Asbellarts

Asbellarts Marketing 101

2012-02-23T20:21:00.000-08:00

Asbellarts Marketing 101

Hey performing artists! Need to find a gig? Get over your sweet self. Start small. Face book it, Youtube it, volunteer... if you're good soon you will be choosing which opportunities to decline from.

Sounds like good advice, huh?

That is unless you are a ceramic artist.

Don't waste your time

Invest in your career, not someone elses.

Asbellarts Marketing 101

www.asbellarts.com

asbellarts@gmail.com

Asbellarts Marketing Tip

2012-02-23T19:36:00.000-08:00

Asbellarts Marketing Tip

Today I recieved one more marketing client, sold a painting, and another new vioce student.

Good luck you say? Talent? No.... a lot of hard work and social marketing.

Want to play along on the cheap?

www.asbellarts.com

asbell@gmail.com

Thursday's Grace Notes

2012-02-23T19:24:00.000-08:00

Thursday's Grace Notes

Enjoying food again, waking up feeling strong and better so that so many people can stop worrying about me.. including myself, once I become stronger I can be stronger for others as well,, the fact that all of my students and clients end up eventually being my friends, opening my fridge and not hearing the song "Blinded by the light",happy crows and old dogs chasing squirrels, fun is always there to be had, we just have to remember to plug into it and Praising God that it is February and you and I are hear to enjoy it.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Wednesday's Grace Notes

2012-02-22T18:41:00.000-08:00

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Waking up and finding that the sun beat me to it! Forgiving myself for not meeting my own demands, allowing myself that second mug of coffee, only being able to eat 1/2 my food, making my homemade soups... realizing that all along God has been supplying all of my needs and I was the biggest roadblock and now I am waving my white flag. Dramatically increasing my steroids, beginning a very minor antidepressent and, this is the big thing.... I began having sezuires once I turned 21 followed by a life of illness. Last night for the very first time in my entire life changing my bandages and asked God "Lord! Why me? What have I done to deserve this?"

Do I place myself above Christ? Even He cried to His father in Heaven "My God my God why have you forsaken me?

Now it's my turn to praise Him and say

"My God my God! Why have you blessed me?".

It all comes down to Grace.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Asbellarts Marketing

2012-02-21T19:38:00.000-08:00

Asbellarts Marketing

What does social media mean to you?

Enter your name, business, links, blogs, support groups... are you out there? And I don't mean like Pluto. Check on "the web" and "images". Do it at least weekly. It really becomes kind of fun.... and like it or not visual/performing artist this will become your new "bread and butter"... or your prime rib. That's where YOU and I come in.

Let's work together on this... life is always more fun with an experienced friend to send you in the right direction.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

asbellarts @gmail

Tuesday's Grace Notes

2012-02-21T18:32:00.000-08:00

Tuesday's Grace Notes

God is not standing there with his arms across His chest expecting my next mistake, no His arms are open wide to take me back in, sometimes taking the easy way out IS the right way out, remembering how it felt to enter my children's rooms in bare feet then discovering the army of plastic Lego's all over the floor, knowing that someday I would cherish this, I have never been this sick living by myself before... and have never felt this loved, and , well, listening to my doctors and greatly increasing my steroids tomorrow. It should be a much better day. I have a love/hate relationship with my many meds.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Angels Unaware

2012-02-20T18:35:00.000-08:00

Angels Unaware

Anybody out there and have 5 kids and have said "What was I thinking?" Hello. How about being 50 yrs old with 5 rockin' kids? Hello! This is a posting about my big Sister Michele and my brother in love Chip. They are a true witnesses to what parenting and love has the potential to be. I was a very good mother, the best of the best and I never had a clue. Did I mention that my beautiful sister has MS? They have so much to teach, so much to share and so many people to encourage.

Please help them to continue to encourage others if nothing more than sharing this post?

Oh and by the way. Michele is a powerhouse. You rarely see her without a smile on her face and seems to always find the funny side in everything.

I want to be like her someday when I grow up.

They call themselves the "Rainbow Clannad"

While I "celebrate the day"

Her motto is "Living the dream.

Artist Marketing 101

2012-02-20T17:51:00.000-08:00

Artist Marketing 101

Don't dream about your dreams.... live it.

