Ethos by Randy Elrod - How To Create Culture

Join Me To Raise Tuition For Anastasia Morozova - A Moldovan Orphan Who Is A Gifted Artist

I have the distinct honor this year to serve as Artist In Residence at O’More College of Design in Franklin. It has proven a stimulating experience to meet so many students who are so extraordinarily gifted.
 
One such student is Anastasia Morozova. The first week I painted on campus she stood at my shoulder asking question after question in broken but improving English. Her eyes were shining in the quest for learning more about painting. She instantly impressed me with her hunger for knowledge.

It has come to my attention that Anastasia has no parents or means to pay for any further college. As an orphan from Moldova, she has excelled as a student and artist at O’More. I have included her bio below and two examples of her art.
 
My wife Chris and I feel that Anastasia must continue her education and we want to ask you to help us make that possible. She has captured our hearts as she will yours.
 
We would like to invite you to meet Anastasia, (physically or virtually) view her art and enjoy a glass of wine and cheese (sorry, but only you physical ones) at our home this afternoon, 5-7 p.m.

Dr. Mark Hilliard, president of O’More believes in her strongly and will be here to make a short presentation. I have donated an original watercolor that can be purchased through a silent auction that evening with all proceeds going to Anastasia's scholarship fund. Myself and Artists Ken Davis and Kelly O'Neill will have art on display to benefit Anastasia. A love offering for her will also be taken. All gifts will be made payable directly to O’More College of Design and are tax-deductible.
 
Anastasia has absolutely no means of support. She is a dedicated student who is also a hard worker. I see her working hard every day at the O’More tea room. Please join us and help support a promising young artist.

 “He who gives money to an artist, himself does an artists’ work” – Vincent Van Gogh

Today only- If you order any print or original watercolor (they make perfect Christmas presents) 20% of all orders go to Anastasia's tuition. You can join us tonight virtually by purchasing a print or original at: http://randyelrodart.com

Anastasia Morozova

Anastasia Morozova was born in 1989 in a small village in Ukraine. At nine years of age, while living in a Moldovan orphanage, Anastasia began studying art and found her true passion. When she was 18 years old, Anastasia came to America, after spending nine years at the orphanage.

 

She is currently a sophomore attending O'More College of Design in Franklin, Tennessee and studies Fashion Design. She continues to excel as an artist. Anastasia speaks Russian, Romanian and English. 

Whether it is a charcoal drawing, a painting or a sculpture, Anastasia is able to capture the essence of beauty in her works. Her future is bright with the possibilities of what she brings to both fashion design and art.

 

All proceeds for Anastasia's artwork go toward supporting her tuition at O'More College of Design. If you would like to become a part of her success as an artist and student, you may request a personalized work of art.

 

Anastasia Morozova

art@anastasiamorozova.com

www.AnastasiaMorozova.com

615-794-4254 Ext 222

For more information about Anastasia, contact

Dr. Mark Hilliard

President of O’More College of Design

615-794-4254

mhillard@omorecollege.edu

Join Me For A Napa Valley "Behind The Scenes & In The Caves" Trip To Benefit Kalein

Join me for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Napa Valley. We will stay for seven glorious days August 30 - Sept.6 at the exclusive Tenstone Lodge and personally meet some of my favorite (and Napa's greatest) winemakers such as Mike Hendry, Dave Miner, Ehren Jordan and more.

We will enjoy VIP "behind the scenes" tastings and go down to the caves of Napa for a taste of what is to come in the next few years.

We will have tastings poolside at Tenstone as well as enjoying the artistry of the Napa Culinary Institute of America chef preparing our breakfast each morning.

We will also dine at some of my favorite Napa Restaurants (can't you just taste the "quintessential tomato soup" at Bistro Jeanty) and I will be creating a couple of gourmet meals of my own in the privacy of the fabulous kitchen at Tenstone. 

We will also have a 30 minute leadership talk with well-respected business leaders and artists each morning at breakfast. Our time will embody a true Leadership Retreat atmosphere while enjoying the fruits of Napa in the middle of lush surrounding vineyards. There will be many more surprises in this exclusive adventure.

There are only six rooms left and one of them could be yours. For more info E-mail me asap. This trip is FULL!! And in case you were wondering, we will NOT be going to Sonoma County. Napa Rules, baby!

Cheers and "In Vino Veritas!"

A Call To Creative Convergence - or "Oh Nashville - Hear Me!"

