As I shared earlier on Instagram~

These bunnies were sewn from my fabric. They became a photograph, and now they are paintings. One medium always influences the other, which means you never have to choose just one creative focus. 

{click here to purchase originals - also available as prints}

When my book came out, I opted out of a lot of traditional "marketing" methods to reach a bigger audience. I don’t know why? really? other than I was tired and I have a hard time asking people to promote my work. And right now as you know from my earlier post about teaching online, I don’t feel like shouting over everyone.

Honestly, I feel like enough people out there know me and what I do, and I’d really prefer, if they chose to promote or share my work because they feel inspired too not because I asked and not out of any obligation. So I quietly decided that if this book was meant to have a life, it would all on its own. And if not? that would be ok too.

I like to think quality work created with heart and excellence will always find its audience. While I know my work is not for everyone, this book is something I will always be proud of. 

I had always hoped it would find it’s way in the world and considering a Chinese version arrived at my doorstep yesterday and, I received the nicest email from someone reading it in Brisbane Australia this morning - I think it is! finding it’s way. 

ready for change 5" x 5" acrylic on paper featuring one of my fabric designs

This is a message I shared with my 'daily paintings' email list and I want to share it here with you as well.

7 years ago today! 

March 7, 2007 I sold my first print on Etsy. That was it. A moment when everything turned around. I started selling my work in 2005 but March 7 was the very first day I started making a living with my art.

As I said in my email, there’s so much I want to say here but I’ll save it for another podcast.

For now I just want to shout out a HUGE THANK YOU to all of you who have supported me over the years. Especially those of you who bought my very first creations chairs! holiday cards {remember those?!} daily paintings and prints. I am here because of you.

First I’m having a sale for 20% at BOTH my Etsy shop and my website. Use the code: 7yearsale - Starting now through Monday March 10th @ 11:59 pm PST.

Second I’m giving away 3 big priority mail boxes to 3 different winners, filled with a surprise collection of my creations including one original painting. To enter just say hello in the comments below. The giveaway will also close on Monday night and I’ll announce the 3 winners here on the blog.

many, many heartfelt thanks for all your support.

******The random generator chose the winners this morning. Congratulations!!! to #39 Cassandra, #82 Anita, and #83 Lisa Marie******

Just a quick post to let you know that today is the last day to register  and join us "In the Fish Bowl"

I’ve also been threatening that this may be the last e-course I run for a while, maybe ever.

Since the time I started speaking and teaching online the amount of people who are also teaching has grown exponentially. And while the majority of me loves this and believes that we all need not just one teacher but multiple at any given time, and how great is it that we can learn from so many different individuals willing to share what they’ve learned? another part of me becomes incredibly frustrated at the amount of what I like to call fakety-fake, fake, fake aka disingenous teaching that is happening. The amount of slick, razzmatazz presentations {for services, products and entertainment for that matter} that are being sold to people these days is disheartening. Related to online teaching specifically, the presentations seem to be selling the importance of getting a slice of this online landscape? quick! before it’s all gone? maybe?! That by being online this is what is going to change your life forever. This is the thing that is going to help you fulfill your dream in its entirety. Well, it might, and it might not.  The idea that getting online is going to solve everything is not how it works. It’s not as simple as that.

So what gives me the right to make these observations? Well having started my career in design literally the same year the internet became commercial, having failed online in a totally different business before this one and having succeeded online as a profitable artist in business for the past 8 years. These experiences gives me the right. That and the fact that I’m no longer questioning my gut. My feeling is you know when you know. You know when someone is smoke and mirrors. If you don’t yet know, you’ll learn how to recognize it.

What’s a bummer in this situation is that when I see this saturation happening this is usually when I want to take myself out of the game. I don’t want to be one in a huge crowd. In fact I don’t care for crowds at all. It bothers me when I see everyone thinking and feeling the same, in agreement over what feel to me like surperficial ideas,  not because they’re listening to themselves because they’ve bought into the ideas of one or a few voices are the loudest over all of the others. And today, it’s fair to say that those voices are loud often for very manipulated reasons.

The cream rises to the top, I’ve heard it said many times. Yes, I believe it does. When you commit to creating excellent work and living with integrity to the best of your ability every day. I like to think this is the kind of cream that will rise to the top. But  in this world, particularly now due to the explosion of the internet landscape, it’s seeming as if you have to wade through a whole lot of dairy to find the cream. Whoa, a lot of milk analogies there.

I don’t have the desire or the energy to shout over all of these voices. I like to give it time, let it shake out and return when the haze has lifted and a more genuine group, with pure intentions remain. I feel this way with art, and the retail world too these days. 

Which is why I’m saying this may be the last "e-course" I teach for a while. I share this with you because many times people wait because they assume I will be back soon with another course. At the close of prior sessions, I have also made portions of the course material available as a download. I will not be doing that this time either. 

This group of participants is small and perfect for me to, even more than before, personalize my teaching for each individual, something I’m really excited about. So I would only to like to keep this session open for a few more. If you are on the fence or might feel intimidated, or scared at all, for any number of reasons, please don’t. I promise you will feel welcome, seen, safe and supported.

I want to close by saying, I’m thankful to the voices out there who are not like me, who help me to discern and focus with more clarity how I want to express myself.  I also want to address that I’m aware that pulling myself out of the game may not be the best answer for someone {like me} who feels equally as passionate about sharing her voice as her art. I fully own that this can be a form of protection, a plan to keep myself safe by preventing possible rejection? I’ve given this a lot of thought and what I’ve decided is this: the possibility of rejection hurts me as much as the next person, but I’m braver than that. If I choose to make this my last e-course in this format it’s because I believe that I may be discovering a way to share my voice in an entirely new format that speaks to me and inspires me the most at this point in my life, and creative journey. And this evolution, while scary and intimidating is a something I’m very excited about. I am also hopeful that it will be something you will benefit from and enjoy equally.

{painting featured above: "happy in my hood" 7" x 5"}