Nancy Asbell

Visual/performing Arts Marketing

I have the experience, you have the talent.

www.asbellarts.com

Monday's Grace Notes

2012-02-20T16:48:00.000-08:00

Monday's Grace Notes

I now declare that I only have a bad chest cold, Today I took a real long look at myself in the mirror. I have been sick for several weeks. Once I recognized who I was and the shock began to wear off, I took two hours to slightly recaim my "girly girl". Is it too soon to say "celebrate the day"? Waking up to a messy house that I can still live in, hey! who turned on the birdsong again? I have not been able to ride my blessed power chair down to Publix in several weeks. It's not about the groceries. I am well taken care of, it's the baking manager that offers me not a free cookie but wants to give me a $14.00 torte just to make me happy. I blush, stammer, give thanks and roll to the produce section. There the produce manager takes me aside and says "our God is not on our schedule but he wants me to tell you that you are not alone. They know nothing about me... many of you are also in the dark as it should be. They know nothing. But they have seen me become weaker. People who are strangers to me come up and say "you don't know me but you are such an inspiration to me... you rock!" I don't deserve any of this but if God wants to give it to me then I will try to pass on my Grace Notes for one more day.

Okay now can I say it?

Celebrate the day?

Celebrate!

www.asbellarts.com

Sunday's Grace Notes

2012-02-19T19:45:00.000-08:00

Sunday's Grace Notes

Sleeping 7 1/2 hours straight! Good golly Miss Molly! Church is not for perfect people and that is why I miss it so much... I fit right in, able to eat an almost full bowl of cereal, lighting a candle just for me and taking the time to slowly smell the lingering scent before I blow it out, old dogs that carry 1/2 of the "Nature Preserve" back inside with them to share, burning my delicious dinner but there is always tomorrow, "Joel Osteen" ( Mr Smiley) and Nancy Asbell both smiling too much... Okay! If they shared the outlook "Choose not to be a victim but a victor" they'd be smiling too. Come one! It's good endorphins. I still have legs... and they hurt... and how can I not be praising God... I still have legs... and they hurt... and, and, I get it. Bring it on! Praise God! I found my marbles. They were in my chest. Now I just have a nice calming pur of a cat before he plans his next attack. Yeah.... I crack myself up. I have to do something between snacks. Seriously though, at least I have a beautiful bed to take naps in. Tomorrow I am going to get my voice back to sing. Even Panda misses it.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Angels Unaware

2012-02-18T09:00:00.000-08:00

Angels Unaware

Living in Barstow California we were one of the lucky ones to experience the devastating earthquake.We were gripped in fear, darkness, and the crashing sounds of a "freight train". The only safe place in our government housing w/ a stud was at the front door so we huddled there. I was cold, in shock and forget about making conversation. Above all of this roar my then 8 year daughter yelled "

HAS ANYBODY PRAYED YET?"

Out of the mouths of babes.

Celebrate the day!

Saturday's Grace Notes

2012-02-18T08:35:00.000-08:00

Saturday's Grace Notes

I wake up and I still hurt and God says "I know. And you are never alone".

A lot of people don't like me. I mean, how can she "be suffering" and still be able to post these "Grace Notes?" Oh just gag me with spoon! (I wouldn't suggest that. It sounds very painful from here), I mean she just about gives her art away. She cheapens the work for of all of us. Okay. Let's play a game. You are told by a doctor that you have 30 days to live. What will you do? Something good I hope. Okay how about 3 months to live? The Mayo Clinic says that I almost died 11 times in the last two years. They say that they cannot take credit. It was my faith, incredible will to live and attitude. Now they say that I live "on a tight wire"... every day is a miracle for me. Today? Tomorrow? I and my family know where I'm going. So I unclench my hands and I give free advice to international art lovers, very cheap coaching to artists/performers (if they are really serious about their business) my talents? Eh, landscape artists are a dime a dozen. My overwhelming amount of experience/wisdom in social media/marketing? Extremely good.

At the end of the day I am telling Jesus "I hurt" he says "I know and you are not alone".

Every day I will selfishly be posting my Grace Notes. They help to keep me alive.

You can always "change the channel."

You see, I am the lucky one.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Friday's Grace Notes

2012-02-17T13:26:00.001-08:00

Friday's Grace Notes

The Village Idiot

No wait! Don't change the channel!

Have you ever paused to think about the hows and whys you became the person that you've become? Well I do and there is always someone to blame. Yup. That's when we begin w/ our parents and it usually is not on a high note. That's the trend, right? I could play along but no I would be throwing more of Gods Blessings back in His face.

So play along, please. Yes. Pun intended.

