Catherine the student

Catherine went from participating in our ART SLAM LIVE™ Ad Design Course (created by Greenville Technical University’s Ad Design staff)…

…To WINING the challenge and internship with Showcase Marketing…

…to LANDING a Full Time job as a Brand Developer with Showcase.

Below is how Chad McMillan, Vice President of the company announced  it:

“Our creative team has been in search of an incredible designer to add to the team and relieve workload in the back for some time now. We have interviewed and worked with COUNTLESS

Catherine the Brand Developer! (Click to Expand)

individuals, but no one really stood out and fit the profile of exactly what we needed…until Catherine came along. As you know, she won the ArtSlam competition hosted by Greenville Tech that was sponsored by Tony Snipes (ArtSlam Founder) and Showcase this past year. Her designs were by far the best of the competition. As a result, her classes were paid for by the school and she was awarded an apprenticeship position with us. She’s been here part time (8-10 hours a week) for the past 3 months and she has demonstrated that she DEFINITELY fits here both creatively AND culturally. We have been blessed to have her here at Showcase and couldn’t imagine a better fit with the team.

So, last week we extended an offer for her to come on full time with us after she graduates next month and I’m happy to let you all know that she has accepted and begins full-time employment Monday, June 4. So, please let her know how excited you are to have her here. Excited to see how this year is shaping up for all of us!

Catherine's winning design.

Congratulations Catherine! Welcome aboard.”

Great job, Catherine! We are both proud of you and excited with you concerning the new opportunity!

Special thanks goes to the following for making the program a success:

Shane Howell, Dept. Head- Visual and Performing Arts, Greenville Technical College
Bob Lanning, Adjunct Instructor – Graphic Design, Greenville Technical College
Chad McMillan, VP of Showcase Marketing
Devin Smith, Interactive Designer/Developer at Jackson Marketing Group

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Sandra Renrick:

What did she launch: Her first blog.
How did she finally do it?
“I started thinking about launching a blog a couple of years ago. I bought several books including Blogging for Dummies. I read the books, but I still failed to take any action. I was spurred into taking action by listening to Tony Snipes. Tony got me to see that I didn’t have to have everything figured out. All I had to do was to sit down and to write. I actually started writing articles for my blog before I thought of a name for it. I also decided in advance to go with a Word Press template.”

Jack Surrett:
What did he launch: Blog and Facebook page
How did he finally do it?
“The coaching we received from Tony was extremely helpful in three ways. First, he
encouraged us to let our passion take us where we want to go. Then he gave us detailed instructions on every step it took to get our blog up and running. And he kept us accountable with homework and deadlines.”

Julian Nixon:

What did he launch: First, his blog, then his self -published book.
How did he finally do it?
“Something that helped me was making sure that my goal/idea was defined to the point that it was believable–especially to ME. As long as my idea was broad it was “too big” for me to do and I sat on the side of the road waiting for my dream to come true through someone else. But when Tony helped me to realize that there was no longer a need to (further) simplify–that I had completed that task–then my determination became unstoppable. Now I am working on my second and third project.”

Need help in launching YOUR creative project, idea or even creative business concept? Reach out to me here or via email and we’ll discuss: tony@artlessonsfromgod.com

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Witness how Rob created his character in Photo Shop by clicking the first image below on the left, then the arrows:

[View as slideshow]

I asked Rob what was the inspiration in creating this piece? Part of the gaming project? A random thought that turned to a full piece? What led to it?

Here’s What Rob Said:

Illustrator, Concept Artist, ROB JOSEPH

“Honestly, Tony, I had nothing to do one day. I was bored and thought to myself, this would be a great time to practice some things in Photo Shop…before I knew it, I was completely enthralled in this piece. It’s one of those spur of the moment art pieces that you come away from satisfied and proud.

It just goes to show that when that artist inside calls to you. When you get that feeling like…I just need to work on something right now…take advantage. Because you never know what you’re going to come up with, and chances are you’re going to be so glad you listened.”

See more of Rob’s work at his Online Art Gallery>>

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Derek Austin Discovers His Creative Calling, his career and job.

Here’s what I mean:

Derek knew that He had a God-given talent, and although he works at a job that is relative to his skills, he still felt that something was missing; that he still was not operating fully in the capacity that God had him destined for (sound familiar?).

Derek Discovers His Creative Calling

The first thing Derek needed to do was to clarify exactly how God had him wired. What did God place within him

Recent Work by Derek

that He (God) was going to draw out of him to accomplish His plan? Derek asked what we all have asked: “Why am I here? What am I supposed to do? Where am I going?”

