Pantone's Top 10 Womens Colors Palette for Spring 2013

Spring 2O13: The Balancing Act

"This season, designers overwhelmingly address consumers' desire for self-expression, balance and the need to re-energize. The color direction for spring builds upon these compelling needs with a palette that mixes dynamic brights with novel neutrals to create a harmonious balance. This allows for unique combinations that offer practicality and versatility, but at the same time, demand attention and earn an appreciative glance.

"The expression 'balancing act' is something we all relate to as we strive to find harmony in the frantic pace of our everyday lives," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute^®. "The same can be said for fashion as we look for balance between light and bright, classic and new. This season's color palette emphasizes this need for balance, while at the same time allowing for individuality, self-expression and excitement."

The prevalence of green this spring is undeniable. Similar to the many shades in our natural surroundings, this season's greens offer a stunning foreground or the perfect backdrop for all other hues. Like the first signs of spring, Tender Shoots, a vibrant yellow-green, is invigorating, active and cheerful, while Grayed Jade, a subtle, hushed green with a gray undertone, brings about a mood of quiet reflection and repose. Sophisticated Emerald, a lively, radiant green, inspires insight and clarity while enhancing our sense of well-being. From one extreme to the other, combining all three greens presents an intriguing choice much like Mother Nature intended.

Exotic African Violet is a statement color that brings a touch of intrigue to the palette, as purples often do, and can be incorporated into many unexpected combinations. Try pairing it with exuberant Poppy Red, a seductive, sensual and celebratory shade. Whether it's a knockout dress or a kiss on the lips, every woman's wardrobe and beauty essentials should include this spirited, true red.

Nectarine, a bright, effervescent citrus orange with coral undertones, provides a tangy burst of flavor while cheerful Lemon Zest brings out a piquant taste with its refreshing, spritely greenish cast.

Signifying the time of day when everything starts to wind down, Dusk Blue offers a calming sense of serenity akin to its green counterpart, Grayed Jade. Both of these colors act as the season's newest neutrals. For an unexpected mix, pair Dusk Blue with the intensity of Nectarine. A warm neutral, Linen is light and airy, providing a nudelike basic that is a must have for spring. Try pairing Linen with Grayed Jade or Dusk Blue. Anchoring Monaco Blue is a classic shade that offers both stability and depth to the entire palette. Combine Monaco Blue with Poppy Red and Linen, or Monaco Blue and Emerald for a fresh collegiate look.

For over 20 years, Pantone, the global authority on color, has surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring you the season's most important color trends. This report previews the most prominent hues for spring 2013."

the top 10 colors for Spring 2013

 in 4” x 4” cotton swatch card 

Women's Spring 2013 colors are:

PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald

PANTONE 14-6011 Grayed Jade

PANTONE 16-4120 Dusk Blue

PANTONE 14-0446 Tender Shoot

PANTONE 13-0756 Lemon Zest

PANTONE 16-3520 African Violet

PANTONE 12-1008 Linen

PANTONE 19-3964 Monaco Blue

PANTONE 17-1664 Poppy Red

PANTONE 16-1360 Nectarine

Tune in next Thursday we will share with you the Mens Fashion colours for SPRING 2013.

Images & Sources

http://www.pantone.com

It's time to REFRESH at ArtSHINE!

It's time for REFRESH at ArtSHINE!

“It’s time to Refresh, Rejuvenate, Recharge, Review and Reward yourself.

Because you’re truly deserved it”

                                         ~ ArtSHINE

For the past two weeks Stuart and I were having the most relaxing time for ourselves away from our business. We were on a 14 day cruise to the Pacific Islands.  We highly recommend this type of holiday to anyone who’s looking for a relaxing holiday and to get away from hustle and bustle.

You can truly relax on a cruising holiday as everything is taken care of for you. There’s no need to prepare meals nor to pack and unpack your suitcases. There are plenty activities to do on the ship or on the shore. Or, you can also choose to do absolutely nothing, and free yourself from your business. As for us we discovered the “Art of doing nothing” on our last year cruise to New Zealand.

The art of doing nothing gives us the opportunity to relearn how to unwind and relax. It allows us to be in the moment and reconnect our soul.

There’s no better time than now to plan your refresh during the festive holiday.

When was the last time you granted yourself a holiday?

What are you waiting for?

Plan your refresh now!

Image:

http://www.cruiseexpress.com.au

PANTONE Fashion Colour Report SPRING 2013

Every season at the start of fashion week, Pantone releases the fashion colour report and also predicts the top 10 most popular colours  for Spring 2013. These 10 colours will be the most popular featured on the catwalk runways this coming Spring 2013.