I was born premature. The Dr gave my mother this way too small baby and says "be careful. She can't have much stress... good grief. I really liked that different drummer. (http://asbellarts.blogspot.com/2012/02/moses-had-aaron-i-had-michele.html

I was geeky and very talented. Sometimes poor as church mice my Mom made sure that we always had the finest art supplies, piano lessons, two pianos so we wouldn't fight over who's turn it was to get to play, Michele and I sang and harmonized ALL THE TIME! She made sure that I had voice lessons, two of the best guitars money could buy, encouraged us to be in every play, no matter how stupid our costumes looked and cried every time that she heard me sing lyric soprano as I majored in voice with scholorships..

No Don't let me confuse you. It's not Mothers day, but she is 86 years old and I have a life threatening disease. Why wait. Life is WAY too important.

Celebrate the day

I love you Mommy.

www.asbellarts.com

Friday's Grace Notes

2012-02-17T10:33:00.000-08:00

Friday's Grace Notes

I slept through the night. Didn't wake for pain medicines, only had some new wounds to treat for messes. I only struggled to breathe once I got up... and I was giddy. I gave myself shots, took blood pressure nmeds, I took my daily photos of my legs for my health care team.. today they are fire engine red (I am an artist you know so I can change from black to red if I want to), it took me one hour to shower, re do some wounds and get dressed on my own and I was giddy, my Mayo staff said That I still run a huge risk of losing my legs but due to new treatments using "balloon's" I should be able to live through the surgery. Maybe NOW you can understand why I am so giddy! Giddy up and go and

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Thursdays Grace Notes

2012-02-16T14:46:00.001-08:00

Thursdays Grace Notes

I have personally experienced so much pain and worse yet witnessed again and again the suffering of others. 2011 has been a sense of Hell itself . Or has it been? It has been the most beautiful experiences of my life. I praise God for them. I will never be the same. I never want to be the same. Now I have so much of the good parts of myself to give, I have pneumonia. Can you imagine having bronchitis asthama or Copd Every day? Now I once again have been given another eye and heart lesson of the struggles of others. I roll into the kitchen in the morning filled with stress. "Should I have 1/2 of a bagel with my beloved coffee and Greek yogurt or a bowl of cereal. Some beautiful woman on the other side of the world just lost her fifth child to water so dirty it cannot be printed on this page. How can I go without praising Jesus for MY lupus and MY available medicine. Suddenly my blessings are raining down me and I will never be the same.

Celebrate... CELEBRATE the day!

www.asbellarts.com

I Once Was Lost But Now I'm Found

2012-02-15T14:40:00.000-08:00

I Once Was Lost But Now I'm Found

Rotating My One Woman And look What I Found!

The Way To Cedar Key 20x20

Days End 22x28

Guanna Blue Three 20x20

Steve's Guana

Lilly Pond Marsh 10x30

Blessed 10x10

Merritt Island 20x30

Golf View 24x24

Sunlit Palm 12x24

Emerald Waters 20x30

Morning Golf View 26x48

Large Palm 4' x 5'

Suggested Retail Price List

2012-02-15T13:28:00.000-08:00

Suggested Retail Price List 2012

Gallery Wrapped Acrylic

4x4 $50.00

5x5 $60.00

5x7 $70.00

8x10 $120.00

12x12 $130.00

10x20 $280.00

10x30 $300.00

16x20 $375.00

18x24 $400.00

12x36 $440.00

15x30 $460.00

20x24 $480.00

22x28 $525.00

24x24 $560.00

24x30 $700.00

24x36 $775.00

30x40 $1200.00

24x48 $1100.00

36x36 $1250.00

36x48 $1400.00

Artist Tip For The Day

2012-02-15T12:24:00.000-08:00

Artist Tip For The Day

Facebook people!

Create a separate business page for yourself and Blog. If this stroke lady can do it so can you!

Market yourself!

60% percent of my social media sales come from Facebook.

Load it up with only your best images, make a very simple resume and remind them just WHAT makes you and your product so special.

It takes time but you and your BUSINESS are worth it.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Wednesday's Grace Notes

2012-02-15T11:56:00.000-08:00

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Finally getting the correct meds for my pneumonia (I am allergic to too many) choosing to have fun anyway and placing lightweight easy to read catalogs in my bed to read first thing in the morning or at 3:00 in the morning when I can't sleep, making biscuits just for me... oh and a big glass of chocolate protein powder, Megan once again taking care of me w/ meds and groceries. I hear that she actually DOES have life... meanwhile she gut me a couple of real tubs of ice cream, you know the kind that I haven't had in a very long time? I barely remember what they taste like but I'm willing to try, people willing to take time off of work just to take care of me. As you can see I am hanging in there but I don't deserve their kindness, doctors showing more compassion and kindness and giving myself the gift of only surrounded by those who love them.... however there is always that "10%"

Celebrate the day you dear people!

www.asbellarts.com

Artist Marketing Tip Of The Day

2012-02-14T17:10:00.000-08:00

Artist Marketing Tip Of The Day

Brand yourself.

