Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Wrinkles

Portrait by Diane Ahern

are beautiful and wise and we've earned them... or so my dear friend told me as she clicked away.

One of the uncomfortable things about writing a book, for me, is the bio and self portrait. To be honest, I naively thought someone else wrote these blurbs - they always felt a little boastful. Normally I don't seem to run out of things to say when it comes to just about anything (my husband will back me up on this!!). However, writing up a couple of paragraphs about who I am, what I've done etc. etc. is tough. I'm not a self marketing type. It's just too personal. I can tell you about my experiences and what I like, but not what I am like.

So I wrote, rewrote, edited, deleted, wrote again and tried to touch on who I am, but really ended up writing about what I like. When my deadline hit, I had to be done. Now it will be in print - but of the 128 pages, this is the most uncomfortable.

About the Author

Beverly Ash Gilbert is a self-taught artist who believes that anything is possible. That the
re is an artist in all of us just waiting for the inspiration, the right medium and positive encouragement along the way in order to blossom. That changes in direction and following your dreams and jumping up in the morning bursting with creativity and ideas and excitement about your work is what life is all about.

She loves playing with color and pushing the boundaries of her creativity – sometimes finding new paths to follow, sometimes tripping over her own feet, but always learning. She thrives on sharing what she has learned and helping students blast through their own creative boundaries.


She travels around the country teaching but has her roots firmly planted in the Pacific
Northwest surrounded by three creative men – her husband, Jerry and two sons, Morgan and Brandon – and lots of color!

What Beverly loves: Walking on the beach, wine with friends, spontaneous backyard picnics with neighbors, chocolate, happy people, good books and cozy fires, snuggling with her boys, listening to her husband play guitar, gathering flowers from her garden, family movie night with Jerry’s homemade pizza, her macro lens, laughing, playing with color and beads…


And I haven't even touched on the self portrait. Now if only I could've used one from 20 years ago... Thank goodness for Diane, who made me laugh at the wrinkles and sags and rounded shoulders... and didn't zoom in too close!


Here are some flowers for all my dear friends out there - thank you for all of your words of encouragement and positive thoughts. My manuscript did indeed go out. But I am still finishing up all of the diagrams and photos and will then dive into all of my proposals due in 2 weeks. I miss you and your blogs and your musings and your inspirational photos. I promise to get together with you when I come out of my tunnel.

28 comments:

  1. All I saw was smile lines. You look beautiful! :D Congrats on your book.
    ~Pippi

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  2. Wrinkles? What wrinkles!? The artist and friend in me looks right past them. ;) And the gold in your garden appears as though you could trade it for currency. Thanks for sharing ... and congratulations on getting your manuscript sent off.

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  3. I completely sympathise! I too find this very hard! However, you have written a warm and real bio and I think you have focussed on all the important and fun parts of life. Your self-portrait is lovely! I love actually seeing fellow bloggers and I think many of us don't necessarily put many self-portraits. So-all in all, good work! (and to your photographer too) Hope all the rest of the book work goes well.

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  4. Beautiful souls have no wrinkles! Beverly, your wonderful, creative spirit illuminates this beautiful, honest bio. Congrats on completing the manuscript. Now pour a nice glass of wine, take time to enjoy your gorgeous garden and hug your family in celebration. Hugs, Terri

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  5. The picture is wonderful.

    I have had many blog friends tell me what I am and what I mean to them. Funny, I don't see it because I am just me and could not put myself into the words they do.

    I love your color system and look forward to the release of your book.

    Did you say that you are an inspiration to all that meet you in person and through your website and blog? No? Well we would have said it because you are.

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  6. nice job, well done, I think it suits you perfectly

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  7. Honey, you are GORGEOUS and VIBRANT, your self written bio is warm, and you have nothing to fear from either. Well done.

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  8. What wrinkles?

    (and the bio is great!)

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  9. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL - inside and out!!!

    Well done you! ♥

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  10. that is a great bio! and the photo too. all i see there is a beautiful smile and friendly eyes.

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  11. the wrinkles that i struggle to see speak of love and laughter and life. you are beautiful and soulful.

    keep tunnelling. thinking of you lots.

