IMAGINATION WAS GIVEN TO US TO COMPENSATE US FOR WHAT WE ARE NOT                  —AND A SENSE OF HUMOR WAS PROVIDED TO CONSOLE US FOR WHAT WE ARE

Robert Walpole

WE MAKE IT SO - BY WHAT WE DREAM

Let me recommend (again) Covey’s new book, EVERYDAY GREATNESS.  I think it is so appropriate for anyone who is trying to “carve out a little better lifestyle.”  Afterall, we are not going to find “AN ORDINARY MIRACLE” in our living, if we don’t go after ourselves with something great to work on.  All it takes is “…just one great new idea.”

I have started a quest to try to focus more on my “strengths” than keep messing around with everything else that interests me (and I do have a wide range of interests).  I have always had a fascination with people who specialize their life and living.  They are the ones who seem to be able to “unlock the secrets of the universe – paint and sculpt the masterpieces – write the incredible poetry – and reshape the directions of humanity.  I pick up “pearls” of wisdom from time to time and this quote is one.

As you know by now, I think there are SEVEN SENSES – not just five and I also think that they all work better together and influence each other.  SIGHT is such a magificent gift.  SOUNDS are a distinct pleasure in our lives that I sure wouldn’t want to live without.  And TASTE is something that brings with it such a level of satisfaction. But  what about TOUCH, who wouldn’t want to have such wonderful sensations, and then to SMELL too, oh, the memories that are rekindled with smell.  And I think there are two more (and perhaps many more.  INTUTION is starting to have its place as the “sixth sense.”  After all if hollywood is promoting the same thing – it must be true.  But the big one in my own life is IMAGINATION.  The playground of my life has been the joy I find in dreaming things up and making unlikely connections.  “Stretching your own thoughts and thinking,” isn’t just a “pass-time”, it should be our “full-time” effort.

When I first read Wolpole’s thought, it hit me so hard.  Imagination is to help us with what we are not.  What an idea.  WHAT IF… we are all here to figure this out and learn to use our “IMAGINATIONS” more?  Bingo, I think that is it exactly.  A life without learning new skills and trying to get the new doors open on all the possibilities and opportunities that lie all around us – would be a dull run – at best.

IMAGINATION is the key that can unlock any problem, so what should we be most about?  And if the eternal gifts of our “senses” are there so we can live with enjoyment and satisfaction, then trying to learn how to “use our intutions and imaginations and intuitions are why we utilmately need to encourage and learn to use more.  And you can take this too the bank.

The searching and seeking for new levels of understanding and capacity are not a curse.  I think that is the whole blessing of being “…alive.”  So, promise yourself that “today and every day” you have left that you are going to “focus your efforts” and “stretch” you thinking to consider all the new POSSIBILITIES S all around you.  So, that when you cross that intersection of OPPORTUNITY, you will be prepared and capable.  To be able to die, and point to one or two things that you “…did well” and contributed to the world, is to have done a good job with our personal world.

JUST IMAGINE- AND MAKE THIS A GREAT WEEK

DR. LEW

p.s. Wolpole is considered the “first” Priminister of England in the mid 1800’s and he served in that post longer than any other.  His magnificent art collection was “sold” to Catherine and resides at the Hermitage in Russia.

WHEN SOME THINGS HIT YOUR SOUL HARD

PAY ATTENTION

ONE OF THE MOST TRAGIC THINGS I KNOW ABOUT HUMAN NATURE

IS THAT ALL OF US TEND TO PUT OFF LIVING.   WE ARE ALL DREAMING OF SOME MAGICAL GARDEN JUST OVER THE HORIZON – INSTEAD OF ENJOYING MORE THE ROSE RIGHT OUTSIDE OUR WINDOWS TODAY.

DALE CARNEGIE

My WEBSHOW this week is almost finished and I was surfing through the web to find a find a great “quote” that might be “on the mark” to help me put a cap on this weeks show, I was not expecting the “one that hit me so hard.  You all know that I am a passionate “dreamer” — but what you may not know is that for the last six months there has been a “new Lew” growing.  And the thing that has been so satisfying *while I am trying to take care of my aging mother has been the time when I get to “take care of her flowers” and yard.  I am not the bet rose grower yet – but I think there is hope for me.  I bought a beauty

over at the store and put it right were I get to see it every day.

