Come see Melissa Knowles’ Lightwork during the month of June in the meeting room at the Oak Bluffs Library. Artist reception will be on Thursday, June 29th from 5:00-6:30. An opportunity to meet this one-of-a-kind artist who is passionate about her process. Light refreshments will be served.  


Lightwork features photographs and meditational expressions created to connect with ki-in, the
rhythm of life energy. Ki, or chi, is directly related to the quality of our health and has been part of
the wisdom of many cultures for thousands of years. Our rhythm of life energy – as in all animals,
birds, fish, insects, plants, and what we might term “inanimate” objects such as rocks, crystals,
minerals, metals, and water – varies daily. There is a natural ebb and flow in the energies within
our bodies and the rest of nature, of which we are a part. We can replenish and enhance our
energy… and in this way, approached mindfully, photography is essential for me.

Using the camera as an anchor, it’s like learning to tune a radio so we can hear what’s happening
on a different station. This ‘listening’ can be a subtle yet powerful spiritual practice that can
awaken creativity, imagination, intuition, and psychic ability. Developing each of these capacities
can improve our wellbeing and awaken something of ourselves to share with others.

About the artist:
Melissa Blythe Knowles is a featured Martha’s Vineyard photographer, educator, and arts-in-
health practitioner who brings mindful photography, education, and exhibits to the island,

Massachusetts, New York, and overseas. Practiced thoughtfully, mindful photography has the
tremendous potential to cultivate positive change and strengthen relationships with our
community, surroundings, and nature.

She began her career assisting the late John Diamond, M.D., a pioneer in holistic healing and Life
Energy Analysis, who used his experience in medicine, psychiatry, complementary medicine,
applied kinesiology, and acupuncture theory to explore how photography could help sufferers
overcome problems relating to body, mind, and spirit.

Studying in England, the USA, and Australia, she focused her teaching and visual practice on
photography’s therapeutic and social value. Her work equally explores the importance of nature
connectedness, and you’ll often find her bringing her students and clients into diverse outdoor
environments.

She belongs to an international community of practitioners who explore and research the benefits
of mindful photography in their educational, therapeutic, and artistic practices.