New York

A week ago I found this amazing opportunity on Facebook.  (This is what digital networking sites are all about, right?) New York is looking for artists.  Check this out:

What did you think?  I am so excited about this!  What an opportunity; my art displayed on a billboard sized screen in Time Square!!! (Not to mention the $10,000 to the grand prize winner!  Oh, how nice that would be...)  World, here we come!

I have been loosing sleep trying to find ways to get people to "collect me" on this website.  I thought about my friend, who gave things away for free, and decided to run a contest:  I will give away another of my beautiful 20x30 ThinWraps (with the options meticulously placed in the video above) to the person who gets the most people to "collect me" by re-posting it on their Facebook page!  (Please get your friends to confirm they did it on your post so I can keep track!)  The website:

Melonie Packer: Click "Collect Me" to help me win $10,000 and a show in the most immense exhibition of art in New York City : Art Takes Times Square.  (You'll need to sign in with FB.  You'll know you did it right when you see your name with my art above it!)

On a side note:  I really feel grateful to live in such a world where all of this is possible!  I am humbled at the help I have received so far and for the opportunity provided.  I really want to do philanthropy... (I'm sure many others would if they could as well!)  This is the time and season where it is more possible than ever to have a huge impact on a person, people or society.  I am thankful for our forefathers who laid the groundwork for this to happen.  This is for them!

(check out my work at http://www.meloniepacker.com)

The Complete Book on Video!

(check out my work at http://www.meloniepacker.com)

Joy Found in the Simple Things

This is a lovely tribute to my new book, a sneak peek!
Joy Found in the Simple Things  Enjoy!

It took only minutes to out this together... I love technology!
Try our slideshow maker at Animoto.

Seasoned

I remember the first thrill I got from the seedling of a thought, "Maybe I can do this; maybe I can be an artist!"

Van Gogh said that he would dream at night about painting, then get up and paint his dream.  I dreamed about
painting to.  I longed to to be an illustrator, sculptor or painter.  The problem lied with when I got up, I could not paint my dream!

I spent many years in frustration.  Yes, I had turned a waterfall purple and that was cool... but was it real art?  Could I do it again?

"Seasoned" was my first piece of art that I considered to have real potential.  It was late winter of 2009, the kids had gone to bed and, David, to play basketball with the ward.  I had nothing to do!

For several years (about 4) I had been taking pictures of ordinary yet, to me, beautiful things.  I sat down at the computer and began to browse the images... there was something there, I knew it!  I stopped on a photo of a simple fall leaf on the sparkling white snow.  I loved the contrast of the orange on the brilliant white.  I loved the delicate, yet intricate, features of that fallen leaf.  It was more than what it seamed.  It had lived it's life, it was "seasoned" and it had a story to tell!

I remembered the waterfall and contemplated... "I wonder" 4 hours whizzed by; David came home, stinky and wet.  I will never forget how he stopped in his tracks and admired that piece of art I had just made in awe!  Only hours before, he had walked by the same leaf without a second thought.  This is the effect I wanted to have on people.  This was art!

View "Seasoned"at:
http://www.meloniepacker.com/Photography/My-Gallery/11642051_hxp3F#!i=790035976&k=FuzYz

(check out my work at http://www.meloniepacker.com)

We've Gone Digital!

...Well I suppose, since it is digital art I'm doing, you probably think I've gone bananas!

"Oh no", you say, "It has come; the moment we've all been afraid of! After all, haven't many great artists gone mad?  Picasso, Francisco Goya, Mark Ruthko and, our favorite, Vincent Van Gogh?"


What I mean is that my new book, Joy Found in the Simple Things, has been made available for download on the Kindle!  
http://www.amazon.com/Joy-Found-Simple-Things-ebook/dp/B006YG7UYI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1326910788&sr=1-1

The process was a long one for us.  We had to make and remake... Because the file is mostly pictures, we ran into several problems and had to reformat, and then rebuild, the entire book.  Actually, I'm surprised we haven't gone bananas!

The key for me has been David.  Many times it is nice to have someone to lean on.  If you don't want to end up like Van Gogh and his fellows, you'd better hope you're not alone in this world!

I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.

Vincent Van Gogh

Read more:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/v/vincent_van_gogh.html#ixzz1jpt5dvcj

(check out my work at http://www.meloniepacker.com)

Happy Day

After a long wait, and many excruciating hours of work, I got to open up my first package of published copies of Joy Found in the Simple Things!  That is a great feeling! 

