Gideonslight year-end message and competition anouncement!

Jipeee! The day that I have been waiting for has finally come! My online art school is finally published and my first two courses are activated and ready for student enrollment! It has been a two year journey up until this point, and the amount of personal effort and learning I had to put in to make this a reality was immense, but it was all worth it in the end, and the pay off is so rewarding!

So, if you still haven't checked out my online art school, here is another opportunity! I'm all about creating opportunities! 😁

Click here to visit my online school right now!

Then second thing on my anouncement agenda today, is the lucky draw for my SUPPORT ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND WIN BIG COMPETITION that has been running since October. I have to say one thing about this competition, I realised again that people do not read, or they certainly  don't read to understand, they scan to get it over with, because not a single person who entered the competition completed all the required steps! The one step that was a requirement to successfully get your name in the lucky draw, was to READ AND ANSWER THE BLOG QUESTION OF ALL THREE MONTHS OF THE RUNNING COMPETITION! All of the entrants only answered the one question of the month they entered. Bummer! 😕

There was also a number of entrants who didn't add their name to their answer when they entered the competition, so unfortunately I have no idea who you are, as I received an email notification that simply read that an "unknown person" has just commented on your blog! Bummer! 😣

But I have decided to reward those who did manage to complete most steps of the competition! So without further ado, here are the three LUCKY WINNERS who will receive a FREE HAIR SPA TREATMENT VALUED AT R550!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!

1. KAITLYN BUCHEL
2. MARNÉ JACOBS
3. SUNNI BOLLYWOOD

CONGRATULATIONS! 😁🤗🏆🎉

*Your prize voucher is on its way to you via Whatsapp! Your voucher is valid for 3 months and will expire on 15 March 2019! You will need 1 hour to fully enjoy your spa treatment! All the usual terms and conditions of Gideonslight Hair Art and Soul applies! This voucher is not transferable nor can it be exhanged for cash or used as discount.

My 3rd anouncement is that my website is undergoing an upgrade and will include pages about my online school plus a virtual art galary! This is all still under construction,  but do take the time to check it out. My blog which is now hosted on blogspot, will also find a new home on my website hosted by wordpress! So this will be my final blog post on blogspot!

Click here to visit my new webpage!

My last anouncement for 2018 is that I  am fully booked up and until I take my feastive leave from the 23rd of December until the 2nd of January 2019! My first week in January is also fully booked already with clients that didn't find space with me before Xmas. So if you are still looking to get your hair done, send me a WhatsApp today to schedule your next appointment! More and more clients are getting into the habbit of scheduling their next appointment before they leave, to ensure they get the spot that best suits them. I strongly suggest you get into this habbit too if you haven't begun to do so already!

Lastly, I want to take this time to thank each of you for your support throughout 2018! Without you my business would not have grown the way that it has. I am so grateful! My wish and prayer for you over this festive season is:

"May you and all sentient beings everywhere be happy,
May you and all sentient beings everywhere be healthy, 
May you and all sentient beings everywhere be free from danger,
May you and all sentient beings everywhere be free from suffering!
May all beings achieve enlightenment & live in peace!

See you soon!

Gideonslight. 

What is holding you back?

What is holding you back? You've read the emails, you saw the YouTube videos, and you have probably heard me talking about it… but you haven't signed up for the course yet? Why not? You have mentioned that you are interested, and I know that you have entertained the idea to learn how to paint with watercolour,  but something is preventing you from clicking on the link and to go for it…


Allow me to share in short some of the things that held me back to get started on my journey, and maybe you can relate to it. Then I will also share some facts about my courses in a Q&A fashion.



First off, as you might have gathered from my launch campaign,  one of the first things that kept me back from engaging with my dream to become an artist was opportunity. Like I have explained before, up until 10 years ago, opportunities like online learning, at affordable fees was unheard of, in fact it didn’t exists. Now courses like mine are available on various platforms like Teachable and Udemy.



The second thing that held me back was financial resources. Most premium art courses cost a lot of money, and most teachers online charge in US Dollars. If it weren't for friends and family who responded to my plea for support to enable me to enrol in an online program like mine, I would still have only dreamed of becoming an artist.



This is exactly the story of my first course on Udemy! I remember seeing the very first advertisement about an online course in art therapy, and the normal fee for the course was around US $800. The course was on a special, and was available for a huge discount at only $110! I didn't have that kind of money available at the time,  but something inside me said ASK! So I did. The special offer was about to end and the deal would be off the table within 48 hours. So I  decided to share it on my Facebook timeline and ask if any of my friends would be willing to sponsor me. I left it in the hands of the universe. My intention and desire to educate myself was clear. To my surprise,  a client of mine saw my post of my plea for support and contacted me. She transferred the money (nearly R1500) into my bank account and as soon as the funds became available,  I transferred the money to my husband's credit card to purchase the course. I didn’t even have a credit card at the time to make the payment possible! So thanks to these two people who came to my aid, I was just in time to enrol in my very first online course in Art Therapy. Today since that time I hold four certificates in the field of Art Therapy, and the education and training I have at my disposal is helping clients who come to me for counselling and therapy!