Create your own identity.

What do you want to be known for?

Mine is Artist/Musician/Teacher/Marketer/ Motivational Speaker and Lupus Awareness.

Use it in all of your "tags" and social media when appropriate.

You are a business.

Take yourself seriously.

If not you, who will?

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Tuesday's Grace Notes

2012-02-14T16:13:00.000-08:00

Tuesday's Grace Notes

When you are trying to help someone and they don't want it a wise woman just simply walks away... Being brave and bold and posting about my "not wanting to play along" black legs. I received responses from my Twitter, Facebook, email accounts, whole living, fineartamerica, linkedin and daily blogs. "Thank you. I don't feel so alone".... "now I really do count my blessings every day." TMI? Maybe but I promised God to advocate for Lupus Then my art. God keeps His promises. So should I. People cutting me some slack after learning that I had a brain stem stroke in 1996 and running a business is sometimes hard to do. Emails for me for communication help. If this "compromised brain can do it then we all can... as long as we continue to help each other... Thank you. Thank you so much for being there. Thanks to you I can always

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Visual / Performing Marketing Tip #2

2012-02-13T09:24:00.000-08:00

Visual / Performing Marketing Tip #2

Regularly Google your name and business but not from your own computer. Your personal computer contains history which may show up as higher actual rankings. View the web and images.

Celebrate the day!

Moses Had An Aaron I had a Michele

2012-02-13T09:02:00.000-08:00

Moses Had An Aaron I had a Michele

Michele and I were born 15 months apart. I was HER baby sister. End of story. I had a disabling speech impediment. Often only she would know what I was trying to say.

God called Moses to lead His people. But God, I stutter! So God gave Moses his brother Aaron. Moses soon found out that he could lead God's people all along.

As for me, I have learned that even I can become a motivational speaker for Epilepsy, strokes, Lupus, art/music marketing and positive living. Moses, me, you... God knows that we had it in us all along.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Monday's Grace Notes "help!"

2012-02-13T08:38:00.000-08:00

Monday's Grace Notes "help!"

Godaddy has disabled my accounts but was happy to accept their payment last month. They say that it should be repaired by today or Tuesday... now how do I make a Grace Note out of this one? Any ideas? Enjoying coffee in a huge 44DD cup... size, LOL! "I am one of Gods masterpieces... Masterpiece Theater that is... we all need a drama :) My doctor and friend called me Friday night, phoned in a new antibiotic for a new chest cold, complimented me on my new paintings, told me that I was working too hard and take it easy on the weekend "pretend that your sick". I didn't follow directions. Sometimes following my own advice is like swallowing a bitter pill. Why does God insist that I keep having to relearn my lessons. Maybe He just wants to make sure that I keep showing up in class every day.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Friday's Grace Notes

2012-02-10T09:23:00.000-08:00

Friday's Grace Notes

My cup runneth over... quick I need to empty my hands before I "waste" my blessings, Don't tell me that people on facebook are superficial... you people are way too good and supportive to carelessly discard with such words while YOU grace ME with another blessed day, I woke up with a chest cold and realized that as long as I don't laugh or giggle I wont break into a caughing spell. I'm, "okay" and then it hit me, I live by myself and laugh that much? Where is Nancy and, you've heard it again "where did she go?" Today I need to slow down.... but I can still play the guitar and piano just no singing.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Chronic Illness Blog

2012-02-08T12:32:00.000-08:00

Chronic Illness Blog

So... if you still have that cup of coffee, I have decided to post a separate Chronic Illness Blog. I mean, really... somebody may enjoy my Grace Notes until they get a little too much TMI and are afraid that they may be asked to come over and massage my bunions LOL. In 2005 I dedicated to God my art career to Him to advocate for Lupus awareness and the rest... financial security, up to Him. That hasn't changed. But the real days ins and days oust of living the life of pain just may be too much and can be more addressed through Chronic Illness. And accesss to my personel email and other social sites. What do you think!

Angels Unaware Blogs

2012-02-08T12:20:00.000-08:00

Angels Unaware Blogs

I, um have gotten so excited about all of the people that God has put into my life, well let's just say that I have WAY too many just to post on Sundays. What do you think? Make this a new separate blog and blog more often? How much more often? Do I need to pass out free coffee to keep peoples interest?

