Moment of Clarity
A few days ago, I sat in a Wendy’s eating a chicken sandwich, and decided I wasn’t going to read, and I wasn’t going to do anything really except think. No pen, no pencil, no nothing. I decided I would just get quiet, and listen to my inner self.
As an artist, I do this quite frequently as your subconscious tends to answer questions, provide creativity, and blast artist block. This particular “getting Quiet” session provided me clarity that I had been looking for ..for quite some time now and I would like to share that with you.
I have always, always, always been creative. I have always been entrepreneurial, and I have always been a giver by nature. I had been kicking around some ideas in my head and this is the result of my session:
I will be releasing my website to the world www.magicwoodworks.com and I am hoping to be able to utilize itto leave a bit of a legacy behind. We come into this world with nothing, and we leave the world with nothing….all we can leave is knowledge, and a sense of having given back.
My recent moment of clarity has provided me with the how to. My website will be featuring a new initiative that I will be starting called Homes for Pets & Homes for People. I will donate a percentage of sales from all of my art and craft work online and off to a soon to be announced no kill animal shelter, and a small percentage will also be given to the local Habitat for Humanity. I will have a link on the site that will offer a transparent view of how much was raised on a monthly basis as well as the running total.
Also, I will use iJustin Tv or a similar service to do weekly woodturning demonstrations where I will create a piece, interact with the followers, and auction that piece off at the end. These weekly Videocasts will generate a higher percentage for the charity…I’m thinking 30 - 40% will be donated to the initiative.
Finally, but I’m sure not the last idea is to hold a live turning marathon once a year where I will turn for some obscene amount of hours, maybe even get some guest turners, and generate more high percentage items for the charitable initiative. Auction off all of the items turned and donate 30-40% off all of the monies to the charity.
This was my thaughts…my moment of clarity…I feel this is what I will be able to leave behind in my wake. If any of you know me you know that I am not self serving….I truely love to give back and I hope that this transparent initiative will spawn many others like it.
I would love any comments, suggestions, or feelings that you might have. Thanks…………..
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Stumble it!
December 10th, 2007 at 7:51 am
“Finally, but I’m sure not the last idea is to hold a live turning marathon once a year where I will turn for some obscene amount of hours, maybe even get some guest turners, and generate more high percentage items for the charitable initiative.”
Perhaps a variety of local hand crafted goods would reach a wider audience. I’ve been working towards doing more tablet weaving. Do you know any glass blowers? Metalworkers? Instrument makers? Those kinds of skilled crafts persons would be interesting to collaborate with. Just a thought. Buffalo must have more crafters.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
Keith, I just love your passion! I’m so lucky to get to work with you — I think we all feed on the energy we are surrounded with, and I’m thrilled to meet another determined, energetic soul like yourself.
My favorite place ever to sit and think is LuLu’s coffee shop in Santa Cruz, CA. (Although I can’t think without pen and paper in hand, or I fear I’d forget something!) I literally have notebooks full of ideas generated while drinking their Ethiopian Yirgacheffe
I’m really looking forward to seeing you work on video. I must have told 100 people how in love with those pieces you sent me I am, and I’m sure they’d love to see how it’s done, too!
December 12th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
VERY AGGRESSIVE AND DYNAMIC
December 12th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
hello
December 12th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Great idea - and good moment of clarity. Who knew Wendy’s could do that for you.
That girl from Lewiston who used to be Susan McMackin
PS - I can’t wait to see the wonderful things that appear here in the future.
December 13th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Cortney, I guess I thaught it might be cool to have the turning marathon because it should draw some attention as an annual event online. I will definatly be doing some offline craft ups or art ups for the charity as well. Thanks for your Post! Your the first. E-mail me your adress and I’ll send you something nice!
Marina, thank you so much for everything, if not for you I would not have this voice. I really appreciate our relationship and the richness you bring to my life. All aspiring artists and business people should visit Marina at http://www.sufficientthrust.com
Pat, I am not sure aggressive is the term, but I guess thinking about it …it could be considered aggressive. I do know that I love to give back, and that it is always good to give before you receive. You taught me that (Mom)
Susan Reynolds, we have an unexplainable bond between artists, and I wish you all the blessings in the world. I guess I could have said I was in a fancy cofee shop somewhere or meditating in a buddhist temple somewhere, but the fact is …quiet time can be done anywhere. Thanks for the post!