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Thursday, September 22, 2016

To Teach or Not To Teach and The Final Piece in My Series, Summer Sunsets

So, should I teach furniture painting or not?

Let me get back to that question in a minute.

     Being the first day of Fall, I think this is the perfect piece to post today. It's a warm transition with not only "sunset" colors but the various shades we begin to see this time of the year. This buffet is the fifth and final piece in my series titled, Summer Sunsets.  If you missed any of the others, you can see them here, No. 1No. 2No. 3 and No. 4.



     I put together a little video highlighting this series. What is it about music that turns photographs into videos.  I had so much fun. Watch the video I made here.  Or, you can watch all three of my movies here on youTube.


I used Persimmon and Patina Green from General Finishes  paint line. They pair together so well, don't you think? I've mentioned using complimentary colors before and it's always a good idea to do so. 




     This buffet is not available. My sweet friend brought it to me and gave me direction with colors and I went from there.  Her husband is giving it to her as a birthday gift...several brownie points in my book! 

Now, let me get back to the second part of this post. 


Image from Pinterest
     Well, don't we all wish it were that simple? Just flip the coin! Do it!
I mean really? What decision is EVER that simple? 

     I keep reading this, though, and I'm thinking about ways we all make our decisions.  We get "opinions". We ask our friends and family, "what would you do?" We listen, consider and are often more confused than before. However, there is the gut feeling - you know the one. You may not want it to be true.  It may be the scary one, the unknown one. 


This is a question I've thought about, talked about and 
stewed over for months. 

Do I teach furniture painting or not? 

     Daily, I get asked if I teach classes, post how-to tutorials or would I do a one-on-one lesson in furniture painting. My reply is always the same. I don't teach at this time. I really don't know when I would find the extra time it takes to teach but thank you for the inquiry. There's a part of me that thinks, "No way, I'm too shy to stand among my peers and teach anyone anything!" Another part of me thinks, "Where would I even do this and who would really pay me to do this?" Lastly, I have to admit, I say "Why would I teach people to do what I do? This is how I make my living.  This is my business, my day to day routine and I love it".

     I have never taken a painting lesson or class. I've never had any training at all in photography, staging or marketing.  Here I am, though, happily knee deep, learning and figuring it all out.  I've painted some not so pretty pieces of furniture and made multiple mistakes along the way. 

     So, let me ask you all.  Is it best to learn on your own? Are you better off by taking your time, creating and developing your passion? I now consider myself an artist - an artist who has just "figured it out" - no lessons involved. Don't get me wrong, I still have SO MUCH to learn and that's my point exactly. I love that I'm learning every day.  I love that with every stroke of color, I get to make one step further to my goals. 

So, when I'm asked to do tutorials or classes, I still don't know.  I'm still pondering the best direction for my business.  In the grand scheme of things, maybe I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill.  It really isn't rocket science ( sorry for multiple cliches ) but, maybe I  just need to flip the darn coin and stop thinking. 

~Dionne

24 comments:

  1. You posted that Persimmons & Patina Green were CeCe Caldwell- I thought those were GF colors?

    Love that combo, regardless.

    I vote teach. I've never taken a class but I watch & trade tips with my store partner. It's a great tool for growth. I'm an Iris Fan! ��

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    1. Yikes! Thank you for bringing that to my attention, Karie. I have corrected it. Mistakes happen when I try to cram in a post right before I pick up kids from school. Thank you for commenting!

