Work, Work ,work

Yes please

Pray tell. I'm past your 43 retirement age already so it's not going to help me retire at 43, but it's never too late! -W

I retired "early," also. (Well, 62.) Here's my secret: real estate and good financial planning. Kelley, you certainly don't look like a "know nothing," lol. Would love to hear your story!

How sweet! Thank you Abbie! You're all going to hate this but it boils down to your personal sense of self. You each need to find that one moment when you see and trust yourself, then you can begin to manifest everything you want in the environment around you. Stop all the doubt, fear, and insecurity. I was lucky a long time ago, I got hired to sell the work of someone I really believed in, so I first soared on someone else's behalf ( it was so easy to sell the work of someone else because their work was so good). Whether it's you or who you're representing just make lots of lists, and phone calls, make appointments and try to be physically present whenever you can. Travel, talk to people, call off your phone lists, talk to galleries, museums, and stay in touch even when they say not right now. Yet out of all of this, paint, sculpt, photograph, and keep being productive. Eventually, a company will notice you mean business and want to work with you, but only then there is a tiny window to produce something big, and keep them on the hook. Truthfully, it was so much easier a decade ago. I'm so glad I don't have to do it now. Yet ask me anything, and I'll try to answer your question as best I can.

It's obvious from your portfolio you are an accomplished photographer and digital artist. You are not a know nothing for sure.

Kelley......I always measure the 'source' on those remarks/comments....usually not worth noticing......obviously it's what they don't know !

I think your road can be explained in one word: lucky.
Or you have very special story to share with us.
Please tell!

Dear Bradford, Your avatar is distracting! Hawks are my totem. When I was five years old we had a huge cage with five Great Horned Owls, and two Red Tailed Hawks!!!

When I was thirty years old, I was living in a sexy apartment in New York City, talking across conference tables with Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Les Wexner… I have great stories, but agreed they're mine. I guess everybody has got to scramble and make their own, but you can….That's what I'm saying, get in there and dig deep!

I love Ralph Lauren!! I'm so jealous!

Dear Patricia, Whenever we would meet with Ralph there would be easily 15 people assembled, at least. Sometimes, it was late (5:00 to 6:00 pm) he would be seated at the head of a long table in his offices and he would be served a steak and salad, and begin eating while the meeting ensued. At first I thought it was simply eccentric, but later I realized he actually had no free time "WHAT SO EVER." (Perhaps the price of being a billionaire)

I believe the primary problem with success on the internet is everyone secretly thinks how hard can it be to make a few bucks?… Well think again. It's a job just like everything else, but it's not insurmountable. I believe the artists who are meant to move forward simply will, and others will fall backwards, and drift away. I received a lot of blessings in my life, and worked really hard to reach a particular place. Yet like most, I can say at times I felt disappointed and didn't get everything just my way, yet somehow I have known I got "EXACTLY" what I manifested. I think it's called taking responsibility for all my choices…

From what I learned every man love meat. And fish. and vine.and women.
Still exited to see unknown beauty and make art of it.

My heart shaking in desire.

I wish I could believe all this...I'm in a job that pays the bills, but that I absolutely loathe and despise. I have a lot of art projects I need to do, but the day job eats up all my energy and time. I feel trapped.

LOL........which part ?

Dear J L, Which part don't you believe. The part where you have to work, or the part where you have to work? Sorry if you feel trapped and as if you have no control over your life. As long as you feel that way your life is not your own. Change it.

And Vivian, What's up with the sarcasm?

I think the people who are making "really" good money selling art have no desire or even the time to chat on these discussions. I believe Mike Savad, Marlene Burns, and Dan Turner have a credible niche they have carved out for themselves. What they've done right is create a unique look to their work, a signature that identifies them. Marlene has bragged about being 65 and going strong. I think that is amazing. I don't want to work that hard at 54 (well maybe in my garden….) but I respect she didn't just roll over and die. This is her time, and I smile over her great success. She is proving everyday it's not too late. Mike found a wonderful place in viable, sellable art. Plus he really does put in the time to be helpful to others. He's credible (cooky) but credible. Dan Turner has a really good marketing mind. His words are cohesive and actually lead somewhere. He has a good foundation of thought to those who can listen.

Each of you have something unique and viable. Stop playing the starving artist card and make "intention" a part of your day.

Hopefully Mike, Marlene and Dan will not mind my comments about them. We don't travel in the same circle. We're not friends, or even talk. I have merely stated what I see...

Kelley, you may be perspicacious, but that is not sarcasm, I assure you. I was merely commiserating with JL, whose 'take' on life I find interesting and worthy of thought. Wishing you well in retirement.

