Chakra Shower and Chakra Dance

Here's a new one--a couplet of paintings!

I started painting this first one, Chakra Shower, Copyright 2008 by Sheryl Brown, All Rights Reserved after a day of decluttering (again!), and didn't get back to it for several days. At first, it just had the strong bands of color. Later, I added the streaming shower of light effect. I started to feel sad that I might have overworked the painting, so decided to try doing a second one, and stopping sooner.

Now I have to tell you, it is almost impossible for me to copy my own work. Believe me, I've tried! It seems each painting wants to be its own unique individual (just like people!!).

But this is the closest I've managed to come up with a very similar effect. Again, I painted more than the basic solid bands of color, but this time it looks more vibrational between the color bands than the first one (which seems like a shower of light), so I've named it Chakra Dance Copyright 2008 by Sheryl Brown, All Rights Reserved.

I would be very interested in hearing if you have a preference between the two paintings and why. Thanks so much for your feedback!

And by the way, I am taking Cloud Dance to a professional fine arts scanner this coming Monday!

So, if you want to make an order, now is the time! Call 425 652-1413 or email me sheryl@sunraycounseling.com with the size you want 8 by 10 or 16 by 20, on paper or canvas, and what your general budget for it will be.

I am so excited and pleased to be able to offer you the opportunity to have some of my art in your home or office to bring good feelings and to inspire your own creativity!

(Does it sound like I've got dancing on the brain?? Wait till you see my next post on New Boot Snow Dance!!)

Reproductions of Cloud Dance, By Popular Demand!

I'm very pleased to announce that due to popular demand, I am taking orders for reproductions of Cloud Dance!

So far, I've looked up a local giclee printer and have seen some preliminary pricing. Since this is my first time to get a reproduction made, I won't know how long the whole process will take.

For one thing, it will help me to know a ballpark of how many people would like to buy what size and format, so I can make a large enough order to keep costs down, yet have enough people actually buying to pay for the order.

Folks, this is really exciting! I have wanted to do something like this for some time now.

So if you would like a copy of Cloud Dance beaming down at you from your wall, drop me an email at sheryl@sunraycounseling.com and let me know if you want a basic budget, ie 8 by 10 on photo paper, unframed (might be around $20 or less), or want to go the whole nine yards and get a 16 by 20 on canvas that is "gallery stretched" (which means the sides of the canvas continue the color and are wrapped around the frame) ($200 or more?), or anything in between. The latter should look very much like the original.

And if you'd rather have another painting, let me know that info for the next round!

Here's what Deborah Yaffee of Shelburne Falls, MA wrote to me recently,

"I enjoy the passionate, strong movement of the storm (Calm in the Eye of the Storm (Riding the Waves), ed.), but I confess that the gentle radiating colors of Cloud Dance connected with me more....I felt like the center of that was a Divine Heart emanating rainbow light blessings to all beings. " (And later added) "I like the Eye very much.... (But) Cloud Dance just made me feel so peaceful and calm.

Okay, we're on a roll now here, let's rock and roll!

Calm in the Eye of the Storm (Riding the Waves)

Here is Calm in the Eye of the Storm (Riding the Waves) Copyright 2008 Sheryl Brown, All Rights Reserved, a 16x20 acrylic painting I did after some serious massage and detox last month.

As often happens, I didn't consciously paint something I later saw--it looks like a seated figure in the center of the bubble, with a light shining down from above! (You may not be able to see it easily in this size.)

For me, I was just playing with swirling color, and as usual found my favorite themes of water and sky appearing beneath my paintbrush.

This is a great metaphor for life, isn't it? Even when circumstances can be challenging and even overwhelming, we can find a place of strength and peace within, and be able to weather it out. Here's to smooth sailing! --in one fashion or another!

After the Rain, it's a Cloud Dance!

Since many of you have written to say how much you enjoyed Serenity Rising (From the Deep), I decided to choose another painting to share with you.

Here's one I painted last March (2007). Hard to believe it was that many months ago, it feels so fresh and recent to me! I have to say that I get a lot of inspiration just gazing at the way colors blend and contrast into various shapes and illusions on the canvas. I can really get lost in it!

Earlier today it occurred to me that a poem I wrote last September goes just right with it!

This poem is entitled After the Rain, and the painting is entitled Cloud Dance.

Sunray
Laser of light
When I dance on your clouds,
You'll find a rainbow.

Copyright 2007 Sheryl Brown, All Rights Reserved

My thinking in this poem is of how the sun plays upon the moisture in the clouds and creates a gorgeous band of multi-color in the sky. In the same way, the interaction I have with my clients in discussing the problems they are facing can result in a burst of insight and colorful solutions!

