I got some exciting news over the weekend!
Artwork that I submitted last month has been accepted for Patti Dighs next book “What I Wish For You: Simple Wisdom for a Happy Life” being published in April 2011 WOOHOO! I love the title and its going to be such an honor to have work in this book.
Being published was one of my Mondo Beyondo Dreams and the strange thing is, is that I was very close to letting this opportunity pass me by. Yes I know, SO UNLIKE ME. But I was so overwhelmed by other forces in my personal life, I didnt listen to the universe giving me this opportunity, pushing me, reminding me, telling me to “put it out there” and believe in myself.
There was such a huge response to the call for art, that the publisher decided to randomly select 200 artists who would get the chance to submit work and I was lucky enough to be one of them. I received the essay and instructions whilst I was away at Squam and as the deadline fastly approached, I panicked a little…those little negative voices started to tap away at me: is my work good enough to submit? It doesn’t really match the essay, this wont work, they wont choose me anyway! Yes I know again SO UNLIKE ME.
On the day of the deadline, the publisher wrote to me to ask if I was definitely going to submit, and that if I needed the weekend, I could get something back for Sunday night. My inner guide perked up inside of me and gave me a big sharp poke “Louise YES, you can do this”, so I wrote back and held myself accountable by promising to send work over. There, it was done.
Receiving the acceptance email from the publisher this weekend was amazing and I wanted to share this little story with you to remind myself and share with all of you lovely creative souls out there, that putting yourself and your work out there is so important. Don’t be afraid, or feel like you are not good enough or you wont get chosen, taking the initial step just makes us stronger and who knows what will happen! I cannot believe how close I came to not sending in my work.
Thank you to Monica who posted the call to artists on her blog a few months ago, thank you to the publisher who chose my name at random and for the time….and most of all thank you to the universe for reminding me to practice what I preach: to believe in myself, giving me the extra chance to “Put it Out There”. The work I submitted is above, my tranquility paintings that are becoming more and more precious and meaningful to me in so many ways as time goes on.
Is there something you are scared about submitting to at the moment? A letter of submission you are thinking twice about writing, a show you are not sure you are good enough to apply for, an exhibition opportunity?…..please please please take a deep breathe, muster up the courage from deep within your soul and take that first step – Put it Out There. You are good enough, you are unique, you are amazing. 🙂
I’m also taking this opportunity to put 2 more things out there: 1) The Creative Color Challenge Ornament swap officially starts on Tuesday. YAY! 2) I am almost done with the ecourse, workbook & planner I am writing. “Putting our Dreams out there” and “Listening to the Universe” are important elements I’m including….I’m so excited to be creating these resources to help others plan and take action in their creative endeavors and make 2011 an amazing year. I’ll be announcing the full outline in just a couple of weeks!
So cool – all of it! You wonderful clever lady! Loving the new header too 😉 xx
Congratulations!! And thank you for sharing~ this is a lesson I am continuing to try to learn~ 🙂
Yay Louise! This is so exciting, I'm so happy that you went for it! Thanks for sharing your inspiration.
Much Love,
Jenny
ps: love all your Halloween photos!
Congrats, sweetie!! And thanks for the reminder. xoxo
These are terrific Louise! Congratulations!
Totally agree with you on 'putting it out there' I have always wanted to be a writer. I'd like to write a book but always told myself I wasn't good enough. Then some friends said just write a small article to start with. I still thought maybe I wasn't good enough.
When I moved here I saw an advert in the local paper for freelance writers. After a lot of false starts I eventually sent in a piece and now have my own column!!! AND two more Editors have approached me to write for them!!! How good is that????
So yeah c'mon girls (and boys) put it out there!!!!
