I recently finished a commission for a woman in my writing class. Connie is a person who is overflows with enthusiasm for people and life. She bubbles over when she is excited about a topic and she can cry in an instant at something that is sad. Well... She wanted me to create an oil painting of her sister and her sister's two daughters sitting on a bench in Laguna Beach. The mother lost her husband when the girls were just babies and has struggled to work and do her best at raising the girls alone in Taiwan. It turned out that the mother did quite well financially but in the stress and hurry of "life", you miss out on things too. Connie wanted her sister to have a painting that would remind her sister of the love and connection she has with her daughters. It wasn't easy painting this one for me... I'm not an oil painter! But being that I needed the work, I did it! After several "adjustments" I finally came up with something that Connie was happy with. I didn't charge her what I would charge for a painting like this had I been a professional at oil painting, but Connie gave me something in addition to the payment for the piece. She gave me a book called, "The Secret of The Millionaire Mind". As an artist I have had a tendency to scoff at anything that smacks of "materialism", but I think that things come to me for a reason, so I started reading the book. What it said made sense to me. I can't vouch for the entire book because I haven't read it all. But what I got from it is that we each have a mental "blueprint" concerning money that is subconscious and if that doesn't get changed, no matter what actions we take, our income will remain the same. It rang true to me. So I sat down that night and had a deep talk with myself about the subject. I decided to change the way I think about making money in my chosen profession. (I live entirely on what I make as an artist). I got inspired to book a room in Carmel for my partner Paul and I to stay in on the way to his mother's house in Lodi for Christmas even though it didn't seem prudent financially. I was inspired! Well.. in the next TWO DAYS I received orders for 18 of my limited edition giclees from different people! One of the orders is responsible for keeping the gallery I'm in afloat for yet one more month! I am convinced.. there IS no shortage of money "at this time". There is no shortage of money for artists, musician's and dancers! We are a valuable commodity and the world NEEDS us now more than ever! To share our love for planet Earth, for life, for connection! So, if you have been waiting to paint, waiting to BUY that painting you love, wait no longer...... the time is NOW!!