What’s your success story? Have you shared it with others?

Experts state happiness precedes success. Witnessing others achieve paves the path to your own happiness.The positive energy you feel for them feeds your success.
In our hunting & gathering days when one in the tribe benefited, the entire tribe did as well. Apparently, we still have that hardwired in our brain somewhere.

“Have you noticed people may easily share upsetting news, yet are reluctant to share the good stuff, because it may be ‘bragging?” a friend said.
Burdens shared weigh less, we also feed off of good news. It fuels our own pursuits and dreams, because these stories bring hope.

A wise suggestion delivered when I was 7 inspires all aspects of my life.

This story begins with a babysitter who could draw.
I remember waking up, wandering into the living room in my pjs, seeing her cross legged on our couch, drawing with a pen. Sitting on the floor beneath her, so not to disturb, I watched the pen take flight from below. Sometimes she offered little drawings of my favourite subject, horses. Cheryl lived on a farm just outside the park, and would often arrive riding her own. Really!

I was bananas for horses.Those tiny drawings inspired a way to have all the horses I wanted, by drawing them myself.

I drew repeatedly, creating unidentifiable squiggles. Perhaps two hands better than one, I would grasp the pencil double fisted. After several attempts, the only thing I produced were frustrated tears. Mom came by, casually leaning on the doorframe of my room asking the reason for my distress. She responded, “So, do you really believe she learned overnight?”

It wasn’t a magical hand or pen? A lightbulb went off.
I sparkled inside with possibility & hope. She learned to succeed, so could I.

Its that whole tribe thing all over again. We all benefit!

So, what did I do after Mom lit a fire under my butt?

My parents believed in letting us figure things out on our own.We lived remotely, there were no galleries, in or after school art programs, and few books available. Computers didn’t exist. I was too shy to ask my babysitter for help, the only artist I knew.

How did I learn?

I decided horses were too hard to tackle when I could’t draw anything. I looked for books with artwork in the house. Comics were ideal. I tackled Archie, Lady & the Tramp, & Tweety bird. Peanut characters were a favourite. Snoopy shapes are easy, but “Good Grief” Charlie’s head is not completely round. I struggled drawing his head accurately to the point where I used filmy paper to trace the shape. I did it over and over, then would take to my solid notebook and try to reproduce the shape freehand.. over and over.

What I was doing with Charlie’s noggin, unbeknown to me, was a form of muscle memory training.

It took 7 years before I could draw a decent horse.

When art was offered for the first time in Grade 11, the teacher took me aside & said, “Never study, they could ruin you. You are a natural.” What she didn’t realize, I was anything but. I had been as persistent as a dog with a bone for years.

If the path has been long & challenging, or it’s been easy, success doesn’t necessarily mean accolades. It can be discovering what you love to do, or a place you love to be.
It might be reaching an acceptance, or nailing that interview.
Shout your joy from rooftops and create a ripple effect.
Likewise, celebrate in others good fortune.
Ride that wave of happiness together.
~

P.S
Kenosee Lake, Moose Mountain Park was one of our favourite homes. Moving to a park in the far north when I was 10, it was 40 years before my father, brother & I returned in 2016.
While wandering an art & craft exhibit near the park, a woman leaned over asking, “Dawn?”

Its remarkable Cheryl would recognize me 40 years later.
Moments before, unknowingly I was viewing her art, when my brother snapped this photo.

He grinningly said to her after’ “This is how you I remember you, loving animals and drawing. To see you continue with your passions, is SO INSPIRING!” I agreed. Thanks Cheryl, by being authentically you, you showed a little girl the art of possibility. Credit to my late Mom, for lighting that fire. ~

Autumn Park  20×24 oil   $1200

Roses  14×18   $825

What’s new? videos! Fans are requesting more interactive media including videos. Thanks for your positive support on the first two little spontaneous minis! The most recent #Foundations, below. Follow along to see more in the future! All new work in the video is available for purchase. ( if you are unable to access video link below, click on my instagram icon at the top of the page).