The important first step that was taken was mine to take. I had to take a step of faith, and make my needs known to the universe. One of the universal truths that I have learned on my life journey, is that you have to make the first move. When you move, the universe moves with you. It is never the other way around. The task of Life is to present us with the opportunity, it is up to us to take it. Unfortunately so many of us let opportunity slip us by because we believe that it is not the right time, or you don’t have what it takes in the moment… and then opportunities pass us by, never to be repeated again!



I believe that this is an opportunity that I  can now extend to you! This is the last two days that you are able to purchase my Orca in watercolour course at a ridiculously low fee of only R90! That's like $1,25! WHAT? Yes! And what's more is that you have a 30 day money back guarantee! If you’re not satisfied with the course content, you can get your money back no questions asked. Why is my course so cheap? It is my way of opening a door! Because from midnight on the 15th of December SAST the Orca course fee will go up to R180! (That’s about $2,50) This final opportunity will last until midnight on the 31st of December SAST after which this Orca course will be sold at its full value of R450. ($6,75) As the course gains in popularity, so the price will increase over time, so you can see how this is an amaxing offer, never to be repeated again!



So let me share some facts:
• WHAT WILL I LEARN IN THE ORCA WATERCOLOUR COURSE?  Well, you will have the opportunity to paint the subject in two different styles. First is a loose style that is fast and fresh, and then you will engage in the tight and realistic method. You will learn how to transfer the image to your watercolour paper, making it super easy to get started. You will get the opportunity to use various techniques that include; masking, salt, lifting and negative painting. The subject is both a landscape as well as a realistic animal painting.
• THE COURSE LOOKS DIFFICULT. WHAT SKILL LEVEL WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THIS PAINTING? This course is considered an Intermediate difficulty level because various techniques are used, but it is not impossible. Once the *introduction to watercolour basics course is completed, you should be able to tackle this course with a greatvdeal of success. Things that make this course easy is the clean lines and simple shape of the Orca, as well as the limited palette. The whole process is broken up in chapters that is easy to follow along. (* my introduction to watercolour basics course is available free of charge!)
• WHAT MAKES YOUR COURSE UNIQUE? I offer insight into the symbolism of the Orca, as I have found meaning in the medicine messages that animals provide through the ancient culture of the native Americans who believe that animals are messengers to us. I have included this information in the course, and if you are drawn to this course, it is likely that you will find this information relevant to your life right now.
• IS THERE A MONEY BACK GUARANTEE?  Yes, there is a 30 day money back guarantee.
• IS THERE A POSSIBILITY OF INTERACTION WITH THE INSTRUCTOR? Yes, at the end of each chapter you are able to post comments and ask questions. I will be able to respond and guide you further. You are also able to upload photographs of your work and progress,  that I will also be able to help guide you onwards.
• ARE THERE DEADLINES TO COMPLETE THIS COURSE? No, you can work at it at your own pace. There are no requirements except to enjoy it and to have fun whilst learning.
• DO YOU OFFER CERTIFICATION AFTER COMPLETION? Not for this course. But certification will be available at a later stage once this course becomes part of a bigger learning module as the Academy grows.
• HOW DO I KNOW WHICH MATERIALS I WILL NEED FOR THE COURSE? I provide a complete list of supplies at the beginning of the course. However I do suggest watching a few chapters first before going out to get supplies just to familiarize yourself with the content.
• IS THERE A PREVIEW AVAILABLE TO SEE IF THE COURSE IS FOR ME? Yes, one of the lectures are an open lecture that you can watch to see my teaching style as well as the quality of the video tutorials.
• IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH US? Yes, please visit my YouTube channel, there are additional Orca painting tutorials available for you to enhance the learning experience and it is completely free of charge! Remember to subscribe and enjoy the course!


The YouTube channel link is here:
GIDEONSLIGHT YOUTUBE CHANNEL


Go to My Teachable Academy now to enrol for only R90 here:
GIDEONSLIGHT ACADEMY

So? What is holding you back? I am interested to hear your story! Simply reply to this communication and let me know what is preventing you from jumping in to make your artistic dreams a reality! Also, why not use this opportunity to let me know what other subject matter would interest you more in the future! Landscapes, still life, botanicals or space?


Visit my website and learn more about me there! Click here:
GIDEONSLIGHT WEBPAGE 

Happy painting!


Gideon.

What key factor determined Success vs. Failure in my art?

Up until a few years back, I was dreaming of painting beautiful paintings, and I always complained that I was too busy to put any effort into realising this dream. What I did not recognise at the time, was that I was playing the victim, I was giving my power away to less important things. Things like TV, people who I placed on pedestals of importance, business with work and of course always being tired, and having a thousand other excuses of why I could not spend any time making my dream as an artist to come true.

One of these excuses was that because I couldn't study art, I did not have the qualifications of an artist, and this in turn meant that I couldn't be an artist, "because only qualified artists know how to create beautiful art..." The other fear I entertained, was the fear of living in poverty, because society teach you by example that mosts artists are struggling to make a living because they are mediocre, and only the best artists make good money. I felt deep inside that would never achieve that status because it was too late for me!

