Saturday, January 22, 2011

Onward and Upward!

Ok, moving along, I got my hair cut yesterday and here I am. And, do you know what I title this picture?  Portrait of an Artist.
Yup, that's right. Yesterday, I had a sort of "aha moment" (such an over-used term, sorry, let's make that "epiphany".) But let me back up... (cue swirly music and blurry picture that means you are going back in time.)  So, I enrolled in a six week class given by artist extraordinaire, Marisa Haedke. I've linked her here to the right. Woohoo, another first for me. The class is "In The Fish Bowl:: LIFE AS AN ARTIST Online : AN E-COURSE."  The course deals with how to make a living, market yourself, and maneuver as an artist online while staying true to who you are. So, yesterday, I was listening to the second class online and Marisa was talking about soul searching and being clear and making a list of your qualities and knowing your intention. Good exercises for me, that's for sure as I am often unsure of my good qualities but can rattle off quite a few of the not so good ones. Anyhoo, I had been feeling kind of like an outsider when she referred to her students as artists and maybe sort of a phony for even signing up for a class with the title Life as an Artist, and I realized Hey! I AM an artist! I am able, by virtue of imagination and talent and skill to create works of aesthetic value. I love to make and design and sew beautiful things. And, I believe that the key to a life of fulfillment, joy and abundance is to focus on what you can create and give to the world. Not what you can get but what you can give. Does that make sense?

Now, you might wonder why I am posting a picture of myself, because I rarely do. Well, you can thank Marisa for that as well. She says our blog presence needs to be more transparent, and a photo on our blog is part of that. So, until I get a better pic, here it is. I have a bunch of other tasks as well for this week but all in good time. Right now, I'm going to my artist's studio to sew!

4 comments:

  1. This makes perfect sense! It is too often hard for us to see what others see in us. And all your friends have known you are an artist for a long time! Yay, Liz for finally recognizing that! Also yay for signing the *#%! papers, too!

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  2. I've always considered you an artist!! I think there is an artist in all of us, and we need to appreciate what others are good at. You go girl!!!

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  3. I refused to call myself an artist until I saw "Who Does She think she is" (documentary about women artists) 2 years ago. So I totally relate and appreciate the experience you just described, you are also a fabulous teacher my dear zia!

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  4. So happy for you, Liz, on all fronts. Have been in WA awaiting first grandchild (who is now over 2 weeks late) so have been distracted and not keeping up. Would love to talk sometime about the definition of artist. It's tricky sometimes. At least for me.
    Love you. So glad this part is almost over.

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