Jerry's Artarama "My Story" Contest

I recently entered into the Jerry's Artarama Artist Merit and Achievement Awards contest. This contest is in honor of their 51st Anniversary as well as their founder, Jerry Goldstein, who always loved to hear a good personal story.

This is from their website:

"With the help of the Jerry Goldstein Foundation, Jerry's Artarama, and its sponsors, we are giving away a minimum of $51,000* to artists with great personal stories, incredible talent and/or unique creativity and achievements to share! Jerry always liked a good personal story and we hope that you share one with us. No matter if you have achieved immense success, are still struggling or are a student wanting to go to art school your story is important to us!"

Here is my story submission:

"To be honest, I was slightly hesitant to share my story but I feel it’s crucial for me to share what brought me to where I am today with my art journey in hopes to inspire others. I am a self-taught artist who loves experimenting with color, texture, and movement when it comes to painting.

I, like most artists, had a love for creativity and art at an early age. I grew up drawing and coloring and was mainly inspired by comic books and cartoons. I never took up painting but always wanted to especially when watching Bob Ross. I remember my mom purchasing me a Bob Ross painting kit, but unfortunately I never used it.

Through the years I kept up with drawing but eventually that phased out once other things took precedence.

Fast forward to 2013, the year that was a defining yet difficult year for me. It was the year that my mom passed away. It was sudden. It happened while I was with her. It was heartbreaking. I hadn’t hit such a dark period in my life prior to that moment. I kept on with life because that’s who I was and still am. I persevered. I needed to keep on…not just for myself but for my kids and family.

From 2013 to 2015, I had to do some soul searching. What was my purpose or meaning in this world or this life that can be gone in an instant? That’s when I prayed and asked God for guidance on what I should do. Slowly but surely I started to listen…paint. Take that pain and paint. Just paint. At that time it wasn’t about creating a masterpiece, but just to paint until I felt complete or happy with what was on the canvas. Once I started to paint and started to open myself up to the idea that I could be an artist, the ideas flowed.

Painting became my therapy as I finally started to grieve my mother’s death and painting will always be therapeutic for me. I want my emotions to become a teacher, not a master. With each brush stroke, marking, and layers I am able to clear my head, heart, and soul and what bogs it down. Once I get my ideas or emotions on canvas, it is a sense of release and calm.

Whenever I question myself as an artist, I remind myself that my mother would certainly be pushing me and encouraging me to keep doing what I am doing. The fact that I have already inspired and reached others through my artwork and my art journey is one of the biggest motivations for me to keep creating. Having loving and supportive friends and family is also what keeps me continually motivated.

I truly do believe that I was created by my Creator to create.

I would love to be able to win this award to purchase art materials for my canvas work as well as funding future projects that will require more expensive materials and supplies. My goal is to continue creating art for sale as well as helping with community projects and organizations through my art and/or art sales."

Thank you to Jerry's Artarama for holding a contest like this. They have so many wonderful contests and opportunities for artists.

"Works from the Heart" Donated Art Piece UPDATE

My piece, “You Are Loved” packaged and ready for the “Works from the Heart” Kids First, Inc. fundraiser in Elizabeth City, NC. They’ll be holding an artwork gala fundraiser May 3rd!

I felt this painting was most appropriate with its title and color story. These colors are bright and colorful and I hope to inspire feelings of happiness and peace when one sees this painting. May it find a new loving home and may they find peace and happiness when viewing this painting.

I was told by an artist friend about this child abuse center and their need for donated artwork to help raise funds. The center helps provide on-site medical and forensic evaluation as well as support for the child and family after the fact and so much more that they do.

If you’d like to know more about this wonderful organization and/or the fundraiser, please visit their website by clicking: Kids First Inc!

"Awake" SOLD!

“Awake” is officially spoken for at this time! This artwork is being sold via my Payment Plan option.

Did you know I offer Payment Plans on my art?

My whole motive in that is to offer payment plans that are designed to make it easy and affordable for everyone to buy and collect art. It enables clients who may not usually buy art to start a collection with payments spread over a reasonable time period, or established collectors to purchase higher priced works.

Royal & Langnickel's March "Featured Artist of the Month"

Recently I had shared on social media that I had a HUGE announcement and now it is official...

I'm the "Featured Artist" for the month of March with Royal and Langnickel. The earliest month they had available was March and I thought "How serendipitous!" since March is my birth month! What an amazing opportunity and I feel incredibly honored and thankful.

The article went live today!

You can check out my article on Royal & Langnickel's website here.

They also featured me on their social media accounts, please feel free to check those postings out as well.

Royal & Langnickel's Facebook post:

Royal & Langnickel's Instagram post:

Please remember to like, comment, and share because every bit helps an artist!

NOTE: The article will be accessible (:::hint hint::: shareable) even after March.

"Works from the Heart" Donated Art Piece

I’m happy to say that this piece, “You Are Loved” will be donated towards a great organization called Kids First, Inc. in Elizabeth City, NC. They’ll be holding an artwork gala fundraiser on May 3, 2019!

I felt this painting was most appropriate with its title and color story. These colors are bright and colorful and I hope to inspire feelings of happiness and peace when one sees this painting. May it find a new loving home and may they find peace and happiness when viewing this painting.

I was recently told by an artist friend about this child abuse center and their need for donated artwork to help raise funds. The center helps provide on-site medical and forensic evaluation as well as support for the child and family after the fact. There’s so much more that they do so please feel free to look them up or read the brochure included in this post.

Anything Goes 2018 Ending Reception

Well the month for the exhibit surely came and went very quickly. Unfortunately I didn't place in the exhibit and I didn't sell my "Awake" piece but that's okay. Sure it's a little discouraging. I would by lying if I told you I didn't feel a twinge of disappointment from not placing and/or not selling my artwork. We all will feel disappointment or feel discouraged at some point especially when it's a career that you put your heart and soul into, but it's best we don't let that deter us from meeting our goals and dreams.

To all of the dreamers and doers - Keep on dreaming and doing! You WILL get there in due time.

Not every artist (or whatever your field is) made it overnight. Seriously. I believe every artist I've EVER come across or talked to have said that they didn't make it overnight. For some, it took a few years and some it took over a decade before they "made it" to a more satisfactory state of their career.

Some days I feel like What's the point? and other days I feel confident and thinking to myself I got this!

I look forward to submitting to more exhibits and call for artists and more importantly to just keep creating more art.

Unexpected Happiness and its Inspiration

"Unexpected Happiness" is a product of instant inspiration.

I wanted to mimic the colors as close as possible from the bouquet of flowers that I received from my sister and friends when they surprised me at the group showing/juried show at Litmus Gallery in Raleigh (Anything Goes 2018)!

I was completely taken aback and was so happy that they came out to support me. God has truly blessed me with some amazing and thoughtful people in my life.

I hope this painting brings a smile to your face like it does mine because I associate those feelings of happiness and love when I see it. The colors are bright and wonderful and certainly brighten my day!

The inspiration for "Unexpected Happiness":