The August 2007 issue of Fast Company magazine recognizes Nashville as a city on the verge - as one of five Cultural Centers shaping the world's future.

A convergence city possesses opportunity (a culture that nurtures creative action and game-changing enterprise), innovation (investing in physical, cultural, and intellectual infrastructure that will sustain growth) and energy (that ethereal thing that happens when creative people collect in one place).

When asked about prior knowledge of Nashville, Irish guests visiting O’More College of Design answered, “Tennessee Ernie Ford, Jack Daniels and country music.”

We who call Music City home know there is much more to this artists' paradise. Nashville is known as “The Athens Of The South” because of its myriad institutions of higher education.

Today we are a metro area that claims more musicians per capita than anywhere on earth. The Schermerhorn is one of the finest Symphony Halls in the world. We have a Film Festival and a Screenwriter’s Conference. Our Nashville Children’s Theatre has been ranked by TIME magazine as one of the top five children's theatres in the country.

The new downtown library is one of the finest in the world. The library’s Public Arts Program brought in local graphic artists, authors, photographers, painters, sculptors, and metalworkers to enrich the building.

Within her environs Nashville contains world famous Music Row, music powerhouses BMI and ASCAP, over 180 recording studios, more than 80 record labels, 130 music publishers, 40 national producers of ad jingles, 27 entertainment publications, 5,000 working union musicians, the Contemporary Christian Music Industry and major book publishing companies, including Ingram Industries-one of America’s largest privately held businesses.

Total employment impact of her music industry is more than 54,000 jobs and the economic impact totals $6.38 billion. Billion! Seattle, Austin, Memphis and the state of Georgia combined totals only $3.14 billion.

This “green” multi-billion dollar arts business also brings the advantage of a clean industry. Brains - not buildings and factories - house the power of the creative class, producing beauty rather than toxic waste.

Like Florence, Italy and the powerful Medici family - Nashville affords local connoisseurs the ability to patronize the arts as do few cities worldwide. We must rethink our buying patterns and look within to our own creatives for art purchases and commissions.

The hope is that when global citizens are asked in the future what Nashville means to them, they will not answer as Edmund Blackadder memorably lamented, “To us the Renaissance was just something that happened to other people”. Sadly, it was probably the citizens of Florence to whom he was referring. For nowhere else were the ingredients that enabled the Renaissance to flourish--a politically-active citizenry, a vigorous humanist movement and abundant wealth--better blended.

Nashville has these ingredients and must seek to enhance them to hold her head high as a global cultural center. A city that chooses not to sit on her creative class as a Renaissance passes her by.          

Randy Elrod is a writer, speaker, artist and founder/CEO of the Franklin based Creative Community, Inc.

Scotch Tasting For Kalein

My friend and single malt Scotch connoisseur, John Voelz, aka, JVO, will be traveling down from Jackson, Michigan to lead a tasting of some very fine varieties of Scotch. All proceeds will benefit Kalein, our non-profit Center for Creative Studies.

The tasting will take place at my home, La Maison des Rêves, in Franklin, Tennessee on May 9 at 7pm. The cost is $50. per person. Each participant will also receive very nice Scotch memorabilia and more. We will be tasting very exquisite Scotch and the evening is limited to the first 23 paid registrants.

Register now HERE.

First EVER Cave Wine Tasting at Kalein@Round Cove - A Moment In Time

Words cannot adequately describe the experience I had Saturday evening at Kalein@Round Cove. On the occasion of the first ever Kalein 48 Hours of Solitude "One On Ones" with David Ballard- he agreed to  break the solitude for a "once in a lifetime" experience.

We placed a beautiful table surrounded by candles and torches of fire in the 750,000+ cubic feet of the largest of several caves at Round Cove and celebrated the first-ever sacramental communion and wine tasting.

It was a sacred moment and one of the highlights of all our lives. A holy time. Accompanied by the natural music of all timbres of dripping water, we celebrated the mystery of the sacramental life. My dear friends, Dr. David  and Rhonda Kemp (who have believed and supported the dream-and now reality-of Kalein from the very beginning), my wife Chris, David Ballard and the owner of Round Cove and sharer of the reality called Kalein@Round Cove, Nordeck Thompson and I will never forget this moment of all moments.

Pictured below are Nordeck and I sharing the first toast and taste of an exquisite-and equal to the moment- 1997 Quintessa Wine that was brought as a gift from David and Rhonda to celebrate this moment.

