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Getting out of the comfort zone

Vickie — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:18:59 +0000

it is hard to push out into the world to try new things, discover new places, meet new people, change jobs or do anything that requires us to be uncomfortable. Sometimes we are forced due to circumstances; however, let’s face it the comfort zones of life are just easier.

As I move forward with art licensing I need to make changes, do things differently, try new routes to get to where I want to be, open up to new ideas and redirect my energies…

in other words it is time to get busy with a new plan that moves me beyond my comfort zones.

Armed with renewed

I am formulating my plan of attack…the month of February will be a transition time…moving into our new home, our daughter moving to a foreign country, a new job for me, changes to my art licensing business plan, website and logo and new opportunities are ahead.

Through the next few weeks I will be writing about what I need to get me from where I am to where I need to be.

If we expect to see changes, we have to be willing to do something different.

grace and Peace to all!

To license the art of vickieleastudios or to gain access to our portfolio (Manufacturers only) please use the online contact form.

All Content—Writing/Pictures/Art on this website is COPYRIGHT PROTECTED—-Do Not use for any purpose without my written permission. Thank you for honoring my copyright.

Technorati Tags: vickieleastudios,art licensing,comfort zone

Day 19 of 61 days challenge

Vickie — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:12:32 +0000

Today has been a Challenge!!! This tool Google image search revealed to me that someone stole my artwork.

This collage of my art was stolen. The thief then hacked into the website of a landscape company in Colorado and placed a file into the HTML which contained my picture along with many others. These pictures were then being displayed on the hacked site. I know this sounds like gobble gook, but it is a true story.

I contacted the designer of the site and the website owner asking them to remove my art ASAP. The designer responded immediately and explained the above situation. He told me that he had removed the file from their site and my art was no longer on their site and it isn’t.

Unfortunately, I have no idea who the thief is or how my art was stolen. Nor do I have any idea of where else my art is being used. The Google tool only revealed this one site…hopefully, the thief no longer has my art.

The Google tool is very easy to use and my advice is to use it often. Also install as many safeguards on your website as possible and use low res copies of work you share online. If you find your art being used without your permission, contact the site developer or owner or the site host.

I have started placing a tag ©vickieleastudios on each picture so that when the cursor hovers over the picture my © shows. Just a reminder that my work is copyrighted. The longer I have my site the more safeguards I find and use.

Unfortunately, just like the thief who wants to break into your house or your car there are ways to get around the systems. We have to be proactive on all fronts.

Day 19 of 61 days of challenge was a Challenge; however, I survived and I will continue on with my creative challenge.

Grace and Peace to all!

this is what I know……“For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

To license the art of vickieleastudios or to gain access to our portfolio (Manufacturers only) please use the online contact form.

All Content—Writing/Pictures/Art on this website is COPYRIGHT PROTECTED—-Do Not use for any purpose without my written permission. Thank you for honoring my copyright.

Technorati Tags: vickieleastudios,art licensing,61 days challenge

the good, the bad and the beautiful…

Vickie — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:26:59 +0000

House hunting is a lot like life and running a business…there are good things, bad things and some really ugly things. While house hunting we have found houses in dire need of paint, new carpet and flooring, a total remake of kitchen and bathrooms and often a less than desirable floor plan. We have walked into new houses hoping to find large closets, well planned kitchens and a floor plan that utilizes space to a maximum only to be disappointed. House hunting is not for the faint of heart and it really does reflect life and business.

Life gives us good, bad and sometimes ugly stuff. Business does the same…so what’s a house hunter/business owner/life living person do?

Don’t give up…keep going. Take the good, bad and ugly and turn them into something beautiful. Everyone encounters all of these things at some point whether in life or business. If we give up every time we encounter the ugly parts, we will never experience the beautiful parts. And there are beautiful parts.

As for our house hunting, we have found a house, made an offer; we’re waiting for a counter or acceptance. It isn’t a perfect house; however, it is a house where we can make beautiful memories. So, we wait and see if this is the one…if not, we keep looking.

After all, in life and business we can’t throw in the towel…there is always something good just about to happen. Just believe!

The flower bud is the anticipation of the beautiful flower that will bloom!

