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!!!