Another belief that kept me firmly out of reach with my dream was that inspiration is really hard to come by. The feeling of inspiration was fleeting and I had to sacrifice everything just to hold on to that wisp of artistic flair that would occasionally pop up for me that would allow me just enough "juice" to produce something worth while to hang on my wall. But if I took on too big a project, I would eventually surrender to my self-sabotage and give up. The inspiration would fade away and my boredom and apathy would creep back in, resulting in paintings that I would never finish. Looking at the graveyard of unfinished works of art in my past, would only reinforce the ideas I already held and I would just slip back into old patterns of ignorance and defeat.  Let's face it, I simply was not an artist. It was just to hard!

But how did I come to my current success? Well, the first thing that changed for me was I had to recognise that I was giving my power away to a lot of limiting beliefs and self created situations. First I was forced to deal with all the areas in my life where I was living with a belief of self-entrapment. Life presented me through a series of events with the opportunities to choose differently. Was it easy? No. Was it impossible?  No! But here is the thing. If you desire something badly enough in your life, something possitive, something soul enriching, that desire IS the confirmation that the destination is there! And when you ask the universe, eventually you won't have a choice but to move your life into allignment with your dreams. This is what happened to me.

Once I dealt with all my excuses, fears and crutches that kept me from picking up the brush, a "correct thinker" and a "muse" entered my life. The muse was Whitney Freya, a self-taught artist from the United States who entered my life at the right stage who became my catalyst. It is said that when the student is ready, the teacher appears. This was the case for me. Whitney helped me to recognise and to embrace my artists within, through a daily practice of spending time with the things I love most: paint, brushes and the canvas. It became a porthole of wonder and self-realisation for me. Most important of all, is it was Whitney who proved to me that it is possible to be an amazing, unique artist without a formal art education. It was also her method of teaching that introduced me to on-line education, and with that a whole new world opened up to me.

At the same time that I embraced my own artist within,  a creative thinker, Elizabeth Gilbert and her amazing book called "Big magic - living a creative life beyond fear" entered my life. This amazing book helped me to recognize even more deeply, my artist spirit whithin. I learned that inspiration is always available, abundantly so, and that it becomes even more so, the more you open yourself up to it. It helped me to recognize that all the fears about being an artist was just "bullshit" that a fearful society projects out onto each other because it is "safe in a world where you don't have to be original", it is "safe to just blend in with the crowd". Well I finally had the courage to say: "to hell with that!"

I finally broke free from my own matrix of self-limitations and like Neo from the Matrix movie started to "bend my own space and time" to my own will and needs. Now I yield the power in my creative life. I decide what I do and when I do it. I get to decide how much time I spend on which activity! This is what it feels like to live with big magic. It is very powerful indeed!

So what is the secret to my success? DAILY PRACTICE. To dedicate time every day with my craft is the biggest factor that led to my current success. Getting rid of distractions like TV. Making sure that I include time in my daily schedule for my craft ensures I have the time available to engage with my art. So many people I know say they dream to paint like me, but they "don't have the time..." and I hear myself say: "that was me a few years ago... giving my power away to excuses. But not any more!" If you want to paint like me, you have to make time to go to the canvas and paint! Even if you were "a born artist" with the biggest talent on the planet you would still have to make the time in your life to paint!

Here is the biggest lie we believe and tell ourselves about art: THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE SO DIFFICULT... AND BECAUSE YOU FIND IT DIFFICULT IT MEANS YOU SHOULDN'T PERSUE AND PERSIST UNTIL YOU GET IT RIGHT! BECAUSE IF YOU WHERE AN ARTIST IT WOULD BE EASY FOR YOU! NONSENCE! Anything worth doing takes time and  practice, and simetimes a dash of hard headed persistence until we get it right, pays off big time! So the question we should be asking is not whether or not you CAN paint, but rather, how badly you wish to experience the joy of creating!

So, what has all this got to do with my online art school? Well, this is just another huge step for me in living my big creative dream, but this is also where I become a muse and creative thinking coach for you! If you want to break free from your self-sabotage and self-limitations,  then that is exactly what my art school will provide for you. All of the courses and lesson plans that I make available on my academy has but one goal: to empower and to activate the artist within YOU!

Here is the good news, my next course at my academy is now available for an early bird enrollment. "Paint the Orca in watercolour" course is now available for a mere R90! But this ridiculously low fee will only be available till midnight on the 15th of December SAST. Thereafter the course launches on the 16th of December for a limited time at the price of R180! From the 1st of January 2019, this course will be available at it's full price of R450! So why wait? Now is your chance to take charge and stimulate your artist withinin and push your fears aside and allow the Orca to guide you as you take a leap of faith!

I challenge you to make 2019 the year you step outside of your fear, and to become a fearless artist. Let me show you how!

Go now and enroll at my online art school by clicking on the following link:
Paint the Orca in watercolour

Also visit my website to learn more about my business here:
Gideonslight website

The early bird enrollment in my course is now open!

The day has come for the early bird enrolment in my free INTRODUCTION TO WATERCOLOUR BASICS course! Any person who enrol with my school over the next 3 days will be able to get my “Paint the Orca in watercolour” course at 50% discount! What an amazing offer!

At this stage the "paint the Orca in watercolour" course will be available  for only R180 so you will pay a low R90 for it if you enrol within the next 3 days! The Orca painting course will officially launch on the 16th of December, and I will see exactly who enrolled during this early bird period! I will send you an discount code privately with an email on the 16th of December when this 2nd course launches at my online art school. 

