I'm working through "The Creative Entrepreneur" by Lisa Sonora Beam and today's journal page looks at two things: gifts + flow, and value + profitability. I've been nurturing my gifts now for about 17 years or so. I remember looking at computer software catalogs and captivated by the beautiful Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator boxes. As I read the descriptions, I thought about how I would love to know how to make beautiful pictures using these tools. It was about five years later that I found myself not only using them but teaching the basic skills at a local college. Thinking back I've been drawn to beauty with a desire to interact with it and share it. When I'm looking through a camera, time stops. I feel the flow when painting, designing, and writing about my experiences. It is like it just pours out of me. My son observed that when I'm writing as I am right now, I have a smile on my face and even my body sometimes sways. I laugh and imagine that I feel this flow like Stevie Wonder feels his music. Although I am an introvert, I do love public speaking be it in a small classroom or at large conferences. Just yesterday a colleague was commenting on how much she hates public speaking and what a great job I do with it. As I look at all of my gifts, I realize that I've practiced and nurtured every one.
The second part of this journal prompt is about value and profitability. This is a tough one for me to answer. I'm still defining what it is that I have to offer. As I look through the comments and e-mails, I can see that what I offer has value for others. I've spent some time in the last six months looking at what other people have to offer and where I fit in. There are teachers out there who do an amazing job at teaching art techniques. There are others who are amazing coaches. My focus is on self-exploration and self-expression (like what the coaches offer) with a secondary emphasis on the visual and artistic methods (like the art teachers). How does this take shape? I see it in workshops, classes, eBooks and books. I definitely have more work to do figuring out the value and profitability of my work.
WISHCASTING WEDNESDAY
Jamie Ridler asks, "What do you wish to experience?" Yesterday I came home for lunch and when I stepped outside to head back to the office, I felt the sun on my face, the wind blowing, and the sound of leaves crunching under foot. At that moment I missed the days when I was self-employed and had a more flexible schedule. I spend too much time sitting in front of a computer and not enough time interacting with people. I spend too much time with my fingers on a keyboard and not enough time with a paintbrush in my hand. What do I wish to experience? Teaching. I see myself not in a traditional classroom or public school but rather in my own studio.
What do you wish to experience?
Related Links for More Inspiration:
Creative Every Day - Art Every Day Month Challenge (AEDM)
Jamie Ridler's Wishcasting Wednesday
"The Creative Entrepreneur" by Lisa Sonora Beam
