Art, Synergy and Transformation

Being an artist is, I believe, by nature, a means of transformation. It is inherent in the very process of creating art and the awareness of humanity. The key is finding that magical balance between reality and creativity.

My challenge lately is in keeping my friends and obligations intact while pursuing my artistic goals. My art, now, is no longer a hobby or a luxury, as I am moving out of the spa and vacation rental business (thanks to the economy) and pursuing my art as a full time career. My survival depends upon my ability to create my very sustenance through my art.

I am listening closely now to my intuition and guidance. We all have the ability to choose to do that. I am getting some nice results! The last thing I need is for those close to me to tell me that what I'm doing isn't what I SHOULD be doing, while adding more things to do onto my already huge "to do" list. That just isn't helping.

For several days now I have been tuning into the 13-month calendar. There is a new sense of awareness for me. I have deeply realized that there is truly a huge force out there at work, something MUCH bigger than I am. If I can create synergy with it somehow, then all my efforts will be aligned with that higher vision and purpose.

I have been wanting to help the relief efforts in Japan for the past week. For nearly a month I have been approaching local worthy causes to partner with my "Art for a Cause" program to help their efforts. It seems that the people running these organizations are too scrambled to understand the concept. And although there is no upfront cost to them and they share half of the profits from the sale of my art, it is one more thing for them to do on their already full plate. I understand that concept all too well, although I'm sure more money for their programs would be a really good thing.

On Friday I actually hired a trained salesperson on salary with a commission. We agreed on four hours to make phone calls on my behalf to humanitarian businesses and organizations in Hawaii, to no avail. Part of the problem was that it was Prince Kuhio Day. (There are so many holidays in Hawaii that aren't on calendars!) Lots of businesses were closed. I told her she could continue on the salary if she was able to close even one business in the four hour time frame. Otherwise it would have to be by commission only, (as my expendable income is dwindling at an alarming rate.) She took her notes and some samples of my artwork with her when she left...

It's been such a challenging week on so many levels. But for me, being an artist is about transformation. It's about seeing that light on the horizon and pointing it out so others will see it. I know that my challenges, in comparison to so many others around the world, are very small. And besides, I grew up watching Walt Disney, and I do believe that dreams really do come true.

So I disconnected from what wasn't working (again) and focused on what I really want: My art to help transform humanity. I know, it's a big order. But that's what I want. I went back to work on my "how to paint a mermaid" e-book and put attention into my true intent.

I finished a new mermaid painting. As I was uploading it to the secure E-Commerce website in the USA that prints, packages and ships all my art orders, (of which, so far, there has been zero) (but I'm thinking that is changing) they had a request on their welcome page. "Would you like to donate a percentage of the sale from an image of your art to help Japan?"
Would I?!! I was thrilled! I chose the American Red Cross as the beneficiary! On Monday I will put a link on my website so people can order the image! What an incredible thing to suddenly happen without my doing anything except pay attention...(sigh).

So yesterday was the luncheon for the speech contest I worked so hard and put up with so much slack about. I agreed to drive two people who I didn't know very well because we needed to make our quota for the restaurant. It's a long drive, and they had requests for stopping for scones, the farmers market, the thrift store and walking through Honoka'a later. I had to wait for them to use the restroom, I worried we'd be late for the luncheon as I had the lecturn, banner and timing devices. There were several challenging discussions about the indoor climate of the car, who left their cell phones and sunglasses where, and a myriad of other items which, until that morning, weren't on my itinerary.

Luckily everyone was happy. That's what matters. And we were on time. All went well. It was lovely. Absolutely fabulous.

On the way home, the conversation in the car moved to the mermaid I was painting for the Japan relief efforts. An interesting and relevant topic came up as we drove through Waimea and we looked at the blossoms on a cherry tree. That's when it hit me. Cherry blossoms, instead of plumeria, adorning the head and neck of the mermaid. What a brilliant and absolutely relevant inspiration! I'm glad it isn't quite finished yet...the blossoms are still white. I shall work on it tomorrow before finishing the painting, photographing it and uploading the final version.

It's all good, and I love what's happening!!!!! YAY!!!

