Little tiny buds are peeking out of the flowerbeds and grass. Brilliant green is starting to come out of the otherwise dead-looking trees, and the warmth of the sun and longer days are strong indicators that spring has arrived. Bluebonnets are covering local roadsides, and soon, maybe today, I’ll be out painting them.

Like spring, I love the reckless unbridled passion of youth and its boundless hope as we bud and blossom into adulthood to take us to our careers and our purposes. 

As a young budding entrepreneur in my 20s, I was filled with passion, hope, and giant dreams. But I was also smart enough to know I did not know it all (though there were times when I thought I did). So, to grow my skills, I went to a seminar and saw the legendary insurance billionaire W. Clement Stone (1902-2002) . At the time Stone was probably 70 and filled with incredible wisdom and energy. He was the first motivational speaker I ever saw.

Desperate and in Debt

I remember Stone talking about his plight growing up, his circumstances of being extremely poor. His dad died when he was really young, leaving the family with a lot of debt, so to supplement his mom’s dressmaker income, he started selling newspapers on the corner. But money was tight, and there was never enough. Mr. Stone talked about how he was trying to figure out how to make more money selling papers to survive, and how he had the idea to enlist his friends and get them selling papers for him on commission. At age 8 or 10, he was supporting his family and bringing in more income than his mother.

Before long he started selling insurance, and just about 20 years later, using the same principle of getting others to help him multiply his income, he managed to get a thousand people to sell for him. That gave him enough money to start his own insurance company, which had a billion dollars in assets by 1979.

Leverage Is Critical

Stone told us that he learned about leverage because of necessity. Even though everyone had told him he could not survive and could not support his mom and family at such a young age, he worked smart instead of just working hard. 

I remember him saying that no matter how hard he worked by himself, his income was limited because there were only so many hours in the day and only so many newspapers he could personally sell. And it wasn’t enough to solve his problem. His needs were high, so he had to figure out how to get more money while working the same number of hours. Again, he was a kid of 8 or 10, enlisting other kids to sell papers for him.

A Rare Billionaire

Stone became a billionaire (unheard of at the time) by setting high goals and figuring out how to overcome the time it would normally take to hit those goals. His lessons in youth set the tone for how he did business in his 100 years of life.

Most of us who set goals, myself included, set a goal for five years out, and figure out how to ramp up over the years to hit that goal. Stone said his success was based on compressing five years into one year. 

“Everyone will tell you it’s impossible to hit a five-year goal in one year, and to them, it’s not possible. But you can do it now if you simply figure out how to leverage others to hit it faster.”

Standing on stage in front of a giant auditorium of people, he had us chanting: “DO IT NOW!”

What are your dreams? 

What are your goals?

Is there a way you can achieve those dreams this year?

Are you telling yourself it’s impossible? 

I don’t claim to be as mentally strong as Stone, and I’m certainly not a billionaire, but his philosophy has helped me throughout my career. “What can we get done this year instead of waiting a few years?” I’ve been known to say. And I’m often accused of pushing too hard to get things done early. Now you understand why.

A Series of Questions

When I catch myself saying, “There is no way I could do that this year,” I try to stop myself and ask, “How is it possible to do it anyway? If I had unlimited resources, could I do it?”

Stone taught me that “unlimited resources” is the right way to think about crushing a goal in less time. Start there, then ask yourself how you can get those resources now. Then, if it’s super expensive, ask yourself how you could get those same resources with less money, or no money.

“Most people stop asking themselves questions too soon. They simply stop with the fact that it’s impossible. But keep asking more questions, and more on top of those, and even more until you figure out a way. It’s not easy, but it’s simple. Drill down till you find answers.”

My mentor Keith Cunningham likes to say that all the answers are in the questions, and that if we all spent more time thinking, we would save a lot of time with answers that often speed up our progress.

What about you?

A Major Goal Accomplished

A couple of years ago I declared that I wanted to teach a million people to paint. “But how do I reach a million people?” I asked myself. My answer was to buy advertising. But then I told myself I could not afford it. So, once I came to that conclusion, I asked how I could do it for free or with a low investment. The answer that came was a daily Facebook/YouTube live broadcast, which during COVID reached far more than a million people. (In fact, I was in Mexico last week when I was stopped on the street by a local man who watches me on the Internet.)

If you pose the questions, the answers will come. If they don’t come, ask more questions. Eventually the impossible becomes possible. 

Belief Trumps Doubt

1. Clement Stone told a room of a few hundred people that some of us would go home and do it now, and the rest of us would never believe it’s possible and may never realize our dreams.

But those who do will live rich lives with a lot of satisfaction, having lived their dreams.

His advice: Do It now. Find a way.

Eric Rhoads

PS: The pandemic kicked us all in the gut. In my case, my business was on life support, my live events were canceled multiple times, and I’ve been anxious to bring them back. Thankfully, the Plein Air Convention WILL happen this May in Santa Fe. That is great news because we can get the gang back together. The bad news is, I’m being restricted. I can only have 750 people because they still want us to socially distance. So, by the time we add up the people who are registered, the faculty and staff, as of today, I have exactly 97 seats left. 

If you’ve always wanted to go or are planning to go, I highly recommend you grab your seat and hotel room now. 

Here’s what’s happening at my company Streamline at the moment…

Our next virtual event, Pastel Live, is happening in August. About 40% of the people who attended PleinAir Live have already signed up. It’s going to be fun, fun, fun!

Brilliant lime green blades of grass are popping up among the old dry winter grasses here at my Austin, Texas, property. Little buds are starting to force their way through the dirt, and if we’re lucky, some colorful spring flowers will soon decorate our flower beds. Warm bright sunshine is providing nourishment to my light-starved soul, which is ready for winter and frigid temperatures to take a vacation for about eight months.

An Exhausting but Fun Week

If you see a typo or two this morning, forgive me. I’m dragging. Exhausted from hosting four days of 8-plus-hour days on a live stream for our PleinAir Live event, which had a massive audience of landscape artists. We had over 30 top instructors doing demonstrations, and people tuning in from all corners of the earth. If you were a part of that group, I deeply appreciate your participation. I’m totally ready for a vacation. Maybe I’ll be spontaneous and take one.

You Wanna Go Where?

Decades ago, when my wife worked for an airline, spontaneity guided a hectic travel schedule. Though I was busily starting my business and working 17-hour days, seven days a week, if my wife got a weekend off or a long weekend, we would take an unplanned trip. On Thursday afternoon or Friday we would drive to the airport, look at the monitor overhead, pick an interesting flight to someplace we had never been, and if there was space, we would board the aircraft and fly for free. We could even upgrade to First Class for an extra $50 at the time, and if it was an overseas flight, we could upgrade for $150. (We rarely did that because we had so little money.) We would then arrive and visit a hotel that had discounts for airline employees. We always managed to find a room. When I’ve told friends about this, they’ve often reacted with a gasp. “I could never do that! I plan my travel months in advance.” 

