Briar Moon Studio

Equating Success With Money

2008-03-14T11:28:19Z

Equating Success With Money

A very common trap for the creative mind of the artist is to ascribe to the old fashioned “Success is Money” mind set. If success is money than there are a lot of folks out in the world that would be surprised to know that some people really believe this deep down in their hearts. There are just to many examples to choose from in all walk’s of life, to choose one or two to list as analogies so I will skip trying to do justice to these examples.

I myself hear this particular phrase on an almost weekly basis. This phrase comes spewing forth from the mouths of so called “well meaning friends and family” accompanied by that “oh so sweet smile” that is saying “ I only want the best for you”. If I had one dollar for every single time I have heard that phrase I would be rolling it cash and assets.

Success like any other achievable goal is not really measured by the almighty dollar, but by the “emotional high” return we achieve by attaining a goal. Attaining tis goal brings happiness. That my friends is the true payoff in any situation, job, or past time. Money can't by that feeling, so it is more valuable than any precious metal, jewel, or cash equvilent.

I keep a plain old little notebook and every day I write down at least one thing that I am very grateful for that pertains to my art, and the business I am working to build. I measure my artistic successes with this notebook not with the business bank account.

Be the words ever so humble, like an entry that mentions getting the facial features on a sketch just right, to the entry written about the warmth I felt when one of my favorite artists paid me the ultimate compliment of “This piece is simply stunning “. There is an entry rejoicing over the acquisition of a new camera after the old one sat broken for three months, and an entry rejoicing that I had finally found the perfect model for said painting.

Every single word written in this rinky dink little note book is a tally of success. No this tally does not match the numbers of the business books, not by a long shot, instead this tally matches the feeling of being successful at what I do in plain old “I am grateful” terms. I am not saying that money has no importance in a business or in your life, instead I am saying that the money really should be secondary to the importance of your own satisfaction in successful goals being accomplished.

If we do not at times fail, we will never know what it feels like to succeed!

Wishing everyone many brilliant failures!

New Studio Site Live

2008-03-13T11:03:24Z

Briar Moon Stduio has a brand new look, and a brand new site catalog!
Please stop by and visit. Sign the guest scroll is you are so inclined.

I am really pleased with how it came out, although it seems a bit wahsed
out on smaller monitors. I designed it on a gianormous one and youcan really tell the
difference in the color and clarity between a small and huge monitor.

http://www.briarmoon.com/index.php

Ouch....trying hard not to scratch

2008-02-21T15:36:20Z

I am down for the duration...
went to the doc, yesterday because I seem to
have broken out into hives, bad hives.
Not sure why either, haven't eaten
any thing bad, or changed any products.

right now were are going with a stress reaction
and hoping it goes away...doc has me on all
kinds of meds and my head is a bit muddled...
am supposed to just rest, but one can only lay around so long.
I feel like crap too, aches, fever, and just plain gross.

and did I mention that I itch gads I itch...these damn things
are every where and I mean every where...
I swear I could roll around naked on astro turf for an hour
I itch so baaaaadddddddd....
pics of four bad areas are on the page at following link
Nasty Gross Itchy Alert too...

Ouchiness

Friday night…and I got a Feature in Future Art Magazine

2008-02-15T21:56:25Z

First my big news, Guardians of the Ocean, The Hawaiian Islands got a feature in the latest 'Unknown Artist news article' http://news.deviantart.com/article/42337/
by Future Art Magazine. Sending out a very heartfelt thanks to them for this honor.

Getting ready to settle in for a Friday night at home. The hubby is going to help out a friend in his auto shop tonight. I am happily looking forward to staying home. I have had a bit of a bruised ego of late, so I am going to stay home and do some things that need doing, then I am going to relax a bit. First thing is getting the newsletter done and out. Then I am going to work on the database for the new site design, which is taking me forever and a day for a while.

Of coarse like anyone else, I know I would enjoy a vacation to some place warm, exotic and exciting, but since that will not be happening right now, I am going to do something just as nice.
I am going to pop in a DVD, while I work on some new line work. Yes working on line work while viewing a vid is my idea of relaxing.

I had a wonderful Valentine’s Day. Stephen got me roses, a way beautiful ring, and an ice cream cake, in the shape of a heart, that said be mine. He also made me this fantastic dinner, then we watched a movie, then I gave him his present, we…well that part is private…grin!

time thingy nicked from cartoonmayhem

2008-02-12T17:19:48Z

The Studio's Last Ever Ebay Auctions

2008-02-08T02:33:19Z

The Studio's Last Ever Ebay Auctions Live Now

Due to the new policies on shipping charges,
and feedback structure at Ebay,
Briar Moon Studio will no longer be running
auctions there.
This is your last chance to get one of Gina Marie's originals
at the studio's special ebay prices.