Creativity and Volunteerism

I believe that we are all part of a whole. I am hardwired to live and breathe this as a way of life. Therefore, by helping others, I inherently help myself. So I strive on a daily basis to do whatever I can. And sometimes this is a good thing, I like to think it is anyway.
However, last week was nuts. The volunteer organization I belong to needed a place to host an area speech contest, and this is a BIG Island. There was talk of a potluck on the other side of the island, which meant I would have to prepare food and make a 200 mile round trip. So I offered to contact a nice restaurant in the middle of the island to see if they would allow us to use their conference room if we bought lunch. Everyone was thrilled with the idea, and the restaurant was happy to oblige. It seemed like such a good thing!
And then the restaurant needed a quota, so I had to round up people and get commitments, and then collect payment from them to make sure they would come. And then convince non-members to attend the event because we needed more people. And then collect from them. And even offer to drive them to make sure they would still go, and then explain the purpose of the whole event to them...
The entire episode blew up in my face when my friend who I had already agreed to carpool with wanted to go to the beach after the event and I said I'd have to check with the other two people and I really didn't have a way to get ahold of them so I'd have to contact another person and hopefully be able to get back to her...
And then I realized going to the beach with four people would be alot of preparation. It would mean cleaning out the trunk so there would be room for everybody's beach gear, and probably another food stop, not to mention the coordinating.
Then what happened? I got a lecture for trying to be too nice. My boyfriend says I need to pretend I'm in the military and not volunteer for anything! Maybe he's right. He never volunteers for anything.
But guess what. The world would be a pretty unhappy place if nobody volunteered or helped one another out. He's worried I'll run out of time and not have any left for him...
What's my point? I guess that by volunteering and juggling all this stuff and trying to help others in any way that I can, I am fulfilling my purpose as a human being. And from this point, creativity emerges. And my soul is happy. Frustrated and exhausted perhaps, but happy.
I used to believe that I had to be sad and miserable to paint. So many artists are, and for years I was. But I don't believe that I need to be unhappy to be creative, I just need to somehow tap into my creative spirit. And by doing my best to make things better, even if I do push myself to the edge sometimes trying, I unlock those elements within that allow me to express who I truly am. You can see it in my work.

Art and Synchronicity

I've been hearing alot about synchronicity lately. And synergy and serendipity as well. Today is the Spring Equinox, and according to many, the actual New Year. (Happy Naw Ruz to all my fellow Baha'i friends)It is no small coincidence that this day is referred to as the "Divine Springtime" and many friends take the day off of work. According to the 13-moon calendar, today is the first day in a new cycle, and there is a noticeable shift in the energy.

I love the idea of synchronizing my thoughts and actions with others across the planet for the purpose of healing and transformation. I have just finished six mermaid paintings and am preparing to harmonize with the sea and the heavens in the coming weeks. Let's see how that goes!

Researching the Best Worthy Causes to Participate in the Art for a Cause Program

Right now I'm mustering up my enthusiasm to start making calls this coming week to talk to people with worthy causes. It's a real stretch for me to create the art and then do the marketing aspect of it, as well as to establish relationships out there in the world. I'm also stumbling through some technical difficulties. I've realized that I haven't watched television for several years now. And something good was on PBS but I couldn't figure out how to change the channels. I did, however, discover that my television has a radio! And best of all...it finally ejected that vhs tape that's been stuck in it since 2007.

I think I'd like to put a shout out for anyone who has or knows of anyone with a worthy cause who would like to partner with "Art for a Cause" and receive 50% from the sales from the artwork without any upfront costs. Just let me know!

Sherri Carden at beautifulartgallery.com

Collaboration and Inspiration

Sometimes I can go for years without creating a single piece of artwork. And then suddenly...seemingly out of nowhere...boom! There it is, almost like a waterfall, gushing forth, unstoppable, overflowing. I am there now, in that place of moving forward at a very fast clip, effervescing with inspiration. It makes me wonder how I could let myself get so distracted with so many other tasks instead of painting, it is so much a part of who I am. Ah yes. Survival mode. And, it's an old tape. "If you want to be an artist, you'd better have another way to earn a living." I keep hoping it isn't true, but how long have I been at this?

But I think I may have finally figured it out...I'm getting closer anyway. I call it the synergistic collaborative approach. "Art for a Cause." It's an online gallery, so I have no overhead. I can share my proceeds with like minded social entrepreneurs for worthy causes. I'm very excited about it.