When I was a kid, we rarely took a family vacation because of my dad’s busy work schedule. But one Saturday morning Dad woke us all early and said, “Pack a bag — we’re going to be gone for a week. We’re leaving in one hour.” He did not tell us where we were going.

A Lifetime Memory

We got in the old blue 1964 Oldsmobile and drove east, but he refused to tell us where we were going. My brothers and I kept guessing as we would see road signs, but we were always wrong. After about two days of driving, we saw a sign for New York City, and we drove into Manhattan, pulled up at a swanky hotel, and Dad said, “We’re home.” We then went to the 1965 World’s Fair, which was very cool.

Wanna Move?

I suppose my spontaneity gene came from my dad and our frequent last-minute adventures. Laurie and I had someone come to the door wanting to buy our house, and three weeks later we were living in a different city because we thought it would be fun. We’ve told ourselves we wanted to move about every decade. We get to know a city, make friends, then go elsewhere and do it again. Though we may be missing out on the security of a lifetime in one place, we’ve been invigorated by change.

What about you?

What invigorates you?

In what ways are you spontaneous?

Nuts for Ruts

We all have our routines that become ruts. We tend to repeat the same routines daily — we go to the same restaurants, we hang with the same people, we go to the same church. Sometimes we’ll go weeks in a rut, and I’ll just want to scream, “Get me outta here!” Then I’ll look for something I’ve never done before, just to break the ruts. 

Boredom Drives Me

People sometimes ask how I’ve built so many businesses, and the answer is simple. I get bored and have to find new things to occupy my time. I still love them, I never let go of them or sell them, but if I don’t have a new project every couple of years, it drives me insane. And my team will tell you I drive them nuts because I’ll drop in a few spontaneous projects a year. Sometimes they are a waste of time and a distraction, and sometimes they are a success. But in every case, I’ve broken my boredom and I’ve learned something.

In the last two years we’ve seen more change than ever. “Life is short, then you die” has been a little too close to home. 

What have you never done because you lacked the courage?

What do you have to lose?
How will you feel when you look back from your deathbed, not having completed that dream?

What are you waiting for?

You are capable of almost anything. You don’t even have to know how to do it, you simply have to commit to it and start. The answers will be revealed to you as you seek them. 

I want to encourage you to be spontaneous, to have some fun, to get out of your rut, and to revisit your dreams, and then launch them. You can do this — no special skills, no special gifts.
If we were all a little like Elon Musk, who comes up with ideas and then drives them to the moon, we would have a richer, more meaningful life.

Oh, and it’s not about money (though it can be). What drives people like Musk is the challenge of proving to himself and naysayers that the impossible is possible. That has always driven me.

I can look back on billion-dollar ideas I had that I never acted on, only to see someone else do it five years later. I’m done doing that. I’m going to go for it.

Are You READY to Be Spontaneous?

Spontaneity requires an idea, then a bold move to go forward. Do one thing today that is completely fresh, new, and spontaneous. You’ll get addicted. Trust me.

Eric Rhoads

PS: Years ago I had this spontaneous idea to create a giant dinner party with a few hundred artists. I dreamed we would all sit around a huge table, eat together, paint together, and the best would teach the rest of us. When I awoke from that dream, I pulled the trigger immediately and started working on my dream for the Plein Air Convention, a five-day event of painting, training, and lots of fun and friends. Naysayers were critical and shot the idea down. People told me no one would ever come, yet this May we’ll be sold out, and probably have 1,200 people, our biggest yet. 

Some people have told me, “I’m not good enough to come,”  or,  “I don’t know anyone,” or, “I’m not good at plein air painting,” or “I’m not sure I’ll fit in.” Stop the excuses and be spontaneous. You’ll never regret it.  

I’ll be wearing green this week on Thursday. I think I’ll go paint something green. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!

Here’s what’s happening at my company Streamline at the moment…

Our next virtual event, Pastel Live, is happening in August. About 40% of the people who attended PleinAir Live have already signed up. It’s going to be fun, fun, fun!

My feet are crunching across the floor, covered with crinkled wrapping paper and bows. Pine needles not only scent the air, but the now-dry tree is shedding them where I step, en route to the smell of a fresh pot of coffee.

Yesterday, I barely left my spot on the modern blue couch in our living room. I pick that spot because I can see everyone as they open their gifts and can get a good angle for photographs. I always take more pictures than I need, because I love remembering Christmases past, and this too will become a memory.

Christmas Eve

As a child, visiting my grandparents for Christmas Eve, I’d stand on the stairs in the small living room and read the story of Christmas from the Bible. We carry that tradition forward, always remembering the reason we’re here before we terrorize the gifts under the tree. And to make it last, we open one at a time, taking turns so we can all pay attention to the person opening. Then we all hang out together all day, eating cookies and snacks, playing with our new gifts, and just enjoying yet another wonderful Christmas.

A Sweet Farewell

Tears welled up in my eyes yesterday, and again today as I remember that this is the first Christmas without my dad, who left us in March. I’m also melancholy about the loss of an aunt, uncle, and cousin this year, plus a few friends. My dad loved Christmas so much that he was the first to get his tree up and would not take it down till February. When the pandemic hit, he decided to leave it up year round since there would be no guests to wonder why it was there. Of course it turned out to be the last year of his life, so he had Christmas all year, which made him happy.

Being Present in the Moment

If there is an upside to these losses, it’s that I’m paying closer attention to those I love, trying not to pretend they will always be here and instead being present, knowing they are a true gift in my life, and knowing at such times that it could be our final Christmas together. I pray not.

Perhaps the loss of loved ones, or the prospect of more losses from the pandemic, is making me softer, more responsive, and more tuned in to connect with the people I love and admire.

This past week, when things were a little slower, I made a point to pick up the phone and chat with people I’ve missed talking to, because I cherish them and don’t want to look back in regret that I did not take the opportunity.

Going Deeper

I’ve asked myself, What would I say if I knew this was the last time I’d speak with them? The result has been some conversations with a deeper connection, more careful listening. Instead of dominating the conversation or trying to make it all about getting in the things that I want to say, I’m simply absorbing, listening to their voice, to their personality, and admiring them for who they are.

Why haven’t I done this all along?

Life is so busy that we tell ourselves we will get around to connecting with people. When they are gone, we regret not doing it.

I’ve noticed that when I’m intentional about absorbing the love of others, I’m more patient, more interested, and just simply basking in the moment, quirks and all.

Though Christmas has now officially passed, the absorption continues. And, hopefully, it will continue forever. If anything good has come out of the past two years, it’s the appreciation of seeing people we could not see, talking with people we cannot visit, and being more deliberate listeners and absorbers.

What if we lived every day with an absorber mentality?

What if we lived as though today was our last?

What if we treated every conversation and encounter as if it was the last time we would see our friends and loved ones?

I tend to be busy and wanting to get on with things, always checking my phone, always wanting to be busy or productive. But deliberate absorption of others is a gift. It’s changing who I am and how I behave.

What about you?Who do you need to absorb?

