Cherish Your Dreams…
04 Tuesday Aug 2020
Posted Gift Ideas, Spirituality
in04 Tuesday Aug 2020
Posted Gift Ideas, Spirituality
in28 Tuesday Jul 2020
Posted Art, Gift Ideas, Spirituality
inTags
Colorful Art, feathers, happiness, hope, inspirational art, inspirational quotes, letting go, native american art, native american symbols, the art of happiness, wisdom
There is always ONE great thing….The promise of each NEW DAY! Be hopeful…Be grateful!
See MORE Here…
06 Monday Jul 2020
Posted Art, Gift Ideas, Spirituality
inTags
beachy art, best friends, buddha, buddhism, caring, friends, friendship, friendships, happiness, happy, happy art, sharing, the art of happiness
I’ve combined a lovely saying on happiness with one of my colorful abstract art pieces. Enjoy!
30 Tuesday Jun 2020
Posted Art, Gift Ideas, Spirituality
in18 Thursday Jun 2020
Posted Art, Gift Ideas, Love, Spirituality
inTags
Colorful Art, feel good, floral art, flower art, flowers, happiness, happy, happy art, healing, healing art, healing arts, healing energy, hope
The title says it all! We are all born in the light, but we do lose our way. You can find your way back. You deserve to be happy…
30 Thursday Apr 2020
Posted animals, cats, Gift Ideas, Uncategorized
inTags
abstract art, cat, cat lady, cats, feline, funny animals, happiness, kitties, kitty, landscapes, mandala, mandalas, meow, sharon cummings art, tree of life
Meow! I do not forget about the kitties. 🙂 A new piece featuring a tree of life and a poised cat ready to climb. More mandala magic!
03 Wednesday Dec 2014
Posted Gift Ideas
in20 Wednesday Aug 2014
Posted Art
inTags
abstract art, art, art career, art school, Artist, artists portfolio, before Photoshop, career, colored pencils, dealing with criticism, dealing with haters, dealing with nasty people, drawings, friends, hand drawn art, happiness, ink, joy, making art, markers, old school, overcoming, pen, pen & ink drawings, pen and ink, portfolio, positive thinking, positivity, realism, realistic art, sharing, sharon cummings, vulnerability
When I decided to open up my 25 year old portfolios to the World, there was a sense of vulnerability that came with it. I’ve been a professional artist for around 12 years now, so that leaves 13 years unaccounted for. During that time, I worked on a Phd. in Holistic Nutrition and I was a personal trainer/nutritional consultant. That is a long story, but here I am today making a living doing what I have always loved!
While I have greatly appreciated all of the positive feedback I have gotten from my fans, friends and collectors, it is a comment from a stranger that sticks out the most. This person said that my pen and ink work is fake and Photoshop artistry. This person meant to be mean and nasty, but what I realize now is that it is the BEST compliment I have ever received on my art in my entire life! 25 years ago there was no Photoshop. In fact there was no computer artistry at all available to me. Everything was done by hand. Knowing that my work was as good then as Photoshop is today makes me feel more confident about sharing this older work with all of you. 🙂
While I could have taken the comment to heart in the way it was intended and closed up my portfolios for good, I’ve decided that this person will be a catalyst for me to share even more of myself. So a big THANK YOU goes out to “Sylvia” for her negative comments. You could have not have paid me a bigger compliment!
It’s old and frayed and the zipper is broken.
The one on the left contains originals and the one on the right are copies meant to show perspective employers.
Airbrushing, pen and ink, drawing and marker work are all represented here.
Billboard and magazine mock ups.
Markers were one of my favorite mediums to work with. I loved the colors and detail I could get with them!
More pen and ink on cardboard with some watercolor work too.
I even did some screen printing work as seen on the left. Pastels and markers are represented here.
More marker work and the strawberries are colored pencil.
And just for fun a few from childhood. The dates say middle school.
***I’ve left these images FULL-SIZED. Straight from my camera without any computer manipulation. Quick shots early this morning before the sun was up. So click on them and have a look. And PLEASE when I list them…..Tell me they look as good as Photoshop! 😉
30 Wednesday Apr 2014
Posted Uncategorized
inTags
arrangement, art, bathroom, beautiful, bedroom, botanical, botanical art, botanical painting, botanical prints, bud, buds, cottage, cottage art, country, country cottage, elegance, elegant, feminine, floral, floral arrangement, flower, flower buds, flowers, garden, gardening, happiness, happy, health, health benefits, healthy living, kitchen, ladies slippers, lady slipper, orchid, orchids, phaphiopedilum, photo, photograph, photography, rich, sharon cummings, smile, smiling, soft, table, traditional, vase, vases, yellow orchid
It’s so simple. Just smile. Even if you have to look at cute videos on YouTub of babies laughing or puppies sleeping, it’s a great way to improve your health and it makes you feel good about yourself. Below are some of the rewards of lifting those cheeks:
1. It Lower Heart Rate – Smiling slows the heart and relaxes the body. People who smile and laugh often are less likely to develop heart disease. Smiling reduces blood pressure temporarily too.
