I have a question for all of you?????

If you want to find the right answer first you must ask the right questions. Recently I have begun to substitute the word challenge for problem when describing difficult situations. Mentally I can face challenges but can’t stand to deal with problems. What will take your art career to the next level? What sets your art work apart from the rest? Why are you stuck? What is the cause for your mental block? All of these challenging questions have flooded my mind at some point, every time I arrive at an answer I realize the answer is simple, apparent, and easy to explain. Remember in math class when you had to solve word problems, first thing on the list was to underline the question and identify what the problem was asking for. Once again if you want to find the right answer first you must ask yourself the right questions. Are you up for the challenge of making your art career better? I hope the answer for you is simple, apparent and easy to explain. If we are to make the grade then we must realize we will be tested along the way. How do we arrive at knowledge of self? We must study who we are and what we are made of. Here is a formula to use: Preparation (Right Questions) + Opportunity (Right place at the right time) = Success (Right where you want to be). “Drawing from inspiration and painting with purpose, faith is my canvas”-The Life and Art of Rosie Lee…to be continued! 

Failure is inevitable

A recent trip to Austin, TX has recharged my artistic battery. The atmosphere in the city is contagious. Austin is a city that supports artisans from all walks of life. I read an article in a local magazine discussing the topic of failure, the author Alicia Marie Fruin who happens to be a business coach states, “accomplished people seem to understand a simple truth: they are not their failures, and they are not their behaviors”. When we paint our failures/mistakes often become happy accidents, but for some strange reason artists don’t typically have the same attitude about the business of art, myself included. Behavior can be changed right along with work ethic and habits when creating our art work, the process towards success defines us and the failures associated with our success build character. The difference maker is found in conflict resolution between who we are and who we want to be. Before we hold onto success first we must embrace failure.

Power in the Brush!

Here are a few things happening in the Life and Art of Rosie Lee. In a couple of weeks I will debut my “Art Opens Doors Project” on Kickstarter, details to come in a future blog so stay tuned. Also at the beginning of next month I will have the pleasure of speaking to patrons at a fundraising event. The Great Conversation Dinner is an event held by Alliance for Children, they serve communities in Tarrant County with justice centers that protect abused children through investigations, healing services and community education. My topic “Beyond the Senses: Using Art to Solve Problems” will be an interesting springboard for discussion who knows where the conversation will go. This event is a reminder of how important it is to give back there is no such thing as something for nothing. Servitude will lead to gratitude, volunteering and donations often open doors to sells. I am saddened whenever I meet artists who are not willing to share their time, gift or information to help out their fellow artists or a noble cause; this type of attitude perpetuates an unhealthy atmosphere of unnecessary competition, encourages exclusivity and stifles growth within the art community. For me art is a vehicle along a road less traveled where I use God for directions instead of a gps. As artists we have a responsibility to create with a sense of pride and integrity that reflects our individuality while projecting an image of truth on a canvas stretched by our collective souls. The power within art is able to break down barriers and surpass limitations otherwise deemed unachievable. Let’s give back and pay it forward all in the name of art! Maya Angelou got it right when she said, “when you learn, teach, when you get, give”. How are you giving back through art? Does your art make a difference, if so how? I want to know.....remember Art Opens Doors project coming soon!

Just a thought

I have come to realize fear is an emotion we all experience at some point in our lives. The problem is when fear traps us into mental paralysis. Fear breeds excuses and adopts a belief of doubt. When making important decisions fear can keep us from doing what our heart desires and what our spirit expects. When business is slow the natural feeling of fear can become overwhelming, the thought of not having sales results in a lack of confidence in your work. If you were an art collector would you want to invest in someone who lacks confidence in their passion and gift? What would happen in your art career and life for that matter if you replaced fear with faith? There are so many attributes about your personality, artistry, and blessings surrounding your life that can replace the worry and fright associated with fear. As an artist it is part of your job to help others envision what you believe to be true in your mind, right or wrong the need to express a thought, idea, or image is what breathes life into your art work to come alive. The bottom line is that customers buy into hope, change, beauty and a lifestyle of both truth and bullsh!t but not fear. Yes bullsh!t sells because people are clones and like for others to tell them what they want and what they should love despite intuition and every thing in their being repeatedly shouting “this is some bullsh!t”. When fear is exploited instead of experienced, explored and fully understood chaos ensues; the mind begins to wonder into places where positivity and optimism aren't welcomed. Don’t be afraid to welcome with open arms everything positive and optimistic about the possibilities found in your art work, this in turn produces opportunities and allows your mind to wonder in an imagination that supersedes the risk of uncertainties. When faith is tested and you answer with fear failure is close by, the success is in learning how to make corrections and perfecting your creative process. People relate to imperfections and failures in what we call struggles, the struggle and victory is relating to people, for this reason we can compare our similarities and learn from our differences as opposed to being indifferent based on our fears. Fear is not the new faith, fear is an old lie.

A determined mind knows no boundaries

I have come to realize what your spirit desires is just as important as what your heart desires. If you can make both happy the sustainability you feel will create joy and peace in what you do because of who you are able to become. I want to be able to enjoy the process of making "it" simply by using my potential as motivation. During this process I will break barriers and surpass expectations by pushing pass limitations others have placed on me. A mind full of will and a heart filled with courage I am armed with paintbrush in hand.

When oppotunity comes knocking.

I am in the process of moving and there is something that just feels right about my current direction, the same can be said for my art work. This is the year of transition from dreams to reality I can feel it in my spirit. Before you can make changes in your life acceptance of your present state of being is important. No matter where life takes you there will always be two variables apart of the equation, one being the problem and the other a solution. I think one of the keys to success is often found when you unlock the door to a new opportunity, this of course happens when God changes the lock and you are forced to search for a new door to open. Out with the old and in with the new change is inevitable!

Broke but Not Broken

My spirit is filled with joy even though my pockets are filled with lint.  When what you do as an artist is larger than the art you create the ultimate power to influence others is in your hands.  While you are out making moves plan a way to make a movement, after all what artist doesn’t want to be followed for a lifetime.  Make life your art and let your dreams be the canvas.  What will be your legacy as an artist?  What will your art teach future generations