Eric Rhoads

PS: If I had a magic carpet or a reindeer-driven sleigh, I’d visit you personally today, just to learn more about you, absorb who you are, and to personally thank you for the time and attention you’ve given me. You have given me a gift, knowing that I can reach out most Sunday mornings, share my thoughts, and know that some mornings you’re paying attention, or even sharing them with others. For that, I thank you. Since I don’t have any magical transportation, please know I’m thinking about you today, and I’m grateful.

From time to time I mention my faith or quote a Bible reference. For some that is politically incorrect or offensive, which has resulted in a couple of people refusing to read any more Sunday Coffee. Please know I never want to offend anyone, but It’s just part of who I am. From time to time I’ll even share something I heard at my church that moved me, like this sermon.

Years ago I asked a mentor of mine if business ever gets easier, knowing he had been in business for 60 years. He said it never gets easier, but it always changes. The past two years have been the most challenging and difficult in my career, though there have been many difficult years. But I’m thankful we got through it, though it was not easy because we’re still surviving without in-person events, which is where we make our money. Our virtual events have helped us survive, and I want to thank you for attending. Hopefully they have been good for you too. Our next one, Watercolor Live, is in January, and it would make a great after-the-holidays treat.

Here are some other things going on in the business…

• Last week we released our Kevin Macpherson Magic Grid Landscapes video, which is beyond amazing and has become the biggest seller for 2021. Another top seller is our new Camille Przewodek video on color.
• Last week I mentioned that it’s a good idea to get signed up for the coming Plein Air Convention & Expo, which is planned for May in Santa Fe. We think it will sell out early because we’re all ready for a family reunion. This past week we sold a huge number of seats, and the hotel is telling us we might have to limit the number who can come. If we have to take 200-400 fewer people, you’ll want to register now to make sure you’re able to go. And, to make you more secure, there is a 100% refund in the event we have to cancel or you don’t feel safe. Also, we have a pre-convention workshop with Kevin Macpherson that will sell out even faster.
• My Russia painting and museum trip will happen next September. We just changed the dates slightly; the new dates are now posted on the website. We were sold out and will be again soon.
• Last week I wrote about a man who became an amazing painter just from watching the videos we produced. I met with him this week (he was visiting Austin) and was blown away to hear his story. Zero in-person art instruction other than in childhood. Yet today he is producing incredible artworks (he showed me many). He is living proof that you can learn to paint well from video training. If you want to see our library of artworks, you can see them at PaintTube.TV.
• This week I sent out a note to all of our friends about a big change. Years ago we started Streamline Art Video, and later acquired Liliedahl and Creative Catalyst. This week we announced all three brands will become PaintTube.

How to Control Your Brain to Get What You Want in Life

Ahhhh, it’s beginning to look a lot like … Hawaii. The morning air is warm and humid, and the only things missing are the ocean, surfers, palm trees, and grass skirts. I’m happy to be in Texas, where life is about as normal as it can be and freedom is a priority. And with weather like this, I don’t need to escape to stay warm. Let’s hope it lasts.

Guns and Horses

I’m not much of a TV guy, but my wife and I started binge-watching Yellowstone, and I think I’ve had this lifetime childhood fantasy about being a cowboy. I love the rough and tough life, wearing a six-shooter on my hip, spending my days on a horse under my big broad cowboy hat. We love the scenes with horses and cattle stampedes.

People think those of us in Texas live that life. Well, some do. We don’t, and though it sounds romantic, I’m guessing my back would be pretty cranky after days on a horse. I used to get sore when riding as a kid.

My Bad Day on a Horse

Years ago someone had the bright idea that my brother and I should take English riding lessons. We went to an indoor arena at the outskirts of our hometown and learned to ride English, which seemed a lot harder than a Western saddle. We would go for lessons weekly, and honestly, I did not like it very much. It all ended one day when my brother and I were in a competition and the horse decided to buck me into the side of a wall. I guess he showed me who was boss. I lived, even got a ribbon, but I allowed that one minor incident to dissuade me from riding anymore. Remembering this makes my cowboy fantasy less attractive.

I was probably about 8 or 9 at the time, and I had not yet figured out the importance of having control of my mind. If I had, perhaps I’d be the boss today instead of the horse and I’d be riding a ranch.

Controlling My Mind

Even though I tend to master what I set out to learn, I still have shortcomings. Just this past week, I decided to take a course on controlling my subconscious mind. It was right up my alley because I talk a lot about manifesting things. But this course made me realize that I was missing some critical elements.

I’ve always been a bit of a self-talk, “power of positive thinking” kind of guy — managing what I say to myself and telling myself who I am and what I want, putting things in the present tense, such as “I am a success” instead of “I’m gonna be a success.” We’re told to see ourselves in that place.

Though this course taught that principle, they took it to a new level I had not previously understood.

What happens when you say to yourself, “I am a success,” but your subconscious mind does not believe it?

Some would say repetition will overcome the problem, but this course said that’s just lying to yourself.

Your Subconscious Is Calling the Shots

It turns out that 80 percent of what you believe takes place in your subconscious mind. No matter how much you tell yourself something consciously, your subconscious is there to protect you and as a result of that, it can sabotage success. I can tell myself I’m thin forever, but if my subconscious mind is saying, “I am fat,” then change is unlikely to occur without some clever manipulation of the subconscious.

When you hear the words “I am,” it’s usually tied to a limiting belief. Our identity is made up of “I am” statements.

For instance, “I am a smoker,” is an identity statement. Yet smoking is not an identity, it’s a behavior. We’ve confused who we are with something we do.

If you change how you talk about your identity statements, you can change the outcome.

Instead of your brain saying, “I am lazy,” you can reframe it as, “Sometimes I do lazy things,” which changes your perspective.

Getting this?

If you stop connecting “I am” statements and swap them for “I have” statements, things begin to change, because “I have” statements are more believable.

Lots of us get hung up on childhood moments of trauma. And we lock these memories in our heads and they become our roadblocks.

But you are NOT a memory. An emotion or memory is something you DO.

Instead of “I am emotional,” change it to, “I have emotions,” or, “I do emotions”

I Feel It in My Bones

When I tell myself something affirmative, if I pay close attention to my body, my body will react to anything my subconscious does not believe. This is where you find the clues about the subconscious roadblocks. Solve the roadblocks and you can do almost anything.

What Is Believable

I tested this as I took the course. I said, “I am successful,” and I immediately noticed an ache in my neck. There is an entire process about how to overcome these clues, which I’ll cover some other time.

Meanwhile, simply by reframing things, we’ll find our subconscious mind does not block us as much. For instance, “I do things that lead to success. I embody actions that make success possible” — this is believable.

Can You FEEL It?

The course said that everything we do as humans is a response to a feeling … a feeling we want more of, or less of.  Every feeling has a body location and will speak up when you tell yourself something your subconscious does not believe.

When you reframe, such as my success statement, there must be action tied to it immediately. In this case, what are the things that lead to success, and what actions am I taking?

Your Homework

If you really want to have an interesting Christmas break, sit down quietly and start thinking about the stories you tell yourself. What are your “I am” statements? What is your self-talk? When you think of doing something amazing, what is your mind telling you about it? Once you do that, start asking yourself, “Where do I feel it?” If you feel it, that means your subconscious is holding you back in that area.

