I am so grateful every single day to be living my passion as full time artist. I paint and illustrate, and i teach and inspire. My greatest joy comes from sharing my art and helping others find their own creative voice. I’ve taught and created art professionally for over 30 years and it’s still a privilege to see others influenced by my process and ideas. Even more exciting when it ignites their own unique creative spark!
The internet has allowed me a platform to share my work and network with other artists in the licensing community. I learn so much from these most giving and unselfish people who are always willing to share their stories, experience and support. We share and celebrate each other’s talents every day. We inspire each other. We learn from each other. And the best thing is that we always maintain our own unique style and original best. There is never a need to copy!
So in sharing this BLOG HOP with my fellow artist friends, i support the idea of celebrating our talents and artwork, but feel very strongly about copyrights and originality. It’s just not okay to take someone else’s work, switch it around a little and call it your own. You have so much to give, be authentic, find your creative voice and surround yourself with those who will encourage and bring out the best you….go sing your creative heart song for all to hear!
http://sharynsowellartblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/be-inspired.html
http://embellishmentskids.blogspot.com/2011/03/be-inspired-blog-hop-aaron-christensens.html
http://chrischunart.blogspot.com/2011/03/be-inspired-blog-hop.html
http://www.vickieleastudios.com/art-licensing/so-what-inspires-you-a-discussion-about-originals/
http://monicaleestudios.com/blog/
http://www.brendapinnick.com/2011/03/02/be-inspired/
http://itsmollysmith.blogspot.com/2011/03/be-inspired-designer-blog-hop.html
http://www.droozdoodles.com/2011/03/be-inspired-blog-hop.html
http://phyllisdobbs.info/2011/03/02/creative-inspiration/
http://www.jgoode.com/its-about-inspiration-not-duplication/
http://suezipkin.typepad.com/blogging_with_dyslexia/2011/03/be-inspired-create-from-your-heart.html
http://bethparkerart.wordpress.com/
http://robinpickens.blogspot.com/2011/03/inspiration-origins-blog-hop.html
http://monicaleestudios.com/blog/on-being-originalpart-2/
http://janemadayblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/sweet-inspirations.html
http://www.terriconraddesigns.typepad.com/
Joanne Sharpe Arts 
Well said Joanne!
Great post and beautiful piece Jo!
Oh oh oh! That just SINGS to me! Oh oh oh! (speechless)!
Love the art you created for this hop as well as your post!
Oh, and I forgot! ( I got carried away – kind of like that girl on the Progressive insurance commercials – yikes!) GREAT post. I wholeheartedly agree with you; thank you for writing it so beautifully. And… I read something similar in a great biography about Paul Harvey! He was a classic original in his own career, but such great lessons for us as artists. Blessings to you Joanne!
This is beautiful, and love your comments.
Very well said! Your art is amazing!
OMGosh… I love that… I love the art, and I love what it says…
Oh Joanne, I LOVE love love LOVE this…. It is beautiful. I wish I could have it as my desktop background even. 🙂 Thanks for sharing. I'm really trying to figure out if there is some way to come to Inspire to be honest, I'd love to take your workshop…. 🙂 Do you teach in other places? Like could I talk to my local scrapbook store and ya know? 🙂
it's wonderful, delightful, colorfulcan't wait for Costa Mesa, Joanne.Terri
What a cheerful blog, Joanne. I love the theme, art and your message! It has been a delight, getting to know you.
So true Joanne, thank you for illustrating the point so beautifully!
"We ALL have gifts, we ARE gifts………so why "RE-GIFT"??!!" – love this – so true!
Love it!!!
Love your message, love your art, love you!
brilliantly put Joanne!!! beautiful art! Thanks for your kind words and your generosity of sharing.
Joanne, love your colorful, exuberant style- it is so uniquely you! It is true- we all have and are gifts. Thanks for your view and sharing.
Beautiful artwork! Thank you for all the invites, blog hopping away :]
I couldn't have said it better myself. What a wonderful sentiment to share with us all.
what a gorgeous piece! I popped over just to see it from the BGC tiny little avatar! look forward to visiting more.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Absolutely gorgeous artwork. I'm so glad I stopped by here 🙂
GORGEOUS piece of art!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Ya'll have said it so well.