Wednesday's Grace Notes

2012-02-08T12:10:00.000-08:00

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Hearing a red tail hawk in my backyard, not needing to eat just to fill an emotional void because it is already filled with happiness... where is Nancy and where did you put her? painful experiences and telling God "I may never forget this pain" and He patiently says "I hope you never do".... Hey! I'm a very busy person! But God keeps meddling with my time anyway! CRAVING Sonic hamburgers and onion rings and thankful that I no longer own a car, Can you believe that Dunken Donuts tweeted me yesterday to say that they are following me? Is there no justice in the world? Writing down so many Grace Notes that it is now my journal ( You are welcome... you really do not need to hear all that I have to "share" and hearing the automatic sprinklers turn on.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Tuesday's Grace Notes

2012-02-07T08:31:00.000-08:00

Tuesday's Grace Notes

Chonda.org. Great way to begin the day w/ a great laugh, looking forward to recess, a snack then an afternoon nap... I love Kindergarten! LOL I keep receiving new music and art students that are so talented that maybe I should pay them!,, I may not be the most talented person but I am very good at marketing myself... can I help you as well? "open my eyes so that I may see" Oh my gosh! It's a beautiful day out there and I haven't even opened the front door yet!, clothing myself w/ humility... I may be a bit overdressed today, my new self imposed BIG seven day weekly planner so that I can "get it all done".

Okay. Once again I talked too much....

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Why I teach Private Art Lessons

2012-02-07T07:18:00.000-08:00

Why I teach Private Art Lessons

I have taught artist workshops for years. I'll even go far enough that I am good at it and I make a lot more money. At the end of the workshop everybody happily walks away with the same 'palm tree at the beach'.In a private fine art lesson we learn the proper needed techniques and the why and hows to get there. And from that point the private fine art lesson is all about YOU. At the end of the one to two hour lesson you have created YOUR piece of art. You can't believe that YOU created THAT! You will take it home and hang it on your wall. It's THAT GOOD. Recently a student completed his painting and with tears in his eyes he decided that THIS is what God wants you to do. Oh and am I that good of a fine art teacher? No. I'm just being used as one heck of a cheerleader.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Marketing Monday Tips

2012-02-06T11:37:00.000-08:00

Marketing Monday Tips

It's Monday but do not send out your latest email. Monday mornings we are all behind from Friday. We would just disappear. Same for Friday. We're overwhelmed and we just want to close up our computer for the week. Once again any interest in our email disappears. Answer, email on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. As for weekends, especially Facebook communication, pour it on. We have a full audience. We will talk more about emails and the relevancy of them. Personally for me they are great to connect with people and yes I sell a lot of art that way AND received more students an music gigs. Now see? All of this really can be fun.

Monday's Grace Notes

2012-02-06T11:06:00.000-08:00

Monday's Grace Notes

Please indulge me. I am so inappropriately happy you may just want to 'slap me'! My love for my neighbor Megan.... NO I don't 'swing both ways... I'm not that exciting LOL I am not her responsibility I am first and foremost her friend. I can't find the words of thanks. There is no pity here, just a lot of mutual respect....learning to be humbled every day and STILL tyring to talk less and listen more, having tiny piddly legs and arms but a huge torso/ neck... from steroids and reconstructive surgeries and know that God still finds me beautiful... isn't that all that really matters? I rolled over w/ ease today in bed and w/ new meds, got out of it and walked to my wheelchair preparing myself for the searing pain... that was not there. Pain, yes..disabling pain? No. The freeing respect and trust that my doctors give to me for my own self care.

I love you and I love life.

Celebrate the day!

I am there!

www.asbellarts.com

2012-02-02T08:27:00.000-08:00

Thursday's Grace Notes

The unbelievable kindness of people... yesterday "The Ladies" came just to clean my floors. When they left I discovered that they cleaned everything! They really took care of me. Thanks to them I only took one nap yesterday, "I can't be jealous and happy at the same time", my worst day with God is still better than any day without Him", getting to know my neighbors, last Sunday I didn't make it to church... neither did a new acquaintance that I met while doing one of my "roll abouts". Once connecting with tears we both said "THIS is church!, new art and music students, and not sleeping well because I couldn't wait to begin this glorious day. Really. So far I am off to a great start!