Now reframe everything from “I am” to actions. It instantly makes you feel better and makes things feel more possible.

I don’t pretend to understand even a fraction of the science behind this, and I’ve signed up for a longer course so I can improve myself. I don’t ever want to stop improving, and I’m curious how far I can go, what I can accomplish.

Unrealized Dreams

The reason I did this course is that I realized there are several big dreams that are not happening, and realized that I’m telling myself things. For instance, I tell myself, “I am not good at raising money. I am not good at asking others for money,” and that has roadblocked me on a project. Unless I can reprogram my beliefs, that project will go unfinished. What about you?What are the big dreams never accomplished?

What are the “I am” stories you’re hearing yourself say?

We can overcome them, but first we have to overcome the roadblocks in our subconscious mind.

Eric Rhoads

PS: Next time we talk, it will be after Christmas. I want to thank you for being here to read my thoughts each Sunday, and thank you for sharing them and helping this letter spread worldwide. As I examine myself, you get to come along for the ride, and maybe pick up an idea or two for yourself.

King Soloman was the richest and wisest man in the world. As I read about him, the one thing he did better than anyone on earth at the time was that he was in a constant state of self-improvement till the day he died. He changed the world. He accomplished amazing things. And it was all tied to being curious, seeking growth.

Whether you’re young or old, it’s never too early or too late. There are no limits to what you can still do. (Listen to what your brain just told you when I said that. Chances are it said, “Yeah, there are. I’m too old, or have physical ailments, or I’m not experienced enough,” etc.) Listen for your “I am” statements.

Have a wonderful Christmas. Absorb it.

Here’s what’s going on this week…

• It makes me feel awesome every time a top artist signs with our company to produce their videos. We have most of the top artists in the world with us. It feels great that they notice the difference in our productions and presentations. I’m honored to announce that we just officially launched the new Kevin Macpherson Magic Grid Landscapes video, which is beyond amazing. And you can watch today if you order the digital version. The same is true for our recent Camille Przewodek video on color. She is an amazing colorist, and her teaching is legendary. It will teach you to see color differently. I drove an hour to her class every Monday for two years. She is life-changing. I love all of our artists and want to wish them a Merry Christmas.
• Still need a gift in time for Christmas? Give a digital art instruction video — you can do it last-minute and not have to wait for shipping. We have hundreds of them. Check out our digital video library at PaintTube.TV and gift an artist today!
• When I was a kid my grandmother bought me a subscription to Boys’ Life. Every time it came, I thought of my grandmother. For the art lovers in your life, PleinAir Magazine and Fine Art Connoisseur are each about $40 a year. It’s a gift that reminds people of you every time it arrives. You can order the subscription now and give a card that it’s on the way to them.
• Our online conference Watercolor Live is on fire. I’m blown away by the huge number of people already signed up. It’s a great way to learn watercolor from the top people in the world (and we have a Beginner’s Day). It’s going to make a great Christmas gift for the budding artist in your life. And you can buy it up to the last minute.
• One of the reasons my company launched virtual online conferences is because we were not able to hold our in-person events like the Plein Air Convention. We’ve been in survival mode ever since. Well, hopefully that will change. The Plein Air Convention is planned for May, is already 50% sold out, and after the first notice about it went out, we sold a lot more seats than we anticipated. People are ready for the plein air family to gather again, and lots more people are joining the family and want to go. My guess is that it will be a giant sellout fast. (Being in Santa Fe does not hurt.) And keep in mind, we were almost sold out each of the two times we had to cancel. We talked to the hotel this week and they said we may have to social-distance, which might mean we have to limit the number who can come. If we have to take 200-400 fewer people, you’ll want to register now to make sure you’re able to go. And, to make you more secure, there is a 100% refund in the event we have to cancel or you don’t feel safe. Also, we have a pre-convention workshop with Kevin Macpherson that will sell out even faster.
• I’m taking a Christmas break from my daily Art School Live show this week, but replays will occur.
• My Russia painting and museum trip will happen next September. We just changed the dates slightly; the new dates are now posted on the website. We were sold out and will be again. Another great gift.

Groggy and walking out of my dark bedroom, I’m wondering if I awoke in the middle of the night. A glance at my watch tells me it’s morning, but the sky is dim and dark, as if the light is hiding out under a curtain of dark clouds, waiting to go onstage. The air is thick and muggy, like a wet rag ready to be wrung out. The good news is the cloud cover is providing a deafening silence, as though my ears are stuffed with cotton.

Though I love the spirit of heavenly sunshine, days like this slow me down, make me want to curl up on the couch with a book or a sketch pad and take some much-deserved time for myself. If we don’t build rest into our lives, nature will build it for us. Today is a great example.

Powerful Words

This morning I read a line in the Bible that I had never heard: “though he died, he still speaks.” (Hebrews 11).

Here I am reading a story about something a man did 2,500 years ago, and that man is still speaking. It got me thinking.

Who is speaking in my life, though she or he is long gone?

The other day I was coaching my son in the kitchen, drawing out a little chart to show him how to get ahead in life. I flashed back to the moment in the kitchen when my dad drew out the same chart for me as a teenager. When I was telling my son, it was really my dad speaking, though he passed away back in April. And chances are he was repeating something that someone else had said to him years before.

I’m Hearing Voices

When painting, I can hear the exact voice and words of my now-deceased mentor Jack Jackson. “I don’t want to see a single brushstroke,” he would say. His words echo in my mind though he has been gone for over two decades.

My grandmothers were always telling me things, and those things still come up in my mind. I’m guessing they were passed down through dozens, possibly hundreds, of generations. Morning devotionals and lots of exposure to biblical thinking, passed on for numerous generations

What about you?

Who from the past is still speaking?

Something about that line from the Bible was hitting me in the face with a two-by-four. SMACK!

It made me realize the importance of guarding our words and actions, because they will live on beyond us.

Bad Habits Carried into the Future

They say that verbal or physical abuse lives on through generations. Will those times when I got super angry and said something to my kids scar them for life? Worse, will it scar their kids, their grandkids, and a hundred generations beyond? I admire people who are strong enough to not repeat the behavior of generations before them.

Cranky or Kind?

My great-grandfather William Berry was, I’m told by my dad, the kindest person he had ever known. His wife, my great-grandmother, was, I’m told, the meanest. My great-grandfather’s approach, his example, his words lived on through my dad, and hopefully through me. In that case either the kind grandpa’s or the mean grandma’s example could have lived on. Kindness won. And though I barely knew my great-grandmother, her mean spirit came from somewhere … probably her parents.

How will your words and example live on for generations?

Sometimes we forget that the formative years before age 5 typically set the tone for a life, and how the little parental training we have tends to come from the example of our parents. I think this is the magic of a two-parent system, when that is possible, and the magic of the influence of grandparents. Children raised by two parents get a second chance, and possibly a balanced approach. Grandparents provide even more options for balance.

