Versatile Blogger Award {being seen, being grateful and being inspired}

Last Sunday morning I was {absolutely} delighted and {oh-so} grateful when I read Tammy’s comment {and post citing my award}… Wow!

I immediately began to compile a handwritten list of my (15) go-to blogs.

And in the midst of the paper piles and the random collage of notes upon my desk, the list was, um, misplaced. It was a busy day that transitioned into a busy week of client meetings and pre-launch work for an art-full, collaborative web site set to go live tomorrow {yippee!!}, accomplished via MS-calibrated working hours …

And accomplished despite my bunny-trail, right-brain, look-something-shiny! thought patterns and popcorn factory of ideas.

I created a second list in my art journal and made mental notes while yoga-ing outside. This process kept prompting remembrances of the many bloggers whose syllables have influenced me and empowered change for me. And, yesterday, I learned that one of my blogger-favs, Less, included me on her list of versatile bloggers. Wow!

I couldn’t decide which way to go with this: how to “pick” bloggers whose words assist me in adapting my dailies to serve my art-full intentions. And I was concerned that I would surely forget someone, since I don’t read blogs every day … But there are certain blogs that strike a cord within me … cuing music to dance to for months.

I know. Just get on with the dang list, right?! Okay … here goes …

I award the Versatile Blogger Award
to the following bloggers:

• Tammy, Daisy Yellow, for inspiring me each and every time I click over to her blog {and for promoting art journaling with simple how-to’s — getting something on a page or even a 3×5 card}.
• Less, Comfortable Shoes Studio, for demonstrating how to do what I only could see in my mind {and for promoting art journaling as a process of trying new themes and techniques}.
• Leah for faithfully providing prompts to be Creative Every Day; I have read her blog for over three years and remain continually inspired by her insights. ♥
• Messy Mandy, who has become a dear friend because of our rebel brand of vulnerable-undauntedness {and whose decision to twitter-list me as an artist was a third-time-charm for me a few years ago, as I struggled with granting myself the title of “artist” … }.
• Traci Bunkers, whose blog never fails to prompt an art-experiment of some kind! Currently working up an understanding of the apps and filters she recommends in her current iPodography series.
• Carlene, who blogs as carlenetaylorsimmons.com and is my google+ make-art reminderer {I love reading about her discoveries}.
• Kira, aka Journal Girl, for being a star {someone who shines brighter in the midst of “darkness” #spoonielife} and for being an inspiration to me to live-fully and in-vibrant-color.
• Seth Apter for creating such a diverse and useful forum for kindred-spirited artists — from the well-knowns to the dabblers and beginners.
• Joanna for her creativity {and affirming me in so many ways} with regard to visual thought and her gifted expertise.
• Julie G. for being so close-in-heart as we share art journaling and holistic syllables {and for inspiring conversations, and secret messages via Instagram — across International time zones!}.
• Julie S. for patiently introducing me to tasty recipes for healthy stuff {and being my Editor and a Collaborative Extraordinaire}
• Julie Fei Fan Balzer for visually promoting daily art journaling and planning as doable {and colorful and fun and eclectic!}.
• Quinn McDonald because I really — really! — like the way she thinks! and journals! as well as her attraction to sparkly Sharpies!
• Michael Nobbs, Sustainably Creative, because his story gives me hope and his writings inspire practicality with regard to purpose and chronic illness.
• artjournaling.ning.com because it was the first art ning I joined. And being there is totally inspiring! ★

Honorable Mentions {since these well-known bloggers continue to play pivotal roles in my business management}:

• Becky McCray, for bein’ one of the most fascinating people I have ever met! And for her Friday Brag Basket — and because her first book was just published!
• Mack Collier, for #blogchat and because of posts like this one {and for being Southern and for personally helping me “get” social media when I first tweeted in 2007}
• Chris Brogan, because he is a prolific writer and right brain thinker … and I enjoy his candor. And he introduced me to the concept of one-word goals/focus.
• Seth Godin for allowing me think about “big” business stuff in “bite-size” ways {and for writing: Tribes and Purple Cow and creating The Domino Project}.

And I am also supposed to list seven things about myself that you might not know … 

1. I started freelancing {cleaning houses, designing greeting cards} when I was 18 years old; and I have been self-employed all but 4-5 years of my career, give or take a few months.
2. I graduated from college with a “get-me-graduated” degree {after six-years!} knowing that I wanted to work in legislative affairs and advocacy. My “shotgun-approach” job search paid off: Staffer for U.S. Senator.
3. I have met three American Presidents, various and a sundry federal and state “bigwigs in suits” and was involved with political campaigning from high school years until 2002; and short stint in 2010.
4. Although I almost moved to Washington, DC and Houston, TX … I have lived in the Great State of Oklahoma since I was very young; and unless I find my dream home on a secluded beach, I always will.
5. After giving up on meeting a man I could trust, I met one. And — I married him three weeks later. That was over 21 years ago!
6. Baby Boom was always a favorite movie of mine … And it turned out to be sorta like my life story {career woman turns mom; goes crazy without career; reinvents career; embraces motherhood}.
7. The Internet has allowed me to know people I “had” to meet in order to live my dreams. All but three of my closest friends are kindreds I met via online activities. ♥

Okay … Now it is your turn! Wow! I would just love to know …

• Who do you enjoy reading? Whose art do you love to see?
• Who inspires you or empowers you in your journey? your art?
• Tell me something about yourself in the comments below.

P.S. The basic rules of the Versatile Blogger Award — if you are so inclined to participate:

• Thank the person who gave you this award.
• Include a link to their blog.
• Select 15 excellent blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly.
• Nominate those 15 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award; include a link to the Versatile Blogger site.
• Share 7 things about yourself.