A little history: The idea for this book came in December of 2008.  I worked as diligently as I could, with 3 kids, up until May of this year; taking pictures in places ranging from Denver to San Diego and the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.  Weeding through thousands of photos, I worked on the best of them creating 45 pieces of art that would make up the soul of the book.  In May I began compiling (and recompiling) the book, writing the heart, designing the cover...  In July we submitted to a publisher and in October we became our own!

It turned out to be a beautiful book, thanks to all those who helped, and I have been so excited to share it!  We gave away 5 copies the first day we got it and sold 6.  I'd say that's a pretty good start!  I feel relieved to have it done, almost the way you feel after a long labor; but when you create something beautiful to add to this world you can't help but feel joy!

(check out my work at http://www.meloniepacker.com)

Fairytale

I started taking seriously taking photos in 2005.  I had just gotten married to my wonderful husband who felt terribly guilty for dunking my point-and-shoot into the Starvation Reservoir and bought me my 6 mega-pixel Cannon Rebel.  I loved that thing!  Who ever thought taking pictures could be so fun?

I worked as a nanny and those three little angles became my first guinea pigs and teachers.  I loved our walks and the beauty we saw in everything.  (Children are so good at that!)  I took pictures of flowers, lamp posts and Popsicles!  The kids loved it... my husband was glad the new camera was digital!

The day I turned my first waterfall purple was a magical day for me.  Who knew you could change a picture?  A realm of possibilities just opened up!  I don't remember the original reason we got Photo shop, but it has been my best friend ever since!

(check out my work at http://www.meloniepacker.com)Click here to see "Fairytale Waterfall"

The Package Has Arrived...

I was surprised to find a package on our front porch earlier this week. Not because it was early; because it was late! I'd begun to think of all the possibilities involving it's untimely arrival. David did something more productive and worked hard on a "game plan" for our business if the book wasn't accepted.

David has suddenly become way more motivated than me. It is great to have a husband who believes in you so much he's willing to quit his job and run our business out of a motor home! Needless to say, that idea will really be "put through the wringer"!

The publishing company was kind enough to reject the photo book... and we are currently in the process of starting up our own publishing company!

"I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process."
-Vincent Van Gogh

(check out my work at http://www.meloniepacker.com)

Down to the Nitty-Gritty

Summer is here and is being thoroughly enjoyed by my little family and me. I find it difficult to be indoors when so much is going on outside. However, I have managed to edit and finish my photo book! (Actually, it was quite exciting in spite of the sun-shiny weather that was beckoning me...) Also, I've tackled mounds of tedious research (not so fun).

We self-published one book through an Amazon company online for a small fee (about $14) so that we could share the copy with our friends and family then discuss it. I was thrilled to receive the published book with my name boldly written on the front cover! We passed it around and everyone liked it. Then... you guessed it, I got those dreaded butterflies again. The good news is that the book could be hid in a drawer to give me some space whenever I felt nauseated. (I am so grateful I'm not doing the fair thing anymore!)

A few weeks ago, I decided to print out a manuscript and send it in to a publisher. (The manuscript cost $95... so you see why we printed the book!) Rude awakening: most publishers wont even look at your manuscript without an agent! What's an agent? Oh, he's the profit-sucking middleman that jumps in between you and your potential publisher and banks off of your life's work. It seems you wont win out there without him... Brilliant really! I ended up finding one publisher that suggests an agent but promises to look at it without one!

David is reading this book for us about true self-publishing; as in starting your own publishing company then hiring out for the printing. Interesting idea... the rough part would then be all of the extra work you'd have to put into marketing. We really don't have any capitol left to get the ball rolling. So, meanwhile, we wait. Maybe we'll get lucky; maybe not... Anyhow, I got to see my name in print!

(check out my work at http://www.meloniepacker.com)

(check out my work at http://www.meloniepacker.com)

wi(ə)rd

Affirmation of the day:

"I am completely aware that there are people that are not going to like me... and that's okay!"

My photo book is finished! I have never had anything flow out of me so freely! It was as if the pages were already written and saved in an archive inside of me and all I had to do was open the file. I know that God is responsible for this and I thank Him profusely!

We are now editing and finding critics who will provide us with real feedback (no cushioning the tough stuff). I'm currently facing that familiar fear that has come to greet me on the eve of every art show. I know my stuff is weird... I am completely aware that there are people that are not going to like me; I will be misunderstood... and that should be okay!

