“Top 10 Proverbs of Freelancing”

1. When the client needs the work ASAP, he is really asking you to save the day. Do it and make him look great!
   
2. Act like a business or you will look like a hobby.
   
3. Your unique gifts are your unique solutions to the client’s unique problems.
   
4. If you sell out on your values, the client won’t respect you in the morning.
   
5. Persistence means to take longer than you thought and go through more obstacles than you imagined.
   
6. Creativity embraces change. Change embraces creativity.
   
7. Always start with a pencil and paper. If you start on the computer, your imagination will be stuck in a box.
   
8. True success is rarely measured by the dollar, but seeking the dollar can provide immeasurable personal success.
   
9. Perfect balance in life is difficult even for a scale. It’s ok, what is on it is always changing. Be glad about the right things on your scale and scrape off the dead weight.
   
10. Be thankful to the One who gave you the talent and the guts to create something beautiful from nothing.
    

As I begin my eleventh year, I am looking forward to continued growth, and success in many different ways. I hope you are too. And if our paths should cross, may it be a pleasure to grow together.

My best to you,
Mark

www.MarkBowersDesign.com

PRESS RELEASE – New Artists

FrameChangers Media LLC
847-651-7721
www.FrameChangers.com
For all media inquires please contact info@framechangers.com

“Inspritational Art
for your digital life!”
~ FrameChangers

FrameChangers Media brings Inspirational Art for your digital life!  Digital art for your home, office and iPhone/iPod Touch by talented Christian artists.  We proudly introduce FrameChanger artists, Cherish Flieder and Benjamin Hummel.

Benjamin and Cherish are a husband and wife artist team who share a common foundation in God’s Word. Their journey together began when they met at a Bible study at art college, over 11 years ago. Since then, the promises in the Bible have brought them through many trials and daily give them a renewed hope in Christ. Together, they have illustrated for an array of children’s books, fine art prints, apparel, greeting cards, and gifts. Cherished Solutions, their design studio, features art styles, Painting for Life™, Been Cherished™ and Something to Cherish®. These collections explore a variety of visual themes with a touch of optimistic realism and playful whimsy. Benjamin and Cherish are excited to share these images digitally with you through FrameChangers.

FrameChangers offers two unique inspirational collections for your home, office and iPhone.

“Fireflies by Starlight” Collection

Charmingly illustrated by Cherish Flieder in her Something to Cherish® art style. Cherish is an accomplished designer, illustrator and teacher with a deep love for God’s Word. “Fireflies by Starlight” is a unique art collection that is hand-painted with embroidered accents.  Original designs paired with verses that impart the strength of God’s Word and the playful whimsy of glowing fireflies. (Click here to preview the Fireflies iTunes/iPhone app)

“Growing Virtues” Collection

Co-illustrated by artists Benjamin Hummel and Cherish Flieder in their Been Cherished art style.  An original painted art collection including images from their co-illustrated children’s book, “Prayer Posies” by Barbee Lux. Original pieces of art with verses that impart the strength of God’s Word and the celebrated joys of childhood. (Click here to preview the Virtues  iTunes/iPhone app)

Both collections of original designs paired with verses are available on a DVD for TVs, a pre-loaded Memory Card for digital picture frames or as inspirational wallpaper for the iPhone/ iPod Touch.

More information available at www.FrameChangers.com or info@FrameChangers.com.

FrameChangers Media Company Information

After falling into the TV and Computer time-trap, creator and founder Jennifer Cybart needed to surround herself with encouraging words from the Bible in a new way!  The traditional scripture written on note cards got lost and her kids used her Bible as a coloring book.

Inspired to put God’s Word and digital devices together, Jennifer decided to create FrameChangers as scripture art for your TV, Computer, Digital Picture Frames, iPhone and iPod Touch.  There are collections to meet the needs of women, men and kids with verses and art targeted for each individual.

“Seeing God’s Word in an artistic way on digital devices is an emotional and memorable experience,” says Jennifer.  She recruited her engineer husband, Adam, to ensure the highest quality product and with the help of graphic designers, web developers, and many supportive friends, FrameChangers became a reality.

As for the name FrameChangers?  She credits divine inspiration.  God wants to change our frame of mind. (Romans 12:2)

~ Here’s to many renewed minds, one frame at a time.

