Rocking With the Seniors

It's Friday and my day has been full! It's been good! It's been successful! It's been unpredictable! It's been enlightening!  

Today the group I am a part of did another show. It was our second show, and we did a pretty good job. It gets easier and more fun with each show we do.

And after a long day doing presentations, I decided to go to an event with my mom. My aunt couldn't make it so I filled in instead. It's a senior prom. Yes...you heard right...a senior prom! I am honored really (she's a hottie)! I wouldn't have her come by herself...so I am her date.

And by being here, I could only pray that when I am her age and beyond that I look as good and can move with such vigor as they are. They are truly enjoying themselves. They are laughing, dancing, and sharing stories of  the "good ole' days"!

I know this post didn't speak much about my art (check back tomorrow). But it really does speak much of my process...my journey. Tonight I was filled with plenty of inspiration. I was filled with plenty of life. I was reminded that I have plenty of  life left to live and purpose left to fulfill!

So onward with my purpose...and onward with this journey!

Your Thoughts:
What or who was your inspiration today?

Until next time...

Provision

 Those who made provisions for this...

Made this easier (carrying out my purpose and pouring into young ladies!

In this season of my life...well..things aren't always peachy monetarily. I am a young (and vibrant I may add) entrepreneur working tirelessly to fuel my purpose and passion.

In the past I've talked about starving artist and not being one. And no one is literally starving here, but the reality is...the pockets are extremely tight. And while money means a whole lot (it is the way that we move and shake in society), I've learned that provision is a magical word. It proves to be more valuable than cash....probably because money is included in that incredible word.

I've been praying for provision. I've been praying for provision over the "almighty" dollar. I've started to ask for God to supply me with the things that I need in order to complete my purpose here on this Earth. And He is doing just that.

My financial situation right now is less than desirable, and each morning I awake the question to Dad is, "How are you going to do things today?". The reality is...I have done all that I know how to do. I have come to the end of myself. And I have come to understand it is in this very moment that I am most vulnerable to Him. It's the moment that I waive the infamous white flag, and surrender all that I thought may work. Because all that I thought would work...simply isn't.

At the end of the rope there is no choice but to hold on or to let go. And I have decided to let go of the rope that I have been dangling from for so long by faith. The faith to know that if I let go there will be a sovereign God there to catch me and place me exactly where I am supposed to be.

For me letting go of the rope means that I have to allow people to help me. I must allow people to sow into.me. I cannot do this thing all on my own....especially not in this season.

Since I have started this journey provision has come from several places. Each source amazes me to no end. And if I had to be truthful, it's not so much the source as it is the heart behind the source. Their heart to help me has been simply incredible, humble, and selfless.

My forever prayer is that I will always pay it forward. That I will be in the position to be provision for others, and assist someone else along their journey!!

Your Thoughts:
When is the last time someone provided provision for your purpose? What did that feel like? How did you pay it forward?

Until next time...

The Calm

Today has been a really low key day! No...I mean really low key. I needed to get some domestic things done around the house (i.e. laundry, straightening up, and even hair). Before the day is over, I will have done some working, but for this morning and afternoon, a little R&R was in order.

Yesterday was quite the opposite though. We (SuperKid) did their first official presentation for Steered Straight. We went to a Winslow school and were in front of K-5th graders. We needed to do 2 presentations, and adopted pretty well to the last minute changes that we needed to make. We worked as a team, and completed the task that we were sent to do.

We all are used to working with children in a few different capacities, so it was fun! It was really fun! We were able to be super silly with a positive message attached. A silly, important message that the students could comprehend. They were so cute! They left and wanted high fives. They got on the bus and waved as the bus pulled off. They liked Wild Willy, Talented Tene', and Super Steve!

Our next show is next Friday. I look forward to it. I look forward to the smiling faces of the children that we will meet. I look forward to the high-fives, and endless questions. They are the future, and what a blessing to be able to be a part of their molding process. The molding process that helps them to be a good citizen and great role model for the next child.

It's said that it takes a village to raise a child. I am so grateful to be part of that village!

Your Thoughts:
When is the last time you made a difference in a child's life? How did it making a difference in their life, make a difference in yours?

The After

The last few days have been bittersweet. September is in full swing, and I am finding it hard to believe that a whole month has passed since I  hung my first show.

This past Wednesday I took my paintings down from The Factory. I had some mixed emotions. A part of me felt super accomplished. I had a goal, I planned and set out to meet that goal, and I did. I feel like the leap of faith that I took to see "Only The Beginning" come to past, allowed me to know that I could accomplish virtually any goal that I set my mind to accomplish. Then a part of me was a little saddened. Something that I prepared years for was over. Yes...it was only the beginning, but that first phase was now over. I realized that it was time to prepare for the next thing. And that is exactly what I did.

A few weeks ago a dear friend's parent introduced me to a fellow artist. During my first visit to the Factory in July I sat across a gallery and watched this artist move about, not knowing that I would soon be meeting with her one on one.

Her name is Kimberly Camp. Her name may sound ordinary, but she is far from what one would call ordinary. She hails from a pretty prestigious arts foundation in Philadelphia called the Barnes Foundation (she served as their former CEO). She has a wealth of knowledge about her craft and the history and culture that surrounds the arts.