I was pleased to find that if you Google "weird" definitions; this is what comes up:

weird/wi(ə)rd/
Adjective: Suggesting something supernatural; uncanny.
Noun: A person's destiny.

I like that! "Weird" is a person's destiny! So why do I fear being different? Would art really be art if it looked like everything else? Would I really be a creator if I never strayed from the mold? And if everyone liked the same things, would this world be very colorful?

"Do not quench your inspiration and your imagination; do not become the slave of your model."
Vincent Van Gogh

(check out my work at http://www.meloniepacker.com)

I Have Been "Hearted"...

I guess people still "dig" my art at $3,000+. My confidence has officially been raised!

Thanks to all my Etsy friends, I have come to realize that raising my prices won't change a thing (for the worse, anyway) like I had previously feared... (and also, that fear is a liar!)

I am so excited about this photo book idea! I think it is going to be great. I have spent several days on it now and I am having this really neat "deja-vu" like experience as it practically unfolds as if from a memory.

I remembered that 3 years ago, I had this idea for a book pop into my head while I was driving back to our temporary home from school. I wasn't sure what this book idea was about because I was in school and most of my efforts were divided in an engaging battle between finishing school and mothering our 2 children.

However, my husband had lost his job and we were in financial stress so I prayed a lot about what I could do to help. I must have been pondering about money then because I think it that God responded with an answer. This idea for a book with many pictures in it entrapped my mind and all I knew was that it was to be about enjoying the simple things in life.

A year or so later, I was drawn to a book in the store that was full of pictures and uplifting messages. I had another "Celestine Prophecy" experience and I knew that I needed to create a book like that. Unfortunately, someone must have pushed the "play" button on my internal answering machine and this bothersome message replayed in my head:

"I know you want to be an artist but you need a real job... something important!"

As a result, I immediately discounted any serious thought about becoming an artist... In that case, what was this book idea about? That belief put me behind a couple of years, I think...

Finally, as I begin work on this photo book, I've realized this is it! All my mentors told me to get out of Utah if I want to be a serious artist... I think this book will be my ticket! People are already "hearting" me on Etsy and I have a way to mass distribute my art without devaluing it's worth! It is exciting to me to finally be on the track I believe God intended.



(check out my work at http://www.meloniepacker.com)

The Great Experiment

Day 1 of The Great Experiment:

"Who's gonna place value on that? You, that's who! Ain't no one gonna do it for you. You pick a price and, suddenly, that's what it's worth! List it on Ebay For $100,000 and see what happens!"

That was a rough quote from our southern friend; speaking in reference to my art. (Who, by-the-way, believes in his theory so much, he jokes about living off of 1% of the profits!) He's right. ...At least I believe he is.

If you asked any level-headed, down-to-Earth-type person you would be considered "unrealistic" to set your sights so high.

The question is: Who am I trying to appeal to? Are the realist majority who I want for my market? If so, I'd better learn to love the "gypsy" way of life! (Meaning: to travel from state to state, show to show barely turning a profit.) ...Or, will I shoot for the stars?

I believe the saying, "You are who you roll with". If I want to be successful, I think I need to start learning from the miracle workers; the idealists.

This reminds me of something Van Gogh said:

"It is better to be high-spirited even though one makes more mistakes, than to be narrow-minded and all too prudent."
Vincent Van Gogh

Thanks, Vincent. I have been inspired, yet again, to ask myself, "What if?".


The plan:

Today, I will list my pieces on Ebay and Etsy for 100x the amount they are currently marked at. I will change my website to match the new prices and monitor and blog the results.


This is a weird felling for me... I feel somewhat nervous, like I am breaking some unwritten rule; yet it's surprisingly invigorating!

"Painting is a faith, and it imposes the duty to disregard public opinion."
Vincent Van Gogh

(check out my work at http://www.meloniepacker.com)

The Results are In!

After a relatively long "vacation", I am ready to share the results of our adventure! I'm sure that you have been waiting on the edge of your seats for this!?!


Before the Fair:

Everything worked itself out smoothly before the day we were to "open for business" at the State Fair. Even the things that previously would have seemed a near impossible feat didn't stress me out so much this time. We started out $500 short for the booth fee and without a truck to transport our store to Salt Lake! Our enlarged photos that we displayed for sale didn't even arrive at our home until the day before we were to leave... Talk about cutting it close!

Yet, somehow, I maintained a calm demeanor. I knew I was meant to be at that fair; therefore, I knew everything would work out... and it did! Irreplaceable friends and family lent us the money and provided the supplies and babysitting we needed. We were on our way!