“What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all….” Psalm 104:24 The Message Bible

To license the art of vickieleastudios or to gain access to our portfolio (Manufacturers only) please use the online contact form.

All Content—Writing/Pictures/Art on this website is COPYRIGHT PROTECTED—-Do Not use for any purpose without my written permission. Thank you for honoring my copyright.

Technorati Tags: vickieleastudios,art licensing,life is beautiful,business,house hunting

Non-essentials…

Vickie — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:13:47 +0000

for business and life…

since we are moving I am thinking about all the stuff we need to delete from our house…all the non essentials. I am sorting and packing…oh what fun.

I am also thinking about clearing out and deleting items from my studio…what do I need and what is just occupying space?

My oldest sister once said to me as my husband and I made yet another move…”well, at least when you move you find things you had forgotten you had.” If she were still with us, she would be surprised to see us move for the 15th time in 29 years.

Life is always about sorting, clearing, deleting and changing…

I think the secret may lie in the question…What is essential for having the life you want?

To license the art of vickieleastudios or to gain access to our portfolio (Manufacturers only) please use the online contact form.

All Content—Writing/Pictures/Art on this website is COPYRIGHT PROTECTED—-Do Not use for any purpose without my written permission. Thank you for honoring my copyright.

Technorati Tags: vickieleastudios,art licensing,essentials,moving,life

seize the day…

Vickie — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 11:56:59 +0000

What’s on the agenda for today? Is there a plan, goal or strategy for your day? Are there new opportunities waiting for action or is it a day to take care of what is already in the works? Maybe it is a day to organize, set goals and take steps to move forward with an existing project. The important thing is to seize the day….get up, get going and do something positive for yourself.

the day awaits…what will you do with your day?

To license the art of vickieleastudios or to gain access to our portfolio (Manufacturers only) please use the online contact form.

All Content—Writing/Pictures/Art on this website is COPYRIGHT PROTECTED—-Do Not use for any purpose without my written permission. Thank you for honoring my copyright.

Technorati Tags: vickieleastudios,art licensing,opportunities,creativity

tax season and happiness? why not?

Vickie — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 21:37:09 +0000

As a former accountant I understand the stress of tax season… everyone tries to reconstruct the last twelve months because they kept putting off keeping a mileage journal and receipts are everywhere and nowhere to be found. Yes you, the guy or gal who is guilty of the above scenario, and yes that even means me at times. Tax season can be stressful…and there are many ways to look at this “special” day…here’s my take.

I am blest to live in this country where I can own a business, work for decent wages and live in freedom. I am free to make decisions about my business or where I choose to work without placing limitations on my success. Freedom!

It is wonderful to have choices! I can choose to leave the accounting profession and pursue my passions—art and photography. I can move from one career to another or from one part of the country to another. I am only limited by my decisions.

I have the choice to embrace happiness. My attitude determines how I react to everything. Yes paying taxes is right up there with getting poked with a needle; however, if I dread it will I change the fact that I have to participate? No. Can I be better prepared? Yes. Can I make sure I do everything possible to help my bottom line? Yes! Can I get help if the whole “tax thing” puts me in a funk for a month? Yes! Is it ok to let someone else help me with the financial end of my business? Yes!

To sum up…Taxes will happen in some form–I am thankful I have an income and live in a country where I can choose my vocation–I can seek advice when needed and most of all I can choose to be HAPPY even during tax season!

Choose Happiness

To license the art of vickieleastudios or to gain access to our portfolio (Manufacturers only) please use the online contact form.

All Content—Writing/Pictures/Art on this website is COPYRIGHT PROTECTED—-Do NOT use for any purpose without my written permission. Thank you for honoring my copyright.

Technorati Tags: vickieleastudios,Art licensing,tax season,happiness

heading toward point B on my art licensing journey

Vickie — Fri, 28 May 2010 17:19:16 +0000

Things are humming around here…working hard for The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market in July. Lots of new art in my sketch books waiting to be scanned for design work in Photoshop. The next couple of weeks will be filled with finalizing art collections, updating my portfolio, calling manufacturers to set up interviews and so much more. I will be on the road for a couple of weeks, away from distractions, focused on art and preparing for Atlanta. This journey is exciting and a little stressful; however, I am determined.