Being Deliberate

When I read these words in the Bible (“though he died, he still speaks”), it reminded me of the importance of being deliberate about what messages we want to have sink in, and hopefully pass on for generations.

Repeat After Me

When I teach marketing to artists, I talk about the importance of repetition. I noticed that when something was really important to my mom or dad, or one of my business or art mentors, they made sure to repeat those things time and time again.

Most of us, myself included, are probably not organized enough to be deliberate and write down a lesson plan for those we want to teach. But what if we did?

What would be the three or five messages that are so important that you would want them to live on for generations?

Like it or not, some of your words and actions are still speaking and will speak for generations.

This is a great reminder that you have a choice in determining what lives on.

Perhaps there are family traditions that need to be broken so they are not passed on. Perhaps there are replacements for those traditions that do need to live on.

Will the good words, the good deeds — or the bad ones — live on?

Will you impart lessons that will be passed on for generations?

You get to decide.

Eric Rhoads

PS: This week I received a note from a woman who lives alone and said that she had just come out of the lockdown she’s been in since March of 2020. She has been stuck in her small one-window apartment for almost two years, having left just one time. It made me very sad. This has been such a trying time for so many.

The silver lining in this is that she shared that she would have had a much harder time if it had not been for the daily Art School Live broadcasts we’ve been doing at noon on Facebook since the pandemic began. She said they helped her to feel connected in the chat with others, and gave her something to look forward to each day to help her survive. She also mentioned that she had never done any art, but we taught her how, and she was able to order supplies, paint along, and also study some of the training videos we’ve created.

Her note reinforced the importance of each of us stepping up to help others in our own way. When I launched the daily show, which was intended for the two weeks they initially told us we would be locked down, I never anticipated how much work it would be for me and others. Yet the rewards have been high, and I’d not change a thing. We each have gifts, and now more than ever, we need to share those gifts to help others.

I’ve decided to bake cookies and distribute them to a few neighbors we have not met, just to let them know there is a neighbor who is thinking about them. Though it’s more common during the holidays, it’s a reminder to me that we never know who needs us, who will be encouraged by a small, simple gesture.

Shopping…

Like all years, I’ve told myself my goal is to NOT set foot in a shopping mall, which is my least favorite place to be. I’m behind on my shopping, but I’m determined to get it all done this week and not be out on Christmas Eve desperately searching for something at the last minute. We’ve put together a page of art-related gifts here.

The Season

Many of us will face a season alone because of quarantines or because family still can’t get together. Please know we’re thinking of you. And if you’re lucky enough to have the family together this year, put your phones down and absorb the beauty of family.

Streamline

Years ago I named my company Streamline because I was a big rail fan and loved Streamline trains and streamlined design. It was also a metaphor for being more efficient, which has been my goal. I’m always asking, “How can I accomplish big things that for others require hundreds of people with a small, efficient, and effective team?” We do it every week, and I want to acknowledge the entire Streamline team (which is growing!). By the way, we have some openings for art editors (part or full time), and we’re looking for someone to lead and work with artists and customers for our art instruction business. We also need some more digital layout people and some social media specialists and producers. Reach out if you know anyone.

Speaking of Streamline, here’s what’s going on this week…

• For the art lovers in your life, PleinAir Magazine and Fine Art Connoisseur are each about $40 a year. It’s a gift that reminds people of you every time it arrives.
• Last week we released a pretty impressive video course from the great Kevin Macpherson. It’s about his Magic Grid system, which he developed because of vision problems, and it has reinvented how people paint. Check it out.
• Camille Przewodek’s new colorist course is breaking records in sales for the year. It’s a hot seller and one everyone wants to see.
• Months ago I started hearing a lot of buzz about an artist everyone loved. As I started digging into his work, it was easy to understand why. People started asking me to shoot a video, which is a major commitment financially, but we took a chance, and we’re glad we did. Kyle Buckland has his own unique approach, and just one of the tips in his video completely changed something I do now in all of my paintings, and that resulted in a big improvement in how they look. You might find his new video helpful.
• One of the reasons my company launched virtual online conferences is because we were not able to hold our in-person events like the Plein Air Convention. We’ve been in survival mode ever since. Well, hopefully that will change. The Plein Air Convention is planned for May, is already 50% sold out, and after the first notice about it went out this week, we sold a lot more seats than we anticipated. People are ready for the plein air family to gather again, and lots more people are joining the family and want to go. My guess is that it will be a giant sellout fast. (Being in Santa Fe does not hurt.) And keep in mind, we were almost sold out each of the two times we had to cancel.The reason to book now is that you want to be sure you can get in. If you wait, you might not be able to. And, to make you more secure, there is a 100% refund in the event we have to cancel or you don’t feel safe. Also, we have a pre-convention workshop with Kevin Macpherson that will sell out even faster.
• Be sure to watch my Art School Live show this week at noon Eastern by following Eric Rhoads, Publisher, on Facebook. And please follow me @ericrhoads on Instagram. I’ll be on several days next week, but then I may take a break for the holidays.
• Our online conference Watercolor Live is on fire. I’m blown away by the huge number of people already signed up. It’s a great way to learn watercolor from the top people in the world (and we have a Beginner’s Day). It’s going to make a great Christmas gift for the budding artist in your life.
• We are anticipating that my Russia painting and museum trip will happen next September. We’re making some changes and new dates soon, but go to the website and sign up to be notified. We were sold out and will be again, but we’re trying to find a way to take a few more people, so get on that waiting list. Another great gift.

It’s the perfect day. Not hot, not cool. A slight breeze, just enough to make the leaves sway. Fall color of deep burnt orange, with some slight green and red edges, has filled the big tree across the road. It’s something I paint annually. I’m hopeful I’ll get around to it before the leaves carpet the ground below.

I can remember one late fall, right about this time, my dad brought us the greatest Christmas gift of all … a baby mountain lion. This occasion marked a change in my father’s life, after hunting every fall or winter.

Boom

He had been in Cody, Wyoming, where he shot a mountain lion up in a tree. Instead of celebrating, as hunters often do, tears welled up in his eyes as he discovered he had killed the mother of a cub. He could not leave the cub there to die, so he brought it home and we raised it in our garage. That was the moment he swore off hunting for good.

Zookeeper

Our lion had two names. We started with Lionel, like the trains, but later we named him Blinkie. He had the most beautiful eyes and long lashes. He became our family pet. We would play with him, like you would any pet. But he kept getting bigger and bigger, and finally, we had to give him up to the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. We would visit him at the zoo almost weekly for a while, and he recognized us, though we could no longer go in the cage with him because he had grown so large.

The Giant Among Us

Within a year or two he grew even larger, too large for a children’s zoo, where they want “teen” animals. So Blinkie was transferred to the small zoo in Bluffton, Indiana. The first thing I did when I got my driver’s licence was drive to the zoo to see him. The last time I saw him he was probably 12 feet long, head to tail. He was massive, and, sadly, he would pace back and forth inside his cage. When I visited, even as a teen he had not seen for a few years, I felt as though he recognized me. I thought he should be released back to the wild, but was told he would not survive because he had been domesticated.

