Spring Art Fair and a Story of Choosing Boldness!

We had a good time yesterday afternoon at Unity Church of San Antonio's Spring Art Fair. The weather was kind of wonky yesterday it was really, really windy and cold for this late in March, in San Antonio anyway. The team decided to set-up in the community center instead. We had plenty of space and it was nice and cozy for everyone coming in from the cold outside. I am very blessed to be part of such an open and loving community of people. The artwork among the vendors was unique and the crowds really supported us being there. I sold many of my paintings yesterday. I also sold one of my most cherished pieces. Earlier this year, I created a canvas with polymer clay of Mary Magdalene in honor of Sandy Hook. Karis above, was called to it, and so I said goodbye to that very special piece of my heart. It is nice to know it will be with her!

Of course my husband Jeff was there to help me set-up in the morning. He can be a little anal when it comes to putting things together just right...you see he is a perfectionist to the tenth degree. 



Even though this quirk of his can be unnerving its also why I love him. When I watch him sometimes, emotions surge from my toes through my body that get caught in a big lump in my throat...emotions of pure gratitude. Until I can blurt out...I Love You So Much! I can't believe how lucky I am to be enveloped by his love and support. 

Jeff is an artist as well. A very talented one. Not just because he is my family but because its true. Much of his work is unfinished or sits on a file in his computer. I have always asked him to put some of his work out for sale or to submit it to a gallery but he always falls short of getting from "Yes! I will!" to actually doing it. 

Over the years I have learned not to push so much that he turns and runs the other way. Last night as I was preparing the canvases I would take I came across a Ballerina that I did many years ago. I was just starting off as an artist and did not really follow any rules of color. Jeff asked me if he could work on it to bring it back to life. I told him I loved the the idea of a collaboration piece so off he went. 

In the morning he showed it to me and I really liked it. I could feel the firey attitude I was going for so many years ago with her... only now it was controlled and beautiful. As I made my way down the stairs to leave I saw him staring at it. I could feel his critic coming out...."Ah, I don't think I'm going to take this one like I said. It just isn't right yet." Remember, he is a perfectionist. 

I shrugged my shoulders and said "Well honey its your choice. Remember though that there are two different kinds of artists in the world...those who live silently in the dark shadows and those who are audacious and live boldly in the light. Which will you be today?" I walked down the stairs and a few minutes later he came down with the painting along with another one he painted on his own at a class I taught previously. Inside of myself I was hooting and hollering and cheering him on! 

Wouldn't you know that the first painting that sold on OUR table was the ballerina. An elderly lady was almost in tears as she recounted how much the woman in the painting reminded her of her times in Brazil when she was younger. She was smiling and giggling as she held it in her hands. "Look at that face...she has got some attitude doesn't she?" I could tell that Jeff was shocked. I looked over at him and spoke only with my eyes. The moment between this woman and the two of us was pure magic. It is amazing to me what art does, to those who receive it and those who give it. I believe that because of this exchange we all got a little closer to Spirit. The positive energy that surrounded that small space rippled. 

Jeff's other art: Tranquility

My question to you, artist or not, is how are you going to choose to live today? Will you be silent in the shadows or will you live boldly in light? We have heard this so many times have we not? Be the light... be the change you want to see... I know that this is the way to change the world! Showing up and using your Voice however that manifests, are a couple of ways to live authentically and live happy! I will leave you to ponder and with my favorite quote from Marianne Williamson:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."