Artists are different.
Artists are in a perpetual search for inspiration... for beauty, joy, light, magic.
Artists are inventive, expressive, adventurous, and intuitive with an overwhelming desire to share their world.
I am such an artist. _____________________________________________________________________________________
"Gratitude turns what we have into enough."
~Anonymous
♥ Front Line Warriors
It is with the deepest gratitude I dedicate this issue of Bullet Point Blessings to our World War C front line workers. Where would we be without the Doctors, Nurses, Medical Staff, First Responders, Environmental Services workers, Police, Firefighters, Elected Officials, Pharmacists, Bank Tellers, Grocery store workers, Mail Deliverers, Journalists, Truck Drivers, Restaurant workers, Volunteers to hand make hand-sanitizers & masks & teach on-line & add humor and do needed service work of all kinds of activities? Many people don't have the choice to shelter in place and many who do choose to serve anyway.
Where would we be without them?
I'm also grateful to you who are obeying the "Safer at Home" order and assisting the effort to stop the spread of the virus. You are doing your part, and I am grateful!!
"I get by with a little help from my friends."
~The Beatles
♥ Friends, Family, Students, and Big-hearted Acquaintances
I am humbled and amazed at the kind and generous donations that have been donated steadily to my "rainy day fund." With the pandemic and required social distancing, my in-person art classes came to a screeching halt along with the majority of my monthly income. Immediately I got to work creating online painting videos that I offer for free on YouTube with the option to make a donation through Venmo (@susan-jones-346) or PayPal (susan@susanejones.com), and a gift to those feeling the same financial pinch to enjoy the classes with my blessing.
And for those who want more classes with more in-depth instruction and service, check out my new Patreon on-line painting classes. Some of these classes are offered for free and others require a subscription. Now, not only can you enjoy my painting classes from home or on vacation or anywhere you may be as long as you have internet access and your supplies, but others who are not local or have access to the in-person classes taught in Spring Hill can join the fun as well.
Please help me out and share this newsletter with all your creative friends. Your recommendation means the world to me, and it will boost a small business during this crises we are all experiencing as well as increase the world's quotient of joy, color, and creativity. Be sure and tag me in the photos of paintings you post on social media #paintingwithsusan. I am grateful to You!
"Necessity is the mother of Invention."
~Old English Proverb
♥ The Internet
How did people survive the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 with the internet??? I mean for real! The internet is how this "shelter in place" artist is staying in touch with friends through Facebook and Instagram. I am entertaining myself in the evenings watching "Escape to the Chateau" on YouTube, teaching on Patreon and YouTube and considering live online classes through Zoom.
I'm finding humor from other creatives, like this family in the UK. We are trying to teach my parents to purchase pantry items from Amazon Prime and perishables through the Kroger Curbside Pick-up app. Kids are going to school through Google Classroom. The Spring Hill Library has removed the password from their WiFi so anyone can park near the building and have free access. The Spring Hill Police department is parking patrol vehicles in all the Spring Hill Parks and turning on the car's MyFi for the public to use. (The username and password will be written on a piece of paper on the car's window. DO NOT TOUCH THE POLICE CAR.) I'm even attending church online.
When you can't be there in person. The internet is absolutely the next best thing. What a blessing.
If you are spending time binge-watching Downton Abbey, grab your free digital download of my eBbook The Downton Abbey Lexicon Primer, my gift to you free on April 5 only, just one British costume drama addict to another.
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be hoarding toilet paper."
~Jane Austen, Pride & Prejudice, re-imagined first line
♥ Toilet Paper
It occurred to me that Toilet Paper may have been the most taken for granted item in the US a month ago, and today is one of the most coveted. My friend Sonja proudly displays her "catch" after a long day of searching and visiting several stores.
"I bagged a big one!" Sonja exclaimed gleefully. I don't think she could have been any more excited even if she had just caught an award-winning trophy fish.
And just when you thought there was nothing fun about toilet paper, my friend Christy introduced me to the brand she buys.... Who Gives a Crap?... environmentally friendly, recycled paper toilet paper wrapped in decorative paper. But the real story is this company donates 50% of its profits to building toilets for those in need. They have donated nearly $2 million to date to charities serving communities around the world suffering from malnutrition and lack of sanitation, something most of us take for granted even when we are spending time at home appreciating the little things we enjoy, or did, and will again.
Unfortunately, they are currently out of stock, too.
"Soap and water and common sense are the best disinfectants."
~William Osler
♥ Soap
Is there anything more elegant than soap?
Soap is made out of two simple ingredients, animal fat and an alkaline solution that allows for the process of saponification. It's easy to make, inexpensive to purchase, hasn't been emptied from the market shelves by hoarders, yet it's the best thing to clean ourselves, our clothes and our homes, giving us better health and longer lives.
♥ World on Fire
The last World War is the topic of Masterpiece Theater's newest production airing on PBS beginning this Sunday evening, April 5. The premier of World on Fire has been on my calendar for four months!
World on Fire is a seven-part epic drama about the lives of the main characters during the first year of WWII. It was filmed in five countries... Britain, France, Germany, Poland and US. We owe so much to the Greatest Generation, and it make World War C not seem so bad in comparison. Can. Not. Wait.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay home everybody!!
"One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats."
~Iris Murdoch
"Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul."
~Amy Collette
"When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around."
~Willie Nelson
____________________________________________________________________________
In keeping with current CDC health recommendations for social distancing, we have canceled all in-person painting classes for the duration. I am praying for everyone's good health and well being. Hopefully soon I will be able to publish a full roster of classes and paint with you again.
Please visit my Patreon Channel or YouTube channel for painting demonstrations and inspiration.
Please call me if you have additional questions or would like to purchase a gift certificate or register for a future class:
615-668-8263
These are a couple of paintings I've been working on. What's on your easel?? Post to social media and tag me to see #paintingwithsusan.
Links you may be interested in...
My ETSY Shops...
Colorful and Charming Art and Postcards from the Dimple of the Universe
Do you enjoy receiving a personal, hand-written card in the mail? Do you know someone who would, maybe a friend or family member away from home or now living in Assisted Living or a Nursing Home?
Postcards from the Dimple of the Universe is my Etsy shop that offers a subscription of 1-, 6-, or 12-handwritten cards, one each month, depicting an object or scene from my hometown, Columbia, Tennessee, aka the Dimple of the Universe or from around middle Tennessee, and delivered in a colorful envelope with a delightful US postage stamp.
It's a charming and unique gift for yourself or someone you love.
Recommended Supplies lists...
Supplies List for Creative Spirits Classes,
Adventure Awaits Supplies List,
Back Issues of Bullet Point Blessings at Creative Spirits Soar! blog.
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