Fair Warning: This post is going to be long and heartfelt - and personally vulnerable because it gives you, my followers, a deeper view into my story and why I do what I do - I want to thank you, in advance for taking the time to read:
This image reflects layers of my art & my quote, both of which are copywritten - but most importantly, it reflects pieces of my heart (something I seek to imbue in everything I create). This piece, however, has been mass produced and sold without license to do so, and it is the fourth known copyright infringment since Terri Conrad Designs entered into the art licensing industry.
Sad but true, copyright infrigement is an unpleasant part of this business - it shouldn't happen but it does. The fact that it's happened with such frequency and in such broad scope with our art only reinforces what we are already 99.9% certain about - the source of the fraudulently acquired art. There are a few things I know with 100% certainty:
(1) the truth always rises to the top;
(2) the power to protect and prosper me, my work, my mission and my family is far greater than the abuse of power in fraudulently acquiring and mis-using my art to profit from it; and
(3) I am in this buisiness for a very distinct reason . . .
"to encourage, nurture & inspire the unique beauty, beloved spirit & unlimited possibilities of the female spirit"
The theft of and profit from illegal use of my art here strikes a chord with me with this particular piece because of its message - a message I wrote and have exclusive ownership of; one that is the heart of who I am and my story:
"Family
Where the Seeds of Character are Planted
Home"
When you read my "about" page, I share a glimps of myself with you. What's missing are the details . . .why was it so important for me to work from home so I could still fulfill my most precious role, "mom?"
MY STORY
"Family
Where the Seeds of Character are Planted
Home"
I
When I was about 11 years old, I sat (actually I was hiding) in my closet with my German Shepherd pup, Champ. The man I reluctanly called "dad" (my biological father) was storming thru the house threatening to kill everyone. I beleived he was capable of this. I had seen tremendous domestic violence and other abuse in my then few short years - and would experience much more.
I prayed to a God I then had little knowledge of or experience with.
But surely He must exist, I thought.
"I don't know why I am here, or why I was born into this family. BUT, if you save me, if you protect me, if you let me live
I PROMISE YOU
THIS ABUSE WILL STOP HERE!
I will live my life serving you, in the way You created me to do.
Please,
LET ME LIVE"
"Family
Where the Seeds of Character are Planted
Home"
II
I knew before I got married that what I wanted most of all was to have a family. I wanted to be married to a good man and I wanted babies. I wanted to be the momma I wished I had . . .
a momma who
protects
a momma whose eyes reflect the
unique beauty
beloved spirit
&
unlimited possibility
in her children.
I wanted to be the momma who
gives her children a voice
a sense of worth
a sense of value
---
simply because you are
I wanted to be the momma who
daily
planted seeds of Character in her children
the momma who
gave her children Hope
the momma who
Inspired her children to be who God created them to be
the momma who emulated
LOVE
the momma who taught her children to be and to take
Responsibility for their actions, and who
Encouraged them in all ways
and the momma who
Nurtured her babies' sweet spirit
I wanted to be the momma who
planted seeds of character
in her family.
This is what my life, and some of my life lessons are about
and this is why I created this quote and why it holds
deep, deep heartfelt meaning for me.
I shared it in my original art to remind you that
it all begins in the seeds we plant.
---
When our daughters were still very young, it became apparent that two incomes were needed to support our family. Our plan for me to be a stay at home momma changed. So, I set out, with nothing more that a determination to be able to work from home (so I could still be that momma) and a desire for creating home decor. From my imagination, and God's divine plan, Terri Conrad Designs was developed and our first licensed product launched in January 2007. I experienced a very latent but exciting discovery of gifts I hadn't before known existed.
We are born with a purpose, a plan . . .
Our daughters are developing their gifts now, Katelyn in dance and Jessica in music. One of my greatest delights is experiencing their discovery with them and seeing them creatively express themselves. These are their gifts, unique to them, which they are called upon by their Creator to share, and to serve for the greater good. Their gifts are a part of their story. Just as mine are, just as yours are for you.
---
Why do people steal? Is it perhaps they didn't have a mamma to reflect their worth and value, to nurture their unique gifts, or to teach them a sense of responsibility - and they didn't bother to learn these things along the way? These may some of the more organic reasons, but sadly, just like today's news about investors being allegedly misled, it is mostly about money and greed and certainly not the greater good.
The abuse of power in the repeated stealing of my art for monetary gain is no less
vile and criminal in action than that of my father. I realize this is a strong statement. The point must be made and the message driven:
Any abuse of power is not okay. It is self-serving and motivated by greed.
Perspective is a powerful, powerful skill - in every moment of every day we have the free will to choose how to view what we see, and how to respond. There is a yin and a yang to life, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, for every shadow there must be a light . . .
I find comfort and solace knowing I am the light
Priorities
by Mother Theresa
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind,
People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends
and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building,someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
This was written by Mother Theresa and is engraved on the wall of her
home for children in Calcutta.
