Philly's Pulse

I am a person that marches to the beat of my own drum. I realize that now more than ever. Some call it unique, different, eclectic, and perhaps even a tad weird.

As I strolled home from the UArts AAP Emerge gallery opening at the Sande Webster Gallery (which was great!), I managed to pass by Rittenhouse Square Park. It reminded me why I am just a train ride away from the city.

What a variety of individuals. I was drawn into the people that were just as eclectic as I am. There were some who juggled, some who did tricks with hula hoops, some strummed the guitar, some walked their dogs, some played with frisbees, some were on dates, and some practiced acrobatics.

I am connected to Philly's pulse, and with each reverberating wave I feel a need to create. A need to express just who I am through my work. It's just enough push without being overwhelming. It's unassuming, but holds expectations...great expectations for those that too absorb all the incredible things it has to offer.

Thanks for the inspiration Philly! I am soaking you up!

Pearls of Wisdom:

Find the silver lining in the clouds, but more importantly, find the inspiration that comes through and after the storm!

Be Blessed!

Got Success?

It has been a week since I last wrote, and I am determined to keep up with blogging this go round…with readers or not! This time it is less about others and more about cataloging my successes, and turning those ventures that fall short of successes into experiences that will make me better as a creative individual.

It’s amazing the inspiration that I find in the smallest of things. Although there was far less dancing than I thought there would be in the movie FAME (a different story altogether), I found a quote that was used about success to be quite inspiring. The quote went like this:

Success is not fame, money or power! Success is waking up in the morning so excited about what you have to do that you literally fly out the door. It’s getting to work with people you love. Success is connecting with the world and making people feel. It is finding a way to bind together people who have nothing in common but a dream. Success is falling asleep at night knowing you did the best you could. Success is joy, and freedom, and friendship. Success is love!

I am coming to understand that success is more grandiose than the small space I try to cram it in. And from this quote I recognized this:

• Success is personal - Success to one individual is not success to another. It is not about keeping up with the Jones' (whoever they are). It is about personal bench marks that are set and met.


• Success' drive is different for everyone - Success' purpose is multi-faceted. The thing that drives one individual could be the thing that totally disinterests the next. For some it is financial, for some it is emotional, for some it is spiritual, and for some it is just about finding joy in a seemingly dismal situation.


• Success should ignite a sense of freedom within - There is something special about accomplishing something that you set out to do. The operative word here being you. It could be a small or large feat, but a triumph for you all the same.
  

So this week I was successful on my own terms!

I spent much needed time helping my niece with her school project. It was a shoebox craft that everyone was made to do as a young student at one time or another. I didn’t do much but paint the outside and paste the pre-printed cards (thanks to my sister) on the top. However, my niece appreciated it, and that was more than enough.

I managed to fix some jewelry for a friend that was surprisingly relaxing. It gave me some fresh ideas for jewelry designs of my own. I researched ideas and possibilities for a new project that I will be talking about real soon. I sketched in my journal more than ever, and I made some necessary calls to those that I love dearly.

None of what I did this week was anything that was going to make me a dollar, and nothing that was going to get me recognition with the outside world. However, it made me successful in my own right!

I will continue to rejoice in the small successes that I make. I will remember to give thanks to God for each step I take to fulfill my purpose, no matter how miniscule they may be.

Pearls of Wisdom:

Success was never meant to have control of the wheel, but sit nice and pretty and enjoy the ride. Are you driving success or are you allowing success to drive you?

A Chance Encounter

Yesterday an encounter that almost failed to occur because of my sometimes (which I use loosely as most times I am fancy free) planned ways. A short note that consisted of five or six words sparked a light yet deep, joyous yet intellectual, insightful, and truly inspiring conversation. It was just what I needed to thrust me into the realm of getting back on track with some things that I had put on the back burner.

He was an artist (visual), lover of music, an avid reader, and a family man. Although I had known him only a short while, his character exuded integrity that is rare these days. There were no sexual overtones that so often occur with friendly banter that is exchanged between females and their male counterparts. It was truly conversation that really made me ponder more things than a few.