2. It Reduce Stress – Stress relief may be as simple as smiling a little more throughout the day. Smiling releases endorphins that counteract and diminish the stress hormones.
3. It Increase Productivity – Smiling has been shown to increase productivity while performing tasks. There’s truth to the “whistle while we work” mentality. This also explains why silly internet memes and pictures of cute animals can actually get people motivated and working harder after a few moments of smiling or laughter.
4. It is a natural Pain Killer – Smiling and laughter both have been shown to lessen pain. They release endorphins that lift our moods, but many of these act as natural painkillers too.
5. It Increase Attention – Stress limits our perceptions and narrows our attention. Our body kicks into fight or flight mode where we can focus only on one of those things. Smiling counteracts this and widens our attention again, opening us back up to multitasking and insights that come from the fringes of our perception and our subconscious.
6. It is Contagious – Around 50% of people smile back. This spreads the health benefits throughout those around you and it comes back to you several times as well.
7. It makes you more Attractive! – Smiling makes people look more appealing. This seems to be especially true for women. Men are more likely to approach a woman who smiles than one who simply makes eye contact while women aren’t necessarily drawn in by a smile alone.
8. It makes You Look Younger – Smiles naturally lift the face and in studies have shown to make people look younger, around 3 years younger on average.
9. It increases Longevity – The effects of a good smile extend past just the exterior good looks. People who smile more often live longer too, around 7 years longer than most according to one study. It releases stress, helps the heart, and much more to keep you healthy longer.
10. It Boosts the Immune System – Smiles help the body relax and this lets the immune system react more quickly and effectively against invaders.
So C’mon…………………………………………………..S.M.I.L.E. 🙂
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25 Friday Apr 2014
Posted Uncategorized
inTags
art career, asian, asian theme, botanical, botanical art, botanical photos, botanical prints, career success, Family, floral, flower, flower art, flower photography, flower photos, flowers, happiness, koi pond, lily pads, lotus, lotus flower, love, meditation, mom, mother's day, mothering, pond, relationships, sharon cummings, spring, success, successful art business, successful career, yellow flower, yoga, zen
What makes a person successful in this life? Is it dying with a big ol’ pile of money? Is it having the most friends? Is it the big house and fancy car? Is it being recognized by others for your achievements? Is it being pretty and well liked? Is it bagging a perfect spouse? Getting that kid into Harvard?
Over the years I have dramatically redefined my perspective on personal success. Everyone has their own criteria, but for me it has nothing to do with any of the above. I have come to realize that true success has little to do with worldly achievements and everything to do with the inner peace that comes from not needing them.
Am I a successful artist? Absolutely. I am not getting rich off of my creativity, but I am earning a living. If my spouse died, I could support myself entirely on my income. I only have to work a few days a week now thanks to years of time investment. I make money while I sleep and on the days I do not work too. In my own mind, that is success. I ignored those that said I couldn’t do it and I worked hard to achieve my goals.
Am I a successful Mom? You bet. I turned away from my abusive upbringing and defied the odds. I did not perpetuate the abuse and I’ve helped my autistic daughter find her own voice. I have supported her every step of the way and encouraged her to love herself just the way she is. I did not teach hate or prejudice and as a result she has friends of all races, religions and sexual orientations. She is now enrolled in college and doing all of the things normal folks do. She didn’t go for an Ivy League school, but one that fit her goals. She didn’t win a bunch of awards or get a perfect SAT score. But she is happy. To me this is one of my greatest achievements and I feel pretty successful as a parent.
Lastly, am I successful overall? The are so many ways to achieve success: Relationships, Job, Health, Family, Hobbies, Fitness, etc. The simple answer for me is: Yes. The detailed answer would be far too long to expect the average blog reader to get through. I am at a point in my life that I no longer concern myself with how others view me. I am satisfied and happy with who I am and all I’ve done. In the end, that is all that matters. So, yes, I am truly successful.
Do you see yourself as a success?