Search Topics
Watercolors.
Submitted by: Lori Jones
Riverside,California, United StatesMy name is Lori Jones. I am a retired elementary school teacher. I have begun a second career showing and selling my watercolor designs. I have two wonderful daughters, Allyssa and Alora and a fabulous husband, Darwin. I also enjoy running and have completed my first marathon in Juneau, Alaska. It was named after my uncle: The Frank Maier Marathon. I also love gardening and reading. My mantra is "Picture what you want!" It's the way to live.
Hi Rhonda, I don’t know if you will actually see this, but if you do, I’d like to thank you personally for your contributions to my own life and to making our world a much more manageable place. Since I have been reading your books on a daily basis I have seen things change. Some quickly and some over the long term.
I’ve been addicted to Rhonda’s books since I read The Secret. Each of her publications has enhanced my life. I’d just like to share one example.
I am a retired teacher. I have had an interest in painting since about 4th grade. My artistic talents were helpful to me as an elementary school teacher but never actually realized during my 36 year career.
My mother, who is also a painter, and I have been going to The Pageant of the Masters and the Sawdust Festivals in Laguna Beach for years. Each summer we were inspired to be more creative and productive. For me that just meant the 6 weeks I was off during the summer break from my classroom.
I inquired once about entering my work in one of these shows and was told that artists must reside at the beach and show proof of a So Cal beach residency to be eligible. Since it was a dream of mine to be in the Sawdust Festival, I was quite disappointed. I found another venue close by also in Laguna. It was called the Art A Fair. I entered my work for the jury to judge and was shy 10 points of making it in for their summer show. Again I was disappointed.
I have continued to create watercolors and enjoyed visiting the Laguna art galleries and festivals. I have had the privilege of having one lovely artist as a mentor. She has been so helpful with suggestions and has introduced me to businesses and individuals who have assisted me in beginning my own business: Lori Jones’ Studio. On my mother’s birthday we went to the 50th anniversary of the Sawdust Festival. While enjoying the beautiful work and visiting with some of the local artists, I found out that the Winter Fantasy Sawdust Festival that is held in November through December, is open to artists not residing in the beach areas!!! I was surprised and delighted to speak to the manager of the festival and found out that I could apply to show my work in the winter.
Long story short, I am in the Winter Fantasy Sawdust festival and so excited. I feel that, as it happens so often in your book examples, people, places, events and circumstances all aligned to make my dream come true. I kept doing what I do, which is paint, and was open to all avenues that would lead to my watercolors being seen by the public. The Universe was picking up my signal and gave me what I wanted even when I did not know how it was possible.
So, Rhonda, thank you for all of the wonderful books you have written. They are part of my daily ritual. I read excerpts from The Secret, The Magic, The Power and The Daily Teachings each morning to set the tone for my day. I love being retired and being able to pursue a second career, watercolor painting. It makes me so happy to be able to share my passion with others.
Positive thinking and actions do work and they can definitely get us what we desire. You are amazing and you have had a very positive effect on my life.
Sincerely,
Lori Jones
PS: After a remodel of my master bedroom, I was sorting out what would go back into my drawers, closets etc. and I came upon a list I had written quite a while ago of goals I would like to accomplish. Out of the 10 things I’d indicated, 4 of them had already happened and now I can check off the 5th which was “Art work in a show”.