So what are you waiting for? Go right now to enrol at
https://www.Gideonslight.teachable.com

The early bird enrolment offer closes at midnight on the 5th of December 2018, and will never be repeated at this low price! Why don't you share this announcement with your friends and family too?

I am looking forward to seeing you in my classroom soon!

Yours sincerely
Gideon Busquét-Craucamp
Artist, Creatively Fit Coach, Instructor

How I got from A to B in my art career

I wanted to take this time to share with you a little bit more about my art career as it developed from my childhood until now. In between paragraphs I would like to show you some of my earlier works that contributed to my growth and development as an artist. Some of these artworks have never been showcased in public before,  and others like this one at the top has sold for R4800,00 at an art exibition.

My art journey spans over a lifetime of 47 years up until now. I believe that I was born to be an artist and to help awaken this passion within others. Ever since I can remember I was drawn to colourful objects, beauty and lovely sounds. My mother always told me that my sister used to play me classical music on the piano while I was still in the womb, and that it calmed me down. Even to this day I am very sensitive to what kind of music I listen to, and for those of you who know me well, will know that this is true.

But my art development through my school years was never recognised as an important value and skill for me to develop, my family had other more important challenges to face. My oldest sister and my mother did encourage me and tried their best to provide opportunities and support to develop what they saw I guess as a potential for a hobby. It wasn't until the end of my high school education after my aptitude tests that it was revealed that the arts was the best avenue for me to take career wise... but that proved to be too late, as the school I was attending did not provide art as a subject. This shortcoming in my school education would proof fatal as I did not get admission to art school after I finished matric.

My family's financial health was not strong enough to support my further studies and my life went on another journey that developed my spiritual understanding deeper. I shared a watercolour painting that I painted during that period in 1990 last week.

I guess my artistic turn came in 2008 when my need to express myself on canvas was no longer an option. I simply had to go and get art supplies and even though I didn't have a huge budget, I managed to come home with a few basic tubes of acrylic paint, four flat canvas boards and a set of the cheapest brushes that was available. I looked at the paintings I made yesterday and I can still see the hair fibres of the cheap brushes I used, plastered to the canvas board.

The quality of the paint did not matter. I didn’t even have a table to work on at this stage of my life. So I painted on a plastic bag on the floor. Back breaking to say the least, but it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that I answer the call that my soul demanded of me, and out of that was born the painting of the Buddha face. The symbolic meaning to me of these four paintings was an enlightenment and a realisation that I now had the opportunity to take my art more seriously and to do something about it.

From 2008 onwards art started to play a bigger part in my life and I created more and more space for the practice of this craft. But the call became even stronger. In 2016 while I was volunteering as a lay counsellor at Lifeline I seized the opportunity to make use of my art skills to raise money for this non-profit organisation.  I created a bespoke painting of water lilies (featured at the top of this blog) and put together an Art-for-Heart art auction event that gave artist who wanted to participate the opportunity to donate their art for auction and the proceeds would go to Lifeline. My painting was part of this exhibition and by the end of the evening, raised the highest amount of money! This event and the tug of war over my painting, made me realise that others see something beautiful in my art and I needed to step up my focus in this area.

It was also during 2016 that I completed my first year training in Logotherapy and through this process I recognised that art is one of my core values and also a unique life calling that formed part of my life purpose. I answered the call and from this point forward,  everything I did, was to support my artist within and to afford it every opportunity to develop and to bloom.

In 2017 the opportunity of a lifetime opened to me to enrol in an international coaching certification program with Whitney Freya in the United States. And with her program and coaching, a deeper understanding of my skills and purpose was revealed. The world of online schools and education opened up to me after my husband and I installed WIFI in our home. This simple technology allowed me to exchange my addiction to television for art. After two house breaks after each other,  our television got stolen twice, we decided that we didn't need TV in our lives anymore. This precursor event prepared me to make full space available for my art and practice to step in. I no longer have a TV lounge in my home, it now is my art studio.

Ever since my Creatively Fit Coaching Programme, art has become a daily practice for me. The growth in my craft is evident, and the timing of all the realisations in this regard is perfect. In retrospect I see the hand of the Divine guiding me all along on my path. Every closed or opened door, every opportunity,  every teacher and every patron that has crossed my path was all part of the grand plan to answer the call to become the rainbow warrior.

When 2018 arrived my business plan for the year was to create my online art school and to grow my business in every aspect, but the way that would manifest looked completly different from my plan! First my hairdressing business took a turn for the worst in January after a huge part of my clientelle decided that I am located to far to support further, and a number of regular clients also moved to Cape Town and other areas. This shift in client support pulled the rug from under my feet and I was faced with a dire situation of how to survive.

I took my own life coaching advice and changed my attitude about the seeming difficulty and decided rather to look at it as an opportunity to transform the way I do business. This change in pace also allowed me much more time at the canvas that acted both as personal anti-stress therapy, as well as getting much more brush mileage under my belt. The good news is that my strategy, patients and resilience paid off, and my theme word for 2018 which was GROWTH certainty manifested!

