SOS...I Need Help Moving

I'm going to do something that goes against my nature and ask for help.  I'm moving July 3rd and I need help packing and getting my things to the new place. 

I'll have a packing party on Friday, June 28th.  Tuesday, July 3 I'll need help transporting small items and clothing and supervising the loading/ unloading of the moving truck I've hired. I also have some men to do the heavy lifting so everyone's back is safe!  On the 4th or 5th, I'll need help cleaning the old place.  Please let me know if you can come.

This brings back memories of moving into this apartment almost two and a half years ago. When I was preparing to leave the old place it was sorting through my cookie cutters that made me lose it.  I told myself I would be ruthless and get rid of everything that wasn't practical or REALLY important.  

These didn't seem to make the cut.   I put about 2/3's of them to the side to give away. Who needs that many cookie cutters? It ripped me apart.  It's the little things, isn't it?

I still get a catch in my throat when I picture Andy in his grownup body holding the grocery bag of cookie cutters up and pointing out just how ridiculous it was to think I had to give those away.  He'd certainly held them many times before in his little boy body. 

"Mom," shaking the bag, "this hardly takes up any room!  You don't have to make this decision right now!"  

He made me laugh when I saw how ridiculous that self imposed rule was.  I thought I was just being practical.  I hadn't used many of them in years and only kept the special ones I'd use someday with grandchildren or for doggie showers.  There was one shaped like a bone and another like a little paw. (I kept ALL of the cookie cutters.)

 Life is so much better now!  I've learned to be more grateful and more positive about my life.  I am a fortunate woman.

So this is the beginning of yet another era.  Please contact me directly if you can help me take the first steps in that direction by helping me move some boxes!   I really need help and appreciate whatever you can do.  In the meantime, just mental support and general encouragement with do the trick.  Thank you!  xo  mgking@mac.com

Learn Marketing Secrets to Propel Your Fine Art Business to the Next Level

Have you wanted to learn how to  generate more working income from your art business?  Learn powerful behind the scenes marketing techniques you can implement right away!  You can grow your business exponentially using just 7 simple steps.  

I've just finished a day long seminar with best selling author and infoprenuer Robert Allen. http://www.robertallen.com  He's one of the best marketing gurus on the planet!  I want to bring home the marketing secrets I've learned to you!  

I've adapted seven basic marketing principles to the world of fine art.  You can be one of the first fine artists to adapt these techniques to "our" world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkVvFiCli10

I have a unique seminar coming up at the Buenaventura Art Association on July 27. Join me for this half day intensive workshop where you will set measurable goals for your art business and target action steps you can take to get you to the next level. Get valuable tips on how to: Define your customers; Create Powerful Press Releases; Create new tools to get your message out effectively; and Set Tangible, Achievable Goals.

Marketing is not just for "left brain" people.  It's an art with simple tools and basic techniques anyone can learn!  Join me on July 27 at the Buenaventura Art Association's Harbor Village Gallery.  I'll have a complimentary workbook for the first 8 participants!  

Register here:  http://www.buenaventuragallery.org/workshops.html

Breathing Room

Point Magu, High Tide                         10x10 oil, available

I stand for hours at the easel watching patterns of light and shadow dance across the waves. 

Here the spray from the ocean cooled my face and I still taste its salt on my lips... I perched on the lowest ledge I could reach and lost myself in a dream.  I can still take myself back to this place. 

While I paint, the tide turns and the light shifts. My feet connect with the earth and I respond to what I see and feel. I dance across the canvas with my brush.  The energy of the waves and the earth pass all the way through me.  My whole body moves back and forth as we connect.  Each stroke is part of me, the ocean,  and my beloved tools.  There is a dynamic cycle of energy that only happens if I'm here. The  energy passes through me, onto the canvas and out again.  I become the witness to this moment in time-space.  There is no greater privilege than to be a part of creation.  I am grateful.

New Youtube Channel!!!

Andy, proving his credentials!  

Thanks to my wonderful son, Andy King, I now have a Youtube station and my very first video of an interview I did with one of my Art Marketing 101 students!

Megan McTavish Interview
Thanks Megan and Andy!

Guerrilla Business School Graduation Ceremony:)

The Saga Continues...I was locked up in the Hilton at Universal Studios last week with around 450 other determined businesspeople for Peak Potentials' Guerrilla Business School.  I learned so much and will need every bit of knowledge I soaked up.  I love Peak's events because they are filled with good friends who are dedicated to helping each other make a difference in the world.

When we were done my friend, Maayan Avidov and I hit the Universal Studios outdoor mall just across the street from the Hilton to celebrate the end of our seminar.  I liked this location because we were able to get outside a little bit.  Convention centers are not my natural habitat!