As always, I welcome any feedback!

Check out my new book!

Well, sorta still new! In any case, I'm still excited about having a chapter included in David Riklan's collection entitled, 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume3. I'm in chapter 74!

This means I am now published! Keep posted to see what new things I come up with in the writing and publishing department.

So click on this link http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?Clk=1803263 and find out what a deal you can get. You can either buy Volume 3 alone, or for just a bit more, get all three volumes!

Ideas for Journaling

I often recommend the use of journaling to my clients. But some people have an automatic knee jerk, kinda negative response to journaling per se.

Here is one idea that could break loose the log jam of "I don't wanna--don't feel like it--can't--tried it, hated it" feelings you may have had yourself.

1. First, just grab a blank sheet of paper and write down all the questions you have on a chosen subject. For example, you may be looking at a relationship problem. Just write down all the questions that pop into your mind that have any connection.

2. The next step (which you may choose to do on another occasion after your mind has had a chance to let the questions percolate) (or ferment, whichever metaphor tickles you more!) is to pick just one question, and write whatever comes into your mind. You may use the tactic of imagining your friend has come to you for advice on this.

Let me know if you try this, and what kind of success you have, or what better ideas come to you!

Serenity Rising (From the Deep)

Here is one of my recent paintings, Serenity Rising (From the Deep) Copyright 2007 Sheryl Brown, All Rights Reserved, which I painted after a day of "decluttering." It was a combination reward/celebration!

(In a future post, I will tell you of the coaching group I am in that helps people who want to create more order and space in their environment.)

The imagery I have used includes showing a place of peace and calm that can co-exist in spite of (and indeed, arises from) the dark, murky chaos that is our "too much stuff."

Our world (inner and outer, personal and universal) is not perfect, but we are always on a quest to improve our lives, and we do so, as best as we can! Onwards and upwards, keep on keeping on!

Check out that Ernest Bridge!

...and speaking of Rock Stars, here's another one I know well--my son! He and his band, Ernest Bridge www.myspace.com/ernestbridge are really close to having their first album released. Yahooooo!!!

You wouldn't believe how long it was before my (not really, but sort of) "shy" son actually conceded to let me to hear him sing!! But that's all water under the bridge (SERIOUSLY, no pun intended!). Thanks to Michaela (his one and only) for coordinating that!

OKay, go on over now and listen to a few of Ernest Bridge's songs on MySpace. Just click on that link above there, yup, you got it!

Ring out the old, Bring in the new!

Here it is for old time sake, the picture that was on my website for the last few years.

Photo credits for both this one and the new one go to Wendy Grace in Mukilteo. Here is her full contact information:

• Wendy Wilson Grace
• Lens-Art Photo Studio
• (425) 349-1562
• http://www.lensartphotostudio.com/
• email her at: wwgrace@aol.com

Thanks, Wendy, for being my personal and professional photographer!

(PS Wendy gives the best parties, and her husband is a Rock Star!)

Discover 31 Easy Ways to Brighten Up Your Life!

Here we are already halfway through January!

I'm really excited to be able to offer you a fun page of "31 Ways to Brighten your Life" when you visit my website http://www.sunraycounseling.com/ and sign up for my free tips and articles. You'll see the sign up link at the top right hand side of my homepage. And anyone who has a comment, let me know what you think of the new photo!

(I knew it was time to update when some of my closest friends and associates agreed my old one looked "dowdy/frumpy"!! No offense taken! After all, people still mistake me for an almost 40 year old... if only they knew!!) (I'll post that here later, just for laughs.)

This is my long-thought of and planned for (dare I admit, procrastinated upon?) newsletter/list-building project. I have to admit, it was easier to jump and just do it when I hired some help through http://www.virtualhelper4u.com/ . They helped me set up Aweber for my autoresponder (see previous post). And it also seemed more do-able when I thought of it more as writing a few lines rather than a full blown ezine. Informal works for me!

And blogging is easier too when I think of it as jotting off a few lines like I would email to a friend! (All these little tricks of the trade..., I'll tell you, marketing is not for the faint of heart!)

More later!

Check out Kendall's Programs and Products!

Hello, on my second day of really blogging!

Of course, since I am a therapist, a lot of the good stuff I might have to say is likely to be related to relationships, right? True!

But being self-employed, I've been learning a lot about marketing, i.e., "Getting the Word Out" so people who need and want my services can find me. So it only stands to reason I would want to share anything cool, great, or otherwise relevant that any of ya'll could use.

Which brings me to mention my very special, amazing, and very practical marketing coach, Kendall Summerhawk, the Horse Whisperer for Business, and writer of Brilliance Unbridled. I could wax eloquent (or elegant, as my hubby likes to say) telling you all kinds of stories on how I found her, what it was like to meet her, and what all I've been doing, etc.

