In May, I auditioned for the Peoria Chiefs to sing the National Anthem at a ball game. My timing was off, as the majority of dates had been filled in April. So I was told to come back next season. That same day, with disappointment still stinging, I was asked to sing and perform at the county's Relay for Life in June. That event turned out to be a great success with a spot offered for next year's. http://logancountyherald.com/454/33430/a/relay-for-life-caregiver-walk http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2013/Jun/17/News/picturepage061713_RFL08.shtml
July had me collecting art to enter in the County Fair. I had promised Brian I would enter and focus more on my paintings. Though I entered 5 pieces, I was only very hopeful for 2 of them to place well. The judges however, must have felt differently because I did not ribbon as high as I would have liked at all! Not a single first place in anything. What I thought was my best only received a 3rd. I still smiled and accepted the congratulations from friends, but was feeling quite the untalented failure as I carried my paintings home.
I didn't have time to wallow in self-pity for long because the next day I was offered a new opportunity. The little local art institute was planning a gallery showing of all the Blue-Ribbon winners from the fair. The curator explained that several 1st place winners would be unable, or unwilling to display for the month of August. He decided to fill the walls with the art that had garnered the most positive feedback from the viewing public at the fair. So my 3rd place painting is now being shown with other 1st's downtown. Front page of our local online paper had a photo of the Little Fair Princess standing with my Roses as her favorite of all. http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2013/Aug/09/
After the gallery open house and that newspaper picture, the curator called again. He asked if I had time to help decorate downtown. The city's huge Balloonfest and Art fair is at the end of the month. An older building had a fire several weeks ago and is currently surrounded by chainlink fencing. The Art Association wanted to find a way to beautify the ugly fence during the busiest weekend of the year. Thousands of locals and out-of-towners walk around downtown during the fest. Some business owners donated paint and giant canvases to be painted and hung on the burnt building's fence. So I had the chance to paint two huge panels to display during the Art Fair. That was FUN!
August also held the auditions for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". This community theater production had been announced last October, a year out from performance. So for nine months I've been excited and preparing! The night of auditions went well, I was asked to sing portions of three different songs. I left feeling very encouraged! But we had a week to wait for the cast list announcement.... Happily I was chosen for Narrator #1!!! (yes, I know she doesn't have a real name, but it's a fabulous part!)
In the middle of auditions, painting, and waiting, I had two other stand-out opportunities. A professional photographer friend needed a camera guinea pig. He wanted to try a new lighting technique for video and stills. So I got myself all dressed up and we spent some time in the studio taking headshots, full-lengths, and video footage. The pictures turned out amazing as expected with his talent, and he published them to his website. http://gowinphotography.com/blog/2013/7/29/two-sides-of-sheralyn-lincoln-illinois-portrait-photographer The video is still in production.
The second stand out focus was that a fellow from the other local paper interviewed me for a "Meet Your Neighbor" segment. The questions were simple enough and I was able to express myself fairly well. So several people have stopped me just to say "Hi!" (no link from this paper)
Now today, I have messages from our homeschool group with moms asking me to lead a drama club, an art class, and a physical fitness program....
I'm feeling very visible right now in our small community. --small pond. I had been praying for more opportunities to use the talents I have in ways that can bring glory to God.
