Tags
art, Artist, artwork, blessings, blue art, career, career change, contemporary art, eBay, encouragement, faabest, goals, hope, modern art, painting, paintings, sharon cummings, Sleeping Beauty, tampa artist
Since this week has been dedicated to artwork of the past, I thought I’d share a little about the history of my online art sales. I have always been an artist. But I have only been creating professionally for about 12 years. Before my career transition, I was a personal trainer, kick boxing instructor and nutritional consultant. I enjoyed working with people and inspiring them to make healthy choices in their lives. It was very rewarding and I had no plans to do anything else. However, a nasty fall that broke my left foot and a car accident that left my shoulders and neck in disarray provided me with an opportunity to choose something different. It took my body about 3 months to heal enough to even consider working again, but what happened next proved to be the best healing of all.
When I graduated from high school, I wanted to be a writer, but art seemed like a more viable option. I couldn’t have been more wrong “at the time.” I signed up for art school with the excitement and delusion of youth. I worked hard and did well. With a degree in hand and a few interviews under my belt, I soon realized that there was no money in art “at the time” so I put my dreams on the shelf and pursued other ventures.
It’s funny how a tragedy like a car accident can sometimes lead to something wonderful in your life. That is exactly what happened to me. I was broke, disabled and too stubborn to take financial aid. Then my husband asked me if I could just find a way to make 1000 per month so we could pay our bills. Personal training was off the table as my body has never been the same since my injuries. One night while searching the Internet for inexpensive business clothing, I discovered something that I had never even considered. People were selling their art Online! I was pumped because I knew it was something I could do with hard work and perseverance. I had been there and done that already. So I got that old dream off of the shelf and got going!
This piece above titled “Sleeping Beauty” is the very first painting that I listed for sale Online. It sold for 75.00 on eBay. I was hooked! And I have never looked back……
You can see more of my artwork here:
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-sharon-cummings.html?tab=artworkgalleries
Abstract Art by Sharon Cummings 
Reblogged this on B.E.S.T. Arts Gallery and commented:
From H.U.M.B.L.E. beginnings……………Sharon Cummings
Reblogged this on Amazing Fine Art.
Yep. Sometimes it takes a real hard knocked down to revisit our true calling! Thanks for sharing another delightful piece of your life’s story. 🙂
And thank you for visiting. The hard knocks do indeed help us build a life of hope. 🙂
Hi Sharon, thanks for sharing this story, it is interesting and well constructed. We quite often get nudged in a certain direction, but unlike you, many others resist the nudge and carry on as before. I am enjoying your blog and seeing your art, best wishes and blessings Charles.
Thank you so much Charles! I appreciate you following me. 🙂
Thank you, for sharing this story. Glad you were able to pursue your passion for art.
Me too! Thank you for stopping by…
Funny. Today, I just copied this form a very thought provoking book called the 48 Laws of Power. Misfortune is a better teacher, in many ways: “But despite what you may think, good luck is more dangerous than bad luck. Bad luck teaches valuable lessons in patience, timing, and the need to be prepared for the worst; good luck deludes you into the opposite lesson, making you think your brilliance will cary you through. Your fortune will inevitably turn, and when it does you will be completely unprepared.”
That is a great analysis….And I tend to agree. I started out with bad luck in this life….so much so that I am more than prepared, so the occasional bout of good luck is most welcome these days. 😉
There’s a very interesting book out there on this topic too by Normal Rosenthal called the Gift of Adversity. You may find it fun.
Thanks Rudy!
Reblogged this on Click And Color.
An inspiring post, and a beautiful piece of art, Sharon! 🙂
Thank you dear Priya!
I was diagnosed with Stage IIIb Breast cancer a few years ago. After two years of miserable struggle, when I really DID want to go ahead and die and get it over with, I came through it and thought, “What am I going to do now?” Well, since I am a completely obsessive bibliophile, and have multiple degrees, why not become an editor and reviewer?
OK! Over a year later and I am happier than I have ever been in my life. So, good things aren’t always completely bad, wouldn’t you say?
Hugs,
Leiah
Thanks for the hugs Leiah! I am thrilled for you that you made it through breast cancer alive and are here to share your talents with us. 🙂
Love this one. So simple, yet so powerful.
Thank you so much!