The other obstacle to my game plan for 2018 was the development and building of a three story block of flats less than 100m away from my bedroom and studio window. The noise polution and agrivation this year long project brought into my life was challenging to say the least. But again, with earphones in my ears I focused on my art and used the canvas to help channel my energy in a more productive manner.

It is only now near the end of this building construction that I decided to jump in and begin to work on the program for my online art school. Once again being defiant in the face of circumstances that seems to want to resist my progress in any way, shape or form. I guess I have had so many opportunities to surender and say "look, everything is against me, why bother! Let me lie on the coach and watch TV until the end of my life and complain every day about how unfair life was to me for not making my artist life easy!"

NO! I refuse to give up so easily! There has been many people that looked at my art and began to tell me of the other fabulous artist they know and that I should make the effort to try and emulate them! (The odacity and insensitive nature of some people blows my mind some days!) But there has also been amazing patrons that praise my efforts and who support me in my art. But regardless of insult, praise or critique , the most important thing to me about my art is not the opinions or approval of others... but rather what my art means to me. My art is part of me. It is an exoression from my soul. It leaves a mark on this world. It shouts out that I was here, that my life mattered, and I made a difference, even if it was only to one other human being in my lifetime that looked at one of my artworks and realised some inner truth of beauty! That is what keeps me going, and that is how I got from A to B.

Please visit my YouTube channel to see a short video I made of some of my other works of art over the years. Click HERE: 

Here are the four cornerstones of my success: PATIENCE, PERSISTENCE, RESILIENCE AND ACCEPTANCE. THESE ARE THE FOUR CORNERSTONES OF MAKING PROGRESS AGAINST ALL ODDS!

My online school is now live. Please visit it and check it out!

📯YEAR END COMPETITION:
Stand a chance to *win my new  hair and scalp spa pamper treatment packadge worth R550 absolutely free! 

📯Three lucky clients who follow me on Facebook, Instagram and who read my monthly blog will stand a chance to win this wonderful prize. Here is how to enter...

👉 Visit my Facebook page, and use the review option on my page and write me a referral.
https://www.facebook.com/Gideonslight/
👉 Go to my Instagram and follow me. You will find me easily by using my personal hashtag #Gideonslight 
👉 Lastly follow and read my BLOG; (my blog link is on top of your appointment confirmation notice each time you book, as well as on all my social media pages) 👇comment on the following 3 months publishing's and FIND THE CLUES in the blog that will reveal the answer to THAT MONTHS QUESTION in that edition. Leave your ANSWER IN A COMMENT at the end of the blog. You will find the Question under the COMPETITION SECTION in my blog.


📯Succesful entrants will go through to the lucky draw on 16 December 2018!


📯DECEMBER QUESTION:
🔖NAME THE 4 CORNERSTONES OF SUCCESS. (REMEMBER TO ADD YOUR NAME WITH THE COMMENT TO SUCCESSFULLY ENTER THE LUCKY DRAW!)


*Terms and conditions apply! 
In order to get your name selected for the lucky draw, you must comply with ALL the requirements above! 

I am looking forward to sharing with you on social media and look forward towards your comments on my blog posts.

Good luck to the aspiring competitors!

Stay blessed. 💟🦄

Gideonslight.

Where you could be in six months time

Where could you be in six months time if you start taking action towards realising your dreams today? 

Twenty eight years ago I wanted to embark on a career in the arts. But that door wouldn't open for me. Unfortunately the high school I had to attend did not offer art as a subject and therefore I did not receive the foundational development in art that I needed for admission to art school. It was a sad and disappointing time in my life, because in my deepest being I knew I was meant to answer the call of the art warrior.

Attached  to this writing is a comparison of a watercolour painting that I painted in 1990, with a painting that I did 6 months ago. Looking back at this artwork I recognise that I didn't have the necessary skills to enter into a tertiary art education program, nor did I have the support or the resources required to achieve my goal. 

The part of this story that I want to focus on is that after I created this painting in 1990, I never picked the watercolour brush back up... I did nothing to develop my own skills and I took no action to make my dreams come true. Life took me on a journey to a point four years ago where for the first time I realised that art is a personal value, and that if I truly wanted it to be part of my life experience, I would need to take personal responsibility for developing my skills.

The moment I took charge of my vision and started to make art a daily practice, massive progress was the result. For those of you that have followed my art journey more closely will know how much I have grown in the last two years alone!

So, this is my point. Regardless what your goals may be, if you don’t take daily action steps towards achieving your dreams, they will simply remain just that, a dream. But if you decided today for example to enrol in my introduction to watercolour basics course, within six months time, with regular practice, you will have six months of “brush miles" under your belt and you will already be enjoying a higher level of competence than now.

Picture this: Six months from now you showcase some of your new watercolour paintings to your friends and family. They are amazed at what you have accomplished and praise your work. Your new level of expertise and skill allows you to create art for family and friends, making your gifts more desirable and unique because you no longer have to use your credit card to buy them something special,  you‘d rather create a painting or greeting card by hand!

This could be you... and I promise you that this success will have less to do with talent but more to do with practice. No one is simply good at something from day one. Remember the first time you backed a cake, sown a dress or when you went for your first driving lesson? It all took time and practice. None of us are born with the ability to speak and write... but we all have the potential! The same goes for art...