I’m told mountain lions live about 21 years in captivity, but sadly, I don’t know the rest of the story and have been unable to learn anything about what happened to Blinkie.

Lessons Learned

What I did learn is that there are certain moments in our lives that have such profound impact on us that we often make radical change overnight. For my dad, it was the end of his hunting.

As I filter through my lifetime of memories, there are moments of instant change based on my own stupid decisions. I got fired once for putting my fist through a wall at the radio station because I had been drinking and was out of control. I had to make instant change. And I’ve lost friendships and relationships because I did not think before speaking or I lost my temper. In fact, as a child I had a horrible temper, which I cured when I destroyed a favorite toy in anger, and my parents refused to replace it.

What about you?Are there moments you regret that changed you instantly?

A Mark of Maturity

I think one of the differences between immature and mature people is the ability for self-correction. If I had retained all the bad habits from my earlier years, I’m not sure I would have survived. Sadly, many do not, or their lives continually repeat mistakes where lessons were not learned.

Be Still

Still, I have to stop myself, immerse myself in silence, and ask myself what lessons I still need to learn, and in what ways I can improve by changing my behavior. Yes, I still make stupid, impulsive mistakes that damage relationships or my own circumstances.

As we enter the season of giving, give yourself the gift of quiet time to evaluate how it’s going, what needs to change or improve.

Where are you still causing harm to yourself or others?

What are others telling you that you’re not hearing?

What would happen if you gave up certain behaviors?

Then ask yourself why you haven’t changed.
Maybe the pain isn’t painful enough. Maybe your pride is in the way.

I may get more wisdom with time, but I still cling to too many bad habits, still can improve the way I interact with my family and others, and still can fine-tune my machine.

Where do you need to fine-tune?

The highway of life is better when you’re cruising at 75 mph with all cylinders in perfect harmony. If you’re not, change the plugs and blow the carbon out of your life. You’ll never regret it.

Eric Rhoads

Back in the fall I held a goal-setting meeting with my team, where we planned our 2022 for the business based on my personal goals. It’s never too late to consider your 2022 plans too, and if you can also get to it before the start of the year, you’ll make your year better by getting started earlier. More on that another time.

Speaking of my team, we always seem to go a million miles per hour, flirting with new ideas and new projects to make life better for our friends and customers. Here are a few things going on this week.

• The December PleinAir Salon $33,000 Art Competition is underway. Tuesday is the last day to enter for the Early Bird discount of 25% off your entry. This is a great way to allow yourself to enter even more paintings. The annual Grand Prize winner can win $15,000 cash and the cover of PleinAir Magazine. Check out the details here.
• We are releasing a new video from the amazing master artist Kevin Macpherson this week, so keep an eye on your e-mail for that announcement. This is monumental!! If you want a sneak peek, go here.
• Oh, and we just released a killer new video from Kyle Buckland, on Courageous Color, which you can find here.
• For the art lovers in your life, PleinAir Magazine and Fine Art Connoisseur are each about $40 a year, and a gift that reminds people of you every time it arrives.
• We just released our Wishbook of hundreds of art instruction videos for all levels of artists. You can get it here free or visit our store at www.streamlineartvideo.com.
• And Camille Prezwodek, the colorist and my teacher, is rapidly becoming one of the biggest video sellers of the year. Check it out here.
• I should mention that the Plein Air Convention will sell out fast (it’s already 50% sold) for next May in Santa Fe. We are expecting more new people than ever, including lots attending the Basics Course. But we have to limit attendance, so I recommend not waiting. You can cancel any time without penalty. I know I’d love it as a gift. You can learn more here.
• Be sure to watch my Art School Live show this week at noon Eastern by following Eric Rhoads, Publisher, on Facebook. And please follow me @ericrhoads on Instagram. I’ll be on several days next week, but then may take a break for the holidays.
• Our online conference Watercolor Live is on fire. I’m blown away by the huge number of people already signed up. It’s a great way to learn watercolor from the top people in the world (and we have a Beginner’s Day). It’s going to make a great Christmas gift for the budding artist in your life.
• We are anticipating that my Russia painting and museum trip will happen next September. We’re making some changes and new dates soon, but go to the website and sign up to be notified. We were sold out and will be again, but we’re trying to find a way to take a few more people, so get on that waiting list. Another great gift.

Awakening on a holiday is a special feeling, with the anticipation of seeing family and friends. The smell of baked goods is in the air from last night, and soon the smell of turkey, gravy, and all of our favorite dishes will permeate the air.

What permeates the air matters. What is in the air at your Thanksgiving gathering? Will it be harmony or strife? Joy or anger?

During the Civil War, families were divided by their beliefs in what was or was not right. Brothers fought brothers. Some families lost all of their sons to the war.

Tough Holidays

Though I have fond memories, Thanksgiving in our house was occasionally unpleasant. Someone would speak up and criticize the ideals of others, and the joy-filled gathering we’d all looked forward to would be turned into a day we could not wait to be over.

Because we were together, sometimes after not seeing one another for months, it became the time for people to express their passionate ideals and to be critical of others with whom they disagreed. Rarely did it end well. Someone would throw a fit, walk out early, or act out in anger.

Blowing My Cool

How did that affect me? I became one who avoids conflict. When I hear anyone yelling for any reason, I can feel my blood pressure rising. I either have to escape the room or ask everyone to stop before it pulls me in and I blow my top, screaming out, “Please stop yelling!”

If you think about the purpose of Thanksgiving today, it is to gather your loved ones, to spend time together and be grateful for one another. Especially since many of us have been unable to see family in person for so long. If everyone comes in with being grateful for one another in mind, it can help. Arguing is unlikely to change anyone’s mind anyway.

Why ruin Thanksgiving?

No Drama

When I hold my in-person or virtual events, I lay out the rules in advance. Why? Because I hate drama. My rule is simply “no drama,” and I’m very clear that if drama occurs, I’ll ask you to leave. It’s only happened one time in 11 years, when a guest was obsessively negative with everyone, complaining about everything unreasonably. So I took this guest aside and asked her to leave, offering a full refund. It got her attention, and she behaved the rest of the time.

You’re Wrong!

We live in a polarized world. We’re going to disagree. Sadly, we’ve all become so convinced that we’re right that we’re unable to carry on civilized conversations and listen to others’ perspectives. We used to be able to disagree and remain friends, but these days, that is often not the case.

I hereby declare this NO DRAMA THANKSGIVING. Simple rules: No drama. No politics. No vaccination debates. And nothing that’s going to destroy the purpose of being together.

If you have to post the rules on the door, so be it.

Of course, do what you wish. But think about this.

What if this is the last time you see your family? Do you want to spend it arguing?

Turn the Other Cheek

There are times when I feel like going to battle, but I bite my tongue. Quite simply, I don’t need to win and I’m unwilling to rock friendships because we are not in sync in some areas. Instead, I seek to find common ground we both love.

Life is too short (proven recently for far too many).

Embrace your differences. Heal your wounds.

Forgive others.

Have a loving and peaceful Thanksgiving.

