Do super abundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams...
Since the World Series began I have taken another leap of faith into what is my passion, fine art. It is as though I stepped onto a fast track. Everything from invitations to show my work through 4 TV interviews in 7 days, to being invited to South Africa to teach on creativity, to be invited to join Tim Flannery the 3rd base coach of the World Champion San Francisco Giants tonight in a charity event.
Above all that I dare to ask or think...
5 years ago, Jeff Crabtree a speaker, author, filmmaker and multi award winning songwriter and music producer while in San Francisco asked me to close my eyes and said what do really want to do if money was not an issue? I replied "artist". He then asked can you see yourself successful at it, can you see yourself famous doing it, can you see your wealth from it? I said yes. Then he got really quiet for a moment... and shouted so loud I could feel his words go right through me. NOW GO DO IT!!! Since that day I have carried that vision in my heart everyday.
Beyond our highest prayers...
The very next week I stumbled into a metal sculpture studio in Sacramento and met Larry Meeks one of California's most prolifically metal artist with renown clients like Arnold Schwarzenegger and the City of Sacramento. His sculptures ranging from $50,000 to $300,000. For one hour Larry poured out his years of wisdom. He gave me a concise list of do's and dont's for artists.
Ann Rea a renown artist, vineyard painter and host of her blog "Artist That Thrive" from SanFrancisco began to coach me in the right direction to become successful as an artist in this culture.
Beyond our highest desires and hopes...
About 6 months ago a business man and art collector in Reno asked if he could look through my portfolio of art and prints. He stopped at my painting of Sergio Romo. He looked up and said I hope I don't offend you, but you are by far one of the best sports artist I have ever seen. Your other work is beautiful, but you are a "sports artist" and shouldn't waste your time paint anything else but sports. He said I will make connections for you in the sports world then after you make your first million, I'm out. I was offended in the moment, my other work was my passion and painting baseball players was tedious work.
Beyond our highest dreams...
As I sat and watched the baseball playoffs the Giants and the Cardinals in a tough fought battle where the Giants clinched their WS position, I could hear that business mans voice in my head "your a sports artist". I made an instant decision to drop all other work and dive into sports art. As the Giants won the WS I started to paint the hero of the game "the unstoppable fiery pitcher" Madison Bumgarner. Since that 4 TV interviews within 7 days. After 4 hard years painting in obscurity, all of a sudden I was launched as a professional sports artist!
I am learning that no matter how big my dream is without faith, without the right counsel, without the right decisions and wisdom, without persistence it remains impossible... I have had to come into restraints and disciplines in my life. I has to over come powerful fears and internal programs that would cause defeat. I painted everything I thought was impossible such as water, sky, clouds, reflections, shadows and even people.
To date I have painted over 500 paintings, attended hundreds of art shows in wineries, coffee shops and brew pubs throughout California and Nevada. I have learn to tweet, build a web store, conquer social media and marketing, set up credit card processing and so on. This tough 4 years has brought me into a dream beyond what I have ever dreamed in a path I never though I would travel to a place I have never seen!
Now to Him Who, by in consequence of the action of His power that is at work within us, is able to carry out His purpose and do superabundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams—Eph 3:20