We have three auctions running right now, Moonsong, There is No Escape, and
The Keeper of Childhood's Journey. each start at a bidding price over fifty
precent off what they will be listed for on the studio's web site.

Wishing everyone a bright and magical day,

Gina Marie and The Briar Moon Studio Crew

Heros Quiz just for fun

2008-02-06T16:20:58Z

Which Heroes Character Are You?

Created by BuddyTV

nicked from goddes of art

2008-02-06T16:16:08Z

Which Battlestar Galactica Character Are You?

Created by BuddyTV

Studio Update Jan. 2008

2008-01-17T00:50:43Z

Jan 2008 Update

First this will be short. Gina Marie’s mother had a major stroke on Dec. 25, and it has been hectic around the studio. Her mother is recovering nicely now, and she is back to work at furious pace trying to catch up on all she has fallen behind on.

All orders have been caught up as of this morning.

Ebay Auctions
We are running two auctions on Ebay right now.

There is No Escape
http://cgi.ebay.com/Gothic-Fairy-Watercolor-Nemesis-Goddess-10-by-14_W0QQitemZ290199061094QQihZ019QQcategoryZ20158QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
The Keeper of Childhood’s Journey
http://cgi.ebay.com/Child-Fairy-Watercolor-Labyrinth-10-by-14_W0QQitemZ290199068237QQihZ019QQcategoryZ20158QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

December Contest Winners
Monthly Carla of Florida
Mailing List Dee of North Dakota

Jan. Contest Winners
Monthly Kayla of Texas
Mailing List Nora of Alabama

Look for a more comprehensive newsletter next month, when we will be unveiling the new gift shop at the studio along with a fresh design.

Important Customer Notice

2007-12-18T01:51:55Z

Important Notice

It has just come to my attention that www.briarmoon.com is messed up. For some reason the version of the site that is live is a version out dated since May. The site has been updated several times since but all the information has vanished. So please bear with us while will figure out and fix the problem.

My daughter's LJ

2007-12-10T21:52:05Z

Hey everyone that is fan of poetry, check out my 23 year old daughter's journal,...
she writes some great stuff and could use a few friends..she started a new journal after
being off LJ for almost a year, and most of her old friends have disappeared.
You can find her at: http://and-not-waving.livejournal.com/

wishing everyone a magical day!

Christmas Elf Name Thingy

2007-12-04T10:46:56Z

Christmas Elf Name

My Christmas Elf Name is

Get your Christmas Elf Name at JokesUnlimited.com

spice thingy ... nicked from kelly and everyone else too!

2007-12-04T10:34:33Z

Your Score: Spice Melange

You scored 100% intoxication, 75% hotness, 100% complexity, and 75% craziness!

You are Spice. You're not from around here, are you? You're extremely valuable. While you resemble mundane cinnamon, you are much more interesting. People fight wars over you, but your giant worms protect you. You enlighten people; make them aware, prescient, even clairvoyant. Your pure essence can reveal people's true selves, if they survive their encounter with the real you. You're addictive, dangerous, seductive, and above all else, necessary for space travel.

Link: The Which Spice Are You Test written by jodiesattva on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Holiday Feature on DA with Yuletime Fairy Included...

2007-11-29T20:48:31Z

Feeling a bit under spirited, have a touch of the BA HUM BUGS,
cruise over DA Holiday Art to see a wonderful display of holiday art
in a journal feature. You will leave with visions of the holidays brighting your
spirit!

Holiday magic to all !!!

christmas meme....nicked from controuble

2007-11-29T14:27:26Z

On the twelfth day of Christmas, arslongu sent to me...

Twelve katerinaarts sculpting

Eleven gothixmagazines swimming

Ten autumngroves a-crafting

Nine jasminetoads camping

Eight controubles a-hiking

Seven nixjim13s a-sewing

Six hippiechic567s a-gardening

Five arto-o-o-oftheempaths

Four giovanna_adams

Three wyrdpainters

Two watercolors

...and a LiveJournal meme in a pear tree.

Have a Wonderful Holiday....and Thankfulness

2007-11-21T16:10:29Z

I want to wish everyone a wonderful
holiday. Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not I hope
you all have a very magical day!

These are some things I am thankful for...

The glorious, living planet we all live upon
what a wondrous, magical place.

My hubby and children, they constantly amaze me.

