Open to Change: Re-Group, Re-Energize, and Re-Brand

At Shula's 347 with:( L-R): Rae Marie, Angeline Marie, (me!), Alyson B. Stanfield, Denisse Berlingeri, Robin Maria Pedrero, and Victoria Page Miller.

Alyson B. Stanfield and I at the Westin Lake Mary, 5/10/2013

 

I've had an amazing, life-changing week, and it all started with a simple post to FB from my dear friend, Lillian. She was posting to let our group know that Alyson B. Stanfield, the Art Biz Coach, would be in town. I opened the post, and I immediately knew that I had to sieze this opportunity.

 

I have been feeling out-of-sorts art-business-wise for a few months now. I had started off the year wanting to FLOURISH. But as life was moving on, I still felt "directionless".  Yes, I've been attending shows and creating art, but I had the feeling that nothing was really changing. I felt like I was on the same path to find myself repeating another year wondering where the time went.

 

I can't even begin to list all the A-HA! moments that I had while discussing my art business with Alyson.  There is work to be done, changes to be made,  and steps to be taken, but it all feels good...

challenging, but GOOD.

 

As I was telling her about my current projects, The Inklings, my Artfirmations, and my doggie pet portraits, she pointed to my profile picture, and said, "I want to know more about this person!" She suggested that I put myself up front and center, and have all of these projects come under the umbrella that is ME!  As she was saying this, a lightbulb clicked on in my head...at the same time as I was thinking, "why didn't I think of this before?"  But I'm a true believer that EVERYTHING HAPPENS for a REASON, so I don't want to spend too much time figuring it out. I just want to take action...ONWARD!

 

So as I undertake the tasks involved with re-creating my brand, you're going to start to notice some changes around here. And I am OPEN to all of it! I hope you are too!

 

Hula Dog Designs is now becoming Shari Sherman! Art and Inspiration

 

So far, I have changed my facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/ShariShermanArtandInspiration

 

and my email:

sharishermanART@gmail.com

 

and soon this blog will be changing too!

 

But don't worry, I'll leave plenty of breadcrumbs so you can find me!

 

Until next time, LOVEBEAMS for Everyone!!

Cancer Sucks

 





Unfortunately, it seems that there are very few people who can say that their lives have not been touched by cancer in one way or another. There isn't a positive twist to this one. It sucks...period.

Today we celebrated my mother-in-law's birthday as she battles this terrible disease. All I can say is cherish each day.
Seriously, CHERISH EACH AND EVERY DAY.

I created this little painting for her as an offering of love and encouragement with the hope that she'll use it as a mantra repeating it in the days ahead as she faces the biggest dragon of them all.

I'm also going to include this as part of my ARTffirmations series, where I combine art and the practice of positive affirmations to create the lives we want.

Taking a Chance

Meet Sofie!  In a roundabout way, this super-cute little pup has changed my life!  You see at the beginning of the year, I came across a message from Jonathan Mead of Paid to Exist.  He was offering his much-sought-after Trailblazing program as well as his other programs as part of a very interesting deal. The cost:  MAKE ME AN OFFER.
 As the old year was passing, and the new year was coming to an end, I thought about what I had to offer in terms of  cold, hard cash and kept coming up short. Then, the inkling came to me to offer a painting, specifically a pet painting.
After a few minutes going back and forth with my inner critic about how this wouldn't work,
I sent Jonathan a note, and shortly thereafter recieved a note back from his partner, Ev'Yan, that she had just been thinking about having a painting made of their darling little Sofie.
As they say, the rest is history. And I'm on my way to becoming a Trailblazer!
The lesson learned here...take chances!  They will work out or they won't...either way, you are in the arena and moving forward.

On Flourishing and becoming a Trailblazer

 Happy New Year!

What a difference a day makes, right?  As December rolled in, we all began to feel and hear the familiar declarations of "Wow, can you believe it's almost the end of the year?"

And then it hits us...Wow! It's almost the end of the year!
  We look back and take stock of all that has happened and what didn't happen.

We ask ourselves if we did what we resolved to do last New Year's Day?

Well? 

I have to admit that I did not. I didn't TRANSFORM like I wanted to. I didn't really FLY. I didn't CREATE or CONNECT or LIVE as much as I would have liked.

That is not to say that there weren't moments to remember. I stayed positive. I took steps, albeit small ones. I invested in myself and my art.

But for the most part...
I held on. I struggled. I survived. I wandered.

As the new year begins and I am contemplating my word for the year, WANDER, STRUGGLE, and SURVIVE are not topping the list. 

The new year holds so much Opportunity and Possibility.  It's the perfect time to assess and make changes. To make things BETTER. Many of will be making collard greens and black-eyed peas in the hopes of bringing in some Good Luck and Abundance for the new year. But the TRUTH is, it will take more than that...

I want to ACCOMPLISH things. Finish what I start and GO FOR IT.  I want to take ACTION towards my dream life, not remain at arm's length.

I feel ENERGIZED with the potential of it all.

I feel the MOMENTUM from the clock striking midnight pushing me, and my DESIRE to THRIVE pulling me.

To some it all up, my word for the year is:

FLOURISH
Meaning:  
To Thrive.
To Fare Well.
Prosper.
To Be in a period of Highest Productivity, Excellence, or Influence.
To Make Bold, Sweeping Movements.
Be Successful. 
 Be Vigorous. 
Develop. Grow. Inscrease.
 Bloom. Blossom.
Brandish.

Yeah, that's what I want.

And as for becoming a Trailblazer, the Universe's timing is impeccable and perfect, and funny and exciting, and JUST BLOWS MY MIND!  In my next post, I'll explain how I am starting the year with this amazing opportunity from Paid to Exist. Here's a hint:  It has nothing to do with emptying my bank account, and Everything to do with just Going for IT!
 If you really want to ignite your dream, check this program out. TODAY, would be a good day, as they are doing a Pay What You Can promotion!

Anyone else have a word for the year?  I love to hear what it is and why you picked it!

Best Wishes to You All for 2013!!

Go Out and Be Kind!