At the fair:

Butterflies churned in my stomach as my old nemesis, Fear, tried to conquer me again. However,... the weather was perfect! It may seem like a small thing to have the sun smiling down on you; after all, it's not an unusual event, but I had prayed and prayed it would work out that way after our first "flash flood" experience at Summerfest. My faith swelled inside me... I knew this was going to be a great 2 weeks!

We sold an average of 5 Pieces a day that first 4 day weekend. I was confident that was a great start! Nonetheless, nervousness crept in as the weekdays arrived... David was to head back home to the kids and his job while I manned the booth alone for the 10 to 12 hour days. I ate only the best of foods... potato chips, PB&J's, fruit snacks, apples and peanuts; I was near starving!!! Yet, I was bound and determined to hit the "break-even point" before I allowed myself to spend any of my earnings.

I don't think I sold anything that Monday and Tuesday. It got harder and harder to have faith in myself by the time mid-week came. Wednesday, my brother-in-law tried to commit suicide. Doctors told the family they didn't know if he would live or die. For 24 hours I stayed by the phone, completely distressed about where I should be while this was happening. I prayed and prayed. He was okay.

Just when I thought I had had enough, another internal conflict arose with the arrival of my parents. I hadn't seen or talked with them for some time and I definitely didn't expect them there then! My parents have a way of making me lose all my personal power and I felt like a child again. Though it was good to bring up some things that had been weighing on me, I could have thought of countless other places I would have liked to have the discussion!

Finally, by Thursday, I was in tears. The stress was overwhelming and the sells were barely existent. I prayed again with all the faculties of my heart. I knew that I couldn't do this myself any longer...

God sent me my long lost friend. A friend that I had adored as a teenager and young adult; my dear friend and the only person I could count on to make me laugh EVERY TIME! I knew that was a direct blessing from Him because that laughter carried me on until my sweet David arrived. That hope that God was still hearing me and cared is the same hope that saved me.

Now, this could possibly be a testimony to all those who question the part of a positive attitude when it comes to sales, because as soon as my husband showed up with his faith in my work, and me and my insecurities backed off, we started to sell again! By the time we packed up for home, we had sold 50 pieces of art. Now, this being a new business, our expenses were quite high and we didn't make back what we'd put into it like I had imagined, over and over in my mind...

All and all, though, I would call our endeavor quite successful! Though, I didn't sell as many art pieces as my cousin-in-law sells diaper bags, I learned a valuable lesson:

"If you hear a voice within you say, 'You cannot paint', then, by all
means, paint... and that voice will be silenced!"
-Vincent van Gogh

I find that I am battling only my own "greatness". I was humbled by the almost constant compliments of successful artists. They each told me that I "had something" and that I should never give up or allow someone (myself included) to tell me that I wasn't going to make it... They said that I was great. I received some self-esteem; what more success could I have wished for? Now I only have to believe in myself!

(check out my work at http://www.meloniepacker.com)

Blowing Smoke?

Yes, Summerfest is now over with a grand total of 3 art prints sold. (One of which was to a supportive friend.)

Lets just say I know how Van Gogh must have felt when he said this:

"One may have a blazing hearth in one's soul and yet no one ever came to sit by it. Passers-by see only a wisp of smoke from the chimney and continue on their way."

-Vincent van Gogh

Years, months, days,... hours worth of planning and creating new art have passed and are gone. Was it a success? Was it all to no avail? No one yet knows.

How do you measure the worth of soul? Is it by the money she makes or the heads she turns? When value is over-looked, is value then lost?

In Bangkok, there is a small temple that encloses a large Buddha statue made of gold. Before 1957, the statue was only known to be made of clay and remained that way for several hundred years. It was only until the clay cracked under immense stress that it's true value was revealed.

For many years, I have thought myself the value-less clay statue. Chiseling away the hardened mask continues to be a difficult task. I struggle to hold on to the hope that I might be made of gold on the inside as I put myself on display.

"Why does it matter", some might ask, "that your art didn't sell?"

Answer: It doesn't. It only matters what I think of myself and whether I am making a difference in this world.

A lighthouse can never see the many weary travelers it has brought home until the light of the dawn hits the harbor at the end of the storm. My goal was to be a light in the storm for the passers-by... That, through my passion for color and child-like play, I could bring a smile to the faces of those who would stop. That through my courage to shine, others might too.

