Being Disappointed Without Being Disappointing

"Love in Diversity" - Mural proposal ©Antonia Ruppert

Life is messy. Have you noticed that there is no way around that? We are not perfect but human. And as humans, we grapple with disappointment. This week has proved this to me in living color. 

But first, might I share the last few weeks in pictures?

©Antonia Ruppert

Painting Live for After the Due Order CD release
©Photo by Les Stevens

Robin Tillotson (thisidoforme.com) and I at my Loyola U show.
©Antonia Ruppert

"Portraits of Motherhood" exhibit at the Cicero Public Library
©Antonia Ruppert

After traveling, live painting for a CD release and two back to back shows at Loyola University Chicago and the Cicero Public Library, I was not expecting this week to get so messy.  I guess I had my guard down.

This week, my very good friend and fellow artist Elaine shared a mural opportunity with me. Though we both realized too late that the deadline had passed by one day, I called the organization. I was told that I had until the next day to get my materials in.  I was elated. I jumped.  Really fast -  I jumped. My eighth grade teacher Mrs. Mae would've been proud of the way I kicked procrastination to the side and got on with it.

I decided to create something that I thought was huge and magnificent. I stayed up way too late and got up early to finish.  I even put it out on Instagram and Facebook to get input about my idea.

Which one? Top or Bottom? ©Antonia Ruppert

After all that, I finished in time.  One little messy detail was that the mural opportunity had a boundary restriction - meaning artists had to live in a specific area.  I called the gentleman back from the organization to inquire.  I eventually called twice and left an email. 

To make a long story short, just before sending the mural proposal I called the organization again. This time he picked up the phone and said matter-of-factly "Oh yes, you definitely need to live within this area." Crushed.

Nope, I did not get ghetto -  thank God. Yes, I kept my sanity.

Despite being utterly frustrated, I managed to call my friend Pastor Sarah who shared some wisdom. "You've got to be disappointed without being disappointing."

After coming to grips with the failure, I found these to be truths:

1. Thou Shalt Not Take it Personal: 
This gentleman's inability to call me or email me back is not a sign of anything related to me. It wasn't even about me, just something that happened.

2. Being Disappointed is OK, Letting It Go Is Better:
Don't run from the emotion. Hold it. And then let it go. Go for a walk. Jump on the treadmill. Write in your journal. Self-care.

3. Fill Your Head With Gratitude and Affirmation: 
Perhaps you find yourself, like me, severely disappointed in a circumstance. We can still find 10 things that you can positively be grateful for. Check out my inspirational renewal cards. Currently available, you can take 10 seconds and redirect your outlook. We can be affirming. 

4. Tons of Folk Have "Been There" Too:
In the book, "Daring Greatly," author Brene Brown talks about "common humanity" in which one can realize that "suffering and feelings of personal inadequacy" are part of being human.  All of us go through this.  

In conclusion, if you can relate today, be encouraged. Life is messy but we're not a mess.  As I leave you with my positive affirmations, remember we can be disappointed without being disappointing. 

Daily Affirmations ©Antonia Ruppert

New Art + Persevering

Jennifer Strong
16x20
Acrylic and Mixed Media
©Antonia Ruppert

This painting was started some time ago. However, I was not able to finish it. Do you have projects like that?

I finished this piece by working on it about an hour at a time.  Each session brought me closer to my goal:  to show her perseverance and faith.

Determined, indomitable, tough, tenacious and faithful- these all describe Jennifer Strong. Created with many special items including acrylic, cloth and oil pastels, this piece is a reminder that you can do all things through Him who gives you strength.

$445 + s/h

Prints of this art work available on Fine Art America

Keep Your Head Up

"Keep Your Head Up - design sketch"
©Antonia Ruppert
Ink and Watercolor on Paper
6.5x11

Keep your head up. You can do it. Stay Positive. It will work out.

Today marks the first day in this new month. Its a day for pranks according to my daughter but, I think its a day for new beginnings.

So encourage yourself.

I submitted this design idea to a new training center that is looking for art.  I loved the message and thought you would also appreciate the positive vibe.

I dedicate this creation to my godson BJ and my dear friend Anita.

Keep your head up.

Big Idea? Get an Adviser

"Higher Learning"  Watercolor/ Ink on Paper  ©AntoniaRuppert

“Many advisers make victory sure.”  I learned these wise words of King Solomon years ago when I was mentored as a young Christian.

In my last post, I mentioned three things that help put BIG IDEAS into action.  One of these three things was having many advisers.  I thought it might be helpful to you, my reader, to further explain this concept and how it is helping me reach one of my goals. 

Here is who I've sought advice from:

• Amos Johnson, Jr. - Adviser to Christian Entrepreneurs
• Centerpoint - Governor State University’s center for small businesses in Illinois
• Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) - Chicago’s small business incubator

Adviser to Christian Entrepreneurs
Amos Johnson, Jr. and his Biblical Entrepreneurship Training Center -  I was introduced to him via a Facebook group for Christian Entrepreneurs. 

“What is my calling? How can I continue to focus on what God has called me to do with my creative gift?  Before getting advice from Amos, these types of questions swam in my head.

Working via phone with Amos has helped me get more and more clear about these questions.  I had not yet considered that God was truly interested in my business. Something to consider, right?

