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Happy National Piano Day!

My mom’s piano sits proudly in my livingroom
Today is National Piano day! I am celebrating for multiple reasons! (It’s the 88th day and there are 88 keys on the piano FYI) A little over two years ago I moved my studio/gallery from the Hungerford building to the Piano Works Mall in East Rochester. My time at Piano works has been a time of great growth and exploration!
 
ALSO, I actually own my mother’s piano. This was a love story between my parents. Dad surprised her one Christmas with “renting” the piano for a few months. She was a very well trained pianist who had long since lost any opportunity to play the piano. The piano was a surprise that certainly inspired much happiness in my mother’s life. I believe it was one of the most unselfish gifts he could have ever given to her. When it was time to return the piano, my father informed my mother that it was not going back. (They were not exactly swimming in money at the time so this was a big deal) My father saw the joy in my mother and wanted her to have it forever. Now I am learning (struggling) to play her piano. (I took guitar lessons, not the same, I assure you!) But it is because of their story I am so happy to celebrate today!
The piano is full of meaning for me. It is a symbol of love, it is a symbol of hope. It has a beautiful sound and inspires joy. The building where I work (where my mother’s piano was made by the way) has rich history and you can see some really fun pianos in the main lobby area – so take a moment, maybe 88 seconds? and celebrate this wonderful instrument. Celebrate because we can.
Sending you so much love! #Piano #Nationalpianoday #Daddywasonebigheart #loveyoumom

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Best Decision

Next in the #MarchMeetTheMaker challenge is to share the best decision I ever made.

Well goodness! I can think of several! Create Art 4 Good is not my first business. It is, however, the business I have taken most seriously. The first thing I did was to write a business plan, set goals, and do everything I could to attain those goals.

My first big goal was to have a brick-and-mortar in five years of beginning my business. I had it in TWO! I would say, the business plan AND taking the leap to have a gallery space were two of the best business decisions I have ever made! #grateful #CreateArt4Good #greetings4good #artistlife

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A few of my favorite things!

I LOVE daisies, sharp Derwent Art colored pencils, microns with 005 tips, walking in the rain, water in general (lake, ocean, whatever!), tea, @goldenpaints, soup (it is the perfect food), mixed media art, fancy glasses (even if I am drinking lemonade out of them), cooking for people, and all things family.

What are your favorite things?

#marchmeetthemaker #favoritethings #sharethelove

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Brand Values

In the #MeettheMakerChallenge- next up is Brand Values. When forming Create Art 4 Good, I worked really hard at defining what this was all meant to be. For me going into business was an opportunity. It was an opportunity to not only create art, and support the art of others, but it was also a way to be aware of the world around me and use my talents for good. I give a portion of every single sale to a local charity. It doesn’t matter if it is a greeting card from my card business – Greetings 4 Good, or a large painting, each piece I have created is used to pay it forward. 

Toward that end, I created “the thoughtfulness project”. It is a project that seeks to pay it forward, give back, and create joy. It is a project that can be as simple as paying for someone’s coffee, dropping off hundreds of cards to a nursing home, or sending something to a stranger in need. Last year (2021) I sent literally thousands of cards, through the mail, dropped off, or otherwise. Most were sent to 97% strangers. The whole idea is to SHARE THE LOVE!

The best of what we are can be joyfully shared with others to support and celebrate! Life can be hard, but we as humans who care can make a difference. That is just what I seek to do. 

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Meet the Maker- Susan Carmen-Duffy

Meet the Maker- Hello, new friends and old. I am Susan Carmen-Duffy. I wear many hats in the almost twelve-year-old business known as Create Art 4 Good. While I am a “one-woman business”, I have so much love and support. So, if I am shipping art or cards, designing a new card, painting a new painting, Create Art 4 Good is my heart business. It is a way for me to pay it forward, put new art into the world, and live my big dreams. I am grateful! My studio is at the Piano Works Mall in East Rochester, New York. My art is colorful, whimsical, and full of love! I look forward to sharing more of the journey with you! #marchmeethemaker #CreateArt4Good #greetings4good #meetthemaker2022challenge