Category Archives: Education

Melding Recreation with Culture, Art and Religion

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“Art seems to me to be above all a state of soul.”~ Marc Chagall 

Did you happen to see “Chautauque: An American Narrative” on PBS last night? I’ve been aware of this artist colony, located in Western New York, for quite sometime. However, the 60 minute documentary fulfilled my interest in wanting to know all kinds of things about this idyllic, lakeside town, their summer inhabitants and the programs offered by the Chautauque Institute that has existed since the late 1870’s. 

The Chautauque Institute has had it’s struggles over the years, but since the 1980’s a new vision for strengthening it’s programs in science, art, religion and politics has rejuvenated and elevated their institution to new levels. What began as a literary retreat back in 1878 now includes teaching programs, lecture series and live performances of theatre, opera, ballet. Studio experiences abound for painters, sculpture, fiber arts and even more. People come to immerse themselves in the intellectually and culturally stimulating programs for a week or two, or for an entire season. 

The institute’s popular morning lecture event attracts speakers such as Sandra Day O’Connor, David McCollough, Garrison Keiller and Daniel Pink. There are over 2,000 fulfilling programs in a 9 week period for those with a thirst for knowledge on the subjects of art, politics, spirituality and culture. 

Lake Chautauqua provides a setting for recreating in any way you please. Every summer, the town swells from a few hundred full-time residents to a population of 150,000 people. There are families, 5 generations deep, that return annually to enjoy the facilities and the recreation opportunities in this beautiful town and at this culturally-rich institute. For more information on the documentary film about this fulfilling summer hub of recreation, enrichment and intellectual stimulation, please visit http://bit.ly/gh9rTu.

 

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All for the Sake of Learning

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“What we become depends on what we read after the professors are done with us.” ~ Thomas Carlyle

In recent years, I have become a real fan of historical art fiction. Some of my past readings have included books like the Girl with the Pearl Earring, The Painted Kiss, Girl in Hyacinth Blue – all about prominent painters of the past. The latest book I read, turned my attention to one of the finest composers that has ever lived, Vivaldi.  I just finished reading “The Four Seasons: A Novel of Vivaldi’s Venice” by Laura Corona. What a fulfilling read! 

The story is about two sisters whose lives begin together in an orphanage.   Both have talent in the arts, but one sister, has a much broader view of the world and of her destiny. This leads her to a path in life, far different than the other sister, who is consumed with thoughts of a priest and maestro and what he can offer her inside the walls of the orphanage. 

The Four Seasons: A Novel of Vivaldi’s Venice, like all the other works of historical art fiction I have read, have led me to want to know more about the artist and his life. If we could reach children and teens through books of historical art fiction we might be able to add some balance to their futures. Their futures might contain knowledge about idols from the world of art and culture, rather than idols from the world of misplaced values.

For more information on this charcoal drawing on board “The Book”  by Nancy Guzik, please visit www.WestWindFineArt.com.

That is just my thought from this day of All Things Fulfilling. Much of my time is spent writing blogs and spreading the word on the future of the independent publishing industry. As soon as I get time to squeeze it in, I look forward to “Clara and Mr. Tiffany.” I understand it too, is a worthwhile, educational read.

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Fair Trade

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Of all things,  “Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you. “  H. Jackson Brown, Jr. 

“Dulcinea, How I Love You!”  Remember that song from “The Man of La Mancha?” For almost 25 years I was fulfilling my love for musical theatre by ushering, voluntarily, at the Weston Playhouse www.westonplayhouse.org in charming Weston, Vermont. Over those years, “The Man of La Mancha” graced the stage once or twice and I was able to hear this memorable song sung live, by actors from the guild. My first introduction to “Dulcinea” was as a teen when I went to the Paper Mill Summer Theatre in Owings Mills, MD www.papermill.org  and saw the play there too.  Oh, how I adored it! 

I know you all are thinking I have lost my marbles.” How in the world did she get on this subject?” our readers must be asking.  I happened to open the Sunday paper and saw a story about the Dulcimer Shop in Mountain View, Arkansas.  For more information on this company and the history of this instrument, which produces exquisite, ethereal sounds, please visit http://www.mcspaddendulcimers.com.

It was the commonality of the root of the words, dulcinea and dulcimer, that triggered my recall of this memorable song. I’ve about worn out my favorite search engines, so I don’t dare inquire through those channels about the meaning of the root dulci. Next time I see, my friend Vesna, from Macedonia, I’ll ask her, she’ll know! She has her PhD, ABD, in linguistics and perhaps she can help me out. 