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Wednesday's Grace Notes

2012-02-01T09:02:00.000-08:00

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Today is a great day. I am in increased pain (large wounds on legs) and am having tremers. So why is today so special? I have to dig deaper from my soul to really give thanks. So here we go! I am thankful that I can tie my own tennis shoes with out asking for help, my doctors are "allowing me" to live alone and take care of myself,.... and I am very good at that, Playing and singing "Someone Like You" by Adele on the piano late into the night, reading about a man that due to an injury 25 yrs ago lives in a power chair, just like me and has trouble getting enough sleep each night because he is so excited to live another day... we are the lucky ones, my "No Excuses Bag" that I made. Today I pulled out "How can I help? I'm in a chair?" Answer, They may be moving but I can put together a basket w/ baked goods, instant expresso, disposable coffee cups and a cream cheese spread while the movers are there. Spoken like a 29 yrs Army wife... and one more thing??? In pain I watched Joyce Meyer but it left me only hungrier to be spiritually filled. I guess I just have to read my Bible. No the lesson is not lost on me. I geft it. NOW it will be a wonderful day!

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Tuesday's Grace Notes

2012-01-31T12:11:00.000-08:00

Tuesday's Grace Notes

When I allow somebody to offend/hurt me it's time mail them a card telling them how much I love them.... It's the only great commission that we have "love one another", "What about me! What about me!" oh Nancy get over your sweet self, a blank piece of paper full of possibilities, sometimes the weirder somebody is the more I am attracted to them.... maybe I am just looking into a mirror, since I am afraid of heights reaching for the stars can be rather scary. God may leave me hanging there for awhile until I figure out what He wants me to do, returning to my music and asking myself "can I truly be this happy?

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Monday's Marketing Tips

2012-01-30T11:23:00.000-08:00

Monday's Marketing Tips

Back by popular demand (really?) I will once again humbly, regularly post my artist marketing tips every Monday.

Marketing tip #1

Your art is a business and needs to be treated as one on a daily basis.

Market yourself 60% of the time, paint/create 40% percent of the time. Your work may be earth shatteringly good but if only you and your pet cat are enjoying it, it really won't go anywhere.

Monday"s Grace Notes "Happiness"

2012-01-30T10:33:00.000-08:00

Monday"s Grace Notes

"Happiness"

Happiness can be found sipping a fine white wine on a balcony overlooking a vineyard in Italy. Happiness can be found drinking a cup of Folgers Coffee on the back cement stoop of a mobile home. Happiness can be found in a prison, a woman's shelter, and ICU units when they tell you that they will have to amputate your legs in the morning and you probably not live. Happiness can be found when a woman can slide out of her own bed, into her wheelchair to live an independent day in her own home and begin to celebrate yet one more day.

I have found happiness...

and it has found me.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Sunday"s Grace Notes

2012-01-29T13:52:00.000-08:00

Sunday"s Grace Notes

Unexpected pleasures... this morning I was able to lift my purple swollen stump of a leg 15 TIMES in bed! Yesterday it was only 4, I am not as fragile as I think I am, setting up my coffee the night before and rolling out to get my Sunday paper first thing in the morning, not making God drum his fingers and and just tell Him what I need. He already knows.. He just needs me to say it "ask and ye shall receive" that's called faith, my successful art and music career and being a mentor to other artists and musicians, the return of my "Artists Marketing Blogs" (by request) and my "Angels Unaware" blogs. I've had a lot of bad breaks... you too? Well God has healed them all.. man He must multitask well, If God has truly given me ALL that I need just for this day then "wowie zowie" now I can give the excess away.

I can start over tomorrow.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

2012-01-27T08:28:00.000-08:00

Thursday's Grace Notes

Truly enjoying the fresh blueberries on my cereal, learning through my own mistakes... sometimes it is the only way to go, my once again successful art, music performance and teaching career... w/ a lot of work, Joyce Meyer was so good today I watched it again to take notes, my new "No Excuses" tote bag filled w excuses "It's too hard", I don't know how, people wont like me, (interested? I will post a blog note to explain), taking three days for manic marketing and already getting amazing results!, and you my friend taking the time to read my rambling Grace Notes.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Wednesday's Grace Notes

2012-01-25T09:10:00.000-08:00

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Making today an "oh wow!" moment, seeking out mentors to bless me and maybe i can help them as well, "oh wow!" now I have a courier service to transport my paintings around Jax and friends to do the smaller deliveries I haven't missed ALL of my art show deadlines after all, "oh wowie zowie!' yesterday I used my rollator walker to walk down to get the mail and back for the first time in over two months. Really hard, I'll do it again today, training my dog Panda to go for walks with me in my power chair, give give give.. this could be the last "oh wow!" day of my life, after being told that I only had friends because they felt sorry for me, "oh wow" he was wrong, Praying that one day I will STAND in front of my Lord and Saviour and hear Him say "Well done my good and faithful servant" and I will say through tears of joy "Oh wow!"

