The Art Market

This post is more of me asking you what you think about the art market and particular pieces that will be posted with this blog.

So without further ado, tell me what you think about the following piece; do you like, dislike and why; if you like, how much would you be willing to pay for it and last what sort of services would you expect when buying fina art?

There you have it now take a look at this piece, it is "Untitled" 16" X 20" framed. Mixed media oil and acrylic.

What is the Sense of Your Money

I have a huge financial seminar coming up this week and based on the feedback that I am getting from folks they are excited becuase they claim that they really need someone to tell them just what sense does it make to manage money? I hear a lot of comments like; it is a rigged system, or something like this; the fat cats control what happens to my money, or try this one on for size; no matter what I do I am still going to lose my money!!

You got to be kidding me, is this what you really think is going on? By the way I have heard this from people of many races, creeds, religions as well as young and old. The financial crisis of 2008/2009 really frightened investors. The one way to protect yourself from this happening again is knowledge. Quite frankly people should not rely on me to tell them this; it is your money you have a vested interest in what happens to it!!

Here is one piece of advice I will give all of you especially if you have a family. Think of your money as a child and you will nurture, care for, see to its healthy growth as you would your own children. Those of you who are single; in your 20's and 30's you should pay very close attention to that partner of yours called your money because if you don't it will cheat you every time they get the chance. By the way your inattention will be the reason it cheats!! Just like a girlfriend or boyfriend the minute you turn your back, that slick and shady money of yours will cheat in a hearbeat. I can't put it any plainer than this. Take control of your money and take control of your destiny!!

I know this sounds funny or even a little crazy but I cannot stand reading articles that describe how much Americans have lost in the financial crisis of 2008/2009. Baby boomers have seriously been affected with loses in their 401K's of 40% to 60%. This is unacceptable and we cannot blame this on the greed of Wall Street. Did you (investor) keep an eye on what was going on in your 401K? Most investor did not and hence where we are right now. We do not have to stand by and become willing victims anymore we can take control of our money and put it to work!!

Put that money to work!!

Social Media's Indelible Presence

I have attended a very exciting social media conference here in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area at Kennesaw State University. Kudos to Kennesaw State by the way; the conference was out of this world and had the largest WOW factor that I have ever seen.

On of the most interesting aspects of the conference was the number of people and businesses that were there trying to get a handle on social media and what it meant to them and their customers, clients and constituents. The other major aspect of what I had observed was there were no public officials and or what we call politicians. If there is one thing that I know about social media is that the viral aspect of a message is that it tends to work best in politics. Surprisingly enough there was no one there from the public policy community that I was able to see.

The purpose of this post though is to bring your attention to the fact that one of the panelists in our morning session mentioned and was second by his fellow panelists is that forward thinking job candidates are touting their social media prowess as an attribute that should be considered for them to be hired. This of course was not surprising to me but what was surprising was the panelists unrequited glee that was associated with this statement. Of course I and others that were sitting with me all had a, "are you kidding me" moment!! That is right, if you need an edge, with all things equal social media skills just might put you over the top if you are looking for a new job.

There is more, another statement by another panelist from ATT stated that they just hired 40 people to TWEET; that is right to put a full-time twitterist. I don't even know if I am putting this in terms that is considered right in the vernacular. The point is this, social media has come to the fore of marketing, public relations and overall business activity. One of the panelist showed an example of a auto boy shop that blogged and you tubed their work on these networks while they were doing the work. Can you imagine the the publicity, marketing value and overall engagement for the customer that is worried about whether their automobile is being repaired with care.

I will leave you with this, social media has changed the world in such a way that it is revolutionary in a sense that groups of people that did not have a voice or a chance to make an impact on society now have the means to do so. The images and actions of those reacting to what has been happening in Egypt is a testament to this. Furthermore, a despot in Mubarak is about to get a taste of what social media can do. In contrast Mubarak can also use social media to rebuild a legacy long after he has left power. It is all in the way that we use this new powerful tool called social media. So get to it and build your own success.

