We love testimonials from our students. They tell us more than just how we’re doing as instructors, mentors and experts – they let us know what a great community of really engaged artists we are working with. Praxis student Dawn embodies this in every way in a recent post made in our virtual classroom. She is doing everything right and seeing the results! What’s more, she isn’t deterred when the answer is no, instead she keeps going until she gets the answer she’s been waiting for. In her own words:

“It has been awhile but I wanted to post and share some great news. I used the letter to write for sponsorship and the steps to look for and apply for grants. In January I got rejected by 3 but picked up my check this Wed from Awesome Foundation for a project to teach watercolor to seniors in a community that has many needs.

I used this to leverage additional sponsorship for the supplies. I used this to leverage a show at City and County of Honolulu’s hall later this fall. In December I wrote 2 proposals for shows and both were accepted. I am working furiously to get the first one in place… www.wahi-pana.com and used that to get a spot on the Honolulu Biennial public programming–I’ll have 2 slots to talk about my project wahi pana and the other to present my process for my Color Bridges, my calligraphic abstracts. I wrote 3 other in December proposals and got 1 accepted in Sweden.

Do you remember your monthly challenge?? I didn’t do the amount you challenged us with but I did my best and it has paid off. The ‘good’ or luxury problem I have now is that I am behind in my coursework to finish my artist statement, bio and website but I feel even more motivated to get through the courses and continue to develop and learn how to be a professional artist.

So I need to get back onto the Praxis classroom and do the work to complete my info package. Mahalo nui Brainard, you have been such a positive encouragement and mentor to me. I am very thankful and excited to continue to learn and apply your wise and generous tools and information.“

Dawn is a shining example of an artist who is doing everything in her power to make her career take off. We here at Praxis Center want to see all of our artists succeed, but it is only each and every one of you who truly make that happen. You don’t have to do it all at once, but even a little bit can go a long way. Start your journey with us today and see where it can take you.

Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis Center for Aesthetics. He has written six books for artists; Making it in the Art World, New Markets for Artists, The Art World Demystified, Fund Your Dreams Like a Creative Genius, Sell Online Like a Creative Genius and the forthcoming Succeed with Social Media Like a Creative Genius.

Signed and doodled copies of these books can be purchased from Praxis Center.

Photo credit: Honolulu Biennial