I requested this book from booksneeze.com but it did not come. I saw the ebook was on sale so I bought it because I really like Jeremy Cowart’s work. I even briefly worked with him years ago when he was part of a company called pixelgrazer and we had a mutual client. My review of the ebook and of the real book are a bit separate.

The ebook seemed a bit weak I did not like the layout of it the pictures were small and with Jeremy being a photographer I excepted big images that jumped off the screen. I read through it quickly since most of the text is from the book of Mark.

The real book finally came from the publisher and I was more pleased with the book. It flowed better than the ebook and the images were full page.

All in all it is a quick read but good. 16 inspirational stories helping you question what you are doing to impact the good in this world. I would recommend the book but only in real book form and not the ebook. Buy it on amazon.com (not affiliate link)

Book Description

Who was Jesus? What was his story? What mark did he leave? What’s your story? What will be your mark? Join celebrity photographer and social artist Jeremy Cowart as he presents 16 compelling stories of people who are making their mark today. Their stories are just a sampling of the stories that all followers of Jesus can tell – stories from those in all walks of life whose inspiration is rooted in the truths found in the Gospel of Mark. And you’ll be inspired to make your mark—whether through your occupation, your talents or your selfless love and giving to others. Your mark may be teaching children at a school or at home, helping the homeless, or providing food to the hungry. Your mark might be an accidental mark, a reluctant mark, or an intentional mark. Whatever your mark, you’ll be inspired by the stories inside this new book, What’s Your Mark? Become a mark-maker today, and make every moment of your life count.

I got this from booksneeze.com.

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My Office Before

Before my change I had an external monitor attached to my iMac and cables all over the top of my desk. Today I decided to downgrade and just use my iMac – no external monitor. I want to be focused on what I am doing. I am going to make an effort to only run 1-2 apps at a time and not have open all my social media. Making an effort to be present in what I am doing is my goal for 2013.

My Office Now

The changes may be subtle to most but in my mind the changes are huge. I opened up room to have my watercolor pencils and sketchbook so it is easy to sketch any idea when the mood strikes. There is breathing room.

My Sweet Little Office

Now my sweet little office complete with my reading/thinking chair and all the animals room is a new place to create, dream and focus on one thing at a time.

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When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.

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Believe in your journey. Work to make sure each day gets your closer to your destination. Somedays will be easy and others you will have to fight but know the days you fight you get stronger. Stay on your path and believe.

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If you want to know where your heart is, look where your mind goes when it wanders.

I read this quote today and it stopped me in my tracks. Where does my heart go when it wanders? I started thinking of all the times I find myself drifting off. A pattern emerged. When I  dream I dream of travel and seeing the world. I dream of taking pictures at  a London market, seeing Egypt, scuba diving in the Caymans, I dream of travel. In all these dreams and wonderings I am always out taking photos and traveling. As I sit today I think about this and wonder when my next adventure will come and I know it is not soon enough for my wandering soul but it gives me hope that one day this dream will come true.

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I could not let this Christmas season escape without doing a few bokeh shots. Shot on my Nikon D7000 with my 50mm 1.8. I added some texture and color since my tree has all white lights. I was listening to Mary Chapin Carpenter’s Christmas album while editing and this song just spoke to me ‘Come Darkness, Come Light’. In a season of light remember it is the darkness that makes the lights shine so bright.

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“Everything is raw material. Everything is relevant. Everything is usable. Everything feeds into my creativity. But without proper preparation, I cannot see it, retain it, and use it.” - Twyla Tharp

What does it take to step out in faith and do what scares us? For me, I feel like I live in fear. I want to be safe and I want to know there is something to catch me, but that is not faith. Living in certainty is the opposite of what we are called to do as Christian, as creators. Everything in our lives are just raw materials waiting to be created into something.

Painting, scrapbooking, photography, drawing, exercise, eating healthy, jogging….what have you started and never followed through because it got hard? If you are feeling resistance then push through. I am currently pushing myself to better health and with each step I take – I get stronger both physically and emotionally. I am pushing myself to do something I do not want to do and seeing the benefits of that. I am taking raw material (me) and molding it, using it and preparing it for more. But am I willing to take the same step with my art?

Push back….the resistance will become stronger. We have to be willing to push through everything to reach our goals. Pushing back is not something that comes easy and not something we can do by ourselves. With training I have the support of others in the group and my trainer. Maybe its time to see a creative trainer that can help encourage us when we need it and yell at us when we need it.

Steps – it is all about the steps we keep taking. Keep pushing through. Fight for what we want. It is how we grow.

What steps do you need to take to step out into creativity?

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