“How to Reach Your Goal – Persistence” by Joan Y. Edwards
I straightened up my bookshelf today. I found a folder with notes and trinkets from the past. In it on a check book cover, I found where I wrote hints on how to reach your goal using persistence. I thought these are still good. I edited them to improve them and make them more useful.
Persistence is the firm and stubborn, obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty, opposition, or criticism. Persistence is a friend you want with you every day of your life.
Set a goal that demands your best and that means a lot to you both on the inside and in the natural world.
Develop a burning desire, an unquenchable thirst, an inner excitement that will lead you to make your goal a reality.
Ask God, your creator, to help. God believes in you and has promised he, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will help you reach your heart’s desire. After all he put that desire in you.
Keep your eyes, mind, hands, and feet heading to your goal.
Refuse to listen to negative criticism from inside or outside your head that say you can’t do it.
Surround yourself with encouraging people and words.
In what seems to be defeat or a big mistake, look for a personal lesson and start again with vigor and confidence. Be flexible. Change your direction when you reach a dead end. Be stubborn. Don’t give up when others would. Be stubborn. Go forward one step at a time. Reward yourself for each step you take. Take time to have fun along the way. Your fun times will fuel your tank to get you over the hump.
When you believe there is a way, a way will appear to help you reach your goal. There is another way to reach your goal that you didn’t know about. There’s an expressway that God is building to get you there. Look for it.
Believe you can reach your goal. If you believe you can, you are right. If you believe you can’t, you are right. It’s your choice.
Take action toward your goal every day. Keep believing that you are capable of being who you want to be. Do something small each day to move you to the goal. Don’t take no for an answer. You can do it.
One of my readers, Anthony Mondal shared his ideas to help meet your goals with art: (Thanks, Anthony.)
“Back in NY days I defined ART in my writing notebook journal as….
A = Aspirations
R =Rebellion of the Self refusing to be confined.
T = Tenacity”
Do any of these ideas seem meaningful to you? I hope so. Please leave a comment! I enjoy “hearing” what you have to say.
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“Valuable Tips for Artists/Illustrators from Aidana WillowRaven” by Joan Y. Edwards Thank you, Aidana for doing the cover for Joan’s Elder Care Guide published by 4RV Publishing on April 15, 2016, for sharing it on your website, blog, and social media. I am honored that you agreed to let me interview you for my blog.
You’re welcome, Joan. I’m looking forward to it. Let’s get started.
Where were you born? Harlingen, Texas, USA
Where was your favorite place to live as a child? Why? That one is really hard to say because everywhere I lived had it’s own influence on me as a person and eventual artist.
Did you have a favorite place to draw as a child? Where and why? I rarely drew as a child. I wasn’t good at it so usually quit in frustration.
Where is your favorite place to draw now? My favorite places change depending on my mood, but it’s also a convenience issue.
How do you keep yourself physically fit? Me? Fit? I love your sense of humor.
What do you do when you think about giving up? I don’t. I have a big stubborn streak, lol.
If you go to an amusement park, which ride do you go to first? Which ride do you ignore at all costs? Rollercoaster!!! I like water rides, too. Anything fast is fun, but I even enjoy monorails and slower activities.
Would you share 3 covers that you designed? It’s hard to pick a favorite, especially since I work with so many genres, but here are three more recent favorites for three different genres: Weaver of Dreams, A Family for Leona, and Honourable Lies. Your covers are amazing.Weaver of Dreams Cover by Aidana WillowRaven
A Family for Leona, cover by Aidana Willow-Raven.
Honourable Lies Cover by Aidana WillowRaven
9.What is your favorite novel? Why? Again, with the impossible questions, lol. I’m going to have to go with a favorite series rather than a single book. I think I’ve reread the entire Wheel of Time series, by Robert Jordan, more than any of my other books in my library.
10.What is your favorite picture book? That’s easy … Alice in Wonderland
11. Do you set goals for yourself as an artist/illustrator?Do you reward yourself when you reach them? Goal? Yes. Rewards? Who has time? I just keep going. lol
12. What are three craft books about drawing and illustrating that you recommend for study by other artists/illustrators? That really depends on what genre and style one’s goal is as an artist. For me, I study anything Michael Whelan does. I also study the works of Todd Lockwood and Frank Frazetta and too many others to list. I don’t want to limit anyone to any three books, though. I study all I can from many genres and styles. I even take pictures of book covers I like at the grocery store to study later, lol.
13. Where is your favorite place to visit? Why? Downtown Memphis. There is such a vibe that I’ve never felt anywhere else I’ve lived or visited. That same vibe is probably why there are so many songs written about it, too. But even the swamps in Memphis have a wonderful mystique.
14. Did they have art courses when you were in High School? We had one art class a week, which I all but failed. The art teacher told me, in front of the entire class, that I had no talent and apparently art was not my ‘thing’, lol. In my art teacher’s defense, my Mom said pretty much the same thing, and even my best friends in high school, reuniting with me decades later via Facebook, were all like, “Sooo… Where did this art thing come from?” As a result, I don’t believe in abstract terms like ‘talent’. I believe in drive, determination, training, and skill, which anyone can acquire when the first three are part of the recipe. I like that you believe in drive, determination, training, and skill rather than being born with the talent. I admire you and your determination to be an artist.
15. When did you decide to become an illustrator? Why? After my second failed marriage, I was really into epic fantasy books and found myself fascinated with the cover art. I started recreating book covers with visuals I felt better portrayed the stories. Next thing you know, I was standing at a college registrar’s office wondering what major to study, and the only thing I could think of was wanting to create book cover art. Floored EVERYONE who knew me that I chose to study fine art.
16., Who or what has been the most help and inspiration to you as an illustrator?Michael Whelan
17. Where do you get your ideas for your illustrations? The books, music, movies, everything … lol.
18.What are you illustrating now? I keep several projects going at once, so that’s hard to answer.
19. What has been your most exhilarating moment as an artist/illustrator? When Michael Whelan, my idol, actually responded to one of my tweets, lol. I know that made your day.
20. Does research help your illustrations? How? Absolutely. I like to be as accurate as possible. One time, I even found a discrepancy within the text that contradicted the period and culture. The author and publisher made the necessary correction to the text. 😀 They were lucky to have you working on this project for them.
21. What are your top ten tips for illustrators? Study, Study, Study, Draw, Draw, Draw, Paint, Paint, Paint … repeat 😀
22. What are three marketing tips for illustrators? Get used to talking about your work on social media. Also, never give up. Keep looking until you find your place.
Bio: Aidana WillowRaven, tradigital artist (hybrid artist who combines traditional training and techniques with digital tools and applications) and mother of three, trained in Fine Art, Studio Design, and Animation at NSU and ODU. WillowRaven works with traditional publishers, as well as, independent authors. In addition to her freelance business, she’s Art Director and VP of Operations at 4RV Publishing. Working in most genres, from picture books to novels, she has illustrated and/or designed over 500 books and ebooks since 2007 through her company, WillowRaven Illustration & Design Plus, in Memphis, Tennessee. Thank you again, Aidana, for letting me interview you for my blog. You are amazing!
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