How Do You C.O.N.N.E.C.T.?

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art, Artist, beach, coastal living, exercise, facebook followers, meditation, morning, ocean, pinterest followers, sea, seaside, self refection, sharon cummings, summer, summer vacation, twitter followers, vacation, walking, water

We are ALL connected online through Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, etc.  But how do you connect to yourself?  Sometimes I feel like we are so involved in other people’s lives online that we forget that we have one of our own in the real world.  We wake up one morning with aches and pains and wonder where they came from.  We look in the mirror and wonder who is this person I see in the reflection?  We stop spending time alone.  We constantly borrow the thoughts of others until we forget to have any of our own.  Today I am reminding myself to get away from the black box for awhile.  To get with Nature and my own mind.  I am going to “check in” with me to see what I am up to……

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Pssst…I’ve Got a S.E.C.R.E.T.

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abstract art, art, artists, artwork, blue, blue and white, blue and white paintings, blue and white prints, blue and withe art, blue art, blue paintings, blue prints, contemporary art, creativity, faabest, flow, light, light art, light prints, modern art, original art, original painting, originality, painting, pure water, secrets, sharon cummings, tips, water, water art, water paintings, water prints, wave, waves, white, white art, white paintings, white prints

The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.
Albert Einstein 

Every few days I open an email from another artist asking me “how did you do that?”  They want to know my techniques, my materials and…if I am not too busy…some personal instruction.  I have never felt an obligation to share my secrets with others.  To me the joy and fun of creating is to explore…try unusual things….find your art. Copying may be the greatest form of flattery, but somehow I never feel flattered when I see someone attempting to duplicate my work.  It’s almost like seeing your husband with another woman.  I feel violated.  I developed my styles the hard way….by trial and error.  I have spent many years marketing myself and building a strong following.  My work is branded well and people recognize it as mine.  So if you want to know my secret…it’s this….be your own artist….find your own voice….spend some money on a variety of materials and explore what is inside you.  Be inspired by others if you must, but always be original.  Like the quote above says “hide” your sources.  Make your inspired work so much your own that it will not be identified as someone else’s. 🙂

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F.R.E.S.H. Perspective…

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abstract, abstract art, abstract art canvas prints, abstract art print, abstract paintings, abstract prints, art, artwork, black, bold art, bold prints, colorful, colors, contemporary, high contrast, landscape art, landscape painting, landscape paintings, landscape print, landscape prints, landscapes art, landscapes paintings, landscapes prints, large paintings, large prints, louisiana, mardi gras, modern, new orleans, painting, party, primary, print, red, sharon cummings, spiritual, spirituality, vibrant, yellow

One of the things I love about abstract art is the that it is incredibly versatile. It looks good in modern, contemporary and even in some traditional spaces.  I originally listed this piece in a horizontal presentation, but decided that I liked it vertically as well.  Seems to have a lot more energy this way and makes me want to party!

What do you see?

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what do successful people do? Thomas Edison

Making M.O.N.E.Y. While I Sleep…

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abstract art, abstract art for sale, abstract prints, art for sale, artists, buy art, buy modern art, buying prints, canvas prints, career, goals, hard work, making it as an artist, making money, modern art, modern art for sale, money, perseverance, print sales, prints, prints for sale, selling prints, sharon cummings, strength, success, successful artists

 

I am back this morning from a 3 day getaway with my daughter.  We had a blast in Orlando enjoying the Gaylord, noshing and shopping!  While I was away, I sold 15 prints between Etsy, Society 6 and Fine Art America.  I still have to smile big when I realize how amazing it is to “make money while I sleep” or in this case vacation.  For years I resisted selling prints of any kind.  I thought they would reduce the value of my originals.  But the opposite has been the case.  I’ve been able to raise the prices on my originals and commissions and enjoy a steady income from my prints.  I no longer have to paint 6 hours a day plus promote myself for another 6.

Of course it wasn’t easy to get to this point with my prints.  Many countless hours have been spent over the last 2 years using intensive social media promotion to get my prints “out there”.  I have blogged, Tweeted, Facebooked, Buffered, Houzzed, Waneloed, Pinned, Tumbled, Link’d, Stumbled and Googled my way to sales 7 days a week (except for small bits of time off here and there).  And for the past year, I have had a group of 12 other artists and photographers that I cross promoted with daily. On average, I’d say I spent 4 hours a day promoting myself and cross promoting others.  Whew!  That’s a lot!  Especially when all I really want to do is create.  However, it has finally paid off and I can now make sales even when I am on vacation and doing nothing to promote myself. Since May 1st, I have not done any cross promoting and very little self promotion.  About 30 minutes a day 5 days a week.  And I get weekends free again!

Hard work…….it can pay off!

