Many people are alone on the Holidays- kids away from home at college, others live far away from family, singles without anyone to share this special time with.
To be happy at this time then, the shift of focus (for those of us who are single/alone, or for those of you without family around-) must be on the broader picture and not on our singleness or lack of family. There is much to do, all around:

Things like participating in group functions, volunteering, and of course my favorite- caroling with singers- are things you can do to keep positive and enjoy the season for what it's really about- that of re-birth and great love (Agape love).
So to any of you who find yourself spending this time of year feeling left out,
bless every person you meet this winter season by being totally present to them in the moment. (being present- is a great present! )

Christmas and the Holidays are what you make of it; you give it meaning by how you choose to spend this time of year.

Whatever everyone else may be doing doesn't matter much, this season is special because we individually have to make it special for eachother.
Which means not sitting back and wanting Christmas love, but stepping out and being that love for others first with no expectation.
then, you are free to experience this season as it is meant to be!

have a good one,
Christina

Hey! Thanks for all your comments about Digital painting, they were all very useful and hopefully someone else will stumble upon them too when seeking answers.

If you aren't already familiar, there is a jobs website called "Simply hired"- where you can sign up (free) to have e-mail alerts sent to you when new jobs appear in the area and keyword of your choice! (So "art" and "New York" for example)

How neato is that? (the job listings come to you!!)

New York, Boston, and Chicago are locations I signed up for Job "alerts" and receiving over 25 listings every week to check out. I really recommend this!!
You never know if the right one just might be there listed, so get on the ball and sign up if you're out of work!- or in a job that's just temporary until you can find a better one.


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Christmas is coming! Please think of my Etsy or deviantart shop for a unique gift and greeting cards.(I have SOO MANY WINTER & CHRISTMAS CARDS! Haven't sold even one yet *__*)

[link]

I know budgets are tight this year, but it's important to support handmade and small business whenever possible!
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First 4!!!

First 4 !!!
I want to send out Christmas cards to you dear Deviantartists but there be so many of you, I can only afford to send a few- First 4 comments I will send Christmas card to! (You can send me a note with mailing address)!

Happy Christmas and merry holidays!
-Christina

Can anyone recommend a good "how to" book for corel painter x or photoshop 7.0?

I've had these programs (and a wacom) for ages now and still can't figure out how to use corel Painter properly, and photoshop I only use to scan and edit things.

Even drawing with a wacom, the lines are bumpy and shaky. How to eliminate that?

Looked on amazon, and found a bunch of books how to paint with the programs-but what I really need is just a book that tell me how to use the tools and get them working!


I know there are a bunch of you out there than paint digitally , please recommend I would be grateful and perhaps it would help someone else out there too. thank you!
-Christina

I am trying to do my best, in everything, really trying... You keep doing your best too!
(whatever that may be!)

Knowing you've tried your best is often more important than the actual outcome- for everything in life- jobs, work, relationships, when you bake a cake...


There are no regrets when you know you've tried and tried your very best, at that point in time, with whom you were/are and what you know, and what resources are available to you, or with a certain circumstance.


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THANKS GIVING

Thanksgiving is approaching, although there may still be many goals not yet attained in life, what can we call to mind to be reaallly thankful for, right now?



For me, it is my teaching job. It's only one day a week, but it is joy filled and I couldn't be happier with it. And my new job at Joann's. I get to help people find things, cut fabrics, study the decor and designs, hear people's stories about what they're making and who they're making it for. I love seeing the love people have for their husbands and wives, Children and Grandchildren.


I truly believe God helps make a way through the wilderness and solitude of life, slowly but surely.

..Oh!and I'm also thankful for YOU, Deviantart friends!
Bye for now!

What is your true calling, the thing that would make you most happy to do in life?

Is it what you're doing now, or perhaps something you have a hunch about, but have yet to discover?


I cannot say it is solely being "an artist" for me,it is nothing compared to how much joy it brings to actually share this gift, teach it to others, communicate and be involved with the development of other's gifts, watching people grow and shine.


For me,these human connections and mutual learning are more important- balanced with time spend alone, away from the opinions of the world around...
... only then to emerge from the silence and more ready than ever to learn and do as much as possible, filtering that which would discourage or set limitations on, but instead living a full,bright,yet often quiet- life.