I believe that our focus should shift from "producing stock" and artwork that is on someone else's standards. But focus more on the enjoyment and therapeutic possibilities of making art a daily practice. One thing is for sure, and I can testify to that... art is cheaper than a therapist! (And probably more effective too!)

During my Creatively Fit Coaching Course we had to complete 30 paintings over a 4 month period The pace was gruelling but the process was very enjoyable. The point if this was to break through the critical inner voice and to access the creative right brain to form new neural pathways. 

Once you allow yourself to be emerged in colourful paint and you forget about what others might think, you access your inner child and give it permission to come out and play. That alone my friend is a powerful experience!

So if you are still in two minds whether you want to enrol in my online art school or not... hopefully this perspective will help you decide. After all,  what have you got to loose? Nothing! What have you got to gain? So much more!

Check out my school at Gideonslight.teachable.com

Enrolment opens on 3rd December 2018! See you in the classroom!

In the meantime subscribe to my YouTube channel. I have lots of free content available there. Find it by using the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/user/AnsuiAshram

Like my Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Gideonslight/

My webpage:
https://gideonslight.wordpress.com/

Why is this present moment the best time to get started?

Well these is no better time than now, and procrastination and putting things off to some future date seems to be the biggest self sabotaging action you can take. The only thing is, no one has to know. Because you don’t openly share your goals and desires with a larger circle, so you don't take the accountable actions steps required,  because no one knows that you are sabotaging your own goal list except you.

Here is the thing. I know you get bombarded with information all day long, and great offers and opportunities come along when we think we don’t have time or the resources to fully engage in them... and we think that we will get back to it at a more convenient time in the future... but you and I both know that that rarely happens... unless of course you are reading this and you are the 1 person that actually takes action and set a reminder to enrol in this course at a particular time in the future when you know will be convenient... but I  doubt it. 

Most people simply won’t do that. And that is why I  am writing to you today to encourage you to take action on your goals and bucket lists, because the nature of our modern world does not allow you to deviate from the boring modus operandi. Day in and day out. Monday to Friday. Live for the weekend. And so we spend our lives year in and year out believing that this is what living is all about. Sad but true isn't it?

Art, hobbies and other interest unfortunately falls into those categories that land up in the miscellaneous folders. Its things we reserve for when we retire or when we happen to find time for it in our crazy lives. This email serves the purpose to remind you that if you don’t make the time to enjoy the things that makes you happy, you simply will never have the time. And trust me when I say that most old people that I work with have only one thing they have to deal with besides their health and limited time and that is REGRET.

Today you have one of those opportunities. Did you know that a mere 10 years ago the medium of online schools didn’t exist? Here is the solution you have been waiting for!  Now you can work on those hobbies and art interests at your own time! Now you don’t have to use the only 15 days leave you have available that you really want to spend sitting in the beach on a course at some workshop, being accused by your family and friends of being selfish. Now the teacher comes to you on your smartphone or tablet and at a time that suits you! And what’s even better, is that you can review your entire curriculum when ever it suits you. What’s more is that the course and all of its contents is yours for life! Isn’t that incredible?

I truly believe that personal development and growth sector has entered the future and can only get better now that education and skills development is in the palm of your hand via your smartphone and at a very affordable price! And what is more is that enrolment and navigating the teachable platform is child's play! A few easy taps and your done.

Armed with this information I am inviting you to check out my online school today and to consider to enrol in a watercolour art class with me. I will be launching various subjects and topics next year, but most of them will require that you complete my INTRODUCTION TO WATERCOLOUR BASICS course first to lay a foundation in skills that you will need. At this present moment this course is presented free of charge, but this will not always be the case!

So here is the biggest reason why this present moment is the best time to take action. On the 3rd of December my courses will open for early bird enrolment and for 3 days only both courses will be available absolutely for free, giving you lifetime access to these two courses in watercolour. The first course is the introduction course and the second is: “learn to paint the Orca killer whale in watercolour.” Both courses are valued at over R500 each, but if you grab this opportunity you will get both for free! Go ahead and mark your diary to save the date for the 3rd of December to make full use of this once in a lifetime opportunity!

I’m looking forward to seeing you then!
Look out for my live broadcast on Facebook and YouTube later today!

Yours sincerely
Gideon Busquét-Craucamp
Aka. Gideonslight

Online school: https://www.Gideonslight.teachable.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Gideonslight/

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/AnsuiAshram

Mistakes I see people make in watercolour and how to avoid it.

I have heard so many people say to me when they look at my watercolour paintings:"How do you manage that your colours don't bleed into each other?" Or "How do you get such rich and deep colours in your painting? Is this really watercolour? "

These are all reasons why I created my online art school. To adress some of the myths and misconceptions about this magical paint medium. Many people believe that watercolour is the most difficult medium of them all... but I am here to show you that it doesn't need to be so. 

Here are some common mistakes people make with watercolour:
1. Using any paper to paint on.
2. Using cheap student grade watercolour paint and expecting professional results. 
3. Painting with too much or too little water.
4. Using plastic paint brushes.
5. Using white paint to try and get highlights or lighter colours in the painting.

If you have ever tried to paint with watercolour and failed, chances are you made one or all of the above mistakes! So I want you to try again, but this time be armed with propper tools and techniques to achieve great results.