In that, I believe I have succeeded. I have found my direction and have rededicated my efforts... I raise my head, that was hung in defeat, and smile. I will try even harder next time. For, to me, it is not just art; it is following my God-given destiny to brighten up this world and help others find joy in living in the moment.

Though my dreams have not yet taken flight the fire in my heart will continue to burn... For all you weary passers-by, come, stay awhile and partake of it's warmth!

(check out my work at http://www.meloniepacker.com)

Thank You Oprah!

Spring 2008

The kids are finally down for their afternoon slumber. I can't just "take a break" (I'm a mom) so I grab a basket of laundry to be folded and practically skip to the living room for my one daily indulgence. ...OPRAH!

Young inventors take the stage. They were people who had 1 great idea that set them up for life! Simple ideas like: Spanx, YouTube and Jibbitz shoe charms... I started to think about JK Rowling and her one great story line that made her an incredible income as an author!

One idea...that's all I needed. One great idea and my husband (who was working six days a week) could stay home with our family! We could pay our bills and go on vacations ...or complete my all-time, biggest dream of becoming a philanthropist!

My hopes ballooned and I brought them all to God. I told him exactly what I wanted to accomplish (while sticking to my goal of being stay-at-home mom) and asked for His help. Surely God, the greatest inventor, could spare 1 idea that would change our lives and get us out of this "rat race"...


Summer 2009

I knew in every fiber of my being that if God was going to bless me, it would be through my art. I knew this was what I was supposed to be doing. However, while sitting in a comatose-like trance at a rained out art festival, I found it very hard to stay optimistic. I knew I needed something more to help my work stand out as something truly unique. I wanted to be able to catch the attention of the people ...despite the downpour!

I had plenty of time to ponder about everything that needed to change or improve if I wanted this business to be a success. I needed more creativity in design, function and efficiency. I felt we must have done just about everything wrong this first time around... somehow, we had to get our costs down!

(I believe, though I didn't see it then, that God had set up a whole serendipity for me. For in the midst of my trial, I came across a snapshot of a painting that was cut into pieces. I'm not exactly sure why it happened then when I had seen so many other similar displays... but that snapshot sparked an idea! )



Today

Only 5 more weeks until the big day. I am already somewhat nervous; but I know the real "fireworks" wont begin until about a week before the show. We have been gathering supplies and information for our new product and, so far, we have been getting a great response from family and friends!

We were lucky enough to be able to use some of the tax return this year to invest in the business. A miracle. (Thank goodness for deductions!) I completed 3 of these new displays and hung them up in our home. My husband finally got on board the express train with me when he "caught the vision". (He's a visual learner...)

In some ways, however, the money that we invest makes me feel sick to the stomach as an unwelcome thought tries to creep it's way into my head. I don't know what it is saying because, of course I'm not listening, but I'm guessing it would be somewhere along the lines of, "You are going to fail!"

I close my eyes, hold my breath and say a little prayer. Then, I pick myself up again and move forward. I am way out of my comfort zone... but then, what successful person wasn't?


(come visit me at http://www.meloniepacker.com/)

Completely "naked"

Have you ever awoke in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat, with that dream about being naked on stage in front of hundreds of your peers? Though I am not a musician and I am far from being a dancer; I find myself feeling very much like I am on stage naked when I share my art.

I have always been a painfully shy and awkward child. Confidence was something that constantly eluded me... When I work on a piece of art, something deep inside my soul opens up. And as I share what I have done, it is like cutting out my heart and placing it in the hands of my audience. Like the dancer, I am so afraid of falling on my face or tip-toeing out on stage with a stream of toilet paper out my tutu!

The average photo that I develop into art takes about an hour or 2 to, first, find the shot and piece it together; then, 4 hours of developing and editing. I usually have to revisit my work several times spending another hour here and there, until I get it just right. I realize not everyone is going to like every piece I do but every piece has a special place in me.

After 4 years of sounding like a broken record, my husband (David) finally convinced me to enter my art into some shows. Truthfully, I had "hypothetically" filled out that application over and over until one day I thought, "What if..." and I held my breath and pushed the "submit" button. What a rush!

I cannot even begin to tell you what those few weeks were like as I waited for a reply. The first was rejected with a friendly letter and an invitation to, "Please try again next year!" The second; same. "Of coarse they want me to try again next year; they'll take my money to glance at my work any day, right?", I thought. I knew it was too good to be true. ...Then, at last, I was accepted to my very first faire! I don't know what felt worse: staying put in my own miserable box (at least I was comfortable being a nobody) or being all-of-the -sudden pushed out on stage for all to scrutinize! I was a wreck!

