Barbara Lewis: Gratitude

I am grateful for …

:: a family that works with me in my business and has adopted it as their own

:: customers who continue to show their support of Painting with Fire

:: the nearly 2200 members of the Painting with Fire Ning who create a warm, supportive haven for those who are branching off in a new direction

:: Fred Dion, the general contractor who is managing the transformation of the Painting with Fire Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida

:: my students, who make teaching such a vital and enjoyable part of my life!

:: to Chris Connolly and Toni Maddox, who are uprooting themselves to move to St. Petersburg to continue as part of the Painting with Fire Team

:: the fact that Donnie is still with me today … and, in fact, is laying under the covers on the bed as I write this

Donnie

:: the fact that I continue to maintain good health

:: my husband, who always see the positive in me

:: a God who appears to be laying the paving stones in front of me as I walk down my path

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You can learn more about Barbara on her blog, Painting With Fire Artwear

Barbara Lewis: Seasons

There is a season - turn, turn, turn

And a time for every purpose under heaven … The Byrds 

My 27 y/o daughter said to me the other day, "I know you feel like you wish things could have happened earlier for you, but then you wouldn't have been able to take care of us!" (referring to herself and her 25 y/o brother). My husband and I had a private laugh about her little quip because it showed insight into how much time and attention we gave to her and her brother. Family came first for both of us and continues to this day, which is probably why they still want us around … and possibly because of our checkbook! :-) 

So many blessings, so much love, so much sharing, so much thanks. I've had a lot of encouragement from so many people, including online friends whom I've never met. Your support has turned this little escapade into something very special. It seems that it was only a blink of an eye ago that I was learning how to torch-fire enamel, but it was met with a lifetime of preparation. We're ready to take the next step, which is a retail/workshop space at 2428 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg … two blocks from where we live in St. Petersburg, FL. I wish these pictures were better … 

The Painting with Fire Studio … for now it's the two units on the left:

New Painting With Fire Studios!

Retail Exterior

Retail Interior

Workshop Exterior

Workshop Interior

The beginnings of something new and fun… 

a place of sharing! 

 Thank you and all the best to you and your family! 

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You can learn more about Barbara Lewis on her blog, Painting With Fire Artwear

Barbara Lewis: Finding Myself

I’m grateful for … finding myself

I used to have a pad of sticky notes with a picture of Maxine standing in front of the refrigerator that said, “I don’t need to find myself because I know right where I’ll be.”

 But, in all seriousness, the fact that I’ve found my passion has been one of my greatest gifts.

I can lament the fact that I’m a late bloomer…a very late bloomer indeed…

...but there are many people who never realize their calling, their passion, their reason for being.  They work for the weekends, those measly 48 hours when they can do as they wish, before the cycle begins again.

I thank God every day that he brought the people into my life who fostered my growth, nurtured, encouraged and mentored me.

No doubt about it … I have been blessed.  

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You can learn more about Barbara Lewis on her blog, Painting With Fire Artwear