Business Development Advisers
Further, I asked the folks at Governor State University’s Centerpoint - .  This business center’s mission is to create a nurturing environment for entrepreneurs.  Bob, Dan, Don, Marlene and staff have helped me tremendously.  From one-on-one meetings about planning my business to an Entrepreneurial Bootcamp, they have provided practical knowledge.

Technical Specialists
While at Centerpoint, Don encouraged me to check out the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC).  I called and found their Procurement Technical Assistance Center to be world class.  They strive to help all Illinois based businesses build contractor relationships with local, state and federal government entities.  I’ve learned way more than I ever expected.  I am so grateful for their help.

Concluding Thoughts
I had a goal and needed help fulfilling it.  In order for me to go to the next level in my artistic business, I sought advice. In one of my affirmations, which I posted on my Facebook Page, I wrote:

My every step is guided.
I make right choices.
I give it my all--
heart and soul.

I would not be able to believe and declare this without the help of many advisers.

How have you sought out advisers? What’s your process for seeking out mentors? Please share in the comments below.

Your Future Success is Tied to Your Outlook

"Breaking Free" ©Antonia Ruppert - Acrylic, 8x16 inches

Something happened today, yesterday and will continue to happen to people everywhere:

The average person will generate 25,000 to 50,000 thoughts per day.

This was reported by David Carnes of Livestrong.com.  He quotes Hara Estroff Marano, Editor at Large of Psychology Today magazine. 

Many of these thoughts will be surprisingly negative. Billions of earthlings everywhere will think and act on these thoughts.  Many of us, myself included, are becoming more intentional about our thoughts. I'm getting more creative about keeping a positive outlook.

My painting "Breaking Free"(shown here) illustrates the pushing past of negative thoughts.  The words say, "No" and "No not you." At some point, the hands come up to push aside the negative words.

This is important because "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." (Bible, Old Testament).

Working at Being Positive
 I work daily on being positive by:

1. Calling friends when situations got dicey.
2. Calling upon my believing mirrors when I just don’t feel like painting.
3. Catching up with my artist friends and checking in weekly about artsy stuff and family stuff.
4. Focusing on what I have to be thankful for.

I try to maintain a positive outlook, despite the fact that my outlook does not always match my situation.

For example, yesterday my youth art class, “Artists with a Purpose” started in Tinley Park, IL.  This unique class will raise money for a local charity by creating 100 acrylic painted panels and selling many of them.  As I drove to the class, I realized that I had not grabbed all of the acrylic paint--nor did I have gesso(acrylic primer) for the 24 panels I wanted my students to work on.

As I was strapped for time, I made the decision to be on time for my class and not make an emergency run to Hobby Lobby. At first, during my journey, tears were in my eyes as I thought of the “disastrous” class that awaited me.  Then something shifted, as I thought of my daily affirmations:

1. I Thank You God that your gracious hand is upon me.
2. I Thank you God that your favor keeps my enemies from triumphing.
3. I Thank You God that your favor will make a way.
4. I trample all obstacles and roadblocks to receiving unlimited
   prosperity.
5. The more grateful I am, the more reasons I find to be grateful.

 I had no idea exactly how it would all work out.

When I arrived, I met art teacher Carolyn - who was just finishing her class.  A master teacher, she told me she had been teaching at the Tinley Park Park district for 18 years. 

Without me asking, Carolyn and her aide Linda started helping me set up for my class.  First, Carolyn gave me tips on making my first day of class great.  Second, Linda actually helped me place newspaper on the tables to protect them - saving me loads of time.  Third, Carolyn pointed out that there was a bag of new acrylic paints in the supply cabinet. 

I felt overwhelmed with God’s favor.  In conclusion, the first day of “Artists with a Purpose” was awesome.

Final Notes about my Artistry
As promised in my last post - here are some of the work shown at my last show with artist Sylvia Westbrook at the Meet the Artist Night at Acorn Library in Oak Forest, IL.

This is "Happy Friday"...

"Happy Friday" ©Antonia Ruppert - Mixed Media, 9x12

and this is "Delivered and Set Free"...

"Delivered and Set Free" ©Antonia Ruppert - Acrylic, 8x10

I’ll leave you with this quote by LeAndria Johnson, Grammy winner -best gospel/contemporary Christian music:

“Always be positive.” “Don’t focus on the negative things in your life. Focus on the positive. The yes in you will be the yes for somebody else.”

Vision Board and Affirmations 2010

Today is the day of new beginnings.

I thought I'd share what I've been learning in the Blastoff class with Alyson Stanfield - with ArtBizCoach.com. I am learning to prioritize myself and my dreams in the past few days after a few weeks of nonstop creating, working and networking, etc. We are on day three of the class. In this post, I will share my new affirmations and my vision board. Having a vision and affirming it daily are the key to Life and Beyond Average Existence. Here is my vision board which includes a trip to Florence Italy...

..And a few of my affirmations:

*It is October 2010, my daughter Kayla and I just returned from Florence, Italy.
*Money flows easily into my life, blesses me, and continues on to others.
*I talk less and listen more, allowing my actions to speak louder than words.
*I do one task at a time to completion.
*I paint everyday and have 25 or more marketable oil, watercolors and pastels to prove it.
*I can’t wait to share my artwork with new people
*I take good care of my money.

What are your goals and affirmations?