They say (whoever they is) you should write down what you want out of life, not just think about it. In this present moment, I would love someone to send me the name of an artist with beautiful rendition of “Dulcinea” being played on a dulcimer. It would be such a beautiful pairing of  instrument and song. Perhaps I could listen to a  little bit of heaven right here in my office, as I work.

Since I have been bemoaning the fact that I have neglected the independent recording artists on this website, I’d like to engage in a little fair trade.  For the first person, from anywhere in the world, to contact me through a kind blogsite comment,  with the name of a dulcimer-playing independent artist whose repertoire includes “Dulcinea,” I will write a blog on the  musician.

This could be alot of fun! I’ll let you know how it all turns out! “Dulcinea…….”

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Build it Right!

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“Anyone can give up. It is the easiest thing to do.” ~ Unknown

The first thing you need when you build a house is a toolbox. Not only do you need a toolbox, you also need to learn how to use all the contents in the box. Whether you are building a home, or a strong web-presence, it is important that you do not fall short in your understanding of how to use the all tools.

Just putting content out on the world-wide-web is no longer enough. To build a strong, effective internet presence,  you must have a grasp of “computer-consumer psychology,” as it pertains to your specific product, service or company mission.  This is a mind-set that can be taught. If you are business person or an independent publisher just beginning to utilize the latest dimension of marketing, it will be well worth your time to explore, with a professional, how to optimize the why’s, the how’s and the when’s of using the tools used for digital advertising and promotion.

Spend your advertising dollars wisely and expend your energy smartly so you can create a strong e-marketing campaign that will help you become visible to qualified leads.

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Dwell in Possibility – Move Forward in Surety

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“We all have possibilities we don’t know about. We can do things we don’t even dream we can do.” ~ Dale Carnegie

Yesterday, I had another opportunity to share with others my love and my passion for the independent (or non-traditional) publishing industry. I shared with the group that what began as my vision of providing stellar customer service for the internet sales of a single art book became a business of my own, dedicated to providing affordable e-commerce and e-marketing services for an industry of independent publishers. It has been from the beginning, my wish for independent publishers to be able to survive, as a sustainable industry, because I believe in the powers of independent thoughts, words and views that our country allows under it’s Constitution.

After the presentation, I began to think what an appropriate place to hold the event! In a library constructed with sustainable building materials and filled with the published works of writers, filmmakers and musicians who dared to step out and take a risk of telling their stories for the benefit of others. This is the basis from which many successful small businesses are formed. Successful business owners have passion, vision, belief and enduring energy that their product and service with be useful to others. And it is the customers and clients that endorse, sustain and support the dreams of the business owners that make them profitable. It truly is the American way.

Thanks to all who came, and I wish you the best in your journey of fulfilling your dreams in business and in publishing!  Thanks to the Bud Werner Library for providing a beautiful, light-filled space for those who gathered to learn more about what I see as a fascinating, fast growing, sustainable industry. www.steamboatlibrary.org.

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Crossing Over: Two Worlds Converge

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“I think the market is converging now….This is where it has all been leading.”   ~ Douglas Smith

Since my world is the non-traditional publishing industry I admittedly do not know everything there is to know about the traditional publishing world. This summer, I learned something from a person who has dealt with the traditional publishing industry for more years than she probably cares to count. She shared with me about the traditional publishing houses “the more the publishing company pays for the manuscript (or the higher the royalties), the more effort is put into marketing the book.” Well, that makes sense! The traditional publishing companies want to make sure they recapture their investment, and way more, through book sales.

Unless a writer has an established name for themselves, more and more authors in the traditional publishing world are being expected to promote themselves and their books. Many are not at all prepared for that – especially in this day and age. No longer does book publicity mean book signings and book release parties. It also means knowing how to hype your self, as an author, and your publication over the internet. Fulfilling this obligation to self-promote is more time consuming than one might think!

If writing is your primary business, do you have extra hours in your day or the knowledge of digital marketing to effectively handle this part of being in business as a writer in today’s world? If not, contact a company that handles e-marketing for independent publishers. They will help lift the burden, so you can concentrate on what you do best – writing!

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Have you ever noticed?

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“Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world.” ~ Anonymous

Have you ever noticed that when you become friends with someone, the more you know about them – the more you want to know about them? Enter the world of e-marketing! Digital marketing is fulfilling this need for people wanting know everything about a person, place or thing prior to meeting them in person or engaging in business together.

