Spring is the Time to Blossom!

"If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies."   ~  Nadine Stair

Spring is in the air! Have you noticed? Around Nashville the pear trees are in full bloom, along with the red buds .... and they are beautiful.! Which brings me to my question: What is budding in you?

Is your creativity in its budding stage? If not, why not? This is the season where new ideas, like tiny seeds, take root and blossom. Have you been hiding or keeping your creativity from the people who need it so desperately? If so, it's time for your marketing skills to bloom as well. Many artists spend the bulk of their time creating, but not marketing their creativity, thus - the 'starving artists' syndrome!

How about you? Do you have a marketing plan that is in position to blossom? Are you waiting for the beautiful glory of spring, or are you frantically trying to figure out how to get your creativity to the market place?  Let me help you.

The number one most important thing you should possess, as a creative who wants to sell their art, is a list. What is a list, you may ask?  A list is just that: a list of contacts, people who like your art, such as family, friends, or anyone who ever talked to you about your art. How do you get that list? Ask! Start asking for email addresses. Have a sign up page on the Internet.

Offer a free gift ... something digital that is easily downloaded in return for their email address. Protect this list; don't share it with anyone and nurture the people who sign up. Send encouragement and glimpses of your work. Develop relationships and watch your sales increase, your invitations grow and your creativity blossom! It's spring after all - let's enjoy this season of blooming!

How about you? Do you already have a list or are you going to start one now?

What Can Encourage Recovery - If Not Beauty?

"In shaping a masterpiece, the artist not only summons his work into being, but also in some way reveals his own personality by means of it.Through his works, the artist speaks to others and communicates with them." Letter to Artists - Pope John Paul

Art tells stories. Whether it's music, dance or paintings, we as artists are telling stories.  We are giving glimpses into our way of thinking, seeing and being and then putting it out there for others to partake. Therefore I believe that it's important to be healthy, moral, centered and focused, so the art we bring to the table is edible and nourishing.

To do this our lives must become a healthy source. Envision yourself as a fountain and your creativity as clear, life-giving fountain of water that flows into dry places bringing refreshing. Is that your desire?

As I watch the images of the total devastation in Japan, I remember the beautiful images created on the walls of concentration camps in Nazi Germany. In the midst of dire circumstances . . . beauty emerged from the spirit of the people.

It is difficult to imagine the suffering of the Japanese people, but I do suppose that beauty will emerge from their devastation. Beauty inspires hope and hope is the beginning of recovery.

"Through his works, the artist speaks to others and communicates with them."John Paul

Anyone can be creative, but is all creativity considered true art? To me, art is something higher. It's an expression of the divine nature within, reaching out to improve the world in some way.
"Every genuine art form in its own way is a path to the inmost reality of man and of the world."John Paul

When“beautiful” is united with “true”through art,  souls are lifted up from the world of the senses to the eternal.

With all the horror of the Japanese devastation, an eternal perspective may be the healing essence of hope that they need.

Can you create something of eternal value? Is there a clear fountain within you that wants to pour out and refresh the hurting? Ask the Creator to flow through you to bring a gift of hope to the world through your creativity.

"The world in which we live runs the risk of being altered beyond recognition because of unwise human actions which, instead of cultivating its beauty, unscrupulously exploit its resources for the advantage of a few and not infrequently disfigure the marvels of nature. What is capable of restoring enthusiasm and confidence, what can encourage the human spirit to rediscover its path, to raise its eyes to the horizon, to dream of a life worthy of its vocation – if not beauty?"Benedict XVI

"Man can live without science, he can live without bread, but without beauty he could no longer live, because there would no longer be anything to do to the world." Dostoevsky

Starting a Revolution - Color Our World Beautiful!

"Artists, you are the custodians of beauty in this world."  Pope Benedict XVI

If the world ever needed a big dose of 'beautiful' - it is now! Seems every time I turn on the news, read the paper, or even catch a glimpse of Oprah!,  I'm being bombarded by information I don't want to hear, images I don't want to see, or topics that are completely disturbing. Even the non-news is disturbing.

The world seems to have gone crazy! Where are the sensible, decent people who have a strong inner sense of right and wrong, who know what to speak about in public and what to keep behind closed doors?

I'm growing so weary of all the noise! I have this deep inner longing for peace, calm, rest and beauty, but I have to fight for it. So I'm calling for a revolution! Will you join me?

The theme of this revolution is "Color Our World Beautiful!"

Let's bombard our communities with beautiful music, paintings, poetry, design, books, articles, clothing, choreography and art! We really can make a difference - one piece of beautiful creativity at a time!

I'm not suggesting that you bury your head in the clouds when it comes to what's happening in the world, but I am suggesting that we balance the bad news with beautiful creativity. It's a known fact that, over time, we become what we digest and we need beautiful images, heart-stirring music and dances that bring us to tears. We need the sacred, the hallowed, innocence and reverence.

What can you create that will "Color our World Beautiful?" I encourage you to post it below or post a link to it, so that we can enjoy the beauty of your creativity.

Announcing Two Amazing Events for Artists!

I'm thrilled to announce two events that are designed especially for creatives! Two opportunities to network with fellow artists, be encouraged and learn cutting edge strategies for marketing your creativity! You'll enjoy great food, great teaching, special guests, a concert and much more!

It's all about being bigger than your art - one of the strategies we'll cover at the conference!

Click here to see the brochure on iWork where you can enlarge the copy!

