To Exist

A few weeks ago, I had the honor to be asked to create a special frame for a woman whose son had passed away way too early.  And I really do mean I felt honored--I mean, we are talking me...I am not a big name, and certainly am way too new to the business to feel like I could really do justice to this important project.  But me, being me....the person who just jumps right in....said yes, let me make you something wonderful.

It wasn't too long ago that I would have run from this challenge because, although I didn't think too much about it, I did not exist. I have always been.  I have been someone's daughter, and a sibling; then I became someone's wife.  I eventually turned into a mom (to two fantastic kids even though they are boogers).  I have been a friend, a teacher, a co-worker....All things that have given me tremendous satisfaction and helped to build things inside of me, but "I" did not exist.

So slowly, I started this venture.  I decided to put ME out there.  All the good and the bad, I am allowing myself to be a part of the world and showing the world that I, Janice--The Painted Chick--am here.  Not everyone is going to like my creations....I have yet to find my niche, but the fact is, I truly enjoy the journey that I am on right now....I am enjoying producing things that every once in a while someone walks past at a show and then stops abruptly, turns around and says, "oh my gosh, that is gorgeous!"  In that, I exist.  I enjoy creating something that is special in someone's heart--for that reason, I don't mass produce.  Even some of these laser engravings I agonize over because I want it to be perfect, because I want the person receiving it to know that someone did this just for them--because they exist.

So I guess the moral of the rambling story is, don't just Be.....Be You.  And at the same time recognize the importance of everyone that you interact with--everyone out there deserves a chance To Exist