My dog...my constant companion, the one who listens
without judgment, never talks back with reproach,
and always is a happy to see me.

All my online wonderful friends, but especially...
Capt. Jacq, Sel, V, Carmen, Wendy, Kim, Carrie, Suzanna, Kelly, Dawn, Sophia, and Rob (it is wonderful to reconnect with an old buddy, blows kisses your way)

My health- although not perfect, I am still kicking!!!

My wonderful home, although not really much, it is ours, and I know there are folks
that don't have a home at all.

My talent, although not fully realized, and not yet supporting
my dream of paying my way with my art, it is a full filling job, and I love what I do,
even with all the stress over the money side, I could never give it up.

The World Wide Web...I would be so lost without my computer and the net,
it has opened doors to whole new worlds to me.

DickBlick.Com yep... where would I be with out the good ole DB

Daniel Smith Watercolors...wow what a difference the right paint can make,
and a special thanks goes out dear V, for leading me to them...V you are beautiful,
and you totally ROCK!!!

Netflix....stars above how did I ever live without netflix...grin

Greek test....nicked from Giovanna

2007-11-21T15:40:14Z

Your Score: Pan

96% Extroversion, 99% Intuition, 72% Emotiveness, 100% Perceptiveness

You are Pan. You're an extremely creative and fun-loving individual. You have a predisposition to acting and performing, and you enjoy it. You're very outgoing, and you are genuinely interested in other people. You probably have a pet parakeet, play an instrument, write poetry, tell jokes, love parties, have lots of friends, remember people, names and faces, paint, and have a righteous social conscious.

You're very good natured, but can be naive and exploited by less good natured people. You're mischevious, but in a usually harmless way. You don't have much use for structure and routine, and your appetite for sensation and immediate gratification can cloud your judgement regarding the future consequences of your actions. You like to improvise more than you like to plan.

You look on the bright side of life. Even though you're highly optimistic, you can be predisposed to bouts of angst when presented with negative possibilities or outcomes. In combating dire circumstances, you can become dismissive and resort to over-simplifications of the situation. Although most people love to be around you, the more analytical types (Atlas, The Oracle, Prometheus, and Hermes) will take issue with what they perceive to be your lack of foresight. The main drawback to this is that they will become rigid and stubborn in conflict, and you will take this personally, becoming stubborn and inflexible yourself.

Regardless, you have a capacity for connection with other people that is unheard of in the other personality types. Your main strenghts are your flexibility and artistic and sympathetic abilities.

Famous people like you: Franz Joseph Haydn, Dr. Suess, Bill Cosby, Sandra Bullock, Oscar Wilde
Similar Personality Types: Orpheus, Aphrodite, Dionysus
Stay clear of: Atlas, Hermes, Prometheus, The Oracle

Link: The Greek Mythology Personality Test written by Aleph_Nine on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Family Medical Emergency

2007-11-12T14:54:25Z

We have had a second family medical emergency, and we will be away from the business and from online, for the next week. When the proper arrangements have been made, we will be back to business as usual by
Friday November 16, 2007.
Please except our apologies for an inconvenience this might cause our customers.
All order shipping will take place Saturday November 17, 2007 and each order will receive a free shipping upgrade to first class, and a set of free bookmarks. Just our way of saying we are sorry for the delays.
Thank you for your understanding.
Gina Marie of Briar Moon Studio

Important Notice: Email Problems

2007-11-02T10:40:57Z

Important Notice: Email Problems

The studio is experiencing email problems once again. If you have emailed us in the past 12 days and have not gotten a response, please try again. We think we have handle on the situation now. The new spam filter installed by our ISP has taken some time to figure out.
If all else fails and you have not heard back from us by Sunday please try the artist’s yahoo address at changingspirit@yahoo.com

We are terribly sorry for any inconvenience this has caused anyone.
Sincerely,
Gina Marie & The Briar Moon Crew

Morning Fly By....

2007-11-01T12:35:38Z

Thought of the Day:
Let your clarity define you!

The first of November already! Wow were does the year go?
Once again I have loads of work to wade through today,
When I would much rather be painting, but I can’t complain.

The air was very crisp and cold this morn. The sky blushed with
lovely lavender, pink and golden hues as the sun rose in the east.
I knew that I would have to give in to the inevitable winter routine of moving
furniture out of the way so that I might do my morning Tai Chi.
Although having a smaller home is way worth it in cleaning chores, it
tends to cramp exercise room….grin.