Which Spring 2013 colour is your favourite? 

Do you already used these colours or planning to use them in your Spring collection for Spring 2013? 

If so, you are  right on track for a fantastic season for your business.

Bellow is a video from Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, here she talks about fashion colours for spring 2013.

The new colour spectrum for spring 2013 will be The hues, Monaco Blue, Dusk Blue, Emerald and Grayed Jade, these colours are aquatic and calming, they look fantastic alongside the camels, linens and eggshell whites of summer. 

Here's the full spectrum for Spring 2013...

Tune in this Friday, we will share with you the Pantone Womens Fashion colours for SPRING 2013.

Images & Sources:

www.pantone.com

Tales My Mother Told Me Volume 2- Tale 5: A Poet’s Writing Skills Decline

This tale came about when my mother and I were watching a documentary on video one evening. The documentary was about a well known Chinese poet and writer named Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan’s poetry and essays were highly regarded across China during the South & North Dynasties.

Although Jiang Yan came from a very poor family that did not stop him from studying hard and following his passion to become a writer. In his time, Jiang Yan achieved fame as a poet as a young man. The people across the nation loved him and recognised his work everywhere. There was so much talk about his brilliant poetry.

By the time Jiang Yan had reached his middle age he was distracted by fame, wealth  and comfort. He felt that he could no longer produce works of quality as he once did as a young poet. At the time there were many rumours and theories put about why Jian’s ability to create had declined.

Chatting with my Mum after the documentary she told me the tale that she had heard as a  young girl about why Jiang Yan lost his creative spirit.

One sunny summer day Jiang Yan took a boat ride on the river near the Tangling Temple and fell into a deep sleep as the small boat slowly traveled down stream. As the sun danced and shimmered off the water Jiang Yan dreamt of two old friends. In the dream one of his friends demanded that Jiang return the roll of silk fabric that he had borrowed long ago.

“What does that mean Mum?” I asked. “That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Ah, my little one,” my mother explained. “In ancient times silk was regarded as a symbol of power and wealth. So by being asked to return the roll of silk he was being asked to give up all his influence and wealth.”

Mum continued telling her tale...

Then in the dream another of Jian’s friends made his demand. He wanted the return of a multi coloured brush that he had lent to Jiang in the days before Jiang achieved fame and fortune as a great poet.

“What does the pen symbolise Mum?” I asked.

“The pen symbolised his writing ability Little One.” Mum said.

I was reminded of this tale the other day.

So, what’s the moral behind this story?

It’s not as if Jiang Yan suddenly lost his talent to write and compose great poems. The truth  is that once he found fame and started to enjoy the lifestyle that this fame and fortune brought him he started to let go of his passion and moved his focus to other the other aspects of his life, like his official government job, and protecting his privileged position.

His creative passion, and composing great poems were no longer his priority as he no longer need them to earn his living. Bedsides that, he was proud to have achieved the great heights of his official career. It was another reason that he did not need to write any more.

I’m grateful to my mother for telling me this tale and reminding us about how we could lose sight of our own destiny if we don’t really know what we want from life. We could work hard to build a Business LifeStyle only to find that down the track we lose it through lack of focus.

Now let’s look at how we could apply the story into our Art & Design Practices:

•   Don’t fall for distractions & shinny objects (insert link).

•   Don’t get too comfortable. Remember to pay attention to the three critical areas in your Business LifeStyle:

•   Working On your Business

•   Working In your Business

•   Working Above your Business

•   Stay in touch with your passion and check in regularly to ensure that your passion is still in line with your business.

•   Whether you have a passion to create, or a business to run, the key to success is to nurture your talent, to establish clear goals. and to stay focused on those goals.

•   Whatever you do, keep your passion and business inspiring and interesting. Nothing kills a Business LifeStyle quicker than boredom.

More Tales My Mother Told Me...

Volume 2:

Tale 1: Pulling Up the seedlings to help them grow
Tale 2: Grind an Iron Pestle into a Needle

Tale 3: Talking about army on paper.

Tale 4: Being Persistent

Tale 5: A Poet’s Writing Skills Decline

Volume 1:

Tale 1: "When You Help One, You Help Thousands"

Tale 2: "Your Mind is Powerful"

Tale 3: "The Importance of Self Understanding"

Tale 4: "Being Compassionate"

Tale 5: "Finding the Inner Calmer In You"

Tale 6: "The Magic Pen"

Tale 7: "Here comes the Fair- Weather Friend"

Tale 8: "Confidence & Competence"

Tale 9:"Being Present"

Tale10: "Chicken scratches for what it gets"

Tale 11:"I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done"
Tales12: "Frog In The Well"

Happy Thanksgiving! From ArtSHINE

Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.