If you have goals for your life, do not give up!  And for goodness’ sake, do not listen to those who tell you that it can’t be done. 🙂

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Some Gave A.L.L…

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Air Force, america, american flag, american flags, Army, art, combat, combat vet, country, democracy, democrat, democratic, fence, Flag, flags, freedom, liberty, Marines, Memorial Day, memorial day weekend, Military, Navy, of, patriot, patriotic, political, politics, repulican, sharon cummings, soldier, soldiers, spirit, states, symbol, united, united states flag, united states flags, united states of america flag, united states of america flags, unites states, US Flag, us flags, usa flag, veteran, Veterans, vets, war

 

#memorialday

I’ve Been L.U.C.K.Y…

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Air Force, america, american flag, american flags, Army, art, combat, combat vet, country, democracy, democrat, democratic, fighting in war, Flag, flags, freedom, grief, liberty, Marines, Memorial Day, memorial day weekend, Military, military families, Navy, of, patriot, patriotic, political, politics, repulican, sharon cummings, soldier, soldiers, states, symbol, united, united states flag, united states flags, united states of america flag, united states of america flags, unites states, US Flag, us flags, usa flag, usa flags, veteran, Veterans, vets, war

 

I will be in Orlando, FL this Memorial Day weekend with my daughter enjoying fun food, pampering and relaxing at the Gaylord Resort. I work hard and rarely take time off, so I do not consider this indulgent or lucky (though to many it surely is).  But that is not what I am talking about.  What I am referring to in my title is the fact that my loved ones who have served in the military have always come home. My Grandfather saw combat in World War 2 and made it out alive.  My Dad served during the Korean War and also came back to the United States with his life and without injury.  Two of my uncles have served and they are still with us today.  

So as we start this Memorial Holiday weekend with thoughts of BBQ’s and shopping, I am taking a moment to be silent and pray.  I am praying for all of the people out there who have not been as fortunate as I have.  Those that suffer the loss of the ones they loved who are now gone forever.  For so many it is not just a day off from work or a trip to the beach. And for me it is not a time to point fingers or judge governments either.  It is simply a time of remembrance and compassion….

Be safe this Memorial Day…

H.A.P.P.Y. Drift…

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abstract, abstract art, abstract art canvas prints, abstract art print, abstract paintings, abstract prints, art, artwork, black, colorful, colors, contemporary, green, healing, health, large paintings, large prints, modern, orange, painting, print, sharon cummings, spiritual, summer, yellow

 

This Summer is turning into a happy drift.  I was a bit scared to cut off most of my marketing efforts for the next 2 1/2 months, but I felt it was necessary.  Your only child leaves for college only once in a lifetime.  We are leaving for a trip in a few days that will be filled with shopping and pampering.  We spent the day together yesterday doing much of nothing, but chatting and laughing.  It also marks the last care-free months before my husband starts a rigorous new position for a three year term.  The beach will be our second home.  I am also traveling next month to see long lost family, good friends and my BFF of a Sister.  A casual and fun jaunt across the state of Georgia.  So I’ve just let go…..drifting…..wherever is good…..all Summer long.

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The Surprise…

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art, art prints, Artist, beach, beach art, beach house, beach prints, beach themed art, clouds, digital photography, faabest, heaven, heavenly, ocean, people, photographs, photography, photos, prints, sea, seaside, sharon cummings, sky, summer, sunset, sunset art, sunset photography, sunset prints, sunsets, vacation, water, waves

When I was a little girl, I was fascinated with photography.  I had my little Kodak Ektra camera and I would take quick snaps everywhere I went.  The most exciting part of the process was always going to the drug store to pick up the developed photographs.  Back then there was no one hour photo.  It took about 5 days and the anticipation would drive me crazy!  I would constantly ask my Mom if they were ready yet.  Then I would revel at the surprise shot.  The one that wasn’t anticipated.  A casual shot that turned out to be a “wow”.  Today it isn’t much different.  I still take snaps wherever I go whenever something catches my eye.  And then when I get home, the anticipation of downloading them on my computer is the same as when I was young.  The only difference is now I wait mere minutes instead of days.  Recently I had a beach getaway where I took over 300 shots and this was the “surprise”…the “wow” shot….

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My Saving G.R.A.C.E…

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abstract, abundance, air, alternative medicine, aqua, arts, aura, blue, brown, canvas, celestial, cerulean blue, coral, divine, divinity, eco, energy, fractal, grace, green, heal, healing, healing arts, health, holistic, indian, kaleidoscope, meditation, mirror, mirror image, modern, Music, mystic, mystical, native american, new age, om, organic, painting, pattern, patterns, positive, prints, sacred, saving grace, shakti, sharon cummings, spirit, spiritual, symbol, symbolic, symbolism, symmetrical, symmetry, tribal, unique, vibration, vibrational, wall art, wicca, yoga, zen

 

It may come as a surprise to some of my readers and followers, but I have a rebellious streak in me that made me a less than ideal student, a problem daughter and ex-wife to 3 men.  I’ve never liked being told what I should do or how I should act.  I am a rule breaker and an outspoken independent woman. My mother would often scold calling me a little brat.  Her favorite line was, “That mouth of yours is going to get you into real trouble someday.” I suppose she was right in that I have found myself in many uncomfortable situations over the years by words I’ve said.  After my first meeting with my now Mother-In-Law she told my husband, “Wow, she will say anything.” But that openness is also my “saving grace”.  It enabled me to stand up to an abuser declaring enough was enough.  I exposed everything without leaving off details and was able to heal.  It is also what has allowed me to be a “real” mom to my own child.  She was never confused about where babies came from or whether or not Santa was real.  This same freedom of thought and voice is also what gives me the ability to create artwork without following set guidelines. Because I do not limit myself in any way, I am able to paint with acrylics, take photographs or use my computer to produce artwork.

What is your “saving grace”?  It just might be something that you were told was “bad” about you, but in reality turns out to be something so very “good”.

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