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Monday's Grace Notes

2012-01-23T09:42:00.000-08:00

Monday's Grace Notes

At the chance of being redundant, isn't life good?, one year ago I taught piano and painted... now I have to fit in that and voice, art and guitar lessons as well - what a nice problem to have, believing in myself and having to start over again every day, having the discipline to end my work day at 8 :00n pm every day, my collection of shoes under my coffee table... it really adds to the decor and so affordable, ha!, watching the movie "Dateline News" and so many grace notes so little time. You are welcome. I will not bore you further.

Celebrate the day!

,www.asbellarts.com

Acts Of Love

2012-01-22T11:52:00.000-08:00

Acts Of Love

2012-01-11T08:24:00.000-08:00

Singing on the mountaintops and in the valleys below, I may live in a house with moldy floors, duck taped carpets and broken windows but when I watch Extreme Home Makeover" I realize that I live in a palace, iced coffee w/ chocolate protein powder, seeing grocery shopping as a world of creative possibilities, sharing my passion for art with my son Steve, and my old dog going through his second childhood and being stuck in the terrible twos. Too funny.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Tuesday's Grace Notes

2012-01-10T06:59:00.000-08:00

Tuesday's Grace Notes

Robins in January, trying to slow down my speech, feeding my soul so that I can feed others, encouraging other artists and marketing my work, new book "Creating From The Spirit... Living Each Day As A Creative Act" by Dan Wakefield, Extreme Home Makeover show, taking time with God because He always has time for me, painting every day no if and or buts, and de cluttering.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Monday's Grace Notes

2012-01-09T07:07:00.000-08:00

Monday's Grace Notes

Waking up to blaring classic rock, feeling like doing the wrong thing but choosing to do right, my morning omelet in a cup, playing on the piano "Take The A Train" at midnight, bracelets with paint on them, recreating the life that I had before living in a wheelchair, my parents having me to keep her company and the birth on my husband to produce two beautiful children so "Happy Happy birthday Michele and Glenn!"

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Sunday's Grace Notes

2012-01-08T16:47:00.000-08:00

Sunday's Grace Notes

Overcoming my obstacles one day at a time, having a vision of abundance, believing that one day I will own a wheelchair accessible vehicle, a jar of tandoori sauce to play with, making friends in the produce isle, being fully engaged in life... most of the time, my new book "A Woman's Guide To Living Alone... 10 ways to survive grief and be happy" and my new obsession with curry.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

2012-01-03T13:07:00.000-08:00

Nancy Asbell "Florida Horizons"

Premier Gallery @ Bank of America Tower

50 N. Laura Street, Suite 150
Jacksonville, FL
"Washington Oaks" 36x48

Nancy Asbell's "Florida Horizons" show

2012-01-03T12:57:00.000-08:00

Nancy Asbell's "Florida Horizons" show

January 2012

Perdue downtown Jacksonsville Florida

5 W Forsyth Street

"Silver Lining" 36x36

Tuesday's Grace Notes

2012-01-03T12:42:00.000-08:00

Tuesday's Grace Notes

Doing what God says even when "it's tooo hard!", diligence... "keep it up!", organizing, it always makes me feel good, Bollywood music, sometimes good enough really is good enough, forgiving the man who jogs by me and my powerchair and says "Now that's what I want! I'll have one of those!", my new Buzz Magazine article and friends helping friends.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Santa Painting now on sale!

2012-01-02T10:38:00.000-08:00

Santa Painting now on sale!

20x24 acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

Was $480.00

Now $100.00 plus $20.00 shipping and handling

Great deal!

Monday's Grace Notes

2012-01-02T10:29:00.000-08:00

Monday's Grace Notes

Happy New Year!

Sleeping 9 hrs! Woo-hoo!, a quick hot breakfast, getting my act together (now is this act 1 or act 2? And do I enter stage left or...), my Bunn coffee maker is broken BUT it still works- just very v e r y slowly, my new one woman show "Florida Horizons" at Perdue in downtown Jacksonville, putting away the holidays and bringing back the calm, watching Panda push his "now THAT was easy" Staples button and picking up after myself.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts

Saturday's Grace Notes

2011-12-31T07:26:00.000-08:00

Saturday's Grace Notes

"Make your own kind of music, sing your own special song, even when nobody else sings along", planning a party for one, New Years resolution- have more fun, creating my own happy endings, caffeine- I "needs it!", pairing together new outfits with my old clothes, my new 'bling' black shoes that fit my swollen feet... too cute!, being able to stand today, the joy of being alive and never truly being alone.

