Back at it...

It's been almost 18 months since I've written anything for this blog. I have a lot going on and I can appreciate how effective it is for sharing information with loved ones.

Today I am grateful that I had an opportunity to meet the new Choctaw Bible Translation Committee office manager, Ms. Millie! She has a great deal of experience and is a welcome part of the team.

I am working this week with the Choctaw Tribal Language Program. I am revising existing Choctaw literacy lesson plans for De. Having files available electronically will make it easier to distribute and share them in the future!

The purpose of this blog is to share news and thoughts with friends, family, and prayer partners.

Thanks for reading!

On the home front, here are two ridiculously cute photos of my dog, Duncan and cat, Kitty Nuggets.

Abby's Learning Adventure: Making, Marketing, and Selling Artwork

About six weeks ago I went with my friend Lily to Jackson, MS to drop off some of her watercolor paintings at a gallery in Fondren.  Lily is a very talented artist who paints portraits and animals using watercolors.  As we were driving back, Lily and I discussed the challenges of making art, finding venues to sell it, and finding a niche market.

Shortly after that trip, we began a creative journey.  Like most things, it's been a learning experience for me!

I'd like to share some things I've learned!

Make the most of social media, like Facebook.  I got a free e-book from Amazon.  It's written for publishers, however the principles are applicable to independent artists.  "Social Media Marketing for Publishers" by Liz Murray is available for download 

First, find a niche market.  Lily's experience at the gallery showed me that you need to find the right venue to reach the right folks.  The gallery in Fondren wasn't ideal for a number of reasons.  The ladies at Magnolias and Sassafras are WONDERFUL!  They asked for pencil drawings (from me) because they wanted to feature a variety of mediums.  This is a deciding factor in my subject choice.  The niche market of M & S is things made in Mississippi.  Lily has watercolor pictures on display.  For both of us, this gallery is a good fit!

The second thing I've been working on is a Facebook page for my artwork.  (I titled it Abigail Farmer Artwork.)  I uploaded photos of my artwork.  Admittedly, it would be better to scan and upload them.  Also, some of my photos of framed pictures are crooked and there's reflection off the glass.  I invited my friends and family members to "like" my page.  I joined the group Mississippi Artists to connect with similar folks.  Finally, I offered a set of note cards in a drawing for people from Mississippi Artists who "liked" my page.

I set up a free online gallery at FoundMyself.com.  I'm still learning about this interactive artists website!  

Marketing.  This is a hard one for me because I'm not a natural salesperson.  I'm an introvert.  And I'm sensitive.  Knowing this about myself - that putting myself out there is out my comfort zone - has been important!  Artists, musicians and other creative types will appreciate this.  It takes a great deal of courage to put something so intimate as your artwork (or music, or stories) on display for others to criticize.  Because, no matter what others say, it's personal.   I know that I have more confidence in myself now than I did as an undergraduate art student.  I know that the things I create are my best and I'm always challenging myself.  My value as an artist is from know I've exceeded my own expectations, but this has to be balanced with a bit of humility and the ability to filter input from others.  I place a lot more value on input from others who understand the creative process.  Finding the right venue with friendly and helpful ladies was so important for me and my personality. 

Subject matter.  What do people in your niche market want?  What are they buying?  This is another careful balancing act.  I have asked my Choctaw friends what they like.  The answers are different from what my White friends like.  Asking and listening gives great insight.  This way you can choose subject matter to meet the market need.  

Do you criticize your audience because they're not responding?  Be careful here - not everyone is going to like your stuff.  Not everyone understands the ups and downs of the creative process.  Offer people grace.  Be mature enough to move on if folks aren't interested.  As Lily says, "There's a chair for every behind."  There's folks there who will understand your work and appreciate it.  There's a place where you'll find a natural fit.  Be encouraged and persevere!

Next steps?
I'm making sure to respond to requests, questions and comments in a timely manner.  I make sure to follow-up quickly with commissions.

I'll be sharing more in the future about this process.  Thanks for your support!  

Gallery update

Two more of my drawings are at Magnolias and Sassafras in Philadelphia,  MS.  

They are located on the square and will soon be in a new store. The drawings are in frames and are featured in the gallery.  

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

The past two weeks have been rough.  I had a bout with anxiety that kept me from really functioning.  It's happened a few times before - during my last months in Ukarumpa, after my first year of graduate school, and in 2011 when I crash landed in Dallas on medical leave. 