      Dionne

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  2. I have struggled before with the SAME thing. I've been asked "how did you make it look like that?", "what technique did you use on this one?", "can you show me how you did that?", and I make jewelry as well, so I've been asked "where do you get your beads from?", "where do you find your quality supplies so cheap?", and I think the same things you do....I was never taught my crafts, I never took a lesson, I've fudged up my fair share of times and worked and worked to perfect what I do. But then, I remember...I can show someone and teach people how to do something, but I've seen with my own two eyes that no matter how many times I show someone, they can never do it the same way I do it. They will ask why, and how come they can't do it like me, and all I can say is, "you just have to have the eye for it.". My point is, I guess, that if you DO choose to teach, you can teach technique and how-to's, but you can never give someone the gift YOU have and the artistic eye YOU have. So, even if someone does pick up a little of what you teach, the business, passion, and means of making a living you've perfected will NEVER be taken from you! I can 99% guarantee you that. You've already built up a following and a client base who are going to be loyal to YOU (including me), and they aren't going anywhere, I'm sure of it. I don't know if that helps you make a decision or makes it harder, but I figured I'd share my experience being the same conundrum you are in. GOOD LUCK!! =)
    ALWAYS!-
    MATTIE

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    1. Mattie,

      Bless your kind heart. Thank you for taking the time to put thought in to this post. I REALLY appreciate your insight, your feedback and your honesty.

      Many blessings to you,

      Dionne

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    2. No problem....just know that nobody can duplicate your work....as hard as they try. And your work is AMAZING! :)

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  3. I think teaching would be a great thing. I've been decorative painting for 16 years and I love to learn new techniques and always come away from a class excited and rejuvenated. Your work is amazing and I would love to take a class with you. And that's my 2 cents :)

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    1. Thank you, Shane! I appreciate your input.

      Blessings,

      Dionne

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  4. Dionne~

    The fact that you are even considering teaching is a huge attribute to your character! I think so many in this business can relate at some level to your conundrum.
    I think the answer will come to you.
    I know how much I value all of the talented artists that have openly answered my questions as I'm finding my way and style in this new passion of mine.......it makes me respect them that much more.
    Me, however, I'm happy to share tips and techniques with groups I belong to, but if someone in my community asks, I clam up~ for some of the exact reasons you listed.
    You my dear, will find the right path for you.....probably soon now that you've put this out there.
    I love your work and your truly unique style.......best wishes!

    ~Nicole

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    1. Nicole,

      You are always so generous with your time and thoughts. Thank you for your continued support and encouraging words. xo

      Dionne

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  5. You are truly gifted and I believe it would be an honour to learn from you. Nobody can duplicate what you do because you are creating what you're feeling. We all have our own unique creations. So even if you teach your methods, there won't be any copying. I would be the first to sign up if you teach some techniques! Your work is amazing and I always stare at your photos and wonder how on earth you come up with these creations. Best of luck with your decision making. It's always a good thing to keep learning and growing. Rita, Restyled Renewed

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    1. Rita,

      Thank you for your sweet comments. You are so kind to always support me...xo

      Dionne

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  6. As someone who truly admires your work in just going to put my two cents in for what it is worth. Ive own thought wow I'd love to see how she did that our how did she get those colors to blend like that. At the same time your furniture is not just furniture painted to sell. Since you have changed how you want your business to be the way the difference really shows in your work. It is more art than furniture and i dont think it is something you can just teach. Most artists don't share their techniques with the world. The just display their pieces. Small clips of you highlighting or the little sneak peak videos are awesome but your technique makes your work you. Staging and photographing classes would be great. That is something to teach without giving away something so personal and intimate as your art techniques. But that is my sad opinion because i would love to paint like you but just like you did i need to find my way on my own in my own way.

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    1. Kristina,

      Thank you for your honesty. I really appreciate you commenting and your two cents😉

      Blessings,

      Dionne

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  7. Hi Dionne,in my opinion, do ever see pictures of the ladies who do paint night parties, they all have the same supplies and the same teacher and no two paintings look alike. Please teach and make it available on line so we all can see it, I promise no one will ever match your work, you know how pieces take on a life of their own as you are working on them. There's enough furniture out there for everyone. Thanks Melissa

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    1. Thank you, Melissa:-) I really appreciate you commenting and sharing your thoughts.