Dear Vivian, I'm just glad I wasn't perceived as being offensive (this time anyway…)

Besides, J L has too much talent to be complaining… Work, and work, and work. Or just keep complaining...

Kelley,

Just wondering, and I could be confusing you with someone else, but did you/were you previously a member here at FAA and also had an AW site? I could have you confused with someone else, and I recall a different avatar photo.

Hi Greg, Yes I was a member of FAA before now. My avatar was different, it was a headshot. This avatar is a pastel painting my husband did of me, and my little dog Bobby (now passed away.)

Kelley,
Thank you for your most kind words...I am a tad embarrassed by them, I must admit.
I'd like to address one remark...about being a starving artist.
When it was time to think about college, I told my parents I wanted to be a professional artist. They laughed and told me I'd starve and they would not finance such a frivolous pursuit. BUT, if I picked up a teaching license, they would agree. I got into my first choice fine art school (which was geared to a classical training) and took two classes to get that teaching license. I had no intentions of ever using it.
I wanted more training, I needed more training.
I WORKED to get a full paid scholarship for graduate school and got my master's degree in one year. I slept 2-4 hours a nite and lived on fruit and whatever people offered me in the way of food. I ignored all else..it was the most intense year of my life.
I apprenticed in an art studio and then a teaching job came along. After 4 years, I was dying...no energy, no time, no quality anything left for my art. It was then that I realized it was time to make more sacrifices in order to do what I wanted, needed, HAD to do...I quit teaching and have been working,working,working ever since.

There is no magic formula. Once you have recognized what you need to do, you cannot pretend you don't know what path to take for fulfillment, satisfaction and growth. And happiness is also in that mix somewhere.
The exchange of artists via cyberspace is relatively new. I was reclusive in my work for many years.
Here is what have observed by being in a forum such as this:
Those who talk about it will become very good at talking.
Those who wish and hope for things to improve, will be left wishing and hoping.
That's just how the universe works.

And for anyone who thinks it's just luck, be mindful of your own opportunities and jump on them...or create your own.

"...a teaching job came along. After 4 years, I was dying...no energy, no time..."


Ditto on that, Marlene. I taught in public school for 16 years. There were some good moments, but the [unpaid] hours and administrative requirements will literally wear you down.

Greg, what scared me the most was that after 2 years, with my master's degree, I got tenure...legally, they couldn't fire me ever for the next 30 years or so....

"I prefer the company of peasants because they have not been educated sufficiently to reason incorrectly." - Michel de Montaigne

Dear J, Thank you so much for your positive comments. I am working on a book about my adventures. 200 pages deep now. It takes time though, and I've even had to walk away from the writing in order to get a fresh look at the past that makes up my life. Writing can dredge up all kinds of things, yet it is extremely cathartic nonetheless. In my twenties I began writing in journals because it was a way to learn who I was, and how I wanted to grow as an individual. Even now I know who I want to be, but again it's taking time to get there. There are all these windows of opportunities laid out for us, we just need to see them while looking.

Melissa, I really appreciate your comments, thank you so much for visiting. :-)

Carmen, It's very nice to see you here!

Hi Greg, I think you may be on to something!!!

Less about 'seeing' -- more about understanding you wanting to share your story ;)

Did I understand correctly that you said earlier you had a different identity with a previous FAA account?

Seems we've 'met' here before..or perhaps I'm thinking of someone else...


~ Carmen Hathaway

Hi Carmen, Can you say that again. I don't understand what you want.

How shall I rephrase this ...can't seem to find the post -- in the last while -- someone asked if you had a different name/identity with a previous FAA account?


Overall -- just dropping in to say I understand your need to share your experience...


~ Carmen Hathaway

What is coming across to me here is that you are essentially a writer, and this collaboration is important for a writer. Everyone has a story to tell but not everyone wants to write it. You do and you must, the journal writing is a good clue, its a natural way of expression for you, I know because it is for me too.

No I do not have a different identity. My name is Kelley Lee McDonald, and it has always been Kelley Lee McDonald.

Then I must have misunderstood -- thanks.

Should the title of this thread be Luck Luck Luck instead of Work Work Work? Also, are you and Bill Stephens related?

Hi Maria. It's true you summed things up really well just now. I thought I had something to offer because the choices I made in my life led me to an early retirement. Some people are interested, and some seem annoyed by it. Granted when I opened this thread I felt strangely aggressive, and ready to defend something I've accomplished, but after awhile I settled in and felt really relaxed. I've lived how I've lived, and no one can undermine my experiences. As soon as I realized that, I felt a peace pour over me. I don't want to argue with anyone anymore, or be a bully on the discussion board. I'd like to just talk to those who are interested in sharing. :-)

Hi Melissa, I used to do that very same thing. Go on someone's thread and be rude to them just for the heck of it. Thank you so much for showing me how unattractive it actually is. My apologies to many of you out there I was so brazen with in the past!

maybe your introduction should have read,
I now know that I always wanted to be a writer, always around interesting people, but more of an observer, keeping journals of my up and downs. now I am retired I want to be taken seriously as a writer, as I let out pieces of my experiences openly and candidly, I would appreciate your feedback and thoughts. I will write my story anyway, but it feels good to have friends along the way who I can bounce ideas off. No woman/man is an Island. There's no story or journey without the interractions of others participation, however large or small.