Be thankful for your loved ones, family and friends

Happy Thanksgiving  Everyone!

What is a “trompe l’esprit”, and how can you apply it to your business?

Before I explain to you what a trompe l'esprit™ is, firstly let us explain what a trompe l'oeil is...

Trompe l'oel (French for deceive the eye) is an art technique involving realistic painting imagery in order to create the optical illusion that depicted objects appear in three dimensions.

The trompe l'oeil technique was widely used in the past, and was particularly popular in the Baroque period.

So, what about trompe l'esprit™?

In the same way that we use the trompe l'oeil technique to deceive our eye, we can use the trompe l'esprit™ technique with our mind too.

Trompe l'esprit™ (Trick the mind or deceive the mind)-  is one of ArtSHINE technique that we show to our clients how  to trick one mind so that we are not procrastinating. Instead it helps us to take action and do the tasks that are really matters to us. It is a way to empower our mind  to move forward to accomplish  tasks and achieve our goals. Let us demonstrate one of the example how you can trick your mind so as speak. Just say from you list of things to do, you have several little jobs which are related to the same project, what you can do is to group all to one job and proceed with these tasks first. Because the tasks are related which mean you can execute them altogether and save time too. However, even though you have left other big tasks to do later, psychologically it feels as if you have less to do when the list isn't so long.  At ArtSHINE we refer it to "Trompe l'esprit", we got the inspiration from Trompe l'oel. All you did was to trick you mind and free your anxiety. This in turn will give you a feeling that you have accomplished something. 

Sometimes  we need to use the power of Trompe l'esprit  to boost our spirit , as you know no one can force you to do anything if you don't want to do it, the willingness to do something is come from your mind as the saying "you have made up your mind or you have changed your mind" . Our mind is powerful  it can encourage us to pursue success or  delay us from reaching it. So always find real purpose in what you do, everything we do must have purpose or we will delay or procrastinate.

Do you have a trompe l'esprit that you want to share?

Leave your comment here, we love you to share your story.

Improve your Cashflow in your Art & Design Business

Have you heard the phrase "a starving artist".

Isn’t the notion of the starving artist such a cliche? Yet why does it persist? Why do we have the expectation that artists must "suffer for their art"?

Well, we're here to tell you that it doesn't have to be that way.

You can be an artist and also live well!

The first step along that path is to acknowledge that you're actually deserving of living well. Yes. it's something that seems obvious, but you'd be surprised at how many artists and designers that we've worked with start off with a belief that they can't (or shouldn't!) make money for following their passion and doing what they love.

It's been our experience that the subject of finances and "cash flow" is generally low on the list of priorities, if not avoided altogether.

At Quantum Compass we work through a simple "cash flow concepts" formula to help our clients start on the path of increasing their wealth and generating the incomes that they truly deserve for simply doing what they love.

At the start we work with you to get a clear understanding of your current cash flow. Ask yourself these questions: Where is your money going right now? How do you generate income?

Once you have an understanding of what's happening for you right now, you have the perfect opportunity to make some real decisions.

• Are you happy with the ways you spend your money?

• Is your income sufficient for your current lifestyle? 

• What will you need to sustain the lifestyle you aspire to?

Moving to the next level is all about having a plan, and increasing the number of ways that your art & design practice can be making you money.

We’re very clear that it's certainly not about "selling-out", or making some crass compromises. Many artists & designers assume that they somehow have to change their art to be successful financially.

In fact, we're very clear that the opposite is true. You don’t necessarily need to change your art; you need to get very clear about who you really are, and find those things that are unique to you and your Wow Factor.

Cash flow is one of the key fundamental elements of a design practice that we focus on during the ArtShine Coaching Program.

Why?

Because financial stress doesn’t usually enhance creativity. We believe it’s critically important for designers & artists like you to understand the power of financial control.

Financially successful designers & artists focus on what you’re good at; your art and creativity.

Successful designers also understand and use “cash flow concepts” to manage finances and leverage the analytical help of advisors like accountants, agents, business coaches, IP advisors, etc as they're needed along the way.

Want to learn more about “Cash Flow” the Quantum Compass way?

It’s as simple as 1... 2... 3...

1: Like  ArtSHINE's Facebook page

2: Come along to the next “Cash Flow Concepts for Creative Professionals” workshop. E-mail Quantum Compass: CashFlowConcepts@QuantumCompass.com.au ) for details of the next half day session near you.