Marjolein Bastin has been an inspiration to me for years as both a watercolor artist and as an art licensor. If you are not familiar with her name, you most likely have seen her work in the Hallmark products since the 1990’s. She is based in Netherlands, but she paints and draws wonderful imagery from nature stories from all over the world. This is a charming little video that you are sure to enjoy.

A special thanks goes out to Joan Beiriger for sharing a link to this video on her blog.

*Painting for Life Christmas Card Give-Away*

This week we are giving away two new “Something to Cherish” Christmas cards, hot of the press to one of you! These are a special part of our 2009 Painting for Life Christmas card collection. They are blank inside and can be used as Christmas greeting cards or even an after-holiday thank you! For the chance to win, just leave a comment in this post with your e-mail address as well as a random fun fact about yourself. On November 24th, just in time to give thanks, we will randomly select a winner from the comments on the blog and a very special gift will be on its way.

*Special Craft Project*

Embroidered Name Christmas Gift Tag & Keepsake Ornament

Download the PDF craft directions here -For your personal use only please.

*5 things that really inspire you*

1. Relationships – family, friends, clients & students
2. Color
3. Exploring nature
4. Traveling to new and old places
5. Music

*5 things we might not know about you that you’d like to share*

1. I am married to an awesome guy, Benjamin Hummel, who survived not one but TWO liver transplants when he was a teenager due to an auto immune disorder that he was born with. He is an artist, too. I am so lucky to have him in my life. You can see some of his work at www.Painting for Life.com.
2. During the summer of 2008 I had my first rib removed (the one under my left clavicle) since it was damaged in a car accident (I was not at fault). The dislocated rib caused a huge clot in my left arm several hundred blot clots broke off and passed through my heart and into my lungs. I am EXCEPTIONALLY grateful to God that I am still alive and back in the studio making new art!
3. I wake up almost every morning with a purring cat on my good shoulder. Her name is Lady Guinevere (Gwinny for short), my little sister named her after she was rescued as a kitten from the streets of Kansas.
4. To read the last two items, visit the article that CraftForHealth.com just posted HERE.

*5 things going on in your creative world*

1. I am learning Corel Painter for the 3rd time since its release. I am really excited about the watercolor brushes. Thinking about some hybrid art making possibilities.
2. I will be exhibiting at CHA for the 3rd year in the License & Design section in Anaheim, CA. My lightbox it stacked with a ton of ideas and paintings for new watercolor embroidery art licensing collections.
3. Also, as a part of CHA 2010 I am participating in the crafting around the world exhibit and will share art inspired by Sweden.
4. Our studio is also working on some new digital art products for computers and the iPhone with a new licensing partner . . . stayed tuned for details.
5. Oh, and did I mention that my husband and I are also excited to share our collection of Christmas cards? You can check those out and sign up for a friends only e-mail update list at www.PaintingForLife.com.

*What’s Next?*

Tomorrow be sure to check out the wonderful work of Joy Hall and feel free to visit and comment on each artist’s blog before the 24th – the more the merrier!

Terri Conrad Designs November 14th

Brenda Pinnick November 15th

Tori Higa November 16th

Joyce Shelton November 17th

Phyllis Dobbs November 18th

Cherish Flieder November 19th

Joy Hall November 20th

Barbara Johansen Newman November 21st

Sharyn Sowell November 22nd

*Ok, now don’t forget to post your comments for a chance to win!*

Recently I had the distinct pleasure of meeting James Gurney along with several art licensing and children’s book illustration friends. If his name doesn’t ring a bell, perhaps the name Dinotopia will. James Gurney is the multiple award winning author, illustrator behind this best selling book series which has circulated the globe as well as many spin-off opportunities.

We met James Gurney at the Denver Botanic Gardens for a lecture on his creative process as it relates to the world of Dinotopia: Journey to Chandara.

As you probably know, I teach adjunct illustration classes at the Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design. I don’t know how many people were there to get their book signed, I just know I was at the end of the line. I had the honor to have my copy not only signed, but also sketched upon. I asked James if he would consider coming back to Colorado to present to the Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design as well as the local chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. I feel very blessed that everything was able to work out for Mr. Gurney to fit these lectures into his visit this September 17-20, 2009. We look forward to seeing him again!

For more information on the upcoming visits to Colorado click to:

• Rocky Mountain Chapter – Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (Fall Conference)
  
• Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design (Visiting Artists)
  
  

To learn more about Dinotopia and James Gurney,
visit his site at Dinotopia.com.