YAY! I'm so glad you went for it from start to FINISH!! I'm also glad that I put the word out there so others could have a chance at getting their work published…I didn't make the random drawing but since my work is in TWO of Patti's books for ONE YEAR, I'm happy to pass the torch!! 😉
I know creating work for Ms. Digh is a challenge – you get only two weeks!! I like the challenge because it doesn't give you lot of time to dither about – you HAVE to FOCUS to produce the work and not worry about it being 'good enough'. I think that going with the first instinct is a good thing to practice in Art and in Life =-)
Congratulations! I'm looking forward to purchasing my copy next year!
My dearest Louise…CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I am so happy you put yourself out there for all of us to be inspired by your courage and your ARTwork. Keep shining your light sweetie. From where I'm sitting, it's shining bright and beautiful! xo
Danielle
I love your work and am very happy for you. Your pieces are very relaxing to look at. Congrats!
be sure to celebrate well!!!
First off, congratulations on such a big moment. I am so excited for you.
You are so right about putting it out there. You can't make any forward progress without putting it out into the Universe.
I can not wait to sign up for the ornament swap and your class.
I am so excited for November…bring it on!
Congratulations! That is awesome. And thank you for the reminder to put it out there…I needed to hear it.
Take care,
Esther
I was referred to your blog via a link for the creative color challenge, but LOVED your post on putting yourself out there. I've been feeling a lot of the same things about courage and feeling good enough and you articulated that struggle/strength to push past it beautifully. Thank you for sharing.
Congratulations on your submission! Your work is beautiful and it sounds like a great project to be apart of!
This is SO awesome, you should be very proud of yourself. You are absolutely right, once we are brave enough to put it out there and magic happens.
BethXx
So happy for you!! I totally agree on the "putting yourself out there." It's scary, it's surreal…but once you do, you'll never look back. I entered my first art showing last May, and sold two pieces on the opening night. Four more pieces sold after that…and now I'm on my third show next week. It's a crazy process, but I'm so glad that I put myself out there last May. It's amazing when people respond to your work…and now I feel I can call myself an artist…finally. 🙂
julie
well done you! Caongratulations. I totally and utterly agree hence the fact that I am on my MA fine art course, a dream I believed I would do one day 🙂 And the reason I am doing the Journal your Dreams online workshop because I really believe setting intentions and putting 'out there' works and want to share with others 🙂
Good luck and look forward to seeing it in published form . .
Amelia.x
Congratulations Louise! That is super exciting. Glad you listened and went for it! I can't wait to see your work in a book!
P.S.
Love the new look of your blog. 🙂
Hi Louise,
Congratulations on taking that very large step and getting your fabulous art out there!
Hugs,
Anna
yay, Louise! How exciting! I was so happy to hear your good news. Your work is beautiful and it should be out there for all to see 🙂
aha! you deserve it, lady, because you do indeed put it out there big time. ANd I love the new look to your blog by the way.
Yaaay! Louise I'm so happy for you congratulationS! I think you're so right about putting it out there and I'm definitely feeling that right now in my own life.
Hugs,
Dyan
Congratulations! You deserve it as your paintings are beautiful!
so proud of you– and look at those results!! hopefully that gives you the courage to do it again soon! 🙂 congrats!
this is SOOOOOO EXCITING.
i am doing a very great happy dance for you right now.
honestly i am.
you know i am good for it too.
can.t wait to see your talent on the pages of patti.s book.
you and monica ROCK.
xo
c
Congratulations Louise. I'm so excited for you, and so excited to know that we will be in this book together. It's like doing something great with a buddy.
I loved reading your story about getting there too. I always see you as someone that's just kicking ass with fulfilling your creative goals so I was surprised to read those doubts coming from you. Anyway, I'm glad they didn't stop you in the end.
I'm really excited for you about your e-course, and excited for me. I'm really hoping to join in when you run it.
Congratulations on being published, Louise. I recently came across Patti Digh's blog (don't remember where from, perhaps from you!) and then I saw her book, Creative is a Verb while browsing the book store last night and I picked it up.
Thank you for being candid about your initial self-doubt and how you almost missed out on this opportunity. I just love when the universe aligns and helps support us in fulfilling our dreams!
Holly