Warning…..it's a VENT session…but it has a happy ending.

Some of you may remember that my Art of Intention™ for June was to RECIVE! This has not always been an easy place to go for me, but I am staying with the idea and opening my heart to the possibilities. 

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June Art of Intention™: Receive

Yesterday I was given a true gift. I had reached the end of my thread about finding a home to teach my classes, in this absurdly expensive Valley. I was tearful at lunch with a dear friend, talking about this issue and the changing state and values of my beloved community. We love to talk about COMMUNITY here, but really, I see yet another town, going down the glutenous path. Landlords would rather sit with empty storefronts, then reduce their monthly rents. What is the point in that? A tax write off? 

I can share with you that when I have this discussion with "business people," their response to me is, "Raise your rates." This doesn't work for me. I already charge what I consider to be a large fee, but work on a sliding scale for clients in need and each year I chose a pro-bono when a client-generally a woman who is living with cancer. Okay, so maybe that IS my problem, but it's also an inherent value that I have to SERVE not just an elite few, but to SERVE people in need. 

Don't get me wrong, I am VERY lucky, I have a beautiful home, a wonderful studio to work in and share with clients, but it's tough enough financially living in this Valley, and it's not large enough to do my classes and workshops. I gave up my reasonable space, when the building sold and they went to 30-day leases, and the pressure from the landlord that the building could be torn down in the "next six months."  Well, due to the economic meltdown, the building still stands-albeit with the requisite 30 day lease. I am not a gambler, so I left and moved home…shame on me. There are days I feel as if my hands have been shackled behind my back, as my desire to share the work is so strong. I have crammed women into my small space and we have crawled over one another in the spirit of creativity.

I called one place on Monday, but the reception was cool-to say the least-and since my second intention this month is to "GO WHERE THE RIVER FLOWS," -I decided to open a new door, to a new possibility. I called a man who owns a fine art studio on Main St. It's a YUMMY working studio! A big brick space, with a paint splattered floor  studio and huge paintings by the artist hanging everywhere. I took a risk…I reached out and asked…"Would you be willing to let me host some classes here?" His wife was so warm and open…"I think that sounds great, let me talk to Magid." 

Magid, called the next day and said, "Here is the schedule, we would love to have you. You can use the studio any of the times we are not here and we can work out the one night a month." I began crying immediately and told him I could not believe how open and generous he was. Truthfully, I had been thinking of calling him for months, but didn't. I don't know what the resistance was about…fear, possible rejection, lack of "readiness?"  Before we hung us Magid said, "I read your book, it's very good. I like the ideas you have expressed about creativity."  This blew me away again and meant a lot from someone I consider a Fine Artist.  Magid knows color theory! And what's perfect is that he's an artist NIGHT OWL, and I'm and ARTIST EARLY BIRD! Are schedules synched in real time!

And so the VERY HAPPY ending to this story is that Magid and Ruth have allowed me to BELIEVE again. To believe there are others out there looking to make a quick buck off someone else. People who "get" the TRUE meaning of community and what that means at the deepest level. People who understand the concept of SUSTAINABILITY and that things aren't always what they appear when we simply look at things from the OUTSIDE. 

SO for those of you who are in the Valley, Painting Your Heart Out, Soul Sessions and Sunday Morning, Painting Your Prayers begins again in July. If you're in Carbondale, stop by Magid and Ruth's and thank them for their BIG HEARTS, COMMUNITY SPIRIT and LOVING GENEROSITY!

Let's Paint Our Hearts Out, Paint Our Prayers, dance, move and make a HOLY MESS! 

Magid and Ruth…this Soul Session's for you. xxoo

Cuprunnethover

Title: My Cup Runneth Over

4 Responses

  1. Isn’t it true – if you want something you have to put yourself out there and ask for it.
    I think as women we struggle with rejection – even if it’s just business. We take it so personally, don’t we?
    I’m glad to hear you found a place for classes. I’m lucky; I live in a small town and space is cheaper (and the rules not so strict). On the other hand, there isn’t a large base of…um…customers, LOL. Oh well; we work with what we have.

  2. What a beautiful story Sheri! How I wish I could attend. Nova Scotia is just too far.
    I totally get what you mean that it’s crazy that we don’t have public spaces to do good, nurturing work that will ultimately enhance life for the entire community.
    Here in Bear River, Nova Scotia, the ‘good jobs’ left about 100 years ago when ship building ended. There are a number of buildings downtown that were given to this or that volunteer group, so the former schoolhouse where my studio is located is a huge classroom with big, old windows. The rent is only $300 a month…everything included. The building is run by volunteers.
    I agree with you that we don’t want to price people out of the chance to grow and touch their creativity by raising prices of workshops.
    I’m so glad that you and Magid and Ruth found each other. Good luck with your workshops!
    Flora

  3. I’m here by way of girlgetstrong.com – I loved your radio interview, and am so happy everything worked out for you with a space for your classes. You truly have a servant’s heart and your blessings upon others was definitely going to bounce back to you!

  4. Hey gals,
    Thanks for posting comments! I was so excited to see responses. There are days you wonder if your writing into the void. I am sure as bloggers yourself, you get that.
    Flora, thank you for sharing the story of the warehouses. Last night I picked up my college buddy and drove her up to Aspen for the writers conference. She said,”Oh, it’s so manicured, not at all what I expected. I expected a funky mountain town.” Well, when I moved here 20 years ago, it still was to some degree, but on it’s way to this incarnation, which caters to second home owners with private jets. She was laughing when I couldn’t find my way to the hotel. I told her that I don’t go up there anymore unless there is a specific event or skiing or a random hike. and where i ski is out of the downtown core.
    There is really nothing for me in Aspen anymore. It breaks my heart to feel that my own town is heading in that direction.
    Here is a quote by a local architect from the Post Independent papers, during a meeting to increase density vs. small town character,” I support the plan, I am in favor of having a little more variety downtown. This is not out of line with what we are relatively used to. As far as the small-town character, the writing is on the wall. That small town feel is going away. I’s part of the evolution of a rapidly changing resort area.”
    And there in lies the reason, our beautiful mountain towns become mausoleums for the rich to play in. Our town is NOT a resort, it’s a community first, a destination second. Nuff said…I think it’s time to get involved.