Today I Reveal The Blessing.
In a post I made a few weeks ago and in several since I've eluded to a "new opportunity" that
had been placed before me as a result of my art. I've been holding off
saying anything to make sure I was capable of the job! I believe I now
have the confidence in myself to actually announce this new venture.
Just a little background material...This
show season has been particularly hard. I'm not sure if it is because
I'm "older" (I'll be 63 in April), or if the adrenalin one feels with a
new venture has dropped off, or if it simply is that I can see the
results I had hoped for were not going to happen quick enough to
provide the extra income I knew I would need to supplement my
retirement.
Those of you who read my blog regularly know that
I'm still a working hairdresser and have been now for over 38 years.
Standing in one place with your arms up in the air begins to take it's
toll on the body and I hope to retire, or at least cut back my schedule
drastically by age 67.
As I have said before, with the exception
of my last art fair, every show I've done this year has been as good as
or better than the year before...and I have commissions on the books
for this winter. So you might ask "what is your panic?"
It isn't my art sales that have faltered,
its the rising cost of everyday life that has prompted my concern. Just
"living" is costing so much more than it did 5 years ago. I could see
that I was going to need a more dependable income at retirement.
Realizing
this didn't make me panic...actually, I felt quite calm. I began to
pray that God place the right opportunity in my path...and I prayed "I
would recognize it when it happened".
One evening back in July, I received a phone call from Clint Watson, the founder of FineArtStudioOnline and the company who hosts my website...Marsha Robinett Fine Art. He called to ask if I would be interested in doing tech support for his company.
My response..."Me,
do tech support", and I laughed!!" I was simply dumbfounded that anyone
would want me, of all people, to do tech. support. I reminded him of
all the support questions I had submitted in the beginning and he just
said "then you should have the answers".
As we talked more that evening...I was reminded of my prayers.
I
had not called or inquired about this position nor had I ever spoken to
Clint before. I was just one of over 2,000 artist websites hosted by
his company. This was God's work...and I knew He would provide what I needed to succeed. Armed with this knowledge, I accepted the challenge even though "I" still doubted my ability.
I've been working for FineArtStudioOnline for a little over a month now...doing
tech support three evenings a week. Even with the extensive training
Ive received during the past couple of months, I've had to learn to
accept that because of the rapid changes taking place in the industry,
there will always be answers I don't have and always be new things to
learn.
Solving an issue is somewhat like being a detective...as
I peruse their websites gathering information, in order to resolve the
problem, I get to view and enjoy their beautiful art. It's like a
continual "Gallery Opening". What an inspiration!
I've so enjoyed getting to know the many fine artists I've worked with.
It brings me pleasure knowing I've helped them get their website up and
going so that they can get back to their studio and "just be an artist"
________________________________________
So there you have it.
We may have plans for our future but if we slow down to listen there is
someone directing us who has knowledge of the bigger picture.
Who would have ever thought that I would someday be referred to as "Marsha Robinett...Artist Support Agent"?
I wrote a 4 part article a while back called
It's the Journey that Defines You...I
believe this is just part of my journey. Am I going to give up my art,
absolutely not. This new segment of my life has only served to inspire
me to greater knowledge, greater creativity, and a stronger faith.
________________________________________
No Question today...just a gentle reminder. When you pray for answers make sure you also pray for "ears to hear".
As Always...I welcome your comments, and encourage you today, in your life and in your career. The blessing is there for all.
If
you have a website with FineArtStudioOnline...perhaps I will be
answering your question some evening, getting to know both you and your
art.
Have a lovely weekend and thank you for your continued support and encouragement.
Sincerely,
Marsha
**If you've been thinking about setting up a website...consider the "Free Trial" offered by FineArtStudioOnline...enter this code (3209) or sign up using this link...to
extend your free trial to 90 days. There is nothing to loose, and I
can shamelessly attest to their "extraordinary artist support team"!
Links:
The Extraordinary Pencil...blogspot
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques
PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment
via web
I just had to comment about your story about becoming a web support agent for FASO. I love to hear how the universe works to support us when we ask. I had been following your tales of outdoor art shows with interest because I've been very reluctant to try them without help. I'm in my 60's too and quite small, so that seemed to make it even harder to consider tackling something that I tried year's ago and found physically draining. I'm still trying to come up with creative new ways to market and sell my work. It's not easy. Phyllis