And I must admit – I know why most of the flower nuts in this world are “rose nuts.”  But there is a catch that I have found to being clear crazy about roses

WHEN IS IT TIME FOR YOURSELF…?

THERE IS AN ANSWER FOR BEING TOO BUSY – FIRE UP A GREAT HOBBY AND FORCE THE ISSUE TO TAKE SOME PRECIOUS TIME FOR YOURSELF

As busy as life can be – it is almost a crime against ourselves when we let all the hours of every day be burned up “…just paying the bills.”  When I first started even messing around with producing things with my hands – it was so much fun – that I just kept at it.  And the more I put into the hobby – the more it delivered and now after thirty years of ParaGraving, I just can’t even imagine how much that time for myself has blessed my life and living.

And as good as that has been, there is one other thing that s even better than the experience that has blessed my own life.  The moment when I started “sharing” the interest and passion I had discovered for POWER CARVING  – with other people looking for a better way to grow old too, it changed my life dramatically – for the better.  We are an entire circle of rather “successful hobbiests” now and I couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishments – even if it were my own efforts.   My heavens, some people can be creative – if they once just get a chance.

One Extraordinary Carver

One of my choice friends - Darwin Dower carved out some time for his hobby and it has now “…become his life and his living.”  He does such amazing artistic renderings of family heirlooms and memories.  And wow, is he getting popular and now famous.  He is up in the range of $10-15,000 for each of his carvings and that ain’t bad for a profitable hobby.

I know that he treasures his time in his “studio” now and that is such a great blessing for all of us in our I&E Network.  Before it is too late – discover a magnificent obsession.  To have something so worthwhile as you head into those “golden” years is a very big deal.  So, don’t put it off.  Go check out our “masters circle” of artisans and masters.  I’ll bet one of them is “doing something that you could fall in love with too.  (www.profitablehobbies.com)  As you get ready to “retire” too – think profitable hobby.  When someone steps up to the plate and buys a unique piece of your artwork – there is almost no better compliment for any artist.

The Master In His Zone

I have watched Darwin’s career (if you can all it work when you are having this much fun) as a professional hobbist, and this  WHOLE NEW WORLD has been quite a bit better than he expected when he first started.   But that is how this hobby thing can wind its way into your life and your living and what a blessing…

It never feels like work – and that is the magic.  So… if you are struggling with the “too busy” thing, just take a page out of our PROFITABLE HOBBY bible and get yourself involved with a great “hands-on” hobby.   It will honestly feel just like an ordinary miracle.  And there just isn’t anything you can do that will give you more back. than investing SOME TIME FOR YOURSELF.   At least, not in this life time.  Go check out Darwins Life and his magnificent artwork @  www.darwindower.com

I love “banging the drum and waving the flag” of my friends and their artwork, so if you have some great pictures of your own artwork, you can e-mail me and let me know what you love doing as your favorite great hobby – and you might consider joining our circle. and come attention my live weekly HOBBY ACTIVIST WEBCAST.   As a “circle of talent”  we are “going to cure” the starving artist syndrome – and that is a very worthy cause  to join and support – don’t you think?  Good basketball stars get millions when they perform well – and for some reason the world “loves artwork and collects it – and fills our museums up with it – BUT PAY A LITTLE EXTRA FOR IT…?

Go Visit Darwins Studio

Check us out.  You should be inspired to learn how to do something just as great.  Get in touch with  the great Mr. Dower and then you will be ENCOURAGED as well.   I&E is what our whole network is about, and it is becoming a very exciting thing in all of our lives. What a blessing to have such friends around me.

Thanks for all you contribute – Darwin.

LEW JENSEN

Firestarter & Conjurer

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS IS A NEW ATTITUDE

Marketing your artwork is without a doubt one of the great challenges in life and living.  And “if” is the “x” factor here.  IF WHAT?  What if artists bothered to learn how the marketplace actually “works.”  Oh, my gosh – what a concept.

If you bother to learn how the TRADING (BUSINESS) GAME WORKS it has a signficantly higher chance of working – than not.

I am constantly amazed that artistically inclined people dream of “…making some money” with their talents and gifts and they deeply and passionately love producing the “works.”  But when it comes to going after the marketplace – they not only don’t know much about how it works – the worst part is – they don’t make an ounce of effort to go after some skill in this world.  NOT AN OUNCE.