Celebrate the day!

Happy New Year!

www.asbellarts.com

Friday's Grace Notes

2011-12-30T06:01:00.000-08:00

Friday's Grace Notes

Choosing to wake up in a good mood heading for my morning coffee, daybreak, showing my paintings at Perdue Jacksonville for the month of January, New Years resolutions- they are great if I make them fun! Chipping at my procrastination list, lowering my steroids and being less hungry, making my 'to do' list then knocking off 1/2 of them and "free shipping".

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Thursday's Grace Notes

2011-12-29T07:59:00.000-08:00

Thursday's Grace Notes

Encouraging others to give God a try, making time for fun, eating dessert first, trying to add value to the world by being my best self, Irish music, boxes of stoma paste and a closet full of medical supplies, and connecting with others on a daily basis.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts

Wednesday's Grace Notes

2011-12-28T08:55:00.000-08:00

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Putting first things first and keeping it simple, cooking full meals for myself and sharing/freezing the rest, "Jesus didn't die so we could have a religion, strong enough today to stand and put away the glasses, giving myself two anticoagulant shots a day and KNOWING that I have a otherwise hidden blood clot to treat, being my own life coach (she says to paint more), Bank Of America not calling December 24 and 25. Heavenly peace. Now we are back to 3 to 8 times a day, warm clothes on a cold December day and living out loud.

Celebrate the day!

2011-12-22T06:59:00.000-08:00

Nancy

I know the plans I have for you

plans to prosper you

and not to harm you

plans to give you hope

and a future.

love

2011-12-15T16:09:00.000-08:00

Thursday's Grace Notes

Trying to focus and stop chasing my tail, not being ruled by fear, an iced eggnog latte from Nancy's Cafe (me), being hungry for life and learning new things, baking peanut butter Brownies, giving away treasured possessions... it feels good, checking off my procrastination to do list, looking forward to a new year and Facebook friends.

Celebrate the day!

I celebrate you!

www.asbellarts.com

Wednesday's Grace Notes

2011-12-14T10:28:00.000-08:00

Wednesday's Grace Notes

Filling up my soul with the beauty of the ordinary, my sister loving my artwork so much that she may have to start using it as wallpaper, sparkly green gel pens, going down memory lane, using my walker more, strong enough today to open the blinds and make my bed, and getting the mail. I never know when I might receive a check from one of my galleries, websites or clients.

Celebrate the day!

www.asbellarts.com

Christmas Means Nothing

2011-12-13T05:42:00.000-08:00

Christmas Means Nothing

without the deliverance of Easter.

According to scholars in the Upper Room during the Last Supper Jesus spoke of His impending death. When departing they sang "this is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it".

In all things

give thanks!

Celebrate the day!

Tuesdays Grace Notes

2011-12-13T05:33:00.000-08:00

Tuesdays Grace Notes
My boss (me) is giving me three breaks a day, an old friend that I haven't heard from in years calling last night and reconnecting, removing the bubble wrap and truly feeling sorrows and joys, the cantata A Ft Lauderdale Christmas, healing, making friends w/ my postal worker Linda, and opening my hands like the little drummer boy and giving what I can.
Celebrate the day!
www.asbellarts.com

www.asbellarts.com

Pastel Study "Girl At Beach"

2011-12-04T13:09:00.000-08:00

Pastel Study "Girl At Beach"

Pastel Study "Girls At Beach"

2011-12-04T13:06:00.000-08:00

Pastel Study "Girls At Beach"

Hot Off The Easel!

2011-12-04T13:01:00.000-08:00

Hot Off The Easel

"Love Came Down At Christmas"

Pen, ink and colored pencil

Sunday's Grace Notes

2011-12-04T12:57:00.000-08:00

Sunday's Grace Notes

Not becoming complacent with my miracles.... My legs may not work well... but I'm out of a sling, My body is broken, deformed and bloated... but my soul still has a body to live in, I may not be cutting CD's and performing this year... but I can still hold a guitar, play the piano and sing a song, I may rarely get to leave my house... but I am no longer in a nursing home... and I may not have much hair but I get to wear a lot of pretty wigs.... all in "flame darling".

Celebrate the day! I am!