Emergency Move to a Happier Place

Two weeks ago when I started this campaign I was in the throes of a both a financial and relationship death spiral. Yes, the two are related.  I'm stronger now, sleeping and back to work as best I can be in my new circumstances. But my needs to establish a new home,  protect my artwork from a storage unit auction and follow through with the on-going art projects I plan to make my income from this year still need a bit of a boost.  

I'm a third of the way to my personal and financial goals. I still need $2,000 dollars to make the transition from down and out and under seige to helping others and earning my living again.   

I've been practicing forgiveness and meditating on gratefulness to get through this "little bump" in the road.  My heart is open to possibiliies even though it feels like a bloody mess. 

Cranberry Lake cigitally altered oil painting by DuVal

Serendipity opens the door to possibility 
Now here is a beautiful story of serendipity. Yesterday I put an ad in the paper looking for an upscale rural live/work space and offered animal, property, child or elder caretaking for it.  I knew it was possible to find the perfect place because I have done it before...

Jean and Ada 
Some years ago I placed an ad for a rural home where I could live with my horse Abby when I moved to Santa Cruz for grad school.  I got a call from Jean saying that she wanted a companion for her 90  year old motherAda. 

She offered me a studio apartment and a stall and pasture for my horse right outside my door. My responsibility?  Spend time with Ada.  It turned out she was a painter and both she and her daughter Jean, were horsewoman living on a gorgeous rural property outside Santa Cruz.  They became my best friends. and mentors.

SAVE
Swanton  a digial painting by DuVal

Onward to my next home
Within 10 minutes of posting my ad yesterday,  I found an ad posted by a man offering a studio apartment in trade for elder care for his elderly father. I phoned him.

I sprang from the rock and landed in a village community on Whidbey Island in Washington State. It's not far from my previous home and not too far away from my son. It is beautiful and the people here are lovely.  

I drive down the three blocks to the library and sit in the parking lot using the village Internet. I'm here to work on www.newintelligentsia.com promotions for the emerging artists I promote.  

Springing from the Rock, oil on canvas by DuVal

Elders really need our help
But I spend a good amount of time helping a community elder.  I spent last week assessing our situation and getting to know him and how I can help him.  Which is pretty much exactly what I am doing with my clients and customers, getting to know them, and how I can help them.  What they say about getting older and helping others?  It is definately a real phenomenon.  

Protection of the Innocent, oil on canvas. Commissioned by Rodney Derrick, painted by Cynthia DuVal.  

He offered me the place
After an hour of talking to find the boundaries of his indepdence, he called me number 1 and held up his finger. That meant I  was welcome to have the studio and bring my pets to the house.  I could tell he needed to eat better so my first order of business was to help him eat a healthier die by preparing balanced meals that he can heat up himself.  All he was eating now is yogurt! 

Now that I am here
I a no longer feeling the immediate threat of homelessness.  Big win!  Thank you so much to my friends, family and colleageus for your donations.

My new studio apartment is charming and is complete with a peek-a-boo view of the Salish Sea and Mount Baker in the distance.  Poor me right?   It's got an open floorplan that will be nice for writing and designing onlline exhibitions and sales.  The beech where I painted Where Sea Meets Land is nearby. 

Where sea meets land, oil on canvas, painted by Cynthia DuVal

I like Coupeville .  The light is good,  Whidbey Island is quaint and there is an artist community not far away. The back yard is fenced so Cowboy, Fleur and Junebug will be safe from trafic and be able to be outside a lot.  

This breakup and move come at a bad time for me financially.  
I am asking for help because I don't have the funds I need to get from here (no home, no studio, no office, no savings) to there (new home, new office, new studio, a steady income.)   I am determined as a ram to bust through to the other side and re-establish myself in a happier place physically, emotionally and financially.  

The Ram, altered digital photo by Cynthia DuVal

Campain Status 

As of today my campaign has raised $560.00 through GoFund me and $450 through private donations.  I AM SO GRATEFUL!  My immediate need for food, water, shelter, phone, vet bill and car insurance have been met.   

What do I need? Moral Support and $2,000

Please share my GoFundMe campaign and my art and art business with your art loving friends who may want to fund the campaign or purchase art I have for sale. www.newintelligentsia.com

I am able to catch up on my storage bill but not pay the bill coming due on June 25th.  My need is $215.00

I need an internet connection at the house so I can work more hours in a day and still be available for elder needs and emergencies.  My need is $180.00 for the installation and first month of service.  Each additional month will cost $79.00/month.  

New Intelligentsia Atelier is my best bet for earned income in the future. I'm working with a sales coach now that is opening my mind to new possibilities for selling international art to internationa audiences.  I'm feeling good and hopeful about these new skills I'm learning and the support I am getting.  

My goal is for my business to fund my life and attract funding for future New Intelligentsia Atelier projects and programs.  

My need is$100.00/month  for the sales learning program.

Paintings and prints for sale
I have several personal paintings for sale if any of you would prefer to buy a painting from me in lieu of making a cash donation.  Some are in the $500 dollar range and other paintings are lower or higher. If you are interested in seeing my portfolio of art for sale, let me know.  I will give you a private virtual showing. 

Beautiful nature phogographs by a Dutch artist and fine art prints from a Chilean artist as well as a selection of paintings from an American contemporary art collector are for sale at New Intelligentsia Atelier. 

My pretty little bluebird (for sale) by Cynthia DuVal

Giving thanks
So there you have it.  My friends, I will be so grateful for your donations, shares or to sell you a picture of mine or other contemporary artists that are fabulous. I'm thankful that Cowboy, Junior and Fleurli  and I will be able stay together and that I can be of some use to others in my time of need. 

Thank you forever for funding my personal, financial and business recovery and my journey into independent and self-sufficiency.  

Boy howdy I have a lot to do!