3: Contact Vinh for a no cost, no obligation coaching session: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ArtShineDiscovery

Inspirational Quote of the Week!

"You have powers you never dreamed of.

 You can do things you never thought you could do.

There are no limitations in what you can do

 except the limitations of your own mind"

~Darwin P. Kingsley

Tales My Mother Told Me Volume 2. Tale 4: Being Persistent

Welcome to Tales my Mother told me volume 2:

Tale 4: Being Persistent

"To succeed, one must be creative, consistent, and persistent." ~ ArtSHINE

This idiom "Being Persistent" comes from a book called Family Instruction by Yu Jize

Back in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) there was a minister, Zenf Guofan who was very strict with his children's education.

One day he told his youngest son Seng Jize, "You should think carefully before talking and should never be too anxious to express your opinions."

He also advised his son to "Act like a gentleman, be calm, and avoid behaving like a child. When you are reading a book, always try to have a deep understanding of what it 's saying."

The minister expected that his son would act according to his guidance when come to study and work.

So the young boy remembered his father instructions, studied hard, and work diligently.

Over time, and with much practice, the young boy became an expert in essay writing.

The story provides us some lessons:

One should be persistent and hold onto one's goals when doing something, which will lead good results.

The same principle applies in our Art & Design practices too. Working smart, being consistent, and staying persistent will give you the results you desire.

There are times when we’re faced with hardships in life and in business and sometimes we felt like giving up is the easiest way out don't we.  Just remember this, no matter how bad things are, don’t ever give up. When you throw in the white towel without  searching for every option and possibility, you’re selling yourself short. Explore all the options and get help where possible.  Trust yourself and believe in yourself. Know that you can accomplish your goals with persistence and consistency.

Promise yourself that today, tomorrow, next week, or next month… You’ll Never Give Up!

More Tales My Mother Told Me...

Volume 2:

Tale 1: Pulling Up the seedlings to help them grow
Tale 2: Grind an Iron Pestle into a Needle

Tale 3: Talking about army on paper.

Tale 4: Being Persistent

Tale 5: A Poet’s Writing Skills Decline

Volume 1:

Tale 1: "When You Help One, You Help Thousands"

Tale 2: "Your Mind is Powerful"

Tale 3: "The Importance of Self Understanding"

Tale 4: "Being Compassionate"

Tale 5: "Finding the Inner Calmer In You"

Tale 6: "The Magic Pen"

Tale 7: "Here comes the Fair- Weather Friend"

Tale 8: "Confidence & Competence"

Tale 9:"Being Present"

Tale10: "Chicken scratches for what it gets"

Tale 11:"I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done"
Tales12: "Frog In The Well"

Don't wait til the NEW YEAR, Make Tomorrow Today!

Don’t wait until the new year to plan your business goals for 2013...

Make Tomorrow Today; and plan it now!

“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success". 

                                                                                                                            ~Pablo Picasso 

Here’s a quick approach to planning in your business.

CASH FLOWS: Take some time now to review your current cash flows and make some projections for where you’ll see yourself in three to six months. When we work with our clients we look forward in three month blocks as it keeps us all in touch with the day to day and month to month fluctuations in the business.

SEASONALITY: Understand the nature of your business. Look at how demand and cash flows varied over the course of last year, and think about how this seasonality will play out in the new year. Project your sales and cash flows accordingly.

TIME OUT: When you plan and project your cash flows, map out your “time out “ too. You are a critical part of your business, so it’s important that you’re looking after yourself. By planning ahead and building in some “down-time” you will always be able to afford to take a break knowing your cash flows are still manageable.

GOALS: It’s the time to set your goals and business strategies to support your cash flow.

“If you want to reach a goal, you must ‘see the reaching’ in your own mind

before you actually arrive at your goal” Zig Ziglar

EXISTING CUSTOMERS: Plan your sales strategies. Ask yourself how you can retain your existing customers and come up with new ways to encourage them to spend more with you.

NEW CUSTOMERS: Plan and implement steps to introduce new clients to your business. Focus on your your “competitive niche”. Ask yourself why would someone want to buy your products or services? How can you best communicate with them?

Want to learn more about planning for the new year the Quantum Compass way?

It’s as simple as 1... 2... 3...

1: Like  ArtSHINE's Facebook page

2: Come along to the next “Action Planning” workshop.

    E-mail Quantum Compass: ActionPlanning@QuantumCompass.com.au  for details of the      

    next half day session near you.

3: Contact Vinh for a no cost, no obligation coaching session: 

    www.surveymonkey.com/s/ArtShineDiscovery