I sue hope you can join us for one of these events. Let me know if you're coming. I'd like some feedback as well. Am I hitting the mark here?

The Blessing and the Curse of Creatives

Many creatives have been blessed with a sensitive nature. It's the part of them that responds to beauty and truth . . .  the part where creativity is born. It's the amazing intuitive gift that hears the music, envisions the painting, feels the dance, and writes the stories that tug at heart strings. This gift of sensitivity is an incredible blessing, but it can sometimes puts artists in position to be precariously vulnerable.

The beauty of the intuitive nature opens your senses to perceive and create, but also opens your senses to feel passionately the pain of the world around you and all the stresses that it brings. With our current economy and international tensions, the artistic souls can easily become overly anxious.

Recently, I had an interesting conversation with a friend, who is also well-known author of over 58 books.

We discussed this problem of 'overwhelm' that many are finding themselves caught in. It can be an obsession with the world situation or the nightly news or ones financial woes, but it causes the sensitive souls to grow increasingly negative and non-productive, even to the point of being immobilized by fear and anxiety.

If that is you or anyone you know, it's important to act immediately and change this cycle. It's vital to turn OFF the news and fill your mind with positive material.

My friend,  the author,  told me of his friend who has had success with a new and simple technique. This person suggests that you proclaim 'out loud' your intentions to stop dwelling on the negative, choose the good and to change course - and do it regularly. He says that we can actually change the neural pathways, or 'grooves' in our brain, by speaking loudly and stating our new path.

It's working for some - I don't know the scientific evidence to back all of this up, but I'd say it's worth a try.  I do know that each of us must fight for what is good,  for our families, our futures. Why then does it not make sense that we also fight for hope?

"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."  Philippians 4:8

Those of us with sensitive natures often struggle to keep our heads above water  during stressful times.

At my house we are proclaiming whatever is true, lovely and good . . . makes sense to me!

Let this correction in thinking move into your creativity. Paint, sing, dance, write, sculpt, create and draw your proclamation!

I also encourage you to write out your proclamation below that says you will no longer bow to the negative forces that are trying to pull you down - then shout it to the housetops!

It's All About Relationships ... Community Rules!

Do you feel you need other people?

I've been looking back over my life, considering the breakthroughs I've had with my creativity. I've often quoted the old saying: "I'm a jack of all trades, but master of none." On one level that is very true, but I've come to realize that the one thing I might say I actually "master" is encouragement. It's probably my most consistent and natural gifting. That's why I started this blog. I hope to encourage you, while using my gift.

That being said, I also dabble in songwriting, singing, songwriter coaching and photography. I've also worked as a fashion print model, have appeared in a few commercials, and spent years as a dancer/choreographer. Most recently, I'm writing and painting.

Why am I telling you all of this? Because I realized that each breakthrough or open door in every one of these areas came through relationships ... or a term I like to use: community!

Yes, the natural gifting had to be there, but the development of the gifting, the open doors and the real breakthroughs came through knowing someone who opened the door.

It's easy to isolate ourselves, to constantly create and then 'protect' our creation by keeping it hidden, waiting for that open door. But the real opportunities come when you share your gift, play your song, share your latest idea with a friend, show your painting, post your photos on Facebook, or just ask for an opinion about your art.

Lately, I've been asking some of my Nashville friends how their 'breakthrough' came about. Without exception, they each have told me that they came about very naturally, through sharing with friends and friends of friends, when eventually, a door opened.

So I present you with the following questions:

-  Do you share your vision often?

-  Do you share your gift?

-  If not, why not?

-  What's holding you back? 

You may be just one small step away from your breakthrough. Let me encourage you ... don't hold back! Don't try to force your way . . . but naturally share your heart, your gift and your vision. Ask if you can serve with your gift, if you can help, or fill a need. Eventually, you may share your way to success.

There is a theory known as The Six Degrees of Separation. The theory is that anyone can form a chain of personal contacts leading to any other person in the world, with no more than six people in the chain.

Another old saying is, "It's all in who you know." This really is true ...
and especially as creatives living in Nashville.

Reach out to your friends and make this a big part of your strategy. The more you connect - the more chances you have to succeed!

"Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open!"
Elmer Letterman

The Path From "NO HOPE" to Goodness!

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all."  Dale Carnegie

Are you in an impossible situation? Does there seem to be no hope at all for you or for your situation? 

None of us would choose to be in one of these situations. But, as I write I am in one.  If I believe that all things work together for good, then I too must choose to believe that this situation will work for good in my situation.  Another truth - 'good' doesn't mean 'easy.' So . . . am I willing to face being uneasy for the sake of good? YES!


It's taken me years to get to the place where I give a resounding 'YES' to that question.But my walk with God and knowing of His faithfulness brings a resounding 'YES!'


Could it possibly be that pressing through my 'impossible situation' will allow me to tell my story and encourage others who face similar situations? I believe it will. 


 Some of my favorite people are the ones who have faced insurmountable odds and overcome them. They are the friends that are the most gracious, most encouraging, warm and willing to listen. They have grown sweeter through their difficulties and are full of wisdom for others.

We each have a choice to make when we face insurmountable odds; whether to grow in graciousness or bitterness.


I choose graciousness! How about you . . . are you facing insurmountable odds? Join me in on the path of growth and of grace. :-) We can cheer each other on as we wait for the good that is promised to come forth.


Waiting . . .