If you are not well versed in this new-fangled way of marketing, it is confusing territory to enter into. There is without a doubt, consumer psychology behind this marketing tactic that needs to be understood in order for it to be used it effectively. After all, you want to turn people on and not off! For more information on how the psyche affects our thinking, please visit http://bit.ly/bPGCX0.

In case you have not noticed, we are living in times where privacy is difficult to find. There are arguments for and against this way of living. But, it has created a need for fans of independent publishers (such as writers, filmmakers and musicians) to want to know more about the people behind the words and images, and about people that make businesses tick.

Business owners, are you using this to your advantage? By becoming more visible, the opportunity for lead generation and sales of your products increases. Let the folks that understand the new consumer psychology behind this non-traditional way of marketing help you – look for a company that specializes in e-marketing for independent publishers.  They can help you plan for success in this strange new world of digital marketing.

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Energy and Sustainability

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“All words are pegs to hang ideas on” ~ Henry Ward Beecher

Energy and sustainability are probably the most often used buzz words in the business world today. The other day I began to think how these two words are not specific to any one industry – they are meaningful words to anyone starting a business. It takes gumption, a tremendous amount of passion and unrelenting energy to bring a business from conception to complete fulfillment of having developed a viable, profitable and sustainable company. Not every person has the initiative, flexibility, determination, mindset or focus to be a small business owner.

Business owners can not afford to waste time! Unfortunately, many business owners are doing just that. Almost every business has a computer in this day and age. Sadly, many business owners have not diversified their marketing strategies to use their investment in technology to their advantage. The result – untapped markets, lack of visibility, antiquated marketing strategies and putting the sustainability of a business at risk.

There is a science to successfully reaching out to consumers through the internet. E-marketing professionals understand the logic and reasoning behind it. It includes tactics far different than print advertising and other traditional means of marketing. In the quest for increased visibility in the marketplace, let the professionals who understand how to reach consumers, in this day and age, through the world-wide-web help. Companies that specialize in e-marketing for independent publishers know how to most effectively and affordably reach communities of people interested in a company’s products and services. To read a report on the impact social media has on business, please visit http://slidesha.re/9ymmwD.

Business owners are wise when they save energy by focusing on the aspects of business that they can handle. Work smartly and efficiently!

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Plein Air Returns

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“Popularity is the easiest thing in the world to gain and it is the hardest thing to hold.”   ~Will Rogers 

Artists, Feel the Breeze! The stir of artist’s whispers and newfound creativity has the much-missed Plein Air Magazine back into existence. The magazine was first published in 2004, and then it was published as Fine Art Connoisseur. It is coming back into circulation, once again as Plein Air Magazine as of February 2011.  Just in time for winter reading, and spring inspiration. It is fulfilling to know the art community mourned its loss and demanded its return! 

At the helm of the magazine is publisher Eric Rhoads and Editor Steve Doherty, two seasoned professionals in the art publishing world. Look for this great resource on newsstands. This magazine is for all painters but especially valued by artists who like to step out of the studio and into nature to paint its elements from real life. 

Plein Air Magazine is available in print, digital version or you can subscribe to both editions at http://bit.ly/dO0s5D.

 

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Using Stepping Stones

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“Being involved in the well-being and advancement of one’s own community is a most natural thing to do.” ~ Clarence Clemons

 Business people, non-profit organizations, companies selling products and services are not the only people who are jumping on the bandwagon to seize the opportunity to use independent publishing as a stepping stone for fulfillment and success. 

Columnist and book critic Cathy Beck was not to be stopped when dreams of having her manuscript acquired and released by a “publishing giant” were turned to dust. She focused her energies on independently publishing her manuscript “Cheap Cabernet” and marketed it inexhaustibly. The result? Success! She sprung open the doors of opportunity through entrepreneurial prowess and drove herself as an author to even greater heights than she dreamed. Please visit http://bit.ly/hE6FY4 to read her complete story of fulfillment. 

The moral of Cathy’s story:

  • Independent publishing opens doors to opportunity in unexpected ways.
  • Never give up
  • There are no problems, only solutions
  • Stepping stones often lead to bigger things

Cathy’s story is only one example of how the shifts in the publishing industry toward non-traditional publishing have brightened the outlook and led ordinary people to do extraordinary things through the power of books, films and music.

Let this be the year to begin to tell your story of success!

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