I Am Thankful…

Tags

Abstract Art Online By Sharon Cummings, Family, friends, gratitude, gratitude prayer, Happy Thanksgiving, sharon cummings art, thanks, thanksgiving, Thanksgiving 2016

To my family, friends and collectors….I am thankful for all of you!  My art collector family:  you have a special place in my heart for giving me the support and income needed to have a successful and fulfilling career life.  Friends and Family:  I am honored by the connections we have made.  For those in my past, I appreciate the companionship and lessons learned (both the good and the bad).  I am eternally grateful for any kindness (big or small).  For those in my present, you are all of the above and my treasured lifeline.  I cherish each and every one of you.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

T.H.A.N.K. You…

Tags

attitude of gratitude, gratitude, gratitude prayer, healing, love, meditation, pray, prayer, praying, self help, self improvement, spirituality, thank you

“Gratitude Rocks”

Mixed Media Art

Sharon Cummings

.

A few years ago I was introduced to the idea of a “gratitude rock”.  First you find a rock that is interesting or attractive to you.  You then place the rock by your bed on your nightstand and each night you hold the rock in your hands and think of as many things as you can that you are grateful for for that day.  It really gets you into a positive mindset before going to bed and plants a seed that your life is abundant.  The more you use your rock, the more your seeds will grow.  You will find your attitude becoming more positive even in the daytime.  Bad days become a little less heavy when you actively search for the good each night.  Give it a try!

.

.

 Purchase Gratitude Rocks Art Here

My Cup Runneth Over…

Tags

abstract, abstract art, abstract painting, abundance, art, bible, bible verse, bright, color, colorful, colorful abstract, Colorful Art, colors, contemporary, cup, gratitude, green, interior design, modern, my cup runneth over, painting, primary, primary colors, psalm, psalms, sharon cummings, vibrant, wall art, wall decor

“My Cup Runneth Over” is a quotation from the Hebrew Bible^[1] (Psalm 23:5) and means “I have more than enough for my needs”.  As I spent a good part of this week painting a bathroom instead of canvas, this sentiment could not have been more true.  My husband and I worked the remodel project ourselves and it gave us a lot of time to talk.  William spent a few year living in Southeast Asia on a small island in Indonesia.  Modern plumbing was scarce and the average American potty would seem like opulent luxury to those poor people.  I am thankful for all that I have including indoor plumbing.  We have two rest rooms…..more than enough for our needs…..indeed.  My cup runneth over…..

On The Rocks…

Tags

adorable, beach, bear, bears, break, children�s toy, collectible, collection, compassion, cute, furry, generosity, giving, gratitude, high tide, kid, kids, ocean, plush, rock, rocks, sea, soft, stuffed animal, Stuffed toy, sweet, teddie, teddie bear, teddy, Teddy bear, teddybear, tide, tides, toy, Toys, wave, waves, whimsical

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/on-the-rocks-teddy-bear-art-by-william-patrick-and-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

This time of year when I am busy working like one of Santa’s elves and hustling about trying to get my Holiday shopping done, it is easy to forget that so many people in our world, country, state, city and neighborhood will not be having a “merry” Christmas.  For many just getting to their next meal is a blessing.  However, every year the Universe sends me a reminder to be giving.  To show compassion and love.  There is always a homeless person I encounter each year whose eyes speak to me in a way I cannot adequately explain.  I almost feel as if it is God looking back at me saying, “I have given so much to you, will you give something back?”  I always give large bills even though they are asking only for spare change.  I also make a point to touch them by gently squeezing their hands and making eye contact.  I speak to them.  There is something so humbling in seeing their eyes light up and the sheer gratitude they exude. Some say….”oh they will just go and buy booze with that money.”  That may be true, but one thing I am very certain about is that God did not place me on this earth to judge others and to determine my generosity based on what the recipient might or might not do with my compassion.  I am simply called to be so…..

Thank You…

Tags

art, art for sale, Artist, attitude of gratitude, buy art, faith, Family, friends, friendship, gratitude, gratitude prayer, health, hope, life, love, meister eckhart, meister eckhart quotes, overcoming, pray, prayer, praying, sharon cummings, success, thanksgiving, the universe, universe

Thank You…

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.