Eric Rhoads

PS: In case this newsletter is reaching you for the first time, I write a weekly message on Sunday mornings (and sometimes on holidays). You can subscribe here for free. For those who read regularly, thank you. I truly am grateful. There is nothing as satisfying as meeting you and hearing that you read Sunday Coffee every week. 🙂

In the Rhoads family, we’re keeping it small this year. Just my wife and the kids. We’ve missed them since they’ve been away at college, so this is an important time to just enjoy their presence. But there will be a big sign over the table saying, “Save the drama for the theater.”

Here is what’s going on at Streamline this week.

• We are going to have some awesome Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals, so be sure to check out Streamline.Art over the next few days.
• Don’t forget that the deadline to enter your art into the PleinAir Salon for a chance at $15,000 and the cover of PleinAir Magazine is coming up on the 30th.
• We’ll be releasing a new video from Kevin Macpherson soon, so keep an eye on your e-mail for that announcement. This is monumental!! You can find it here. We offered it at Realism Live last week, and lots of people were thrilled to get it.
• Oh, and we just released a killer new video from Kyle Buckland, which you can find here.
• And Camille Prezwodek, the colorist and my teacher, is rapidly becoming one of the biggest video  sellers of the year.
• I should mention that the Plein Air Convention will sell out fast (it’s already 50% sold) for next May in Santa Fe. And because of my daily broadcast, we will see more new people than ever, including lots attending the Basics Course. But we have to limit attendance, so I recommend not waiting. You can cancel any time without penalty. I know I’d love it as a Christmas or Hanukkah gift.
• Be sure to watch my Art School Live show this week at noon Eastern by following Eric Rhoads, Publisher on Facebook.  And please follow me @ericrhoads on Instagram.

I feel so blessed to stare out my window this morning and see the brilliance of color splashed on the trees in the back of the property, the distant gray-blue hills, and the twinkle of light kissing the slightly moving leaves. Sleepily I shuffle across the porch, hot coffee in hand, shoeless, and my ears are treated to the sounds of Sunday morning as I open the door. A distant lawnmower from a neighbor, the faraway harmony of a train horn, and the sounds of notes coming from tiny beaks.

But how do tiny beaks become big birds? How do we as mere mortals become mega-mortals, or giants? How does one become the top in one’s field? How do people become wealthy or highly accomplished?

There is no easy answer, but I can share some clues.

1. It starts with work ethic. No one I’ve ever met that at the top had it easy. Outworking everyone else is the starting point. You have to be willing to do everything, and work harder than anyone you know, and have the ability to sustain a high level of work for decades, even after your success begins.
2. Next on the list is passion, desire, and commitment. I never have believed that money is a driver for most people. Money is a byproduct. But if you are passionate and committed to something, you’ll work to make it happen and won’t get discouraged when things get difficult.
3. The biggest challenge in success is mindset. Your mindset controls everything — which can be positive or negative. Most of us have deep limitations in our beliefs about our ability or ideas. A good rule of thumb … if the idea seems impossible and scares you, that’s the idea you should pursue. If it does not seem impossible, it’s not big enough.
4. Next, embrace and overcome your fear, giving yourself the courage to go forward. You need to adopt the attitude that you’re going forward no matter how difficult.
5. Of course with work ethic, passion, commitment, mindset, and overcoming fear, you still have the problem of not knowing HOW to do it. You cannot succeed without capability. But where do you get it? I believe when the other things are aligned, you will do what it takes to learn what you need. We tend to rise to the occasion each time we need more capability.
6. The final step is confidence, which comes with the accomplishments you make. Confidence drives you to embrace fear, and keep stepping out to get beyond the next limitation.

I might go so far as to say that sometimes a little luck or a little timing comes into play, but most people make their luck and are ready to jump on opportunity because of their mindset, their willingness to overcome fear, and their courage.

The other thing is that, though it’s lonely at the top (true), we all need other people to help us succeed. It’s important to pick people who believe in your passion, people you can trust. And be sure to share your goals with others (though they may not dream as big as you).

Limitations do exist, but fewer than we think. And if you have courage, you look at roadblocks and ask yourself how to get over, under, or around them. Most limitations are fear-driven and self-imposed. Overcoming these kinds of limitations is the best predictor of success. In reality, in most cases you’re not too young, too old, too underprivileged, too sick, too poor. Motivation comes from desire to solve a problem like poverty or bad circumstances.

And if you think being privileged offers an advantage, it sometimes does, and sometimes does not. I know wealthy people who gave their kids opportunity, but the kids did nothing with it. Wealth isn’t a predictor. Passion is.

If you allow yourself to have big dreams, you can make them happen. I deeply believe this. My belief isn’t based on theory but from seeing it in action. You truly can dream the impossible dream.

Eric Rhoads

PS: Necessity is the mother of invention. Sometimes our plans don’t work out. When COVID hit, it slammed my business and we were on the edge of not surviving. But we had to face it head on, and do it fast, and that meant facing fear head on. It also meant reinvention. The good news is that so far, by doing online events, we’ve been able to get through it. Just this past week, ending last night, we wrapped up our four-day Realism Live event. Our next one, in January, will be Watercolor Live.

I’d like to thank the hundreds of people worldwide who joined us to learn, grow, and be part of the community of artists. I’m honored by your presence.

PPS: If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram  (please do) stay tuned for a new art challenge in honor of Thanksgiving. I’ll be announcing it soon!

Here is what’s going on at Streamline this week.

• The deadline to sign up for our next virtual online conference, Watercolor Live, and save up to $600 off your ticket is TOMORROW, November 15.
• Tuesday, November 16 is your last chance to get the new Kyle Buckland video, Courageous Color, at a pre-release discount! Don’t miss out before the price goes up.
• I’m always signing artists who are hot. In fact, we don’t sign anyone unless they are the best of the best, or if they are a hot up-and-comer. We’ll be releasing a new video from Kevin Macpherson soon, so keep an eye on your e-mail for that announcement.
• We’re all ready to be out and about freely, with our family of artists. If that’s you, I should mention that the Plein Air Convention will sell out fast (it’s already 50% sold) for next May in Santa Fe. And because of my daily broadcast, we will see more new people. But we have to limit it to 1,200 people, so I recommend not waiting. You can cancel any time without penalty.
• Be sure to watch my Art School Live show this week at noon Eastern by following Eric Rhoads, Publisher on Facebook

In the distance, as I sit on this old porch, I can hear the hum of a train whistle, a million miles away. It is barely audible, yet there is something so soothing about that sound. Somehow it brings me back to a better time, a time when I was a kid, and we would actually take locomotives to Chicago.

In fact, trains became a part of my life in many ways. We always had a train set around the Christmas tree (still do), and my best friend was a “railfan” who had his entire basement filled with a giant train town, with multiple tracks. We would put our puffy striped train hats on and play with his trains for hours. Once we had our driver’s licenses, we would drive to intersections at certain times to watch trains pass, and we would walk tracks just to be closer to the train world.