Derek and I worked together discussing his values, his dreams and his passion. This type of conversation challenged Derek to look within rather than to look outward first.

Through looking at Derek’s skills, abilities, his personality and basically the things that drive and motivate him, Derek realized what he was called to do:

Derek’s Creative Calling: Help Others to Grow as He Grows

Derek Austin

The common thread in Derek’s life that really motivates and excites him is related to teaching and training people. Derek said this is an area that he LOVES to do on his job. Helping coworkers learn different skills within the job while  adding to their value is something that Derek has always had a passion for. He’s not even paid to do this. It’s just part of his DNA. It’s how he’s wired!

This revelation is what positioned Derek to clearly see what his next steps should be concerning his creative talent and upcoming opportunities. Derek is creating  an Action Plan leading to developing workshops in Photo Shop that he will facilitate in his local community and even online!

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Do you STILL ask the questions “Why am I here? What am I supposed to do? Where am I going?”

Post your thoughts here.

Got questions on how we can help YOU like we helped Derek? Email me or leave a voice message:

tony@artlessonsfromgod.com
864.513.1766

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First in his book Unlocking the Heart of the Artist, and now at his live workshops of the same name, friend, author

Artist, author, musician, Matt Tommey

and fellow artist Matt Tommey helps artists break the curse during his weekend event the “Unlocking the Heart of the Artist Weekend”

I caught up with Matt to ask for real world help for a friend:

TONY:  I have a young visual artist friend who is incredibly talented. This person is a believer  but lately is frustrated because although they know that God does speak, they’re not hearing Him. My friend knows they are at a crossroads in what to do next with their talent, but they’re stumped.

TONY: Has the “Unlocking the Heart of the Artist Weekend” been able to help others facing the same frustration? If so, how?

MATT: One of the quotes we got last year from Unlocking the Heart of the Artist was from someone who said ‘The level of love and healing was beyond my wildest dreams! I came broken and left whole!’
The environment at Unlocking the Heart of the Artist weekend is one of love, acceptance, community and freedom.  Our heart is to create a safe environment where artists of every creative media can tangibly sense the presence of God, gain clarity about their unique calling in the Kingdom and in the context of community work through any roadblocks that the enemy may have set up for them.   For many, it’s the first time in their life that someone has connected their creativity and their relationship with God.  The sense of purpose and freedom is simply overwhelming.

TONY: What led you to launching the Unlocking the Heart of the Artist Weekend in the first place?

MATT: Over the years, I’ve encountered many artisans, musicians, craftsmen and other creative ones who have, for one reason or another, become stuck. The “stuckness” originates from many different places – woundedness, fear, control, unbelief, religious barriers – and creates a frustration in their life that becomes unbearable. Many artists, unable to understand what’s really going on either run headlong into “creativity for creativity’s sake” or turn to unhealthy alternatives in order to numb or overcome the pain they are feeling. Many more simply give up, hide the gift by stuffing it down under ‘Christian work ethic’ and just try to gone on with life as usual.  Our desire in launching Unlocking the Heart of the Artist weekends was to give creative people a safe place to explore the roadblocks they may be experiencing in their life and begin the journey to wholeness and abundant creativity in the Kingdom.

TONY: What was the biggest move of God that you know of that occurred in the life of someone that attended?

MATT: Many times we don’t hear all that God does in the lives of those that attend.  However, we have testimonies

See Inside

of people who have experienced physical, emotional and creative healing during the weekends which enabled them to go to new levels in God and their creative expression.  Many artists have repressed deep fear, shame and anxiety about past woundedness and this weekend has been a major catalyst for freedom in their life.

TONY: What do you cover during the weekend that speaks to ” The Starving Artist”?

MATT: The term Starving Artist is based in a curse found in Genesis 4 within the story of Cain.  Cain was the great, great, great, great, great grandfather of all musicians and craftsmen and one of the repercussions of his disobedience to God was Genesis 4:12 where God says “When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”  This restless, wandering, unproductive spirit that is often termed “the artist personality’ is nothing more than a curse.  During the weekend, we talk a lot about God’s plan for thriving as an artist in the Kingdom and how to be a prospering artist.

Now you can join Matt Tommey at the “Unlocking The Heart Of The Artist” weekend event: Friday, March 23, 2012 at 7:00 PM – Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 9:00 PM (EST) Kennesaw, GA

DO YOU FEEL THAT YOUR CREATIVITY COULD BE CURSED? Sound off and share your voice by posting a comment below:

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