Meister Eckhart

This is one of my favorite prayers and I say it first thing every morning when I awaken and last thing before I go to sleep.  I am truly grateful for my life.  I have had a hard one, but I have always had gratitude in my moments of prayer.  I understand that my presence here is a gift from the Universe. Challenges are what allow me to see all of the good in my life with absolute clarity.  Right now I have so much love, health, friendship and success that I can see no other way to live it but in gratitude.  I still struggle at times, but even in the darkest hours there is always something to be thankful for.  Happy Thanksgiving!

It HURTS…Thank you.

Tags

abstract, abstract art, abstract fine art, abstract modern art, art, Artist, artwork, big, big painting, blue sun, brown, brown art, brown canvas prints, brown paintings, brown prints, buy, buy art online, colorful, colorful artwork, decorating, disappointment, fine, geometrical, gold, gold art, gold canvas prints, gold prints, gratitude, happiness, happy, heartache, landscape, landscape art, landscape canvas prints, landscape paintings, landscape prints, metallic, modern, office, office decorating, online, painting, paintings, sharon cummings, sun, sun art, sun canvas prints, sun paintings, sun prints, tampa artist, thank you

 

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/invisible-blue-sun-sharon-cummings.html

 

It hurts when an artist has a painting returned.  For me it is very rare.  In fact, I can count on my hands the returns I’ve had in 10 years!  Considering I have shipped out over 3000 originals, those are pretty good statistics.  The piece you see here was returned recently.  That stings bad enough, but the people were nasty and mean about it.  They said it was ugly in person and that I didn’t do a good job in creating it.  They saw it as a “product” and not an expression of joy and creation.  They treated it like something they bought at Target.  I knew in my heart that they were just unhappy people inside and that nothing would satisfy them.  There would be no art from any artist good enough for them.  But it still hurt. I also knew that one day this painting would end up in it’s rightful home where it would be loved and appreciated.  That someone found this wonderful piece last week and this is what they had to say: Sharon, The piece arrived safe this morning. It is more beautiful in person than it is online. I can’t tell you how great it makes me feel. My life is turning a corner and this piece of art will be front and center. Thank you again for allowing me to purchase this piece. Thanks for bringing this light, life and beauty to my life. Yours, S.D.  I have a great gratitude.  So to the couple in Texas who returned my “Invisible Blue Sun” I want to say thank you.  Your return made someone else VERY HAPPY…….and that is priceless!  

Got Frenemies?

Tags

art, art business, art marketing, Artist, artwork, competition, enemies, faabest, frenemies, friends, gratitude, help, loving your enemies, making friends, marketing, marketing art, sharon cummings, the art of business, the business of art, work, work satisfaction

 

Frenemies is a funny term, but it is one that often best describes online relationships where two people are direct competitors selling a similar product to the same audience.  I have been creating, marketing and selling my artwork online for over 10 years.  I started on eBay which was a brutal place for a fine artist and from what I hear, it still is.  That’s when it all started….where I learned to distinguish friends, enemies and frenemies.  Unlike many artists, I am a business person first and an artist second.  I have a direct way of communicating online.  I am ALL business which ruffles some feathers greatly.  The insecure, sensitive and overly emotional types can easily get offended by my style of typing.  Regardless of how I have been viewed by others, I have always offered my help.  I have spent many hours chatting, emailing and posting in groups so that emerging creatives can learn what I have had to acquire the hard way.  I share my secrets to success.  I congratulate others when their work is doing well.  I relentlessly encourage those that are still struggling to sell their work.  I do it because I like people and I enjoy seeing others triumph just as much as I enjoy my own rewards in this field.  EVERY sale is a victory for artists because it means that people are buying art.  And it they buy someone else’s work it also means they might buy mine.  I believe a lot of artists would have more “friends” and feel better about themselves if they learned that it is just as much the art of business as it is the business of art.  And if they would realize that the potential for art sales is astronomical….the pie is big enough for ALL of us and that when someone offers you some help….take it with gratitude no matter how it was delivered.  I will continue to help others regardless of the enemies and frenemies I acquire along the way…..because I am grateful that I have had the opportunities and successes that allow me to do so.  

Learn more about my work here:

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-sharon-cummings.html?tab=artworkgalleries