What is it like to have an anxiety attack?  Imagine that you are afraid of something that you cannot see, you can only feel.  Imagine that your world shrinks down to feelings of loneliness and helplessness.    

Then, imagine that you slowly start feeling like yourself again.  

I am grateful for my counselor, Cindy, and my Mom for helping me to work through each day and see things for what they are.

I've been thinking about the Prayer of St. Francis.  
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

An instrument is a tool that is used for a specific purpose.  When we ask God to use us, we must put aside certain comforts and be prepared to make sacrifices.  We have to "get out of His way" and realize that we our His vessel.  

God calls us to love one another.  The command is so simple, but is the hardest thing to do.  Love one another?  Love, when we don't feel like loving?  I'm still wrapping my mind around this.  

How can I be an "instrument of God's peace" today?  I can offer words of encouragement and kindness.  I can offer people the "benefit of the doubt."  I can make the world a kinder place to live. 

Lesson in Humility

In November I was in a car accident.  I'd just gotten a new puppy (Seth) and I was distracted by the pup jumping on my lap.  I swerved into the other lane and bounced off the side of a Ford F350 Superduty.  It caused enough damage to my car that it was declared "totaled" by the insurance company.

No one was injured!  Praise God!

I called my parents and at the time of my accident they were sitting at the airport getting ready to go on a cruise. (Me: "I got in a car accident!"  Dad: "We're going to see the great pyramids.")  I was out of contact with them for two weeks - imagine two weeks without my support system!

I got a rental car for two weeks and struggled with the settlement process.  I'm not proud of my complaining...  I was provided with a reliable rental car, but still found things to gripe about to anyone that would listen.

I gave a ride to Leonard, who at the time was experiencing car trouble with their family car.  He explained that their car - which is used by he and his wife to transport family members and friends to church, school and work - was completely out of commission.  He'd been asking for rides from friends, coworkers and family members.  He said that being in the car gives him the opportunity to share the Gospel, preach to people and pray for them. 

Talk about an attitude adjustment!  Here Leonard was finding a way to make the best of a difficult situation while I was only concerned about my own comfort.  How humbling!  I've been thinking about how important it is to have a grateful attitude.

I have a 2008 Toyota Yaris now and I'm very happy with it!  


Please pray for that God will provide reliable transportation for Leonard and Vivian. 

Language eLearning: Choctaw Nation language program

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has an excellent language website! 

I've been taking Choctaw I online since August.  The textbook we are using is "Choctaw Language and Culture" by Marcia Haag and Henry Willis.  Three mornings a week I log on to the class website.  After practicing vocabulary by entering the date and the daily weather (see below), we review a section of the book via webcam.  Our teacher is Ms. Lillie Roberts.  She is very knowledgeable and emphasizes the importance of reading out loud, listening  and understanding fundamentals.

What I'm finding particularly challenging is the use of a different alphabet than the alphabet used at CBTC.  I find myself having to double check my spelling!

I like having a steady, consistent time to do language learning.  As anyone who's learned a new language knows, you have to be intentional

Himak nittak vt Mvnti Aktoba awah tahlapi.
Himak nittak kucha yA libisha. 

For clarification:
The Mississippi Band of the Choctaw Indians is the tribal entity that CBTC serves.  The MCBI website also has information about language and culture.

More beaded medallions

 Some new beading projects! I've gotten a lot better with more practice!  Above is a part of my bead set.

 Three medallions that will make-up the necklace portion of my bead set.  Choctaw dress (usually) includes a necklace, two beaded bibs, earrings, and two pins that are attached to the dress. 

 A first attempt at earrings. 

 Earrings completed for Michelle in the Red Water (Oka Homma) colors - red and yellow. 

 Bolo tie that I made for Gary.  I attached an elastic loop on the back for the leather straps. 

 Cobalt blue, white and maroon special order earrings with rhinestones.

 Red and white special order earrings.

Consultant Check

This has been a busy week for the CBTC translators.  A consultant from the American Bible Society, Steve, came to the office for a few days of intense checking!  The translators and board members spent the week painstakingly going through the Gospel of John.  One of the translators read the Choctaw language draft.  Another translator or board member would do a back translation in English.  Then, Steve and our own exegetical consultant, Laura, checked the meaning against the Greek and Hebrew text.

Soon, we'll have the gospel of John ready for publication! This weekend, we're all going to take a much needed break.