As I laid my head on my pillow to catch up on much needed beauty rest this morning, I thought about my work and its progress. And based upon our conversation, here are a few reminders and revelations that came forth:

• Continual education is paramount. There should never be a point in life where I think that I have become the crème de la crème when it comes to my craft. It’s okay to be confident, but pride comes before the fall, and it is the lack of further educating myself that could point to the demise of that which I have been gifted to do.

• It is my responsibility to get my work out there…to tell my story. I have a moral and social responsibility of finding that happy medium of being vulnerable enough to allow my audience to see the real me without taking them to a place of misunderstanding my point.

• I create how I feel! I grow attached to my work, but am (and have been for some time) in the space where I am able to let it go. I have to be open for my audience to interpret my work as they may. I must allow them to have their own experience apart from what my connection has been with the piece.

• I am a product of my environment, but I am also someone who creates the environment in which I choose to live. My parents genes were definitely passed down as they both were/are creative individuals. They gave/give me the space to be unique, and fostered/foster that uniqueness. My mother is my biggest advocate to this day! However, I am so wonderfully happy to be me apart from others. I make my own rules sometimes and often view life slightly skewed...chock full of optimism!

• Last, but certainly not least, there are others that share my experiences with sometimes having a love/hate relationship with their craft. There are others that struggle daily to make room for their passion to create in the midst of their daily grind to make a living.

So there you have it my good people…the story behind a new beginning. A new beginning that is going to be marked by excellency and greatness! Not only because it is new, but because this time I welcome the journey instead of an expected end.

I tagged this blog as “Chance Encounters”, but in fact I don’t believe encounters are at all chance, but rather divine. They happen for reasons sometimes that are unable to be explained. Their purpose perhaps never to be understood fully (or at all), but making an impact far beyond our understanding.

To that gentleman, I pray that I continue to meet individuals that further ignite my passion for my craft, the arts, and life in general. Our divine encounter meant more than words could express. Thank you!

Pearls of Wisdom:

"Every day, you have the chance to do or say something that will cause ripples of influence that will wash against lives." ~ Pat Croce

Let us make a conscious decision to make beautiful waves where the crest connects with the trough to envelope and nurture others throughout this journey called life!

Be blessed!

A New Start!

Wow...it has been almost 4 months since I last posted! However, while I have not been updating, I have been busy as a bee working.

From here on out, I am going to be more vigilant about posting. I know, I know...I have said that before, but I am in a place where I am holding up to my words. Now in order for me to do so, I won't be doing so much writing, but displaying more of my work.

So...here goes folks! This is a new series that I am working on that has everything to do with color and pattern.

Enjoy and as always, your comments are welcome!

Pearls of Wisdom

Motivation happens when you least expect it. Welcome it with open arms and be prepared to go with its movement!

Be Blessed!

In The Studio

Last week was an extremely productive week. I was able to set aside my previous hang ups about getting into the studio and literally attack my work head on.

While at the last Joose meeting (last week's Wednesday Whoop) I realized that there may have been several things keeping me out of the studio. One being the clutter in parts of my studio, two not having my own space, but the biggest speed bump of them all being my frame of thought. My frame of mind about my work, and warped feeling about my studio.

It almost felt like my enemy...the space that was holding up my creative process. When I got there, nothing would come, and I do mean nothing. No, let's get back to before I got to the space. How about it was hard for me to even get to the space.

So, I took the advice of some of my fellow artist friends. They had some good pointers. I just needed to be in the space. In fact, that may have been the very thing that was holding me back. Not doing! Who would have thought that not doing is what was causing me so much heartache and lack of creativity?

As a result of our conversation, the studio and I have been constant companions in the last few weeks. I now love the feeling I get when I am there. All else doesn't matter in that space. It is just me, my tools, my imagination, and emotions that create wonderful pieces of art work. Thank GOD!

Here is a new series that I am in the process of starting. It is somewhat of a color study, but more about process. Enjoy!

Pearl of Wisdom!

Be not weary in well doing! GOD in heaven can do anything!

Be blessed!

The Wednesday Whoop - SALON JOOSE

As I continue to grow as an artist, I find the importance in learning of other artists' and their techniques. So, in an effort to bring artists to the forefront that I appreciate and that don't often times get the notoriety they ought to, I am starting The Wednesday Whoop!