If you understand the "nature of watercolour " and you understand how you use water as the way to control the flowing "nature" of watercolour, then it becomes one of the easiest mediums to use. Once you understand how to unlock the magic of watercolour, you can create your very own beautiful works of art!

My introduction to watercolour basics course is designed to do just that. I show you all the secrets you need to know to get off to a successful start! I tell you which paper to use, and which bruses will give you better results. I also try so save you money by educating you about colour mixing. When you understand this basic trick you won't need to buy all the colours at the supply store, because you wil know how to mix all of them.

By the end of my introduction course, you will be armed with all the information and basic skills to successfully begin a watercolour project. In fact my introduction course is one of very few that includes a paint along section right at the end to help you get started.

So I invite you to take my offer to enroll in my online art school that will be launching on the 16th of December, but rest assured for you eager beavers there will be an early bird enrollment on the 3rd of December! This free introduction to watercolour basics will not always be free, so why not make use of my offer now, and have a lifetime access to this empowering information?

I tell you what, why don't you reply to this email and tell me briefly what you would hope to learn from an online watercolour course? Or tell me what would inspire you to grab your credit card to enroll and get your paintbrushes out?

I am looking forward to hearing back from you soon!

Check out my short advert on my YouTube channel here:

Yours sincerely,

Gideon Busquèt-Craucamp
Instructor
Gideonslight Academy

Gideonslight.teachable.com

Gideonslight Hair, Art & Soul.

Why I love teaching.

Education and mentoring has always been a big part of my life. The joy of sharing my knowledge and seeing how this empowers someone is such a rewarding experience that I am always looking for opportunities to do just that.

I am so excited to share some very exciting news with you, and would love to take just a few minutes of your precious time to tell you about my online school that will be launching soon! Up until 10 years ago, online classrooms were unheard of, and if I wanted to share my skills and knowledge, I had to book a venue, organise refreshments, print notes and provide a list of materials to make such a workshop a success. All the people who would benefit from my workshop would need to take a day or two off from work or sacrifice family time, and travel to the venue. Once there, they would have to absorb as much information as possible during the day long session, and then make their way back home. After completing the workshop very little information would be retained because you would have had very little practical time to integrate the new information, and the only material you have to review, would be your course notes. Statistically it is proven that out of 10 people who attended a workshop, only 4 will proceed to implement the new found information and only 2 of those 4 will succeed in the original intention they set for attending the workshop in the first place.

That is now a thing of the past. With online schools you are able to review the entire course content at any time, do the lessons at your own pace and have access to the course facilitator to ask questions and receive feedback. Isn't this amazing? But that is not all. You have a 30 day money back guarantee and that alone should get your attention, because very few real time workshop facilitators can afford to make such a claim.

It is because of this wonderful new world of online schooling that I got the opportunity to further my studies and extend my expertise into a new career.

I have always wanted to study art, but my life circumstances did not provide me with the opportunities I needed to develop my natural talent. It is only in the last 5 years that I have received opportunities mostly through online courses, like mine, to develop these skills… and now I am taking the leap and have decided to open my own online school to bring you art courses in watercolour, acrylics and art therapy right to your smartphone or laptop!

My years of experience as a lecturer at a prestigious international hairdressing academy in Johannesburg has not only provided me with the opportunities to enrich learners minds, but it has also provided me with opportunities in learning skills as a course facilitator, assessor and mentor. Now I am combining my passion to work with people and my skills in fine art as well as my knowledge of art therapy and life coaching all into one product that will enrich lives all over the world!
You are one of those people who might have it on your bucket list to one day learn how to paint with watercolour, or have been wanting to express yourself on a canvas with acrylic paint… or you have the need for some creative life coaching. You might still be searching to find your life Purpose. All of these topics are ones I will be addressing at my online school.

First up will be a FREE INTRODUCTION TO WATERCOLOUR BASICS workshop that will open the world of watercolour to any person. I reveal all the basic secrets that makes this magical medium so rewarding to paint with. Following on the introduction to watercolour is a more advanced class where I teach you how to paint the Orca (killer whale) and much more!

So, if learning a new skill in painting in watercolour has been one of your dreams, here is your chance! Because enrolling in this course will open early December!

Is watercolour or art not your thing? Do you have children or a family member or friends that you know will benefit from a free watercolour course? Why not forward this email to them so they can make use of this amazing opportunity!

I thank you for your time, and hope to see you in one of my online courses soon!

In the meantime, check out the amazing platform that will host my school!

Click on my links below and have a look for yourself! I will also be doing a Facebook live broadcast tomorrow, and you can also check out my YouTube channel for more!

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Gideonslight/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/AnsuiAshram
WEBSITE: https://gideonslight.wordpress.com/
SCHOOL: https://gideonslight.teachable.com
I will share a bit more in a few days.

Until then, keep well and stay blessed!

Gideon Busquét-Craucamp

Gideonslight Hair, Art & Soul
Creatively Fit Coach
Art Therapy Life Coach
Artist

#Gideonslight #artist #watercolour #creativelyfitcoach #online #school #teachable 

Is it well with your Soul?

