On the way home from Rome I finished reading this MIND BLOWING book called “Rework”, recommended from our friends over at Soul City Church. To be really honest, I am not a big reader. My mind usually gets really distracted and I start dreaming of creative ideas that get me carried away to another land. But this book really kept my attention and helped me view my business in a different way. It was cool to see that some of the things they mentioned in the book, I am already doing. And others I was enlightened beyond belief. I will definitely fill you in more on some of the amazing things they touch on in this book. But the last page had my name written all over it. It was titled:

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INSPIRATION IS PERISHABLE
We all have ideas, ideas are immortal. They last forever. What doesn’t last forever is inspiration. Inspiration is like fresh fruit or milk: It has an expiration date. If you want to do something, you’ve got to do it now. You can’t put it on the shelf and wait two months to get around to it. You can’t just say you will do it later. Later you won’t be pumped up about it anymore.
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This question was asked to me in an interview recently… and it really got me thinking about art and how we use it. So I want to ask you the same question. Why do you feel it’s important for artists to use their craft for projects that impact the world for the greater good? I know the photo represents using our art in Africa. But what about in the states or in our everyday life? Why should we do that? I think it’s an interesting question because it asks why. Sometimes it’s hard to articulate the WHY, right?

I would love to read your response to that question in the comment section.

I am so excited and proud to announce the release of the Art That Helps Project partnering with A Beautiful Idea. 20 artists from around the country all created their depiction of the words and phrases: Art for the greater good, Haiti, helping, serving, creativity, love wins, people, compassion, humble, humility all while using only 4 specific colors. After all submissions were received I compiled all of the artwork together in a collage style to be sold in all of our Etsy shops. %100 of the profit of all the sales goes towards the Haiti relief fund through A beautiful idea and World Vision.

A beautiful idea was started by my friend Evie from Evie-s.com.  The idea is that artists/Etsy owners create a certain product to sell in their shop and then they partner online with A Beautiful Idea to donate the money to a charity via A Beautiful Idea’s donation center. That is JUST what we did…but this time we did it as a group. Below are the final collaborative art pieces. Some Etsy owners even went as far as to create other products with these final prints. See image above with the postcards, magnets, greeting cards, etc. SO fun.

Sometimes the world tends to see art as fluff, as extra, as… not necessary.  And honestly sometimes I can start to believe them. But its organizations like A beautiful idea that get me excited about finding unique ways to be a blessing to others with my art. It’s organizations like them who jump-start my inspiration to not back down. That is why I LOVE what A Beautiful Idea is doing. They are creating yet another way for us to contribute to the World with our artwork. They are creating an outlet that lets us support world causes, get the word out, and help others WITH OUR ART!!!

This collaboration has been amazing in the fact that it literally displays people coming together to help/make something happen. Even if their part or artwork is small… it fills up the blank space and has a unique reason for why its there. It reminds me that we all need others.
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Okay, we got such a fun response from the call for artists blog post that I did a few days ago. I am really excited to tell you about this fun opportunity to create something, collaborate with other artists, and use your gifts to help others.

I really love opportunities to do good with the art that I create. It is really fulfilling and rewarding to create for the greater good. I have wanted to do something to help Haiti for a while now, so I feel that this will fit in perfectly. I want to tell you about a great new organization that will be incorporated into our project.

My friend Evie from Evie-s.com has started an amazing organization called A Beautiful Idea. The idea is that artists/Etsy owners create a certain product to sell in their shop then they partner online with A Beautiful Idea to donate the money to a charity via A Beautiful Idea’s donation center. Isn’t that fabulous and EASY?
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Here is a painting project that my hair stylist Kim hired me to do as a christmas gift to her husband. You may have remembered some of the photos that i took of them recently, see them here. Her husband is a professional skate boarder so i tried to do it a little more STREET STYLE. hha. The size is a 38in x 38in square. aww i LOVE working in squares. I really like the way it came out. Do you?

anyway… this is a side note.. i am dying to know this from you today. What do you do with that free minute in the day/week/or month? and NO i am not talking about roll over minutes on your cell phone, silly. When everything is said and done and you have a little free time… what is it that you look forward to doing? DO TELL DO TELL. be specific.
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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. WOOT WOOT!! Who doesn’t like free stuff at Christmas?!?! For some reason this year (more than any other year) i have been in the mood for Christmas spirit. Christmas music playing, pine tree candles burning, tree lights on etc. Maybe its because i have my own little house this year to decorate and smell and look at. hhaah. Anyway, For this Holiday season I have another give away for you. This one includes a few of my favorite things. and it is super easy to enter. This is all one package and one winner. The winner will receive the items shown above (and more details about the items below). I have never done a twitter give-away but let’s see how it goes.. I KNOW YOU WANT THAT DINO NECKLACE. HAHA

HOW TO ENTER: All you have to do is tweet or retweet something nice about this give-away & include both of the following: 1) a link to my blog and 2) @promisetangeman so I can track your entry. For extra points leave a comment on this blog post.
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Happy Holidays and Merry chirstmas. I have just updated the shop items in time for the holidays. There are some really fun remixes for this coming spring as well as a paper artwork series displayed below. I have had so much fun creating in this season of my life. Thinking, dreaming, planning, and creating the unimaginables. It has been a releasing time for me to be able to physically create what i love.

I spend a lot of time on the computer designing and editing…. so getting in and divinging into handmade goods has been really refreshing for me. Sometimes i get sooo excited about ideas that i forget to eat, and everything. I just cant wait to see how it comes out. Its almost a thrill. haha. Brian tries to keep me in line though. hhaha. I have some fun plans for the future as well.

I hope you enjoy and maybe find a fun unique gift for your wife, friend, sister, family member etc. enjoy. Click on the banner above or go to www.apcollective.etsy.com to view more items and/or purchase.

Thoughts??!?! what would you like to see more of?