Upcoming cre:ate Opportunities

cre:ate 2010 - featuring -

• A gathering of early adopters
• Arts Leaders Thinktank & Conference
• 10th Anniversary Celebration
• Special guest cameos from past cre:ate's all week
• Very special new guests
• Connect with influencers from around the world
• The usual great musical experiences - including 2 very special surprises
• Many More Surprises
• Feb. 8-12, 2010
• Pre-Register Here and save!

cre:ate Blog Con & Expo

• A place to connect with other bloggers and tech-lovers like yourself
• First annual Blog/Web 2.0 Blowout
• One Day Only - Aug. 7, 2009
• Network with 100's of other bloggers, twitterers and social networkers
• Specialized breakout sessions
• Two Inspiring Keynote Speakers
• Huge Expo
• Franklin, TN
• Only $99.
• Register HERE

LifeWork 2.0

• Engaging Your Fans/Clients In A Digital World
• One Day Seminar
• In-depth look at How to connect the dots of Social Networking, Marketing
• Here are a few of the topics
• Below are just a few of the topics we cover…
  Blogging
  Blogging 101 Where do you start?
  Why Blog?
  Why Should CEO’s, companies, churches, and artists blog?
  Maximizing your brand through blogging
  Blogging Content Advanced Blogging The technical side and how to manage it.
  Creating Traffic
  Driving readers to your blog How to keep readers coming back to your blog Using You Tube and other video outlets
  SEO - How to maximize Search Engine Optimization without paying monthly for it.
  Why Search Engine Optimization is a must and how it drives traffic.
  How To Utilize Google Not Just As A Search Engine-But As A Reputation Management System
  Social Networking and Micro Blogging
  Using Twitter and FaceBook to build an online community
  Social Networking as a marketing tool
  Customized social networks
  Creating an easy path for your readers to keep up with your daily life.
• April 9 & May 15, Franklin TN
• Register HERE

One-On-Ones - featuring -

• 48 hours of solitude at the fabulous lodge on the 2,000 acres of Kalein @ Round Cove
• A full mentoring day with Randy Elrod featuring a safe non-judgmental environment and "anything goes" conversation while hiking the stunning Tennessee bluffs and trails OR just sitting and talking on the porch looking over the bluffs and scenic vistas while sipping iced tea.
• Meals prepared from scratch by Randy and helpers (Italian Feast & Crepes and much more)
• The most unique wine tasting of your life (optional)
• You also have the option to explore the many caves on property, shoot skeet or simply lay on the hammock overlooking the bluffs
• For more Info: E-mail HERE

Speaking & Consulting

• Only 8 dates left this year
• Specializing in Web 2.0-Engaging your Clients/Fans In A Digital World, and All Things SEO (Why SEO is almost as good as SEX) Search Engine Optimization, How To Rule Your Digital World Thru Five Great Free Resources, and also addressing a variety of other topics, including How To Energize Your Business Thru These Creative Tips, Enjoying and Flourishing with the Spirit of an Entrepreneur, the Artist and the Church, The Curse Of The Blessings Of God, and more. Also, talks customized to your environment.
• My Latest Speaking/Consulting has been with: Thomas Nelson Publishing, Westone Corporation, Centricity Music, Professional Communicators Summit, O'More College of Design, cre:ate Arts Conference to name only a few.
• For more Info: E-mail HERE

Scotch Tasting

• Led by Jackson, Michigan's own Scotch Connoisseur, John Voelz, aka JVo, aka @shameonyoko.
• Featuring a tasting of some very extravagant scotch
• Each participant will receive a gift book about scotch
• Full explanation about origins, scotch making, nuances and much more
• All proceeds benefit the non-profit: Kalein, A Center for Creative Studies
• At my home, La Maison du Reves, in Franklin, TN
• Limited to first 23 Scotch Lovers
• May 9, 2009 at 7pm
• Register HERE

Wine Tastings

• Led by wine lover Randy Elrod
  
• Featuring blind tastings and of exquisite wines
• Each participant will receive a complimentary wine glass
• Full explanation about winemakers, varietals, how to fully enjoy wine, etiquette and much more
• Learn how to rate and identify wines created for YOU.
• All proceeds benefit the non-profit: Kalein, A Center for Creative Studies
  