Yesterday I had the privilege of dropping off a few pieces of jewelry. I had sat with her a few weeks ago and she asked me to create a few pieces that would fit her audience. I put my big girl pants on and rose to the challenge. I hadn't sent her any pictures of the jewelry that I had created for her. So when I dropped them off yesterday, I had no real expectations except knowing that if they wouldn't sell there, they would sell somewhere.

Well...I am super happy to say that my jewelry is being sold in her gallery...Galerie Marie. She liked the pieces that I created and was confident that they would cater to her audience.

It's wild how an introduction can turn into something far more than imaginable. I am grateful for Mr. Ingraham, and looking forward to gleaning a plethora of information about my passion from Ms. Camp. I'm excited for this leg of the journey.

My gifts are truly making room for me, and taking me before great men!

Your Thoughts:
When is the last time you truly gave yourself over to your gifts and allowed them to take you before great men?

Until next time...

Appreciation

There are a whole host of things that I appreciate aside from the BIG CHEESE that I serve!

I have to say that I mostly appreciate the little things in life. The rise of the sun. The wind that rustles through my hair during a car ride. Friendly banter between loved ones. A smile. A hug. Words of wisdom. I appreciate these things (and many more), but I would have to say that I appreciate the thoughtful words and actions of others most (especially when dealing with business) in this season of my life.

In a world where people have become quite cold (just watch a few minutes of the news), the encouraging comments of others is what really make me tick, and keep going. It really reinforces that I am in the right place at the right time...doing exactly what I am supposed to do!

Today I want to send out a hearty thank you to those that have supported me and this artistic vision that God has given me in thought, word, and deed. There have been several!. There have been those that have prayed for me. There have been those that have dedicated their time. There have been those that have donated money. There have been those that have put in the grunt work with me. There have been those that have been there with a shoulder for me to cry on. There have been those that laughed with me heartily when it felt like I couldn't go on.

To you and for you...I say thank you! You mean more than you know! Because of your support, the vision that I have been given...this "larger than life" vision that I have been given, goes on! Thank you for being its fuel!

Your Thoughts:
When was the last time you received a compliment that changed your life? What was that compliment?

Until next time...

A New Endeavor

It's September now, and the weather is starting to feel more and more like fall each day. Today is beautiful in my nook of the world (South Jersey). The sun is out, the breeze is blowing, and there is hardly a cloud in the sky. The perfect day to just jump in the car and drive with no particular destination in mind. And on this day I have been making jewelry, thinking of a few ideas for a painting, and reading lines.

I've done an okay job (getting better) of keeping you all updated on most of my artistic endeavors.  After all, this is what this blog is about. However, I haven't gone into depth about a company that I am involved with called Steered Straight. 

Steered Straight is a company that is "committed to providing real-life, motivational messages about substance use and abuse, gang involvement, and bullying. Essentially, the Steered Straight message is simple: The choices we make have a profound impact on the rest of our lives. For better or worse, every decision has a consequence."  

The company has several branches, and I and have been blessed to be a part of an awesome program that does presentations for K through 6th graders called "Stay in Your Lane". The program encourages students to help one another, to be good students, to be a good friend, to stay away from drugs, to not involve themselves with gangs, and to make all around positive choices. 

Now, the group that I am involved in within "Stay in Your Lane" is called SuperKid. Okay, I know that this may be a bit difficult to follow, but stay with me! SuperKid is comprised of some pretty phenomenal kats (people)! There are 3 of us! There is Will Fagan, Steve Forte, and myself. The guys rap, I sing, and we all write and render the skits (where the reading lines comes in). 

                                       

We have been working really hard to prepare for our first presentation together on the 17th of this month. We have been feverishly writing skits, writing music, and laying the lyrics we have written to tracks that have been produced for us in the studio. 

I'm excited to see where this endeavor will take us. I am excited to see how it fits in the grand scheme of my purpose. I am excited to work under the direction of Mike DeLeon, and with these these two awesome dudes and the Northern Jersey branch (Lynn and Dan). Most importantly, I look forward to impacting the lives of youth. The statement "they are our future" is so trite, but so true!

Your Thoughts:

Do you ever wonder how your various passions fit into your grand purpose? Where do you see yourself impacting the world the most?

Until next time...

And The Winners Are...

It's Sunday...a relaxing Sunday at that! It's almost hard to believe that we have arrived at what most of us call the end of summer. It's hardly the end, but Labor day is tomorrow and the majority of kiddies will be returning to school this week (if they haven't done so already).

I know this is so super late, but I finally got to choosing a winner for the drawing from those that signed up on my guest list from my art show "Only The Beginning" on August 10th. I decided to draw two names instead of one. I made the quick YouTube video above in order to announce the names. Don't mind my mother's finger in the upper left corner. She did the best that she could...lol! I love her dearly!

One will receive a unisex bracelet, and the other will receive a small original painting. 

*Winners may not receive these exact items, but similar

And the winners are...Jennifer Lawson and Heather Stern! Hooray to you ladies! I will be contacting you this week to make sure that I have your mailing information!

I like having giveaways when I can! I love putting smiles on peoples faces. I know what it is like to receive something unexpected in the mail, and I can imagine that there are tons of other folks out there that feel the same way.

Here's to those that like receiving gifts, and to those that don't mind giving gifts!

Your Thoughts:
When was the last time that you received an unexpected package in the mail? Did you know the person that sent it? When was the last time you sent a package to someone? Was it to someone that you knew?

Until next time...