But here's cut to the chase: Hire Kendall, and you will grow your business! No bull--but you might get a kick in the pants if you need it (or want it!). And what I also love about Kendall is she's real, and easily "gets" people. (Let me tell you, she sure has my number!) So her coaching not just helps my business, but extends to all areas of my life.

You know I'm a therapist--I believe in therapy. And then there's coaching, similar, but different. There's a time and place for being in therapy, and there's a time and place to have a coach. (Personally, I like to have one of each at all times!)

So take a look and see if any of Kendall's programs or products are a fit for you. And, please, do feel free to call or write, and ask me any specific questions on what I've used and/or what I'm familiar with.

http://www.cartville.com/app/?af=546548 Click here to see Kendall's Programs and Products

The Success Circle Coaching Club (SCCC) is an excellent program, and is the one I started with.

"How To Charge What You're Worth and Get It!" is a great product with CD's and an interactive workbook.

Happy Marketing! (Doncha just love being in business for yourself?!)

Get Nancy Marmolejo's ebook on MySpace

I have to tell you about Nancy's ebook on getting started on MySpace.

By now you've heard about the amazing reach of the internet site MySpace. You may know of it as a social website, but did you also know that MySpace is a great place for entrepreneurs, authors, marketers, speakers, consultants, and other business owners? The bottom line is this: MySpace, when used effectively, can help you build your name recognition, generate leads, and cultivate valuable business relationships.

You can try to catch up with everyone by figuring it out on your own, or you can check out a great resource I HIGHLY recommend from Nancy Marmolejo of Comadre Coaching. Nancy is a visibility expert; her specialty is helping businesses stand out and get noticed. Right now Nancy is crazy about MySpace and her book "Make MySpace YOUR Space" teaches you how to set up a credible, reputable MySpace presence in as little as 30 minutes.

Nancy will take you by the hand and lead you through the steps of getting established on MySpace. She shows you how to apply your current in-person networking skills to MySpace, gives examples of winning MySpace pages, warns you of tricks not to fall for, and much more.

The value of this guide far exceeds its low price. Check out "Make MySpace YOUR Space" right now and get a foothold in the new place where business is happening. Here is a link to get you started.

http://tinyurl.com/247c64

Good Therapy Listing/Notice to Therapists and Potential Clients alike

One of the directories where you will find me listed is GoodTherapy.org. Click on the icon below to see my listing.




GoodTherapy.org is dedicated to promoting healthy counseling & psychotherapy. They include a directory of over 2000 counselors & therapists worldwide who believe people are equipped to transform the obstacles to optimum health and happiness.

If you decide to join, please let them know I referred you when you sign up. You can visit GoodTherapy.org here:

http://www.goodtherapy.org/

Anyone want to set up a simple newsletter using an autoresponder? This is it!

Now here is a reliable way to get your updates out to your readers--use an autoresponder. Aweber provides a great service at a reasonable price. And how reasonable does "no cost" sound for your first month? This is a great company with a reliable service. I'm new to Aweber, but everything is working well, and I hear no end of good reports from my friends in online business land.

You can test drive Aweber for a month, using their autoresponder/newsletter function to build your list and build your online business. Click here to see for yourself:
http://www.aweber.com/?289257

And if you want to see how it flows first, go to my website http://www.sunraycounseling.com and sign up for my free tips page, "31 Ways to Brighten Your Life," and you'll see how sweet the deal can be with thank you pages, and links to the PDF both on the thank you page and in an email you get in your inbox.

(If you want help creating a PDF, email me and I'll give you some resources.)

Here's something fun -- Check out my poems on MySpace

Hey Guys,

Last year I set up a MySpace account, and wouldn't you know, the ambience of "edgy-ness" there unleashed my inner poet! Go have a look in the blog section at http://www.myspace.com/sunraycounseling , and feel free to email me with any comments.

One of my poems is about being volatile (in a good way), another is about my granddaughter ("Birthday Baby"), and another is on the passing of summer ("Blue Summer").

I even got bold and put one on the homepage of my professional website! You can find it at http://www.sunraycounseling.com .

Hey, I'm having lots of fun getting back into blogging, or should I say, getting into it in a more decided way. It's a great way to get your voice heard on whatever is your passion in life! Why not try it?

(Coming soon... I'll be including some of my art. Painting is therapeutic for me, and so is just looking at it -- that has healing aspects as well.)

Mark Joyner's Free Blogging Training!

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

• The best blogging techniques.
• How to get traffic to your blog.
• How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.