In the meantime I thought I'd show you a bit of both the fun side and the working end of what I'm up to.    I've been writing for months.  When I need some outside stimulation I go to places like Starbucks and Pete's Breakfast House.  I love Pete's because it's such a funky little place and they are very supportive there.  I'm grateful for the talented people supporting my new endeavor.  I have literally hundreds of people supporting me as I create this new entity.  

Yesterday I had a phone call with my coach.  Of course it doesn't work to have a phone call like that in the middle of a restaurant...so I went to my car. This made me laugh but it also kept me on topic.  I used the time-honored system of sticky notes to keep track of my conversation points!  I like yellow (it stimulates creative thought) and being able to toss aside each point after I'm done is satisfying.
I wish I could just write, paint or speak all the time but the reality of life and a working business is that sales is a big part of it. Being self employed I find working with a coach and the other people I've
met through Peak Potentials has helped me move forward in ways I'd never have done alone.  This hard-headed woman is learning to ask for help!!!

I thought I'd finish with a video of me on one of my mini-Adventures.  These are so tame by many people's standards but so good for me!!!  I lived in Fort Worth for three years when I was 23-26 and never got the guts to ride the bull at Billy Bob's.  So I decided to bite the bullet and ride one now!  The guys running the bull were kind to me. I needed to warm up before I did this.  It's great for the core~  Silly but fun and only $4!!!!   I'm off to hit it again.  Have a good one!

If You Could Do Anything...

If you could do anything be brave.  Jump when you're scared. Laugh hard.  Dream big, fat, luscious, ridiculous dreams.  If you don't, who will?  Don't listen to the naysayers.  Listen to your own voice and surround yourself with other dreamers, doers and be-ers.

I've tried to lead my kids by example.  I was committed to being with them as they grew up.  So I was.  I was committed to living my own dream and following my own path, so I have.  I'm committed to cheering them on as they make their own way.  They just need to know I'm here yelling, jumping, laughing and clapping for them as I always have.  It's my job.  I've been fortunate enough to spend the first part of their lives with them.  Now they're off!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJCOiegKAlY


Andy will graduate from California State University Channel Islands with a degree in Sociology.


He's going to South Korea this summer and will teach English there. Laura graduates from the University of Washington with a degree in Earth and Space Science.  She is going to Jordan in an Engineering program to study water conservation.

They obviously both have the traveling bug.  Since I'm not sure what I'm going to be when I grow up, I don't bother them with questions about that.  I know they'll each find their own path.  It will be fascinating to see what that is.

Andy is an easygoing, warm young man.  He's brilliant and makes everything he does look effortless.  He really believes in helping others and making a difference in the world.

Laura is focused and fun loving, intelligent and determined.  She wants to travel, find adventure and connect with people.  I'm sure they would both edit what I'm saying and I hardly know what to put down.  All I know is I've done a good job and they are remarkable!

My children are my heroes.  I'm happy to say that somehow I've taught them that they SHOULD follow their dreams.  As a lifelong entrepreneur/ artist/ author/ saleswoman I may have shown them a little bit about how to make their own way in the world. I've never asked them to do something I'm not willing to do myself.
They are on their way. Happy Mother's Day to me!!!  I'm a very lucky woman.

So is she!

He's a jumper!

Andy with his friend Courtney in Taiwan

Laura in Thailand

I took a nap...

I took a much needed nap this afternoon. Managing the marketing,  finances, and other start up activities I have going on is a lot to juggle! Product development is critical and I'd like to get mycreative time in too!  

Here's my story for today:  at around 3:30 PM, I took my piles of notebooks and iPad to bed for a nap. (SICK!!!) I fell asleep and soon after, I got a call from a company I'm doing business with.  Their rep called to check in on me to see whether I need some extra coaching. My first response was of course I do! My second, how much?

I shared that I just don't know what kind of help I need and have to be sure that what I spend my time and money on is as effective as possible. The company is Infusionsoft and they are in the client nurturing business.  They proved it with this phone call.

We spent about an hour talking about my business. Their rep was very helpful at identifying next steps with me.  I have some homework to do and we'll talk next week. So I'm getting amazing marketing support before I go near the paid coaching. With people  like this on my team I'm right where I need to be. I'm reminding myself to believe in myself and enjoy the process.  I'm manifesting a dream and I have lots of cheerleaders and partners on my side.  

In the meantime, I'm moving the files out of the bedroom.  I violated one of my sacred rules by bringing them in there at all. It's very bad feng shui.  I'll get some rest now and re-claim my life in the morning.  My life is my art and the universe is bringing me everything I need.  What I need even comes to me while I'm sleeping!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!