Most artists could honestly tell a “wannabee artist type” that if any newbie wants to become a great at artist – that they are going to have to first learn to “draw” — drawing is the foundation of all art.  And to be successful at art, you will need to “…practice, practice and practice.”  WELL SAID I MIGHT ADD.  You can read this idea in the written works of every great master of art – for the last five thousand years.  SAID WELL I MIGHT ADD.

So… why isn’t it just as true (if your goal is to be paid well for your art) that you must get the foundation of business down.  And it will probably take “…practice – practice and practice.” WELL SAID I MIGHT ADD.

And yet the most common thread in the entire “educational process” for art and artists development is…

YOU CANNOT BE BOTH GREAT AT ART AND GREAT AT BUSINESS

YOU MUST BE SOMEONE TO SELL YOU TO THE WORLD

And that is the mantra that all “educated” artists swallow.  What a shame, and is it not the reason there are so many “…straving artists?”

So… the missing ingredient in artistic success is a reasonable degree of skill with the principles of business and enough understanding to at least make a modest income.  Mastery of both the “SKILL IT TAKES TO PRODUCE GREAT ARTWORK” — and gradually acquiring the SKILL OF WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS — are both required.

AND THEY ARE BOTH DO-ABLE – VERY DO-ABLE.  AND I MIGHT ADD – WELL SAID

COME SIT IN ON MY WEEKLY WEBINAR ON THE BUSINESS OF ART

DR LEW-LIVE – REGISTER AT THE BOTTOM OF MY BLOG

It is free – fun – interesting and informative

If after 52 sessions with me (invest an hour a week for a year) if the business of art isn’t rubbing off of you, I will refund your money – k?  Come join the round table of our ARTISTIC MASTERS ASSOCIATION and the INSPIRATION & ENCOURAGEMENT NETWORK  We are helping each other climb the MOUNTAIN OF SUCCESS.  Come see what all the fuss is about.  How about a $15,000 carving hobby – turned into a business – like DARWIN DOWER – one of my greatest examples.

Helping artists learn the “business side” of art in the marketplace is now the MAJOR CRUSADE for the rest of my life.   Art is the most valuable product in the world and it is a crying shame that most talented people can’t even make a basic living with the love of their life.  Me (and my circle) are going to change that problem – it is war and I am declaring it on everyone who thinks that “…the staring artist” is an okay problem in this world – k?  WELL SAID – I THINK

Dr. Lew

Firestarter & Conjurer

CLIMBING BEYOND OUR PAST ABILITIES IS PERHAPS LIFE’S GREATEST TASK

THE COMPANY CREW

One of the great satisfactions is when someone is able to climb beyond what “they” previously thought they could accomplish.  It has happened to me several times in my lifetime and as I dug back through those times, in every case, my degree of success was very dependant on “others” who were close enough to my own objectives — that it seems to me — they were the secret of my success.

Since the early days when I invented the ParaGraver, those who came along and have made such a success of their own artworks (with my tool) nothing I have done has made me more proud than the feelings our artistic circle has produced.  For some reason it requires that this “special trade” needs to have the “…similar interest” component to it, to be most effective, but when a person is “fortunate 0r just plain lucky” to find those SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS – I think it is critical to lift ourselves beyond our past.

The simple fact is — none of us can go it alone — but I am not sure I have given enough credit where credit is due.  The “trade” that I have tried to maintain and pay attention too — it to offer to “…climb that upgrading effort” together.  After all, there is very little another person can do for the important part of life and living for another.   It is all we can do to pull our own life uphill — much less another’s.

So, the “belonging” side of our I&E Network is the part that most interests me now.  There is nothing else I have done that seems to carry more productive, and contributory than our “mix” with eachother.   So, I can recommend, that if you are “new” and just crossing our pathway for the first time – stop here for a time – and find out our entire SEVEN STEP PROGRAM for going from a beginner – to a master of your preferred interest and talents.  Maybe you would “fit in” well.  The whole idea is to “mix” as much as possible the INSPIRATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT part of artistic pathways.

OUR MISSION IS TO DESTROY THE STARVING ARTIST – TOGETHER.

Lew Jensen

Firestarter & Conjurer