      Blessings,

      Dionne

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  8. As I walked to get my BA in Communications (on crutches because the week before I was the anchor in tug of war) I was grimacing and thinking, "I should have been a teacher". I immediately contacted people to see what I would have to do to get a teaching degree. But life happens, end of school year, message lost in commotion. Not to say I haven't been a teacher since, albeit a non-paid one. For every moment I've "given" away, I've been remunerated in a million different ways. Once on a first day of class our prof asked us each to introduce ourselves and tell something important about us...who we are... Everyone in turn said, I'm Joe Smith and I am a salesman, or Linda Jones and I work in a cosmetics store. When it was his turn he said, "I am Jim Sheridan and I am a lover. I love my wife, my children, the air I breathe, that tree, this apple, and I will soon grow to love all of you." And he did. And we loved him. On our papers he wrote, "Thanks for letting me read your paper." How is that? We are lowly students and he was thanking us for the mundane task of reading our first efforts at writing crap!

    Life is about perspective. What you choose to see. What you love. How you spend your time. Sometimes, we are able to spend our whole life doing something that triggers bells and fireworks. And, sometimes, we are just accidentally happy.

    You already said the coin is in the air. Grab for what you want to see when it lands....

    La Verne@hopeandsalvage

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    1. Oh my goodness! Thank you for sharing this lovely patch of your life experience with me. What a wise professor you had and you have carried forth his perspective. Much love and happiness to you.

      Dionne

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  9. Dionne, I asked myself this question for more than a decade before I started doing tutorials. I had similar thoughts, mostly I didn't want to share my secrets because I felt it was giving away my livelihood. The decision to start a Youtube channel was the best decision for me and has impacted my business, propelled growth and opened more doors than I could ever imagine. I had worked very hard and tried many things before this. I don't know what is best for you, this is just my experience. I can say this for sure, I love your work and if you decide to teach, look out for the flood!

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    1. Thank you, Debi☺️ I am so happy to hear your experience has been positive for your business. Thanks for commenting and giving me your input!!😘😘

      Dionne

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  10. LOVE LOVE LOVE your posts and ALL your pieces too!

    What if we can just ask you questions on HOW you get a particular look?! LOL

    And you can choose to answer or not.

    Im half kidding! but, if it is any help at all, I am a photographer and I teach classes to other photographers.

    My dad once asked me WHY I would teach my "competition" how I do what I do.

    To me my answer was simple. I can show others how I did what I do but what they do with it will not be same thing that I do.

    Although they will have the technique on how to get there, it will never be the same. My vision is not their vision. They may use a different

    pallet than me, or a different model, or location, or theme or post process that will not be the same as the way I do it.

    So, I as much as I can tell you are struggling with your decision just know that you ONLY have to share the parts you don't mind sharing.

    They are your rules and you can offer as much or as little as you want!

    Best of luck with your decision! smile emoticon:)

    What ever you choose to do will be the right one!

    Nylora

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  11. I love your vulnerability expressed here....I have been blessed to share with a few ladies how to paint furniture and it has really blessed their families financially! I am so proud when I see their work and witness their success. It's fun celebrating them. When I know that God is my source and always provides abundantly I don't have to worry about losing business. A friend of mine teaches classes and has six ladies in her class all told to do the same thing and there are always 6 different results. There's nobody given the exact talents that God gave you! And he sure did give you a hefty dose! I'm a big fan! :)

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    1. Rachael, thank you so much! I really appreciate your comments.

      Dionne

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  12. I paint furniture as well and I have done basic classes but I never go into detail on how I do what sets me apart and makes my furniture me! I've already seen some pieces that are intended to look like yours but it's just sad to me �� Sad that someone don't take their imagination and go with it but instead try to immulate someone else's gorgeous work! Whats fun about using someone else's ideas? Im just saying nobody can do what you do the way you do it �� I've been painting a long time and I'd never even attempt it lol
    Love your work!

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