GIVING BACK: HeARTwork for a Cause

I am thrilled to be an American Heart Association 2021 Woman of Impact Nominee!

Please see the previous post for more information on what this nomination means and the impact my team (Team JoJo) hopes to make!

Between now and the end of the Campaign (Friday, April 9th) ALL Artwork by JoJo sales will benefit the American Heart Association with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the AHA! 

Find artwork by JoJo at Lost Again Antiques and Decor in the Dallas Design District!

To see additional availability check out my Artwork by JoJo page.

Together, we can make an impact.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A LIFE-SAVING DONATION TO THE 

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, 

GO HERE.

Even though all artwork by JoJo sold now through the end of the Women of Impact Campaign (4/9/21) will have 100% of the proceeds donated to the AHA, here are some special HeARTwork pieces that have become a part of my new heartfelt collection “HeARTwork for a Cause”.

Variety of sizes (5”x5” - 36”x36”) framed and unframed available at Lost Again

Acrylic on 36” x 36” Canvas | Queen of Hearts | Available at Lost Again

American Heart Association - Woman of Impact Nomination

I am thrilled to be nominated for Go Red for Women’s Woman of Impact campaign. As part of this year’s class of changemakers, I’ve brought together a team that’s working to make the greatest impact possible on women’s health. We will be raising much-needed funds for the American Heart Association and working to improve the health of our communities. I hope we can count on your support!

 WOMEN OF IMPACT

We are a team of change makers who are excited to engage our networks to make the biggest impact possible on women’s health! We’re raising much-needed funds for the American Heart Association and working to improve the health of our communities. I am hoping I can count on your support!

This challenge is personally important to me, because I am a Heart Disease Survivor. 

Throughout history, women have stepped up.  Stepped out. Overcome opposition. Led the workforce. Joined forces. Blasted into space.  

Women’s passion has made history … but their actual hearts haven’t. Heart disease and stroke have never been just men’s diseases, but through the years women have been left out of scientific studies.

Underrepresented. Uncounted. UNTREATED. 

Now we are fighting for better representation in medical research. Fighting for equitable access to care and treatments. Fighting to spread lifesaving information to our sisters. Fighting to overcome the No. 1 killer of women. 

Watch me change history. 

Watch me be counted.

Watch me Go Red. 

It’s not just about wearing red. It’s not just about sharing heart health facts. It’s about all of us making a commitment to stand together with Go Red for Women in the fight for heart-health equality.

The time is now. 

When we take a stand and work together, real change is possible. 

 

Together, we can make an impact.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A LIFE-SAVING DONATION TO THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, 

GO HERE.

Acrylic on 48” X 48” Canvas entitled “Total Eclipse of the Heart”

Donated to the AHA for the 2021 Go Red Live Silent Auction

SOLD 

GIVING BACK: JoJo Goes Red

This piece will be available at the Dallas Go Red Luncheon on February 28th!

WE GOT THE BEAT

An original abstract acrylic painting

36” x 36” canvas and framed in a maple wood floater frame

      

  

I am a Heart Disease Survivor. On December 4, 2009, at 34 years old, I was admitted into the hospital for my 2nd heart surgery. It was quite an ordeal... But, because of ongoing cardiac medical research, I was able to have the opportunity to play with my little boy again without fear of passing out from an abnormally fast heart rate or fear of going into cardiac arrest.

I have volunteered with the American Heart Association to help spread heart disease awareness by sharing my personal heart story. I believe strongly in the mission of the AHA and help support raising funds at various events by donating my artwork. Each piece I donate has a personal story related to how I have been affected by heart disease.

I painted “We Got the Beat” as a tribute to my father who is also a heart disease survivor and is currently on the UNOS Heart Transplant List. I painted this piece in honor of him and to all those affected by heart disease. Each heart symbolizes the uniqueness in all of us. Our family history, story, struggles, life, scars, and experiences may be different... but, we are all UNITED in the fight against heart disease!

Thank you for your support in helping to raise funds for lifesaving heart research. 
It means A LOT!

