2023 and 2024 New Beginnings, Diversifying as an Artist

 

The strangest thing happened in July 2023 my website that was on Google Cloud was suspended due  to……..“We've detected that your Google Cloud Project Boast in Art Website (id: boast-in-art-website) is engaging in cryptocurrency mining, resulting in the suspension of all project resources displaying this behavior.”  I did go on appeal, but they said the security on my website was my responsibility.  I did not know how to solve that. At the same time, cannot believe this, but my external hard drive crashed almost at the same time which had all my large 300dpi images and images saved on the particular software I use to create designs.  Unbelievable! I felt I was being the Atmospheric Force that is was I was getting so passionate about being online and on so many platforms.  Is someone trying to shut me down is this a spiritual battle? Or is God trying to tell me something?  The only thing I can say I had an urgency not to give up, not to be deflated or discouraged. It felt like I was pushing "you know what" uphill.  BUT, I managed to recover some of my images that were in the "cloud", perhaps the moral of the story is "backup everything"!!!  I use Google Drive, you may have to pay  bit extra for extra storage but the the first 100GB is free and DropBox, I think the first 3TB is free.

So, due to the loss of my images, I have had to almost start again creating content and designs.

I then had to research and find other platforms like Shopify integrated with Instagram to sell my products. While some claimed to sell 1000 units monthly, others suggested it could take 3 to 5 years to see significant results. I deactivated Shopify as in 6 months I made no sales. These are some of my products I try to sell on this platform.

I also closed my Etsy shop that had Apparel and printable which was not making that much either, and Etsy by the way has changed its fee structure.

In 2023, I continued learning and made additional sales not significant by no means but a small amount less than $100 but was encouraged, amazing enough what a couple of sales do. I set up 3 new websites in November 2023 and now in February 2024 set up a mailing list with a Landing page with Mailchimp, creating more exposure on the web.

I found this amazing blogger where I have learnt so much about blogging and various new platforms like Payhip.  Timing was everything, my bio link on Instagram had to change as Lintr.ee expired in early 2024 as it was bought out by Koji which was paying platform, so I had to find an alternative.  With Payhip you can add printable products to sell(why I shut down Etsy), had various websites as well.

In March and April 2024, I had 2 fairs scheduled where I was selling handmade notebooks and gift bags.  This opportunity presents another avenue for me to showcase my products and connect with potential products in person.  These fairs allow me to engage directly with my audience, gather valuable feedback, and gain insights into their preferences and needs.  

I actually sold mostly mushroom products(some were with the assistance of AI) and some gift bags that were created using fabric and other types of placemats.

I also sold these cute glass jars and were favored by quite a few people.  What do you think?  Busy working on design inspired by AI assisted generated images, working with a local printer so the transfers are dishwasher safe and waterproof but the jar label says "not dishwasher safe" has to be hand washed.  So I might use some of these designs on mugs.  Another door has opened I think.

     

Fly Like Eagles, Fly with Eagles

My latest acrylic with gel medium so it is then classified as mixed media.

I really enjoyed painting this using gel medium and exploring with water using a mist bottle and dripping the acrylic on the panel and spraying water on it.  Since starting an art journal I have really enjoyed the friend of creating new techniques.

I actually gave this one to a friend who looked just like this lady.

 16" x 20" 

Behold, or the Bold and the Beautiful

So happy to say it has been named "Lion Within" as it has been donated to Southern Interior Rotary Lodge

 in Kelowna funded by the Canadian CancerSociety http://www.cancer.ca/en/support-and-

services/support-services/travel-and-accommodations-bc/?region=bc

Painting of the Lion and a Beautiful woman has many names.

This painting had many inspirations, words and thoughts that came to mind.  I first inspired by the words

 “Behold”  There are many verses that came to mind when I started this painting. “Behold He comes”, 

 “Behold the Lamb”, or a song written by David Crowder and sung by the Newsboys “My God is not dead

 He’s surely alive living on the inside roaring like a Lion”. Or 1 Peter 5:8 “Be self-controlled and alert.

 Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”.

17" x 24"

Prophetic Art, Art for Healing

 

I did a Art4Healing® certification around 2013 which was an intense program at  Art &  Creativity partnership with Brandman University-Chapman University System. It was really eye-opening as it gave me the freedom to go past "white canvas".  Don't you feel like that sometimes - staring at a white canvas can be a bit overpowering, but in this workshop, they prompted us with words and feelings and then we had to paint what we   felt. Strange thing was, mine was very spiritual.  My painting technique changed thereafter. Wave of God This painting was donated to the Pregnancy Centre to be hung in one of their bedrooms.  I hope it makes the person sleeping in that room at peace.   Glory This painting was painted at a church whilst the musicians were playing.  It was scary and humbling, all I could do was paint with blue and use my palette knife. Show Me the Glory Inspired by a moment of spiritual prayer where I longed to see Jesus’s face, this more than just a painting to me. It’s a blend of tranquility and introspection, framed within a dazzlingly colorful natural landscape. My goal was to evoke feelings of peace and reflection in anyone who views it. Creating this artwork was a unique journey. Pouring over every detail, from the vibrant glow of the sunset to the minute intricacies of the wet sand, allowed me to connect deeply with the scene I was painting. Each brushstroke was a step toward bringing this serene moment to life, and I hope it inspires you to find your own moments of peace and reflection. Praying in The Spirit Overcomer - we are all Over comers if we Worship and read the Word. The Pathway - another painting was created whilst worshiping in church, loved creating the texture of the pathway or wooden plank. Oil from Heaven Overflowing I asked God, "why are you taking me through troubled waters" He replied, "Because your enemies can't swim". Unity - I painted this in church up front whilst everyone was worshipping.  I felt were all in unity praying for breakthroughs. Overflow God Pursues You Under His Wings -  “Under His Protection”, was inspired after listening to Lauren Daigle’s song “Under Your Wings” from the Album “Look Up Child”. But the verses from Psalm 91 are truly inspiring and uplifting for anyone’s self-help journey. Eagle that Soars but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31 Inspired by the uplifting verse Isaiah 40:31, this artwork embodies a message of renewed vigor and divine resilience. Every element, from the eagle’s poised strength to the tranquil, awe-inspiring landscape, reflects a profound narrative of hope and endurance.

Waves of Faith | Wave of God

Can you believe I added another account to my google and then deleted that account but it messed up my blogging account.  So I reinstated the new account which seemed to override all the accounts that I used initialing to start this blog.  Needless to say, I'm Back.

I have just received more revelation on a painting I did call it "Waves of Faith".  I am doing a course on "Theophostic Prayer" by Edward Smith http://www.theophostic.com/
It explains how our emotions expose our core belief, that is not a definition. How it is difficult to change the core beliefs we we obtained from experiential knowledge.  That is why our faith/belief is refined (tried) so that we are free of double thinking.  We cannot believe that God loves us when we believe there is something wrong with me!  So now read James 1:2-8

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask in faith without doubt, for the one  WHO DOUBTS IS LIKE SURF OF THE SEA DRIVEN AND TOSSED BY THE WIND."

Wave Of God

This prophetic painting was created as prophets were talking about the Tsunami the wave of God coming - a Revival.

Many years later I donated this painting to the Pregnancy Centre.

My Faith Journal

Here are some more examples of just "playing" with techniques, bearing in mind each page just happens there is no end result.  I hope my journal will be an inspiration to others to explore, to journey, to find healing, to enjoy.

"Healing Through The Arts can show you that life can be more, or in some way, better than before. True healing is not waiting for time to heal. It is creating opportunities where healing takes place, and the process of mending can make us stronger.

Through Art we gain a sense of life’s meaning. When we create art, we make something that did not exist before and can preserve it to enjoy. Our interaction with art provides a break from the pace of routine, where we can notice be unique. You do not need to be creative to participate, only a desire to learn and enjoy the adventure.” quote found at http://www.htta.org/about-us/art-healing

Journal Cover