I will be highlighting a different artist or association every week. I will be primarily focusing on visual artists, but being a renaissance woman means that I definitely will not leave out artists that concentrate on other forms of art.

Welcome to Wednesday Whoop

SALON JOOSE!

I first encountered Tanya Dodd (founder) while serving on the University of the Arts AAP Board about a year ago. At one particular meeting she shared a booklet of her amazing photography and our love for art formed a great friendship from there. We exchanged numbers and email addresses and vowed to keep in touch.

A couple of months later I received an email titled Salon Juice-Fuel For Artists By Artists. It was an invitation to attend what I call an "artist forum."

Well, I decided to attend, and was ecstatic about what I found Tanya Murphy Dodd and Anyta Thomas (co-founder) had going on when I got there.

So what is exactly Salon Joose? Salon Joose is an open arena for artists of all kinds and caliber to come together to share past, current and future creative endeavours. These shared experiences are not kept in the physical realm, but taken viral as well in order to get vital information to artists all over the world via blogs and online talk radio.

Those who attend sessions that occur every 4th Sunday of each month receive honest critiques and suggestions of their work (if wanted) in a comfortable studio/gallery arena. If a discussion groups, workshops, exhibition space, space rental and much more is what you are looking for, then look no further than Salon Joose!

Another honorable perk of Salon Joose is that they have a running calendar of art events that is happening in and around the Philadelphia area noted on their blog.

So get JOOSED people!
For more information about Salon Joose and its founders, please visit http://www.4joose.blogspot.com/.
If you are interested in attending a forum, please contact the founders from the website above so they can put you on their email list. They are more than pleased to have additional artists join!

Thanks folks! I look forward to showcasing another artist next Wednesday!

Pearls of Wisdom:
If you believe in what you are doing, then let nothing hold you up in your work. Much of the best work of the world has been done against seeming impossibilities. The thing is to get the work done. ~Dale Carnegie

Be Blessed!

Getting Setup

I am truly on my way to becoming the business woman that I am meant to be. I am sure of it. The road has not been necessarily easy, and I am sure that there are plenty of other snags that will come along the way, but I am so excited about that which has taken place, and that which is to come.

I have made some much needed purchases in order to aid in the proper flow of my businesses. These new items include a AIO printer, and a sewing machine. Yes...I said it...a sewing machine.
Now, I am not fancy with the sewing machine. As a matter of fact, I don't really know how to use one at all. However, there are certain pieces that I need to sew. I have been doing so by hand, and am more than happy to get the precision that I am looking for with the "Brother". I also don't mind the time factor.

So...here is what's new

Newsflash...Newsflash...Newsflash
The business cards have been printed and are out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Art Front

Painting/Drawing: I am in the midst of starting a new series. The series is derived from a friend. She actually is in need of a painting, and from that I have done some sketching and some purchasing of some oil paints, which I haven't done in a while.

Photography: Buddy and I are about to take some excursions. In order to get the study pics that I need for the new series that I am going to get into, I need to go to some arboretums. I will definitely be doing so in the next couple of weeks in order to get started.

I was also just asked this evening to do a family portrait for some family friends. I am stoked about it.

Jewelry: I have made a couple of new pieces. I have come to the conclusion that I will continue to do business with Elle Bee. I have been saying that I am going to take some more pieces there for the last couple of months, but I will have to do so within the next couple of weeks as they have almost sold all of my inventory.

Massage Therapy Front

I have come up with the name of the business: Enet's Graceful Touch Massage Therapy.

There is a website that is up. It is basic, but will be revamped within the next couple of months. I want it to be just a tad jazzier. www.enetsgracefultouch.massagetherapy.com. Check it out, and let me know what you think!

I have been giving out my business cards, and even have a gig this weekend to do chair massage (with the help of NMTI). I will definitely be networking!

Well, that is what we have folks. I will be sure to post pics to keep you updated as well.

Pearl of Wisdom:
"Beethoven, Wagner, Bach, and Mozart settled down day after day to the job at hand. They didn't waste time waiting for inspiration. The great composers did not set to work because they were inspired, but became inspired because they were working."
~ Earnest Newman

Be Blessed!