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  12. That's a wonderful bio. I always hate to write artist's statements, so I know what you mean. I like your photo and can see NO wrinkles.

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  13. Your bio is great! Instead of sounding boastful it sounds inspiring and makes me want to paint something! Beautiful picture!

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  14. Oh Beverly, this is so totaly YOU. Tell Diana I said hi and she did a marvelous job here.
    I'm gladd your gladd every thing will be still for a while. I'll meet you with warm and open arms at the end of the tunnel. Love you lots, miss you even more.

    Be well, big hugs Dagmar
    Oh and tanks for the flowers if only I could put them in a vase....

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  15. Beautiful portrait. You have a lovely smile. And I so enjoyed what your wrote about yourself. Anxious for your published book.

    And I think I'd rather look natural than surreal (aka Joker-est) with too many plastic surgeries. We've earned our badges of honor.

    Great floral shots too!

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  16. I think that was lovely! Certainly didn't sound boastful - more like I'd like to spend a couple weeks at your house....
    I do wish that we could've seen your necklace better. It's so stunning (maybe it's in the book?).
    Eh! Wrinkles, gray hair, whatever. It just reminds us that we've done some (fun!) things along the way! :D

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  17. Beverly both the bio and the portrait are awesome!!! You look so happy and gorgeous and you just glow in that picture. I love it!

    Here's a virtual toast to you in meeting this milestone. : )

    I hope to see you soon!!!

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  18. Well done. The bio is friendly and open and informative...and creative. The photo goes with it perfectly. I love the colors, and the setting. You have created...you:). Congratulations. A toast!

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  19. your photo is absolutely perfect for your book. it makes me want to meet you, sit and talk, laugh and learn. so really, you are "self-marketing" just being yourself...because the bottom line is that people want to read what you have to say and soak it all up. beautiful.

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  20. Love the portrait, You are gorgeous! And I loved your bio too! PERFECT!
    xo Shell

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  21. Lovely portrait and great bio, Beverly. I find blurbs and bios about myself very hard too.

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  22. Beverly you are absolutely gorgeous. I am so excited for you about your book!

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  23. Wrinkles - bah! You just have laughter lines and other signs of character. Remember that we get the face we deserve by the time we reach 40 and yours is lovely!!!

    I am really looking forward to purchasing your book - preferably direct form the author in October - and maybe even having an autographed copy.

    Your 'blurb' - which I would have just as much trouble with writing as I am also not a 'sef-merchandiser' - is absolutely fine, and sums up your outlook on life.

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  24. lovely pics.. The most important guideline to stay away from the skin wrinkles is to avoid the exposure of your skin to the sun. UV rays my harm your skin. Make sure that you apply sun screen lotions before you move out of your house. Ensure that you keep the whole of your body covered to the maximum possible extent.

    Drink as much water as you can. Fresh carrot juice can do a lot of good to your skin. Drink a glass full of this juice daily for a period of a fortnight and you will be dumbstruck to see the changes on your skin.

    Wrinkles

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  25. Well my thoughts were pretty much covered, but here's a recap: You look gorgeous and I am ever intrigued by you so that's great from a marketing perspective! I personally love wrinkles, grey hair and aging skin because I see them as symbols of our growth as women -- glimpses into our histories of ourselves.
    The bio is great and I too can't wait to get the new book!

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  26. No way about using a photo from 20 years ago. You are beautiful in these, and I totally agree-- our collective wrinkles are a hard won testament to our strength (just come remind me on my next birthday).
    The bio is beautiful too. It's you.

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  27. Congrats on getting your manuscript out! Your 'About the author' is beautifully written. Not boastful at all, just honest. And the picture is lovely! Well done.

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  28. Hi Beverly, I just need to add my comment, too. It is so nice to see your photo! You are gorgeous, and what a beautiful smile. Is this photo being used for your book? I also really like the one on your blog, surrounded by emerald, so lovely.

    And I think your bio is perfect, I would enjoy reading that inside a book. Hope it all goes well!

    Take care,
    Kerstin

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