Back From INNOVA/8!

Well, I have been gone for four days, last Wednesday – Saturday.  My Man Jim and I drove to Franklin, TN, for a seminar/conference called INNOVA/8 2016.  It was given by “48 Days” founder and entrepreneur and author Dan Miller, along with his wife Joanne, artist and author.  There were some incredible guest speakers, among them Ken Davis, author and sought-after speaker, and Bob Baker, musician, band member/leader, song writer, author, magician, improv comedian, and artist.  Now, THAT is multi-faceted!!!  I spoke with him personally, and bought one of his books (he’s also an excellent salesman!).  I also bought one of Dan’s books, and Joanne’s first book.  Ken’s book was given to us as a courtesy.  This conference, given twice a year, is geared specifically towards creative people who are looking for better ways to maximize their exposure, increase their sales, or just figure out what their passion is in the first place.  Many are changing careers or retiring, and searching for an outlet for their talents.  Amazingly, there were also a large number of IT people in attendance as well.  Ages ranged from 17 to 94!  The most colorful person was a “tree eater”.  He took overgrown areas of clients’ properties and created park-like settings by identifying and removing trash trees, keeping desirable trees, clearing out brush and undergrowth, and turning eyesores on the properties into places of beauty.  He was extremely passionate about his talent and love for his occupation!  I met so many gifted people!  Many stopped me to comment on “Eve.”  I took her along as a representation of my work and what I wanted to do with her and all the other women I’m painting and writing about.  IT people gave me wonderful ideas for my web site here and on my facebook page, youtube, and many other hi-tech venues.  It was a great experience to mingle with so many other talented people, all in the same place, but not necessarily possessing the same talents!  I also had a two-hour conversation with a lay-out and design firm which works with publishers.  We discussed the differences between on-demand book publishing vs traditional volume publishing, which is great information for novice writers self-publishing their first books.   What a whirlwind week!  The carved eagle was made from a dead cedar tree that Dan Miller had someone carve into the trunk rather than cut it down.  The eagle is the symbol for their 48 Days program.  That’s creative!  It stood close by to the conference center, a restored and remodeled old barn, which they call “The Sanctuary”.  The front porch of The Sanctuary is where I had “Eve” set up, along with the Millers’ 9 year old granddaughter’s paintings.