I am busy working on a new project and happy to say
that I will have product samples going out soon. It has taken me much longer than
I had anticipated, but I wanted to do it right from the start.
So that meant some research, then some searching, then the task of putting everything together.
Also I have been putting together the business side too, which means some extra work too.
I had wanted to have everything running in time for the holidays,
but now realize I was not being realistic at all for the scope of my under taking.
So to everyone that has been waiting so patiently, I am working on this still,
and you will be hearing from me soon, and seeing your samples soon too!

Wishing everyone a magical day!
Blows Kisses to All!

I blew up the planet....

2007-10-30T11:17:17Z

Yeppers I did, I did!!! Giggles...I have this cool little program that sets on my desk top that has bouncing little icons that I can click on to get to certain programs, like IE...My IE icon in this program is a world globe.
Well you can get rid of an icon by double left clicking. When you do this the icon turns into a little leopard spotted cloud, and then it explodes into bits and vanishes.

So yesterday when I was in a hurry I missed my click, and my little globe blew right up. Which causes some rather loud growling type of noises to come from my office.
So around two hours later one of the hubby's friends called him and they were talking, and I heard him say quite matter of fact," Oh we aren't up to much really, just the same old, same old. I had a usual day at work and Gina blew up the world."

I about fell off my chair laughing, and today I still find his comment hugely amusing.

I need to get to work, have loads on my plate today, but I wanted to pop in and tell everyone about my minor adventure yesterday when I blew up the world.

Blows Kisses to All!!!

Wishing you all many brilliant failures

2007-10-29T13:31:49Z

I rented a movie yesterday, to combat a blue mood I felt settling in. Therefore, I went for a Disney movie I had not seen yet.
Isn’t it amazing how a children’s movie can take you back down memory lane while inspiring you to move forward! Yesterday I had the privilege of watching “Meet the Robinsons”
I was very enchanted by the characters, the story, the animation and the artistic talent in this movie but more than anything I found the message of the movie the most inspiring part.

“Keep Moving Forward” What an awesome message to send out to children and adults.

Being an adoptee this movie brought back memories of wondering where I came from, and who I was when I was in my early teens. It wasn’t until I was in my early twenties that I learned to forgive that part of my past, opting instead to move into the future. I learned to let go of an imagined family and appreciate the one I already had. My husband and children taught me that lesson.

The message that every failure is indeed something to celebrate, is wonderful. Each and every failure pushes us to learn. This movie has the most positive message I have heard concerning failing. It is so true that you don’t learn much from your successes, but failure is one of the best learning tools there is, as long as we look at those failures with the right attitude.

I also traveled down memory lane into my late twenties, when I almost lost my right hand. I was staying at my SIL and BIL’s house just outside of Indianapolis so I could afford to get back and forth from the daily therapy my hand and arm required. It was a terrible time. I couldn’t see nor feel any progress with my therapy at the time. My right hand was lifeless; I couldn’t even hold a pencil. I felt like it was the end of the world.

My SIL and BIL had this old farmstead outside the city with a huge garage they were not using for anything, so they let a local band use their garage for practices. While I was staying there I met a young man named Rob who had an incredible voice. A warm smile, a head full of shaggy hair, and talent for writing that to this day is unbelievable.
I couldn’t do all that much during this time, because it was crucial that I not bump or disturb my healing arm, so when the band practiced I would make my way to the garage to listen to them practice. Rob always asked me what I thought of this riff or that chorus, and always had a nice word for the shy, quiet, strange woman with the mummy wrapped arm.

I remember the light of eagerness that shone in his eyes when he talked about his music and where he wanted it to go, and I remember how supportive he was of me. He told me that I would hold a pencil again,
in addition, he poured over my sketch books giving me praise when the piece deserved praise and construction criticism when he seen something that he felt needed it. He would laugh and tell me he was going to make it big and that whenever I saw his face or heard his voice in the future that I should remember to believe in myself the way others believed in me.

Eventually my therapy ended, they won’t keep an un-insured person in therapy any longer than necessary. My SIL and BIL spilt up, and moved, and the days of therapy and listening to the band where over.

I went back to my home, raising my children and learning to use my arm on my own, and I lost track of Rob. Yet I wasn’t surprised when I heard that his band and he had a hit song hit the airways about two years later.
So I don’t know why I was so surprised when I rented this movie, and heard his song “Little Wonders”
I was again reminded of his words so long ago “that when ever you see my face or heard my voice in the future you should remember to believe in yourself the way others believed in you.” That has what has been missing of late in my work and me. I had forgotten to believe in myself, the way those supporting me emotionally have believed in me.

