My entry belongs in the Photography category, although my profile displays the varied nature of my work. This photo has not been altered in any way. It ’s what happens to me when I've been soaking up sunshine. Light goes in, light pours out. Life can be very good sometimes.
I ’ve been a starving artist since I was 14. By that age, I’d already been thoroughly duped into believing that I had nothing extraordinary to offer in this world.
I earned my BA degree in fashion merchandising (which allowed me a few art courses along with the approved business training), and I did my best to aid my husband as we traveled the world at his company ’s expense. Our addresses changed as we moved around the globe from Pennsylvania and California (USA), Seoul (South Korea), Munich and Dresden (Germany), southern and northern England, and southern France. Along the way, I absorbed the culture, art, cuisine, as well as home management skills from women around the globe. I took occasional courses in Korean traditional painting and silk embroidery, English bobbin lace making, and various fine art classes. I was taking everything in, but what did I have to offer?
After more than 20 years of keeping up appearances, I woke up to discover how hungry I really was. I had been created to create, and here I was starving at the feast!
The last three years have been an intense battle to break the bad old habits of disparagement and distraction, and to reeducate myself to live a life to the fullest extent.
The monthly Starving Artist stipend will allow me to share what I ’ve learned along the way. I have been developing a personal and creativity discovery course, and currently do not have the means to prepare a studio in which I can invite others. The corner of my bedroom is not suited for my vision!
Blessings on all of you who are seeking to become more than you are today.

INTRODUCTION:  DRAWN INTO THE LIGHT
“Now is the winter of our discontent, Made glorious by the sun of York.”
        William SHAKESPEARE, Richard III, act 1, sc 1, l 1

Step 1:
“I came so they might have life, and have it to the full.”    John 10:10

    Have you ever felt the stirring of your soul?   Sometimes your heart will burst with an inner discontent that takes your breath away and leaves you crying out for more.  But for more of what?  How can you possibly know?  You thought you knew, but once you got it, after the festivities, there was a new silence.  The longing is still there.      What’s missing?

“The wind blows wherever it pleases.   You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.  So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”      John 3:8

“Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through GOD.”      John 3:21

“I believe talent is like electricity.   We don’t understand electricity.  We use it.”  Maya ANGELOU

LORD, I ’ve been confused about Who You really are.  I know that the wind is blowing, and that I’m dying to take part in the adventure.  Please be the wind in my sails — Whoever You are.  I’m willing to risk my life to find this ‘more’ that You promise.


    What do you want from life?   Is your life really living up to your expectations?  When was the last time you knew real joy?
    What do you do with the heartbreak?   Where do you go with your daily disappointments?  Is there anyone who really understands?  Are you living the life you want, or just trying to survive another day?
    Deep within each of us, there is a memory of a perfect world that whispers through the noise and into today ’s reality.  We have our expectations of what life is supposed to be, and our ways of reacting to what life throws at us.  Are you aware of your expectations?  Is your reality coming anywhere close to that?  What can you do about it?  Can you make your dreams come true?
    Spend some time wrestling with your discontent.   Is there anything you can do with your dissatisfaction that doesn’t make you regret after the action?  Does it feel like you’re wandering in the desert?  Or as if you’ve been cast under a spell; disoriented, dazed and confused?  Describe this dream state?
    What did you want to be when you grew up?   Can you recall your earliest ambition?  Have you achieved it, and in the way you’d expected?
    What is your deepest desire in the world?   There’s an untapped current of passion that’s waiting to explode into action.   What will it take to ignite the flame of your purpose?