Tag: #thankful

Small Business Saturday

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in Free Spirit Merch, FSM Updates

There are so many deals going on this weekend!! Today is also Small Business Saturday! There are many small and local businesses out there to include independent artists. It is exciting to see all these people living passionately and working for themselves, supporting each other. It’s a wonderful time to build a dream! I’m very thankful to be a part of it.

My Redbubble Shop is 25- 60% off everything! You can find art prints and home decor such as blankets, pillows, tapestries, and more! There is also a great selection in clothing in men’s, women’s and kids! There are even have socks with my art on them! Finally socks you can get for Christmas and be happy about!

  • Mother Bear

My Society6 Shop is celebrating the weekend with up to 50% everything and FREE shipping! That’s always the best! This shop has unique gifts like beach towels, yoga mats and even furniture!

  • Beach Towels!

I have also recently created an account with TeePublic! Now I can offer little trinkets such as magnets and pins! (I am secretly obsessed with pins) All my tees in this shop are currently $13 and everything else is up to 35% off! Check it out to see all the new products!

Art makes a perfect gift and I appreciate each and every supporter! Every sale helps my business and helps me grow as a true artist. It’s also my bread and butter; as it is for all the entrepreneurs trying to build a life for themselves and their family. Even if you have never purchased a product, every follow, like, share or shout out makes a big difference! In honor of our most recent holiday, I just wanted to say how thankful I am for everyone who has helped me along this journey and for everyone that continues to show their support and love by shopping small!

Thanks for stopping by today and enjoy shopping from the comfort of your own home! Check back soon as I will be starting my animal symbolism posts again! Yay!

Until next time,

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” – Albert Schweitzer

Country Roads Take Me Home

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in FSM Updates, Travel, Work In Progress

I have this entire week off for vacation. I am pumped. I have needed a good break like this to rejuvenate myself in more ways than one. Besides working vigorously on my art and cleaning my house to the core, I am taking a much needed trip to Ohio to visit my family.

As always, expect a lot of pictures. I have a new lens that I haven’t been able to play with yet and it’s eating away at me! I need to try it out and this week will be the perfect opportunity.

I have a few pieces in the works. I have a realism piece of an otter, a zentangle of a sloth and a mini canvas painting. I will have to finish them when I get back but they are all coming along nicely.

Check back soon for more artwork and photography! Hope you’re enjoying the Summer! It’s been a busy one!

Stay sunny, free spirits!



~Totem Animal art by Free Spirit Meg~

Find your own totem animal in the shop!

Prints and Products Available here!



401!

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in Artist Inspiration, FSM Updates

I just realized I’ve written over 400 posts here on my blog! This is 401, baby! That’s pretty insane. I have been keeping my blog for just over three years! It has been a great experience. The reason I started my blog was to keep myself more focused with my artwork. It was the only way I could hold myself to a schedule. It forced me to take time out of my day for my art when otherwise it would get overshadowed by other things happening in my life. Doodling once or twice a week just wasn’t cutting it. My blog has helped me with my time management and also my confidence in my work.

I have always been a quiet, modest person. It was always difficult for me to show off my work even though I knew I needed to be in the public eye to make it as a full time artist. Being on here, I have been able to build relationships with other bloggers and force myself to ignore self-doubt. I’ve met a lot of amazing people on here; a lot of them are just like me! It’s nice to have people to relate to! It helped build my confidence and made me more comfortable with just being myself. I don’t feel the need to “put on a face”. This is all Meg, baby, open for all the world to see! I’m not “afraid” to be me anymore. It’s a great feeling.