The Promise of 2011

The past 2 years have been tough to say the least. We have heard stories of financial collapse, an education system under duress, housing collapse and now a student loan bubble. Rather than focus on the negative of what has been let us focus on the promise of 2011.

the year 2011 brings to us the promise of a continued expanding economy and for all Americans reduced taxes courtesy of the President and the Republican Congress. this legislation more than anything else holds the true promise of an expanding economy and new jobs for those that are unemployed. Also with this expanding economy there is a promise for new industry, new products, new businesses. those of you that are unemployed should be thinking about taking your future into your own hands. There is no better time then now and 2011.

The year 2011 will also bring to the end of that haneous policy called Don't Ask, Dont Tell in the U.S. military. The end of this policy will not only strengthen our military it will also strengthen our nation. I truly see this as a major shift in the nation wheras we will soon be a house of equality no matter race, creed, religion, ethnicity and sexual orientation.

The year 2011 is the year when we will consider who is going to be our next Commander in Chief and it is my hope that President Obama will be re-elected. Yes his presidency has seen the deepest recession since the Great Depression but the economy is growing and I have to tell you that his Presidency has gotten more done in 2 years than both Clinton and Bush did in 16 years. Go ahead and check the record for yourself.

2011 is going to be a fun and optimistic year and I and my family are going to ride the wave. Now it is time for all of us to set our New Years resolutions and mine is to double my income, nea... triple my income. What is yours going to be? Happy New Year!!

Christopher Studios 3rd Christmas Art Show

THIS IS CHRISTOPHER STUDIOS 3RD ANNUAL CHRISTMAS ART SHOW. YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS EVENT. THERE IS TWO SOLID FLOORS OF INVENTORY THIS YEAR. YOU ARE SURE TO FIND SOMETHING YOU LIKE WITH NEW PIECES AND SOME OLD FAVORITES ON SALE, SALE, SALE!!!!! THE SHOW STARTS AT 7:00 PM DECEMBER 11, 2010. CALL US AT 404-838-3528 TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT AND PREVIEW THE INVENTORY AT http://www.marckon.com/ I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR FACE IN THE PLACE!!!!!

CHRISTOPHER & SCOT LLC

PRESENTS

2ND BUSINESS SEMINAR

PUT THAT MONEY TO WORK!!

COME ON OUT AND CATCH THE FEVER!!

404-838-3528

WWW.CHRISTOPHERSTUDIOS.NET

Election Day

Election day is upon us and most polls have already closed. Now I don't know about you but I am a politics junky and each election cycle is always exciting. There is always a story that dominates and here is the one that has resonated with me...
Jobs, all I have heard from people is that there are no jobs and I guess that the government was supposed to produce 17 million jobs in a year and a half. Are yo kidding me!! It is not the government that does this it is the private sector that does this. It does not matter whether taxes are going to be cut or increased, it does not matter if the Federal Reserve goes forward with thier Quantitative Easing, it does not matter if it is Democrats or Republicans occupying seats of power in this country. What does matter is you.
You are the master of your fate, if you are unemployed what have you been doing to turn that around? Have you gone back to school to retool your life, have you done a self-assessment, have you started your own business? If the answer to all of these questions are no then you have not done anything to get you back into the workforce. Don't blame the party in Congress or those in the White House, you need to blame yourself!!
I know this stings but let's call it what it is, America you are fat, dumb, and unhappy!! This phrase used to be fat, dumb, and happy but things have changed! It is now time to take a look in the mirror and ask yourself what you have done to contribute to your dire situation, how many loans did you take out, how many credit cards do you have, how many times did you spend more than you have? Yes, I know stop treading on me that is what you are thinking it is time to get your a_ _ in gear America that is where the real fault lies and now it is time to take responsibility!
Well, that felt good, sometimes you just have to vent. All kidding aside it is time to remake yourself and you will be surprised how fast you situation will change for the better. I also have a secret, shhhh don't tell anyone but being an entrepreneur is the best way to protect you from the next recession of the century and by the way make sure that money your business earns also puts that money to work!!