With a Grateful Heart,

Joanne “JoJo” Herda

GIVING BACK: JOJO Goes Red

This piece will be available at the Dallas Go Red Luncheon on February 22nd!

Rising Up to the Challenge of Our Rival

An original abstract acrylic painting

18” x 24” canvas and framed

      

We can despair that rose bushes have thorns, 


or rejoice that thorn bushes have roses. 


-Abraham Lincoln 



  

I am a Heart Disease Survivor. On December 4, 2009, at 34 years old, I was admitted into the hospital for my 2nd heart surgery. It was quite an ordeal... 



But, because of ongoing cardiac medical research, I was able to have the opportunity to play with my little boy again without fear of passing out from an abnormally fast heart rate or fear of going into cardiac arrest. 



The procedure and recovery were tough. I was in the ICU for several days. I had a tube sticking out of my chest to help drain the fluid that was collecting around my heart. I was in extreme pain. The surgery was considered successful, but my heart still has issues and requires frequent monitoring. 



My fight is not over. Although I have endured many cuts and scrapes from sharp “thorns,” I choose to rejoice because of the roses among the thorns. 



Family and friends are my roses. I also have loved ones who suffer with or have died due to heart disease. I have sincere respect for others facing their own thorns. Heart disease may be a silent killer, but its effects are not silent. Many of you may have a loved one with heart disease, have lost a loved one from heart disease, or has a friend who is a heart disease survivor, or... you may be a survivor yourself. 



I painted “Rising Up to the Challenge of Our Rival” as a tribute to my father, Carmelino, who is also a heart disease survivor. He has had heart failure for almost 10 years. During that time, he has overcome open heart surgery to replace his aortic valve plus many other procedures to aide in sustaining his life. I painted this piece in honor of him and to all those affected with and by heart disease. Thank you for your support in helping to raise funds for lifesaving heart research. It means A LOT!

With a Grateful Heart,

Joanne “JoJo” Herda

GIVING BACK: American Heart Association

It's National Wear Red Day to promote Heart Disease awareness. 

I'm rocking my red, but I also have the privilege to give back to a worthy cause. 

As a heart disease survivor, the American Heart Association is very near to my heart ❤️. 

This 36"x 36" acrylic abstract artwork entitled "Lord, I Hope This Day is Good" will be available during the Dallas Go Red Luncheon's silent auction on Friday, February 23rd. 

Acrylic on 36" x 36" Canvas | Lord, I Hope This Day is Good | Donated to American Heart Association

Hope you join me in GOING RED!

GIVING BACK : JoJo Goes Red

I believe a DASH of GLAMOR and

SPRINKLE of REALITY 

makes everything... SIMPLY... DIVINE.

But, Heart Disease isn't GLAMOROUS.

I should know.... I am a Heart Disease Survivor!

You can read a little bit about my Heart Story here.

I also paint to help fight heart disease.

Hence, this painting:

Acrylic on 36" x 36" Canvas | Rhythm of My Heart | Available at the Dallas Go Red Luncheon Silent Auction

"Rhythm of My Heart" will be available at the Dallas Go Red Luncheon on Friday, February 3rd.
All proceeds will benefit the American Heart Association.

Go HERE to purchase your ticket(s) for the luncheon!

Friday, February 3rd is also National Wear Red Day!

I will be wearing red to help support the fight against heart disease in women.

To find out more information on the Go Red for Women Movement and heart disease prevention go here to the American Heart Association website.

Heart disease is the #1 Killer of Women in America.

1 out of 3 women will die from heart disease.

It kills more women than all the cancers combined!

Will you join me in GOING RED?

RECIPE: Watermelon Salad

Just in time for that summer picnic.... summer dessert.... or  a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g summer!

I LOVE watermelon, especially, during the summertime.

I always recall sweet memories of sticky fingers and a messy face.

Now as an adult.... the very elegant lady that I am {ahem}...

I don't really go for the sticky fingers and messy face anymore.

