Casey Shannon, Barbara Rachko, Michelle Endersby and Mary Mirabal
One of the most valuable and perhaps best kept secrets to success for your art career is the inspiration, camaraderie and mutual support you share and receive from other artists. In this article you will read about amazing artists who will inspire and motivate you with their courage and perspective on life and art. You will gain strength from reading how they each approach challenges in their lives and art careers and prove that it is “mind over matter” that separates success from failure. Their words will propel you to achieve your dreams and goals and reach your fullest potential.
I’m proud to know these artists well for having promoted their artwork through Manhattan Arts International and/or The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS online art galleries, where I am proud to be the founder, curator and editor.
Casey Shannon Turns Tragedy Into Triumph
Casey Shannon, caseyshannon.com, shines a beacon of hope for us with her triumphant spirit and passion to create art in spite of tremendous challenges. Looking at her extraordinary artwork one would never imagine that four days after her 36th birthday, she experienced a massive brain-stem stroke. She was in rehabilitation for eight years.
She recalls, “I needed to be able to breathe on my own, and develop simple living skills such as eating and dressing. However, I also worked toward other goals even though I was told my chances of success were not good. I wanted to regain my speech, learn to walk, teach again, and be able to paint.”
To add to her devastation, her husband left her and her daughter to care for themselves. They were evicted from their home and ended up on food stamps and welfare.
This remarkable artist, who has turned a tragedy into triumph, credits her art as being an integral part of her healing process. “As soon as I could sit up in a wheel chair, I began drawing with a vengeance. I just intuitively knew art would save my life. There is something about the creative process that is absolutely healing.”
Barbara Rachko Continues After Her Devastating Loss on 9/11
Barbara Rachko, barbararachko.art, is an internationally exhibited American contemporary artist best known for her pastel-on-sandpaper paintings that are inspired by Mexican and Guatemalan cultural objects. She is also the author of “From Pilot to Painter.” On September 11, 2001, her husband Bryan was killed in the terrorist attack on the Pentagon.
“The next six months passed by in a blur. But I had made a decision and pledged that I would not let the 9/11 attackers claim me as one more victim. I began to pick up the pieces and worked to make every day count. The following summer I was ready to – I HAD to – get back to work in my studio. I knew exactly what I must do. More than ever before, learning and painting would become the avenues to my well-being.”
She continues, “In 2003 I resumed making my “Domestic Threats” series of pastel paintings, something that had seemed impossible after Bryan’s death. The first large pastel painting that I created using a reference photograph taken by me confirmed that my life’s work could continue. The title of that painting, “She Embraced It and Grew Stronger,” was autobiographical. “She” is me, and “it” meant continuing on without Bryan and living life for both of us.
Read her incredible and powerful article “Barbara Rachko’s Life and Art After 9-11”.
Read an inspirational interview with Barbara Rachko with advice for artists on how to achieve success.
Michelle Endersby Awakens From A Coma and Begins Creating Art
Michelle Endersby michelleendersbyart.com had a near death experience that dramatically transformed her life and strengthened her career as an artist. “On awakening from a coma following emergency brain surgery to repair a ruptured blood vessel, I was presented with an inspirational vision. I found myself in a beautiful, light-filled rose garden and this vision hastened my recovery and illuminated my path forward. This incident has made me see the world through different eyes. I see beauty surrounding me and I want to share my vision with the world.”
Michelle paints gorgeous stylized portraits of roses on her signature round canvases. The shape represents her return to wholeness and illuminates a positive message to viewers. Her art has been featured in many publications and is in numerous collections worldwide.
Michelle also publishes an exceptional Artist’s Email Newsletter and shares her “Top Tips For Creating a Successful Artist Email Newsletter” on this website.
Mary Mirabal Lost Her Career Job and Followed Her Passion at 55 Years Old
Mary Mirabal, marymirabalart.com, is a successful full-time artist who began painting at the age of 55 years old. Prior to that, “For 30+ years I was a wife, mother and career woman, who never thought my two hands were capable of anything other than creating a loving home for my family and juggling a professional life.” When she was downsized from corporate America the challenges began. “I no longer had a career to define me. My children were grown and successful in their own careers.”
“I knew starting over at a new job at this stage in my life was not what I wanted. I’d been holding a silent secret in my heart whenever I visited an art gallery or museum. There was a little voice telling me “you can do this”. I kept quieting this voice as it surely couldn’t be true… I couldn’t even draw a straight line. Once I stopped arguing with my inner voice and acknowledged its truth, I realized I was holding myself back out for fear of trying something new.”
Flash forward to today… Mary now loves being an artist, is enjoying a successful career with many fans and buyers, and she states, “I know my paintings bring joy and it feels so good to be part of something joyful.” She reminds us, “It’s NEVER too late to follow your heart.”
Read Mary’s inspirational article “It’s Never Too Late to Become An Artist”
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