One single children’s movie caused me to look back over the years, and see just how far I have come. I can use my arm again. Although it will never be the same, I can and do hold a pencil once more. My children are grown and raised, and fill me with awe and pride. I have a lovely home, and a wonderful husband. My fur babies fill our empty nest with their love and antics and I have a wonderful group of online friends to hang with, find inspiration with, and to laugh with. I am indeed rich beyond measure, and a lot farther along than I was back when I couldn’t even use my arm. I kept moving forward, and learned to only look back in gratitude and in fond remembrance.

So I am lifting my glass to everyone, and wishing you all many brilliant failures! May they lead you to learn, to move forward, and to appreciate every single little gift life gives you. Cherish those failures. Every single bump in the road should be cherished as well as the “Little Wonders” that appear along our life’s path. Each makes us what we ultimately are meant to be.
Blows Kisses to All!!!

I got featured at DA....happy dance..

2007-10-21T12:31:35Z

Getting ready for an intensely busy day today, but I wanted to pop in and spread my personal happiness at a bit of news that lifted my spirits this clear, chilly, and bright morn.

My painting Moon Song (seventh one down in the article) has been featured along with several other wonderful pieces by many talented artists in a DA Stock News article. http://news.deviantart.com/article/36114/

I have been feeling a bit down on myself as an artist of late, and having this pop up this morning fed my bruised ego just enough to sooth my doubtful inner child. She needed a hug, and this feature made her feel that hug of approval plus feel all warm and fuzzy inside again.

A huge HUG and BIG thanks goes out to Doubtful-Della: http://doubtful-della.deviantart.com/
for her feature on stock and tradition art. She made my morning!

Wishing all a bright and magical day!
Blows Kisses to ALL!!!

nicked from Dawn

2007-10-16T19:33:20Z

Your Life Path Number is 3

Your purpose in life is to express your unique self.

You are a creative and artistic person with an interesting view on life.
Witty and outgoing, you enjoy sharing your crazy ideas with anyone who will listen.
A total social butterfly, you're the life of any party.

In love, you inspire and enchant your partner. You are often an object of fantasy and desire.

While you are very talented, you sometimes lack the ambition to put your talents in play.
And while your wit carries you a long way, you occasionally use it to mask your true feelings.
Your natural abilities can bring you all the success in the world ... if you let them

What Is Your Life Path Number?

nicked from Deb

2007-10-16T15:54:24Z

Your Score: Chaotic-Good

64% Good, 64% Chaotic

Plane of Existence: Arborea, "Arvandor, Olympus, Olympian Glades". Notable Inhabitants: Titans & gods of Greek mythology; Eladrin.

Examples of Chaotic-Goods (Ethically Chaotic, Morally Good)

Tifa Lockheart (FFVII)
Captain Kirk
Robin Hood
Thomas Jefferson
Oscar Wilde
Peregrin Took
Jim Hawkins
Austin Powers
Walt Whitman
Zorro
Han Solo
The Flash

Unwilling to be governed by the laws and desires of any group. Interacts with others on a one-to-one basis and, within such bounds, follows the good ethic of upholding rights. The stereotypical chaotic-good [person] is the white knight who refuses to join any group and goes about on his/her own, doing good.

Will keep their word to others of good alignment
Would not attack an unarmed foe
Will not use poison
Will help those in need
Prefers to work alone
Responds poorly to higher authority
Distrustful of organizations

Chaotic Good "Beatific"
"Rebel"

A chaotic good [person] acts as his conscience directs him with little regard for what others expect of him. He is kind and benevolent, a strong individualist hostile to the claims of rules, regulations, and social order. He hates it when people try to intimidate others and tell them what to do. He will actively work to bring down unjust rulers and organizations and to liberate the oppressed. He finds lawful societies distasteful and will avoid them, often living as a nomad or hermit. The best example of a chaotic good [person] is one of the benevolent rogue who steals from the rich and gives to the poor.

Chaotic good combines a good heart with a free spirit.

Other Alignments and Tendencies (Tendenices are what you would more often sway towards; esp. for Neutrals):
0-39% Good, 0-39% Chaotic: Lawful-Evil
0-39% Good, 40-60% Chaotic: Neutral-Evil
0-39% Good, 61-100% Chaotic: Chaotic-Evil
40-60% Good, 0-39% Chaotic: Lawful-Neutral
40-60% Good, 40-60% Chaotic: True Neutral
40-60% Good, 61-100% Chaotic: Chaotic-Neutral
61-100% Good, 0-39% Chaotic: Lawful-Good
61-100% Good, 40-60% Chaotic: Neutral-Good</i>

Link: The Alignment Test written by xan81 on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test