In all of this, my work has improved immensely! Not only because I’m obviously dedicating more time to it but also because I’m not afraid of how my work is going to turn out anymore. I use to waste so much time, stressing over my work, thinking it’s never “good enough”. It became difficult to stay motivated, not wanting to start a new piece until the current one was finished. Though, I never wanted to finished the current one because I was avoiding it, doubting my talent. These past couple years I’ve been able to get away from this way of thinking. Now, my ongoing goal is to just keep drawing, keep creating, just be. That’s it! Do what feels right and for god’s sake stop thinking your work is crap! It’s just work. It’s just art. It just is. Good? Bad? It’s a matter of opinion. All I can do is just make it. It is what it is. Once I accepted that, my art became carefree and easy going. The finished pieces come out so awesome and I’m more proud of my work than I have ever been. You can’t force perfection nor can you expect to work like a machine. It’s cliché, I know, but it’s the flaws that make things interesting. It’s the imperfections that attract attention.

So, long story short, I really enjoy blogging and it has done wonders for my work as an artist. What made you want to start a blog? Share your story in the comments below! Thanks for checking out my 401st post! I’ll have to do something super special for the big 500! Until then…

Just be, free spirits!

Free Spirit Meg’s Art Shop!

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in FSM Updates, Totem Animals, Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA)

Free Spirit Meg’s Art Shop….I like the way that sounds! Anyways…I am so excited to officially announce that I have my own online store now! It’s been a long time coming. Now, I can finally offer prints and canvases of my work. I am slowly creating an online presence starting with Society6 and RedBubble. They have a lot of great products on both sites and it is really fun creating merchandise with my art! I’ve already made my first sale on Society6 and I am so excited and grateful! This is my next step to becoming a full time artist and I feel that much closer to achieving my goal! Thank you to everyone who has supported me this far. I hope I can continue to create beautiful artwork to please your eyeballs! Be sure to check out the new shop and pick up what you like. There are frequent sales going on so check back often!

Another way that you can support my work is by subscribing to Free Spirit Meg on Patreon. It is a site that helps creative entrepreneurs build their business and put together Reward Tiers. You get to choose how much money you want to contribute and receive subscription boxes for each month you are subscribed. I currently offer monthly photography postcards, totem animal prints and custom totem cards exclusively for patrons! The more I grow, the more goodies I can put in my subscription boxes! Check it out and let me know what you think!

Again, I just want to say thank you to everyone who has helped me get this far and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here! Let me know what you think of the new shop and what your favorite items are! Also, if you have a favorite totem animal that hasn’t made it to the shop yet, feel free to leave a comment and I’ll be sure to add it in with haste!

Take care, free spirits!

Totem Animal: Turkey

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in Totem Animals, Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA)

Color Turkey WM

Today is the day to honor the turkey. I am happy with how this piece turned out. I used prismacolor markers along with colored pencils on this one. I think it turned out a lot better than my past totems. The colors pop and the shading was easier to accomplish. I’m surprised it took me this long to incorporate my markers. I am going to start using them with all my pieces from now on.

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Turkey Symbolism

The turkey is a huge symbol for connecting with nature. It is known as the Earth Eagle. The males have fleshy growths that hang over their beak called “snoods” that they use when challenging other males. This “snood” represents for the third eye. It is time to open our own third eye. Mother Earth will share her wisdom and guidance. Turkeys are a symbol of the harvest and using the land properly to nourish ourselves. Turkeys live in large groups representing abundance. They live full lives with full bellies and we should be doing the same along side our family.

It can be easy to get lost in the materialistic battle to “get ahead” but it is time to stop thinking that way. It is not about how much stuff you have but rather how many lives you have touched. Instead of focusing on personal gain and keeping everything to ourselves, we must share what we have with others. We shouldn’t be greedy but instead have an open heart and be sure that everyone is taken care of. 

The turkey is a powerful symbol for Thanksgiving. They are the biggest teacher of self sacrifice and giving. The turkey sacrifices it’s life to feed us. We must show respect for the turkey. We should be willing to make sacrifices, as well, to help others in need.

Let us remember to give this Thanksgiving and help anyone who may need it. The holidays can be difficult for many. It is important to look out for each other. Give away!

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Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you have a lovely time with your family and get stuffed with yummy food! What is your favorite Thanksgiving food? Let us know in the comments below. If it’s turkey, remember to show your respect.

Until next time,

“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”

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Sources:
Animal Speak by Ted Andrews
Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams & David Carson
Ending quote by Maya Angelou