Monday, October 11, 2010

My "Very Cool Surprise"

Last Saturday, I was feeling so discouraged. I had been having a very crappy week and then my phone rang. It was my mom. She said, "Dad is on his way and he has a very cool surprise for you." The only thing she would tell me is that I needed to open the boxes in order, which only piqued my curiosity. When my dad arrived, he started unloading all of these boxes, 8 in all, and I recognized that they were from my most amazing friend Deb. When I opened box #1, I found this:Sorry the picture is not great, but inside the box were prints of 6 of my art. There were six 5x7 prints and one 8x10. Underneath was an entire box full of 8x10 prints of my "Follow Your Heart" painting. On the back of one of them was a note from Deb. Here's part of it: "So I was figuring the other day that I've been VERY fortunate to follow my heart and I think you should too! I took the liberty of printing your first run of prints." Each box after contained hundreds of 5x7 prints of the other paintings. I just sat there speechless (and if you have ever spent more than 5 minutes with me, you know the significance of that statement). I am still in a state of shock. Deb is my absolute idol. She finds a way to make everything she decides to do a success and no matter what, she always follows her heart. For instance, she recently felt she was supposed to be living in Portland, so she sold just about everything, closed her storefront in Idaho, and moved herself and her two sweet boys to Portland. I just think that is so cool. She's such an example to me of just taking the leap, when your heart says "leap". You can see more of her work HERE. She's pretty amazing! As a going away present, I made her a little Scrabble tile pendant. I painted a heart on a piece of a 1958 map of Portland. In my boxes of treasure that she sent, she included vinyl prints of her pendant and Scrabble tiles, so I could share them with others.Once again, not a great picture, but hopefully you can get the idea. Diamond Glaze is used on the top, which makes for a difficult picture, but it makes it a bit dimensional, which I love. Deb's purpose in having my art printed was to help me jumpstart my art business and so I have been working on legalizing my business so that I can finally open my Etsy store and realize that goal. It is such an amazing gift and I haven't even been able to find the words to adequately express my gratitude. Here's is my altered book art journal page.
I used the quote from Anais Nin because it accurately describes my art journey and inspires me as I continue on this path. I also thought that I was an accurate description on Deb's journey too, so I used it again to make a painting for her as a thank you.
"Blossom"
8x10 mixed media on watercolor paper
I started with a reference photo of one of my neighbor's roses. The photo was of a white rose but this one is much more colorful. I under painted it with turquoise, purple, orange, green and then finished it with a pinkish red. I think that I LOVE this painting. I really just went with the flow and overcame my desire to chuck it early on. After all of the layers of under painting, it was starting to look a mess, but I just reminded myself to trust in the process and keep going. I'm so glad I did. It very much reminds me of Deb and I hope she loves it too. She deserves it! Thank you Deb!
So with that long story being said, I feel like celebrating here on my blog, with my very first blog giveaway. I am going to give the "Follow Your Heart" Scrabble tile pendant (just like Deb's) to one lucky winner on Friday, Oct. 15. All you have to do is leave a comment here on this post before Thursday, Oct. 14, at 11:59 p.m. MST. You can also have a second chance if you post about this giveaway on your blog or Facebook page. Just leave another comment saying that you did so. The more the merrier! I want to celebrate my "very cool surprise" with everyone! Heck, I want to shout it from the rooftops! Good luck to all!

17 comments:

  1. Jolene I think that your art is wonderful, it is not only art but it showes some of you soul and that has been an inspiration to me to keep on trying no matter what is thrown you way. Keep up the good work my friend, it is great and so are you. Sheri

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  2. You always have a way of "surprising" the rest of us! You continually amaze me in your work, service, love and overall acceptance to celebrate mankind. Jolene, you are one of the greatest! Your art shows every bit of who you are. I love it! ~Sandy

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  3. Jolene, wow!! You are a true inspiration. Thank you for sharing the link to your blog. I enjoyed reading it and seeing your beautiful creativity and art. Very cool stuff! :)
    Rosann

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  4. I think I'd like to meet Deb....anyone who can recognize the talent you have and want to help such an incredible person is all right by me. :-) Be sure to let us know when you get a storefront up...I'll share it with everyone I know!

    PS: I'd love the pendant too. ;-)

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  5. I love your art work! I had no idea you were so talented. Good luck with your business!

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  6. I posted about your blog on Facebook...and I really do want to know when you get a storefront up...I'm very good at shouting from the rooftops! ;-)

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  7. Jo, you never cease to amaze me!! Your art is absolutely beautiful!! Ever since we were little I have been in awe of the things you would create...I still remember your Earth Day poster from grade school (the one with the melting earth), so cool! You are amazing and you truely have a gift! Love ya!! Lindsey

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  8. Jolene,
    These are so beautiful and as I have always said, you so deserve it. I love you!
    -Sheena

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  9. Jolene, Thank you for sharing this with me. It gives me a window into your heart and soul. You are an amazing woman and talented. You are an example of blooming out of the roughest patches. Good luck! And I love your artwork. I love to buy some when you have them up for sale. I love the pendant too. Bless your heart and your soul. Rhonda

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  10. I love your art! It makes me feel happy and young looking at it! :) I hope things go well with your new adventure!: )

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  11. Very nice story! Your art is Amazing! I am very grateful that you shared this with me! =)

    ~Marce~

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  12. I've always known you were talented. As I've grown closer to you over the past year, I've been able to witness the fact that you are truly gifted. As I once watched you "doodle" (which is a complete understatement), I was amazed to see a beautiful creation flow easily onto the page. Thank you for sharing your gift & friendship with me. Love you!! I'm going to post of my facebook right now. :)

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  13. You're just so amazing! Thanks for sharing this with all of us. It can be scaring to open yourself up like that but it was definitely worth it. I'm rooting for you and your little store!

    Bre

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  14. What an amazing friend you have. Too bad she moved to Portland, I would have loved to have met her.

    I think its time for another art day, are you game?

    Kate

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  15. Jolene, this is why you are my hero! I love you sooooo much! I know that as I struggle, I have nothing left in me and then I think of you and I feel better! You are the most wonderful person in the world to me (besides my family of course)! But you are a amazing and I love you so dang much! You were the one who made me inspired to start scrapbooking and art journaling and expressing myself through art! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!

    Love, AuBrEy :]

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  16. You....girlie....are truly amazing!!!! I am in awe at the things you create from so many different "mediums" {is that the right word to use there??? I know absolutely nada about art but love reading and learning about it from you}!! I love to see all that you create! How wonderful to share!! I am crossin' my finger that I'll be the first one to own an original art piece by Jolene Eborn!! ;) Love you!!!

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  17. So inspiring! makes me want to go paint! isn't that the best?!?! when you create and it turns out better than what you imagined. the best. love all of these paintings. i'm gonna go paint now! xoxo

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