Year: 2012

2013 Vision Board – It’s gonna be a great year!

VisionIt has become my annual tradition to create a vision board as I welcome the new year in and say goodbye to the old one.

The purpose of creating a vision board is to define your outcomes and goals, allow them to manifest in your life, and share your vision with others to make your intentions more powerful.

I created vision boards for 2011 and 2012, and I shared them here on my blog. I accomplished some goals, and I am still working on others. (I still haven’t gotten off the Super Size Me Diet).

On my accomplished list: I did publish my book, and I did complete the second Okey’s Promise Project, which will begin touring this year. I did create and sell a lot of paintings and other artworks. I did put together a licensing portfolio.

On my not yet accomplished list: I have not yet developed any significant or lucrative licensing contracts, and I have not yet increased my wealth substantially. I have not done as much public speaking as I would like.I still have to plunk quarters in a washer and dryer that is in the dungeon of my apartment building.

On my always in progress list: Although I sometimes lament that change is a slow and crooked journey, I have continued to do my part to change my world for the better.

So here is my vision board for 2013. Some things from previous years have reappeared, and there are some new things. I hope to check back throughout the year to review and reflect on my progress!

Okey's Promise Art for a Cause mural sketch
Create my third Okey’s Promise project – a mural on a building in Barberton, OH, that educates and inspires people around the world to take action against animal abuse, child abuse and domestic violence.
Okey's Promise Art for a Cause mural sketch
Okey’s Promise Art for a Cause mural sketch
Okey's Promise Art for a Cause mural sketch
Okey’s Promise Art for a Cause mural sketch
digital drawing of hardcover books
.Write and publish another book, or two, or three..
Drawing of cat character Brewskie Butt on the beach with a beer
Continue to develop Brewskie Butt into a character for licensing and merchandising various products.
puggle pug mix dog custom pet portrait by BZTAT
Paint lots of portraits of cool dogs and develop enriching relationships with the people in their lives.
Black cat pet portrait painting BZTAT
Paint lots of portraits of cool cats and develop enriching relationships with the people in their lives.
BZTAT public speaking
Do more public speaking and consultation.
money celebration of wealth
Increase my wealth and manage it more effectively. REALLY. I mean it this time.
Have appliances that don’t require quarters INSIDE my residence. Seriously. This is #1 on my bucket list.
Super Size Me Diet
Try harder to get off the Super Size Me Diet. REALLY. I mean it this time.
Change the World grafitti art by BZTAT
Continue to do my part to make the world a better place.

I hope that you have creative visions for 2013 as well. Happy New Year to you. May all your visions and best imaginations come true!

Life is an Adventure!

BZTAT

 

Where does a dreamer go from here?

Rising Dove of Peace - Drawing by BZTAT
“Rising Dove of Peace” – Drawing by BZTAT

When I was younger, there were things in my world that I aspired to change. I have always been one to wax philosophical, and I have often held to lofty dreams.

As a child and as a young woman, I dreamed of what my world would be like when I reached the age that I am at the present. And I did all that was in my power to make changes happen so my dream world could come true.

I dreamed of a world where fighting nations found other ways to settle disputes. I dreamed of a world where child abuse, domestic violence and other social ills would become obsolete. I dreamed of a world where human beings became smarter and kinder and more effective in their pursuits of happiness.

I dreamed of a world where gun violence was gauged according to it being a rare event, not according to how it rated against last year’s numbers.

I dreamed of a world where our growing body of intelligence helped us learn to work together instead of developing technologies that made it easier for us to blow each other apart.

I dreamed of a world where common sense became more common, and selfish rationalizations became rarities.

I knew that these hopes and dreams would not all come to pass in one lifetime, but I honestly thought we would be closer to them than we are by now. Instead, I look at my world and wonder, how can it be that we are farther away from these things than ever?

At age 50, I struggle to reconcile the fact that, despite my efforts, and others’ efforts from my generation, my world totally contradicts that which I had dreamed it would become.

Was I a fool to think it would be any different? Am I bitter and cynical and not seeing the forest for the trees? Am I having a “mid-life crisis”? Or is life just bigger than I thought, and beyond my limited imaginings?

I have no answers. I am not even at a place where I can posit any assumptions.

Recent events (Newtown, CT shooting; Webster, NY fire and shooting; 2012; “fiscal cliff” negotiation breakdowns; Syrian Civil War; etc.) have shaken my usual optimism.

Where does a dreamer go from here?

Life is an Adventure!

BZTAT

Stocking Stuffer Special Auction!

Stocking Stuffer Art Auction

AUCTIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

Just in time for your last minute holiday shopping, I have created some small artworks for a Stocking Stuffer Art Auction!

You won’t be able to place the original in a stocking, as it will take some time to ship, but I will email you a coupon that will serve the purpose if you win the bid. So get bidding!

The first 5 drawings are “mini’s” (3″ x 5″) and the last 3 drawings are medium size (5″ X 7″), which accounts for the variation in minimum bids.

Each artwork has its own bidding page. Please do not leave bids in the comments of this post. Click on the images of the artwork below for which you’d like to bid. Simply leave your bid in the comments on the artwork’s bidding page, and keep checking back to see if others have made bids after you.

There is a “Buy Now” option for each piece. You can buy the piece now for the stated “Buy Now” price as long as no bids have been made before you. Simply write BUY NOW in the comments and the piece is yours.

Bidding will conclude on Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 10 pm ET.

Winning bidders will need to allow 4 weeks for shipping of the original artwork.

Thanks for your support of the auction. Happy bidding!

Click on images to get info on each artwork and to make bids.

Angel Holy Night drawing by BZTAT
“Oh Holy Night” drawing by BZTAT
Maine Coon cat drawing BZTAT
“Meowy Christmas!” drawing by BZTAT
Christmas tree drawing by BZTAT
“Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree!” drawing by BZTAT
Maine Coon cat drawing BZTAT
“Maine Coon ManCat” drawing BZTAT
Santa dog drawing BZTAT
“Santa Dog” drawing BZTAT
Black schnauzer mix dog drawing by BZTAT
“Holiday Woof!” drawing by BZTAT
Tonkinese cat drawing BZTAT
“A Tonk’s Tale” drawing BZTAT
Westie dog drawing by BZTAT
“Holiday Westie” drawing by BZTAT