WIN – Beautiful Pink Ballerina | Swan Lake Ballet Dance Inspired Sugarluxe Art

SWAN LAKE I secretly wish this swan was real.  She's wonderfully sweet.  Or at least, that's what I pictured in my mind and tried to convey as I started to sketch the idea. Preparing to embark on my trip across the pond, I was inspired by the thought of arriving to the shores of Africa on the back of a beautiful swan. It might take a little longer than I'd like and I'm sure it wouldn't be all smooth sailing, but what in life worth doing, really is? TINY DANCER Even though I spent the first half of my life training as an Olympic Gymnast hopeful, I was really built to be a better ballerina. I've always loved to dance and only truly excelled in gymnastics on floor and beam...the places where powerhouse tumbling skills mean nothing if not blended with a bit of grace. And years later, I still work every day to maintain that balance - POWER & GRACE - a quiet strength, if you will. EN POINTE Plus, there's more to this new piece than meets the eye.   There always is... Everything I paint has a story. But over the years, I've learned it's not always so important that people understand my intent. If all anyone sees is a pretty picture, then that needs to be good enough for me.  If people see something deeper, then BRAVO for looking below the surface.  But as my work evolves, I'm trying to leave more open to interpretation. It's actually a challenge for me.  Harder than I thought, truthfully.  BEHIND THE CURTAIN It's not because I need for people to know my life - probably my biggest weakness as a business person is that I'm naturally so private.  Believe it or not, talking about myself - from hearbreaking losses to major successes - is not something I've EVER been comfortable doing. Blogging, social media, networking, promoting, marketing - it's tough when you're inherently not much of a talker.  I make a better listener. Friends who travel with me hate to sit near me on a plane.  I don't know why, but for some reason, two hours into any trip and I come away knowing someone's life story.  Maybe it's because I started my college career studying to become a therapist. I'm trained to listen to others.  But literally, one of my best friends recalls times she's seen grown men cry after going through a "plane ride therapy session" with me.  She always found it creepy, but I find it fascinating (and sometimes creepy)! My first real job with a salary, I was hired after not speaking about myself through the entire interview.  The hiring manager then said I was PERFECT!  How did she come to such an uninformed conclusion?  Because I spent the whole time asking her questions about HER!  That's when I'm at my best. Listening to others is my comfort zone. I simply don't love the need to be endlessly self-promotional to be successful.  It's sort of a bummer that that's what it takes in today's society.  ME ME ME.  And I'm not just talking about all the Kardashian krap.  I mean it's just everywhere! So, I try new and creative ways to involve you in what I do - so that it's not just about me - it's about US! Maybe one day, we could book a big Sugarluxe Cruise Ship excursion to the Caribbean and we can all sip cocktails together and share ideas about girl power.  (Seriously, that sounds like SO much fun, doesn't it?) Until that dream comes true, I can start by offering something a little less over the top in the form of a fun collaboration...   YOU COULD WIN -- HERE'S HOW So, what do you think the title of the first Sugarluxe Art piece of 2013 should be?  Do you have a creative suggestion? It could be obvious, it could be obscure - I just want to hear what AMAZING ideas you might add.  AND - the title chosen as the WINNING selection will receive the following prize:

• The #10/500 of the Limited Edition archival art prints
• SIGNED + NUMBERED (and dated) print in a 16x20 frame-ready mat
• Your title will be displayed next to the image in the Sugarluxe Shop
• Your title printed on every Certificate of Authenticity that goes out with each piece
• Your name will be featured as the winner on Sugarluxe.com

Your entry will be accepted via this blog post, Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter.  Just be sure that I can see it!   That means, you need to be following Sugarluxe! Deadline for your submission is 1/13/13  at midnight, PST. You can submit as many ideas as you like, but please refrain from doing derivative versions of other's submissions because that will infuriate people. Be creative, have fun.  WIN!   I can wait to see what you come up with. And - HAPPY NEW YEAR!