I received the following quote in a newsletter from Sally Evans and it really fits where I am in my art licensing journey. There is some hesitancy and thinking about drawing back; however, and that is a big however, I am committed to this next move. If I don’t totally commit I will never know what I can accomplish…so I Am Committed.

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

– quote by Scottish mountaineer William Hutchinson Murray

The only way I know to get from point A to point B is head toward point B….so I am headed to point B in my art licensing journey.

To license the art of vickieleastudios or to gain access to our portfolio (Manufacturers only) please use the online contact form.

All Content—Writing/Pictures/Art on this website is COPYRIGHT PROTECTED—-Do NOT use for any purpose without my written permission.

Technorati Tags: vickieleastudios,art licensing,Atlanta Gift Mart

what does it take to construct a building?

Vickie — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:05:29 +0000

lots of bricks, boards, nails, and a strong foundation are laid before a building rises from the ground and before it will stand the test of time and the elements….so is it any different for a business? probably not!

many ingredients have to be placed on a foundation of planning and ideas along with an investment of time and finances before the building business rises from the ground.

the tools used—hard work, education, experience, advice, and learning must be applied on a daily basis…and then the business will rise and the rewards of all the hard work will be reaped.

here are just a few of the “tools” this builder artist is using to build my business.

http://artlicensingblog.com

http://somethingtocherish.com

http://joanbeiriger.blogspot.com

http://kateharperblog.blogspot.com

lay the foundation–get out the tools—put the nails in the boards—and build that building uh business.

To license the art of vickieleastudios or to gain access to our portfolio (Manufacturers only) please use the online contact form.

All Content—Writing/Pictures/Art on this website is COPYRIGHT PROTECTED—-Do NOT use for any purpose without my written permission.

Technorati Tags: vickieleastudios,art licensing,art business

fabric design

Vickie — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:38:14 +0000

I love fabric…all kinds of fabric. My stash is large and it is very hard to pass up buying more fabric anytime I set foot in my local Hancocks or Hobby Lobby, in fact any fabric store works for me…just give me fabric.

Since I have been sewing from an early age…eleven or so…my sewing machine has had lots of fabric pass through the feed dogs….dresses, blouses, slacks, coats, purses, home decor and of course, there are always the patching jobs that seem to fall on me.

Sewing and crafting have been second nature all of my life and I learned through the patience of my mother who along with my grandmother could sew anything they wanted. They both loved quilting and my mother still keeps a quilt in the frame and one or more ready for the frame.

So….fabric has played a big part in my life and walking down the isles touching and seeing the bright colors and wonderful designs is like walking through a candy store for me.

As an artist. one of my goals is to design fabrics….it will happen!

These pictures are of some of the quilts I have inherited from my mother and grandmothers.

©vickieleastudios2009

©vickieleastudios2009

©vickieleastudios2009

Nothing fancy….just scraps from clothing projects or even old feed sacks; however, each stitch lovingly placed by dedicated hands.

To license the art of vickieleastudios or to gain access to our portfolio (Manufacturers only) please use the online contact form.

All Content—Writing/Pictures/Art on this website is COPYRIGHT PROTECTED—-Do Not use for any purpose without my written permission. Thank you for honoring my copyright.

Technorati Tags: fabric,quilts,color,design,fabric stores,Hancocks,Hobby Lobby

creative people

Vickie — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:32:27 +0000

There are many creative people on the web and I love reading the blogs and looking at creative sites. As this site develops I will be featuring other artists who inspire me to keep going after this dream of licensing my art. So many artists are willing to share their knowledge and that really impresses me.

www.artlicensingblog.comThis site is a wealth of information and Tara Reed is one talented lady and so sweet to share her knowledge.

www.monicalee.typepad.com Monica Lee is another talented artist and her site is always a neat place to visit.

Live your dream!

©vickieleastudios2009

To license the art of vickieleastudios or to gain access to our portfolio (Manufacturers only) please use the online contact form.

All Content—Writing/Pictures/Art on this website is COPYRIGHT PROTECTED—-Do Not use for any purpose without my written permission. Thank you for honoring my copyright.

Technorati Tags: dream,inspiration,art licensing,creative