Thursday, June 18, 2009
I woke up with butterflies in my stomach. This was the first day of the rest of my life! We had spent the last couple of months (with the enlisted help of family and friends) preparing for this day! I did my best in front of the mirror trying to look the part of the badge I would be wearing that day that read, "Artist". It would be another bad hair day no matter what I did so I clung to the delicate flame of confidence ignited in me when I wore that badge. Oh how I longed for this!

Friday, June 19, 2009
After a wonderfully long day of compliments at the Summerfest Faire the day previous. I was excited to do it all again with high hopes even as the storm clouds came slithering in like an unwanted garden snake. The crowds dwindled as we huddled under our great tree to keep somewhat dry in the rain. By the end of the day, however, I had sold 8 pieces of art (half to family and friends) and was very happy to sport the title Professional Artist!

Saturday, June 20, 2009
Doubts started to cripple me as I heard the weather reports and thought about how much debt this business had put us into. Even though I had found an effective way to display the art (without framing) and I'd borrowed a tent and booth; there were still the costs of prints, mattes, plastic sleeves, application and booth fees to make up (which added to about $2500). I was 4 months pregnant and feeling very sick to my stomach so I went home in the middle of the day to take a nap (and cry) while David sat under our tent waiting for a sale. When I had returned, conditions were about the same (if not worse) and the artists began packing up early in the down pour. We decided to stick it out a couple hours longer before retiring ourselves.

At first I perceived the whole experience as a complete failure because we ended up with a loss of about $2350. Now I believe that God works in mysterious ways and it was exactly what I needed.

Vincent van Gogh was a marvelous artist... yet he lacked confidence. He was famous for his use of color and his ability to portray his beautiful awareness of emotion. His doubts of his talent led him down many unfulfilling paths until he eventually drove himself mad and died believing that his life was a complete failure (having sold only 1 painting in his lifetime).

I believe that "failure" only exists in the eyes of the beholder and that "madness" is achieved when we continually undermine our individual value (or our value as part of the great collective). And so I begin anew, preparing for the coming festival season, in hopes that I can soar above the madness and find my success... before I die!

"Wanna-Be"

The bell rang again. Class was over and I continued to stare blankly at my canvas... Why was this a continuing pattern for me! I come from a family of several artists. I have cousins that are artists, uncles, a brother and a mother... Even my father has a pretty good freehand of Fred Flinstone. I would call it quits, yet somehow I knew art was not only in my blood, it was my destiny!

Like billions of other "invisible" citizens of planet Earth, I too hale from a not-so-functional family. After experiencing some pretty rough times as a child and teen; I could finally call myself a "survivor" of sexual abuse. But my creative and lighthearted nature seemed to be ripped out of me forever and so... I would stare at a blank page over and over as I persistently signed up for art classes.

I passionately admired the work of other artists from Vincent van Gogh to Sally So-and-so in my 8th grade drawing class. This habit extended to admiring the art in sunsets or even Popsicles and dryer drums! I took pictures....lots of pictures...okay, to give you an example of just how many pictures I took: I went on a vacation to southern California with some friends of mine and we did the usual (Disneyland, the beach, Sea World, etc.) I returned home with 17 rolls of film! (17 rolls x 24 pictures at 24 cents each = $97.92 plus tax) ....I was banned from using the camera.

Then, in 1994, the digital camera was invented and, in 2003 or 4, I finally got my own! Best invention since bottled water! (Sadly, I laid my camera to rest in a watery grave at the bottom of Starvation Reservoir only 12-18 short months later...) My husband surprised me my second love (second after him, not the first camera...) shortly after. (Husbands are great; I recommend them to all!)

My camera became an extension of my hand as a explored my forgotten creativity. I took pictures of seemingly ridiculous things. My husband stood by patiently as he ever so gently would probe, "Why did you take a picture of that?". My not so eloquent reply would be, " because it's cool!" I had no idea...but deep down, I knew it was art!

Photoshop became almost an obsession for me the day I turned my first waterfall purple. How fun was that! My husband quickly warmed up to my unique style and today, roughly 34 abstract images later, I am at the early stages of my own business! And after selling 8 pieces of art at my first (rained out) festival... I can FINALLY call myself a professional!

And, as the digital world is so much more efficient than the brush... Move over van Gogh, here comes Melonie Packer!

(check out my work at www.meloniepacker.com)