So, here is a more elegant, but yet refreshing way to enjoy this favorite summertime treat!

WATERMELON SALAD

INGREDIENTS:
3-4 cups seeded and cubed watermelon
1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced in half
4 Tablespoons chopped mint
1 tsp cracked black pepper
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 Tablespoon white balsamic vinegar {regular balsamic vinegar may be used}

* Sea Salt as desired for topping
* Feta Cheese for garnish {I did not have any on hand}

1. Prepare watermelon, cherry tomatoes and mint as directed.

2. Mix olive oil, white balsamic vinegar and cracked pepper in a small bowl.

3. Toss together all ingredients in large bowl.

4. Top with Sea Salt and Feta Cheese as desired and enjoy!

EASY-PEASY and....

R-E-F-R-E-S-H-I-N-G!

Perfect for a summertime snack, as a side salad or as an elegant dish that won't get your fingers sticky and your face messy!

PERFECTION!

Heart and Soul

I had mentioned in this post that I was a model for a day.

I had a stylist, a producer, make-up artists and a photographer at my side... wow!

Although this was A LOT of fun... it was for a very important reason:

I have joined forces with Heart and Soul Magazine and other amazing Heart Disease Survivors in sharing our stories to promote awareness about heart disease in women!

Heart and Soul Magazine

Check out our stories and more information about health and wellness at Heart and Soul Magazine.

Heart and Soul Website
Heart and Soul Facebook
Heart and Soul Instagram 

Heart and Soul Magazine

Heart and Soul Magazine

Have a FABULOUS weekend, friends!

WORDS: Beautiful

I had this wild and crazy weekend!

It was SO out of the ordinary for me.... I was PAMPERED!

Boy, do I mean... I WAS PAMPERED!

I was actually a model for a day!

A real-life model.... with a photo shoot.... with a stylist... with makeup.... with hair.... it was 

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

I have never felt more beautiful.

Source

I thought this quote was perfect to start this week.

I want to be beautiful every day and this is a great way to "apply the make-up".

Speaking of applying make-up...

Miss Bridgette applying my make-up for the photo shoot this past weekend.

I'll share the details with y'all about the project when it is released.... let's just say....

there is a lot of Heart and Soul involved!

For today, I can share with you something else that was an honor and privilege to do.

I shared my Heart Story with Univision.com for an article on their website to help raise awareness about Heart Disease in women.

Please go here to read the photo essay about my story and the story of 2 other women.

Photo utilized in this story on Univision.com -- Photo credit goes to my 9 year old son!

Now, off to the REAL world of laundry, cleaning, teaching, and all the other wonderful things that make me beautiful!

ME: Going Red

I believe a DASH of GLAMOR and

SPRINKLE of REALITY 

makes everything... SIMPLY... DIVINE.

Water Color on 8" x 10" Paper - Crazy for You

But, Heart Disease isn't GLAMOROUS.

I should know.... I am a Heart Disease Survivor!

I volunteer with the Go Red for Women Passion Committee to help fight heart disease.

You can read a little bit about my Heart Story here.

I also paint to help fight heart disease.

Hence, this painting:

3 Years - Original Abstract Acrylic Painting on 36" x 36" Canvas by JoJo

It was painted to help raise funds for the American Heart Association.

Friday, February 7th is National Wear Red Day!

I will be wearing red to help support the fight against heart disease in women.

To find out more information on the Go Red for Women Movement and heart disease prevention go here to the American Heart Association website.

The above painting is entitled "3 Years" to honor the over 3 years since my 2nd (out of 3) and most serious heart surgeries. That operation has changed my life... for the better! I utilized the color RED because of the boldness, passion, statement, and heart that is represented with the color. 

"3 Years" will be available at auction this Friday at the Dallas Go Red Luncheon. 

All proceeds will go to the American Heart Association.

Heart disease is the #1 Killer of Women in America.

1 out of 3 women will die from heart disease.

It kills more women than all the cancers combined!

Will you join me in GOING RED?