• At my home, La Maison du Reves, in Franklin, TN
• Limited to first 23 Wine Lovers
• April 17, October 16 & December 31
• For Cost and to Register: E-mail HERE

Personal Guided Tours with Randy Elrod

• Very Limited And Exclusive
• Wine/Gourmet Trips to Napa Valley (2009) & Tuscany, Italy (2010)
• Dinners with famous winemakers
• Meals from scratch prepared by Randy & others
• Exclusive Accommodations - We will have an entire estate at our disposal
• Private VIP Wine Tastings
• Only 9 rooms (single or double occupancy)
• Exclusive "Behind The Scenes" Opportunities
• Leadership Training
• For more Info: E-mail HERE

 

A Gourmet Book Tasting For "Beauty Is Calling"

Wow! Last night from 5-7:30 pm my favorite bookstore Landmark Books was filled with old friends, new friends,fellow twitterers and art lovers. Fellow Twitterer @NibbyP drove all the way from Kentucky just to attend the book tasting!

It was an evening that exceeded expectations and a great launch to my new book Beauty Is Calling
and a fun time of watching fellow Web 2.0 friends meeting each other for the first time.

Thanks to everyone who made it possible.

HERE are a few more photos. If you were not able to attend, you can buy a copy HERE.

Why You Should Buy Art In An Economic Downturn

As we all carefully assess every penny we spend, it seems counter-intuitive to spend precious dollars on art -something that at first glance seems so trivial.

Here are just a few reasons why we must continue to purchase art and support artists during this difficult economic downturn.

- Art brings hope in desperate times.

- Art stimulates creativity - exactly what we need to jumpstart our economy.

- Art brings joy in sorrow.

- Art is a form of therapeutic expression that aids the emotional state of those that have suffered trauma.

- The creative process is healing and life affirming.

- Art provides a therapeutic and creative outlet for pent up emotions and hurtful feelings that are too painful to express verbally.

- Often traumatic events that have been buried deep in the subconscious will surface through art. Once the emotions have been released healing can then begin to take place.

- Besides helping to improve mental and emotional health art can increase self-awareness, cognitive abilities, reduce stress and assist in healing the emotional effects of traumatic experiences.

- Art is GREEN - it utilizes brainpower - not toxic waste.

- Artists need more that creativity to survive.

Alison Bernstein says this:

Throughout our history, artists in the U.S. have utilized their skills as a vehicle to illuminate the human condition, contribute to the vitality of their communities and to the broader aesthetic landscape, as well as to promote social change and democratic dialogue. Artists have also helped us interpret our past, define the present, and imagine the future. In spite of these significant contributions, there's been an inadequate set of support structures to help artists, especially younger, more marginal or controversial ones, to realize their best work. Many artists have struggled and continue to struggle to make ends meet. They often lack adequate resources for health care coverage, housing, and for space to make their work. Still, public as well as private funding for artists has been an uneven, often limited source of support even in the best of times economically.

Compounding these material problems is the fact that the public often views the profession of "artist" as not serious. The way artists earn a living may seem frivolous, and artists are often seen as indulging in their own passions and desires which bear no relation to the everyday experiences of most workers. This too contributes to a devaluing of the artist as a citizen with the same rights and responsibilities as everyone else.

"Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it."
-- Berthold Brecht

"When you give money to artists, you are yourself doing an artists work"
-- Vincent Van Gogh

Whan you buy a copy of "Beauty Is Calling" you are helping shape the destiny of young artists' around the world. All the proceeds go to Kalein, "A Center for Creative Studies".

New Year Special! Buy Now and choose one of the 5 prints below from the book absolutely free. (A $109.00 value for only $24.99)

Use Drop Down Menu to Select Print(s)

Book & Print # 1 Beauty Book & Print # 2 A Moment To Behold Book & Print # 3 Lady In Red Book & Print # 4 Passion Book & Print # 5 Florentine Lily

Come join me for a book signing (I'm calling it a "Book Tasting") Friday evening, Jan.23 from 6-8pm at Landmark Book in downtown Franklin, TN Complimentary wine & cheese and a free wine glass and signed print if you buy a book(s).

All profits from the sale of this book go to support Kalein, a Center for Creative Studies. For information about upcoming retreat opportunities and more go HERE.

   

Vote For The Cover Of My New Book "Beauty Is Calling"

Please vote HERE for ONE of the three cover options. The book releases around Feb. 2009 by O'More Publishing.

#1.

#2.

#3.