be of help to others. I practice art therapy, light therapy, and rhythm therapy to manage stress and manifest desired outcomes. I had been a professional artist my entire adult life. I also teach drawing and painting to children and adults. I collect rhythm instruments and enjoy playing with them. Simultaneously, I study the effects of color light frequencies on emotional and physical states of being. I use art, rhythm, and light as tools for energy balancing and self-regulation.

Originally from Moscow, Russia, I lived in Washington, D.C. and in Maryland since 1994. In 2001, I moved to Los Angeles to study Visual Communications at FIDM, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, DTLA. Then I did my share of waiting tables. I worked as an artist and painting instructor for an international chain of paint-your-own pottery studios. Over the years I managed an art gallery, organized special events, painted murals, and taught art classes. In 2016 I got involved with Lumia Therapy. I became a Lumia Therapy practitioner and continued my independent research. Today I am a Lumia Therapy trainer and coach with clients all around the World.

One day I asked myself: If I could do anything all day everyday, what would it be? The answer was: To play with art supplies and rhythm instruments while studying light. Then I asked, What would allow me to do that?

Realizing the incredible benefits of my color light research and practical experience, my tried and true creative relaxation techniques, my art supplies, and my percussion collection, I felt that I had what it takes to be of value to my community. The Not for Profit space seemed like a good fit for my passion.

In 2015, I started my nonprofit Universe Gives Inc. to foster alternative support systems addressing unique needs of individuals, their families, and the communities they live in. We provide free and easy access to art supplies and rhythm instruments for the underserved communities of LA County. We offer classes and creative workshops for wellness and personal growth. We offer one-on-one art lessons, light therapy sessions, and creative relaxation sessions in our studio.

Today, Universe Gives collaborates with the City of San Fernando Recreation and Parks, Tierra Del Sol Foundation, and Hello Stranger Foundation. We are supported in part by the LA County Department of Arts & Culture. And we serve hundreds of people each year.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I am a big fan of effortless action. However, it has been a bumpy road for my little nonprofit. With all of my training in traditional arts and digital media design, and with all of my years of experience in facilitating creative activities, I had to also become an accountant, a web master, a social media director, a grant writer, and a leader of my organization. It is a lot of work!

I had always treated my nonprofit as my baby. For the first five years it was all out of pocket. I had to work full time and run Universe Gives on the side as a passion project. Slowly but surely, we got a couple of grants and loans. That helped us a lot. But to this day, Universe Gives is a volunteer organization. I have yet to hire myself or anyone else. All money we receive go to our programs and our bills. Finding funding has been a challenge.

The pandemic made it impossible for us to share art supplies and rhythm instruments in public parks like we used to do. We had to readjust our approach. YouTube videos, private events, and one-on-one sessions became a thing.

Nowadays we often get invited to parties and events as an add on to whatever may be going on. We are family and pet friendly. We do support diversity and inclusion.

The main challenge for me, I would say, is marketing.

We have a working board of directors, and they are all amazing in their own ways. But sometimes I feel alone in my efforts to build, maintain, and grow this little gem we call Universe Gives. Being a good and effective leader is a challenge of its own.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I consider myself to be a multimedia artist. What I can say about my work is that it is fluid in terms of style. My style depends on how I feel, or the purpose of the work. Being trained in classical drawing, painting, and decorative arts, I use all available art mediums as I see fit. I love watercolor, acrylics, inks, glazes, markers, airbrush, glue, gold leaf, clay, you name it. I mostly create art for myself, to deal with my thoughts, feelings, and emotions. I do art to process events and information. I do art to let out steam, to relax, and to meditate. I love to experiment and I love to have fun. I focus on the process where the resulting outcome is a bonus. Some of my work can be found on Instagram @ArtByZhanna. Selling my work is not a priority for me at this time.

I specialize in art therapy. I offer personalized art, rhythm and light therapy sessions by appointment. I also do commission work like murals or decorative projects. 3D motion graphics and video production are also in my wheelhouse. I freelance on the side.

I’m also known as a Lumia Therapy specialist. It is a combination of color therapy and light therapy. More on that fascinating topic can be found on my website colorsyouneed.com.

I am involved in creative arts without any particular stigma. I enjoy being an artist as a lifestyle and I suggest that others try the same.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I have loved Los Angeles since my first visit many years ago. Soon after that visit, I moved to Los Angeles. I was young and happy to see what I could accomplish living in LA. I always loved LA’s un-describable essence of creative energy in the air. The possibilities, the opportunities, the people, I love it all to this day. The vibe is different on the East Coast, for sure. LA feels way more laid back and exciting at the same time. That’s my kind of energy.

I like the feeling I have that if I wanted to, I could do tons of different fun things on any day of the week here in LA. I might not do any of it, but it feels good to have options. I love the architecture, the palm trees, the layered beauty of the hills, the beach, the parks, the weather is amazing most of the time. What can I say, LA is my home and I love it. But I don’t like the traffic.

Pricing:

• $10 – $100 / person sliding scale pricing based on income level
• Free public and private events
• All donations are welcome
• Group events start at $200

Contact Info:

• Website: https://universegives.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/universegives/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/universegives/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhanna-osminina/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@universegives
• Other: https://colorsyouneed.com

Image Credits
Zhanna Osminina