one of the 60 winning Etsy Posters curated by fiveforty Alright, let’s just say that it’s hard for me to brag. In fact I don’t even like the sound of the word "brag". It sounds like someone who can only talk about themselves and all their accomplishments. And who likes to spend time with people who are solely focused on themselves all the time without any appreciaton, support and respect for what other’s are doing ? This is all probably why I have an aversion to sharing something I’ve accomplished to those outside of my closest circle. I know to some of you it might seem like I’m overthinking this, but well, that’s who I am, quite a bit of a thinker. I like to "figure" things out and have since I was a kid. Here’s the point I’m trying to make. As an artist and particularly a podcaster and a blogger, I’ve had to learn to get over the feeling of wanting to keep my accomplishments on the down low, because you know, I love learning about great things that are happening to my friends, and fellow internet colleagues and artists. And if I don’t, I know that I’m just afraid it won’t happen for me, (....a subject for a podcast). But I’m learning, it can all happen for each and every one of us. And since I love hearing about what other’s are doing, I have to know that other’s love hearing about what’s happening for me. It’s inspiring. It gives us something to grow towards and it gives us a chance to celebrate the greatness that is going on in the world for all these individuals, a subject that is all too often neglected in our present media aka "the news". Ok, back to my point. When something exciting happens, I want to share it without worrying how it will be received. And usually I do share it these days. Today, I wanted to add these thoughts to the sharing. As artisans in particular, it is OK to be proud of what you do, to relish in every achievement, big or small and most of all to be absolutely proud of the courage it takes to share your creations with the world in whatever medium you choose. That is a BIG accomplishment, every single time. Hey! I want to telly you, I’m PROUD of all you!!!!! I’m also proud of me, as I learned yesterday, that out of the 901 entries of the poster contest that Etsy held last month, 60 winners were chosen and my art was listed in 4 different posters!! And out of the top 1000 artists that were chosen repeatedly (out of what is it 30,000 artisans on ETSY?) I was listed as number 22. For a girl who’s paintings were denied 2 years ago, at gallery co-op I was a member of, that is a SUPER BIG deal. Because, here’s the thing. If I had let that initial rejection, my first attempt at showing my paintings publicly by the way, stop me in my tracks, all these people who enjoy my paintings, including you who visit this blog, may have never seen my work. (knowing me that probably would not have happened - as when I get rejected it usually lights the "Oh yeah! I’ll show you!" fire in my belly) But, it could’ve gone that way and I know people where that has happened. So my other point. Let this be an example of what can happen if you don’t let yourself be stopped at all, ever by what anyone else thinks of your creations. And my final point, I say this a lot, but I don’t care if I repeat myself on this subject, "MY ENDLESS THANKS" to ALL of you who offer support and encouragement of me and my creations in the form of comments, emails, purchases, kind blog posts, including me in your poster choices, gingercatpress, fiveforty, siiri, and kierrala and most of all friendship. And to these friends, Cathy, Chanin, Outi, Melissa and Mavis who were in the gallery co-op with me, who often fought for my work, and encouraged me to keep painting and creating even in the face of rejection and minimal sales. Thank you! And to Seanie, who’s been by my side the whole time, especially when I cried almost the entire plane ride back from Italy, not knowing what I was "supposed to do with my life". Just one more really cool thing. Cathy and Melissa joined me as two of the artists that were also included in the 60 winners. In fact Melissa’s painting is right next to mine in the poster shown above. I love that! Melissa was yet another artist who was rejected by a gallery here in L.A. (she talks about it on her podcast). Nobody else knows what’s right for you and your creations, only you know, at whatever level of the game you’re playing....just remember that.

another winner curated by kierrala