Clackity-Clack

One day, my friend Charlie called and said, “Let’s go, we’re going up to the train in Angola,” which was about an hour north of us. He had been part of a team that found an old train in Tennessee and managed to ship it to Indiana, restore it, and give rides. People would come from all over to ride the Little River Railroad. On this particular day, we had a mission. Being a self-taught musician, Charlie had determined that at a certain speed, each crosstie holding the track equaled a beat. So he calculated when the train would reach a certain speed, and at what spot. We then went to that spot and placed gun caps on the rails for about half a mile.

With a recorder down near the rails, we boarded the train, and when it reached that spot, the caps played a special beat loudly. The recordings were later used as a soundtrack on a song he had written. Charlie was a genius.

Another day we learned that the famous Norfolk and Western 611 had been restored and was coming through our area, so we greeted it among hundreds of other railfans, and then rode it, windows down and with soot in our eyes.

A Name with Meaning

When I founded my company, I needed a name. I loved trains, loved design, and at the time was an art deco collector. The Streamliner, a sleek, shiny silver art deco train, had been designed by the great designer Raymond Loewy. So I named the company Streamline, because it represented what I wanted the company to be … streamlined and efficient, yet focused on beautiful design. Ever since then I’ve tried to live by those standards, to do things efficiently and to find ways to stand out with beautiful design in my magazines and products.

Losing Someone Important

Charlie was my best friend. We hung out for countless hours, never running out of things to talk about. We both loved radio (he actually got me my first radio job and trained me). We loved music and audio and well-done advertising. Of course, we loved trains. Though I was never the rabid nerd he was, I liked them because I liked being with him.

Sadly, Charlie died young, and I’ve had to spend the last couple of decades without him. To this day, I find myself thinking of Charlie when I see something he would have loved.

Obscure Obsessions

When I think about my friendship, which began when we were about 15 or 16, I realize that what I loved about him was that he was not obsessed with the things others obsessed about. He did not care about money, ever. He was an incredible writer and musician, writing hundreds of songs, yet he never cared about being famous. He would entertain with friends at various local venues, but he never took a shot at recognition outside of our small town. My buddy John and I were talking about him recently and realized he would have been internationally famous if he had just taken his shot. But that was not important to him, which is why we all loved him. He was driven by his art and never allowed other standards to influence who he became.

Living His Own Terms

This week, I lost another good friend, Ralph, who was my dad’s age. Ralph was very similar to Charlie, walking to his own beat, loving his art. The big difference is that Ralph took his shot and became a wealthy man. And though he ended up with the big mansions, he was never one to lord it over people about his wealth. To him, it was simply a tool to do more. Still, he did what he wanted, on his own terms, and was not trying to be what others wanted him to be.

I look at these two mentors and realize they helped shape who I am. Though they both put their families first, they both pursued what they loved with passion. They never cared what others thought. They did not follow the path we all think we’re supposed to follow.

It’s so easy to lose sight of who we really are because the world is always telling us what we should be. We’re all too often seduced by shiny objects.

What if you and I were truly ourselves at all times?

How would we change the way we live?

In the early days, I spent a lot of time trying to turn my friend Charlie into what I wanted for him. I could see his talent, so I wanted him to take a shot, because that’s what I would have done. Yet he was strong, he resisted, because it was not what was important to him.

The Richest Man I Knew

As our friendship grew, I realized that in his life of poverty, he was one of the richest people I knew. And it took me a lot of years to understand that wealth isn’t about objects, it’s about the jewels we acquire from our families, our deep friendships, and doing what we love.

What are the jewels in your life?

Who are the jewels that you would miss if they were lost?

What do you want to be doing that you’re passionate about, but are not doing?

What are the things you are doing that you don’t want to be doing?

Finding Your Jewels

I have a lot of regrets because when living in different cities, I did not spend enough time with my jewel of a friend. I got busy with my career and failed to get on the phone with him enough or visit enough. Then, suddenly, he was gone. Thankfully, I visited him before he died, took him to chemo treatments, but what I found amazing is that each day, he was having fun, laughing, and doing the things he loved. He did not change a thing, because he was already living well, and continued doing so.

Too many others have a wakeup call and suddenly, when they learn their time is up, start trying to catch up and do what they love.Do it now.

Don’t wait another moment.

Don’t burn time on meaningless things.

This week alone I lost two good friends, each I’d not spoken to or visited, yet wish I had. And in today’s uncertain world, you, me, or the jewels in our lives could be gone instantly.

This fall, at my Fall Color Week artist retreat, I realized how important each of these people had become to me, and I made a point to spend more time enjoying their company, knowing that the uncertainty of the world might mean it would be our last time together. The result was that my experience was richer and deeper.

Who do you need to see or talk to more?

What do you need to do that will bring you more joy than anything else?

What’s getting in your way?

Obsess about things that matter.

Eric Rhoads

P.S. I fell back. Did you? Don’t forget to change your clocks.

On Wednesday, I hold the 1 Day Atelier, my Beginner’s Day for Realism Live, my virtual art conference. Hundreds are attending. It is a great way to learn how to draw or paint, and learn lots of different subjects. If you’ve always felt you had some hidden talent and don’t know how to tap it, or if you feel you have no talent but wish you had some, come with me and I’ll make sure you learn the important first steps to becoming an artist. I even guarantee it. And then, if you want, attend the other three days. You’ll find it all here.

Here is what’s going on at Streamline this week.

• This Monday, November 8, is the last day to get the pre-release price on the new Camille Przewodek video, A Colorist’s Guide to Painting. As you know, I studied with Camille, and she changed my life when it came to understanding color.
• Wednesday, November 10 is the last day to vote for your favorite painting for the PleinAir Salon’s October People’s Choice Award. You can vote for your favorites HERE.
• Speaking of Realism Live, there’s $444 in bonus gifts if you get signed up by TONIGHT. Oh, and I do an “If You Don’t Love the First Day, You Don’t Pay” Guarantee. The lineup is amazing, including Quang Ho, Jacob Collins, Mary Whyte, Graydon Parrish, and dozens of others. The event starts on Wednesday with Beginner’s Day and then the main event on Thursday.
• The deadline to sign up for our next virtual online conference, Watercolor Live, and save up to $600 off your ticket is November 15.
• I’m always signing artists who are hot. In fact, we don’t sign anyone unless they are the best of the best, or if they are a hot up-and-comer. We’ll be releasing a new video from Kyle Buckland soon, so keep an eye on your e-mail for that announcement.
• We’re all ready to be out and about freely, with our family of artists. If that’s you, I should mention that the Plein Air Convention will sell out fast (it’s already 50% sold) for next May in Santa Fe. And because of my daily broadcast, we will see more new people. But we have to limit it to 1,200 people, so I recommend not waiting. You can cancel any time without penalty, but if you don’t have a seat, you’ll miss out on our 10-year anniversary of the event, and by now, you know we do special things on special events.
• Be sure to watch my Art School Live show this week at noon Eastern by following Eric Rhoads, Publisher on Facebook. Guests include _____ (if we don’t have any, eliminate the guests part) .
• Please follow me on Instagram @ericrhoads