Kelley, You have not arrived at this place by yourself, none of us have, I think that is what people might be trying to say, as it sometimes comes across as though you are singular in being and thought and therefore knowledge.
Just my opinion.

I can see your point Maria. Your personal perspective is interesting, and I appreciate you taking the time to tell me this.

kelley, we have had our difficult communications on the site, but I have to admit that I can see that you really are trying to ask for valued opinions from everyone here, without wanting to seem vulnerable. Truth is just ask, without fear of being left undermined, as we are all vulnerable, the givers and the takers in all of us.

.sorry double post

Thank you Maria, you have been most generous with me, and I'll think further about the words you've shared with me tonight.

I don't think I was being rude, although I'm not overly concerned if you considered my post that way. I (like others that have read this thread) am still waiting for more specific information on how you were able to retire at a young age, and a little less with the more esoterical advice given. No, I do not think there is anything wrong with the emotional/mental advice given, I'm all about the power of positive thinking but that is only part of what can make someone financially successful, which is what I thought you were going to talk about. How exactly were you able to save, earn and retire?

You called Bill your brother in a previous thread you created for him to showcase his work.....so I consider that a reasonable question...

You know Melissa maybe I really have no idea how I was able to do what I did. I lived by my gut instincts, and remained willing to learn, and redo things as I out grew old ways of thinking. Maybe it was just my lucky stars coming into play, perhaps it was my ongoing fortitude, and yet maybe I really could "see" what was right in front of me, and was simply able to seize the moments that were pivotal. Maybe it's in your stars too, I have no idea. But I'm really enjoying myself these days, and I hope you are too.

I referred to Bill as a brother like a fellow human being. We're not related other than existing on the same planet.

Blurb.com has a book "Painting" A Collection Of Lyrical Tales by Kelley Lee McDonald.
However, face on cover look different and kind of sad.
For information only.

Hi Viktor, perhaps the picture looks sad because I'm not squeezing my little dog Bobby like the painting up above! :-) It is me though.

Hello Kelley,
I've been following this thread since the day you started it. I want to thank you for sharing your story and experiences because they have helped me find the motivation to keep creating. Even though I am running out of space in terms of where to store my original paintings. I work at a highly stressful, yet lucrative job in health care...but nothing beats the euphoric feeling of selling an original painting to a stranger for them to enjoy in their own home. I can only hope that one day I would be able to have the experience of being able to pay the bills doing a job sloely based on my art.

Thank you,
Katy

Hello Kelley,
I've been following this thread since the day you started it. I want to thank you for sharing your story and experiences because they have helped me find the motivation to keep creating. Even though I am running out of space in terms of where to store my original paintings. I work at a highly stressful, yet lucrative job in health care...but nothing beats the euphoric feeling of selling an original painting to a stranger for them to enjoy in their own home. I can only hope that one day I would be able to have the experience of being able to pay the bills doing a job sloely based on my art.

Thank you,
Katy

Dear Katy,

I really appreciate your kind words above, and I’m happy to be helpful. There are so many threads about selling our work, and making progress that it seems to be on everyone’s mind how to “get there.” I named this thread work work work because our life is our real job, and no one should have to settle for something less than what they hoped for. My formula has only a couple of ingredients, and I believe people balk at the notion something can be so simple, yet what I’ve said isn’t without years and years of plugging away combined with my untrammeled desire to succeed. Still, it’s only what worked for me. Who knows what will work for another. It saddens me to learn people feel trapped by uninteresting jobs and believe they have no way out which was shared earlier on in this thread. Where we earn our money isn’t really our primary job. Carving out the life you want to experience is our real career, but first you have to believe you’re worth that kind of dedication. Melissa said above she thought I was getting too esoteric about all this, but how does anyone know that isn’t precisely my best tool. It’s all just information for the taking, or leaving behind...Thank you once again for stopping by and sharing.

Hi Everyone.

I just completed reading the thread once more from start to finish, and I wanted each of you to know I really appreciate how y'all came aboard to talk and exchange stories. When I began this discussion I felt compelled to share some things I've learned along the way, but with great delight I feel I'm the one who's walking away with so much from each of you. Many thanks for these treasures.