For the month of November,  I would like to take the opportunity to write a bit about the 3rd aspect of my business. As you know my business is called Gideonslight Hair, Art & Soul! Each month I try to zoom in on one of these areas of my life purpose and to share some insight into that particular area of expertise. So last month I focused on the HAIR (or salon) aspect of my business,  and this month I want to focus a bit in the SOUL. Is it well with your soul?

As you might know I am a deeply spiritual individual , and both my spiritual focus as well as my counselling is deeply grounded in universal truths that reach beyond the limiting parameters of religion. I deeply respect the beliefs of others, and since I have walked such a wide veriety of paths on my personal spiritual journey, I find it very easy to pray with the Christian, to meditate with the Buddhist,  to do assanas with the Yogi and to chant with the Hindu. I am deeply grateful that my personal understanding and experience of the Great Divine has transcended my once narrow and fear based belief system. I also believe that this grounded faith is what helps me to be a better counsellor and coach.

With that said, I  wanted to share this bit of information so that you as the reader can understand why I find it so easy to talk with such a wide audience. As a Logotherapeutic counsellor,  it is my purpose to help people to find meaning in their life situation, whether it is to find their life purpose and to pursue it, or whether it is to accept the tragedies that is part of life, or wether it is simply to find meaning in the tasks that life is presenting them with at this time.

One of the principles that we as logotherapists adhere to is the understanding that deep spiritual meaning can only come from within the individual itself, and can never be forced onto anyone. Using this as a personal guideline, I have always been able to strike a deep balance in sharing what I call "Universal truths" with individuals,  because I believe that some principles are recognised and practised by all people from all faiths, and these principles becomes the universal glue that binds us all together as one huge human family, under the grace and care of the Great Divine Spirit.

Some of these principles are that of love, forgiveness, acceptance, tollerance, grace, peace, goodwill, kindness, compassion and unity. Of course there are much more, but these are simple examples of what I mean by universal truth.

So I wanted to share very briefly how my business name came to be. WHY GIDEONSLIGHT? What does it mean? My life journey has always had a deeply spiritual theme, and a number of years ago I  reached rock bottom after a devastating career experience. Without going into too much detail here, I made a series of personal choices that entrapped me in a viscous cycle of financial behavior that in the end ended up costing me my job. For the first time I was unemoloyed, drowning in debt and with no one to turn to for help. The only way out was to go within... to become brutally honest with myself, and to take a good look in the mirror of my life experience. 

My spiritual journey deepened and as the one miracle after the other unfolded in my life, I  became deeply aware of my true authentic self. As  I unlearned the social conditioning, and as I let go of the opinions of others, I was able to zoom in on that still quiet voice within that was always guiding me towards the peace and clarity that I was seeking.

On one particular morning, after reading my daily lesson from A COURSE IN MIRACLES I came to the deeper realisation and understanding of my true nature and I experienced the essence of being. It was a deeply emotional and healing experience to say the least. But in that instant I understood that I was created in the image and likeness of my Creator, and that the same light that was eminating from the Source of all Life, was also eminating from me. In that instant Gideonslight was born as I confessed out loud with my mouth, "I am the light of the world!" It is a profound realisation that I hope everyone will realise in time, that each of us is a unique expression of Divine Light made manifest to walk the earth! What an amazing and beautiful understanding!

One of my favorite quotes of Marrianne Williamson (teacher of ACIM) is:
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us."

So my "awakening" and liberation came as I accepted and embraced my own darkness for what is was, in order to allow my light, my true self to shine through, unedited, unempeded and unapologetic! I am that I am! I am Gideon, and through me the Divine light is eminating, and that equals Gideonslight! 

When people confide in me, or come to see me for counseling, I hear in essence the same root problem over and over again. I see self absorbed unconsciousness. In this state of ego posession, it is all about the ME or I. Nothing and no one is more important, and all of the drama that brings people to me for counselling originates in this limited perseption of self. Poor me!

The healing can only begin once you are willing to look into the mirror and see yourself as you truly are. When you are willing to let go of blame, shame, anger, resentment and expectations. When we strip away the entitlement and pride. When we reach rock bottom, and the dark night of the soul decends on you, rejoice! Because the dawning of a new era is upon you! This is how I was able to heal! This is how I survived my dark night of my soul. This is how I remembered to be autentic and to take responsibility for my choices and actions. This is how I shifted from the victim to the victor! This is how I  claimed back my power to live a life with meaning and purpose!

The worm that is undergoing complete transfiguration within the darkness of the cocoon does not surender to dispair... it surenders in faith that the Divine knows best. It surrenders and trusts the process, and out of that cocoon emerges a butterfly! 

That is personal transformation. That is my biggest aim with my coaching, counselling and all other aspect of Soul that I present. 

If you feel entrapped in a dark night, or you simply need a guide in the darkness of your life, I am there for you! I offer one-on-one counseling both at Salon Allure or at my home in Silverton. I charge R250 per hour. I am also willing to come to you, but there will be extra charges for petrol. 

I also offer art therapy sessions, creative life coaching and Reiki healing journeys. These are all offered at R350 per hour.

Feel free to contact me if you would like yo book a session.

My qualifications in this field are as follows:
*Christian Theology and Pastoral counseling (ASM) National Certificate. 
*Reiki/Karuna Ki Master Degree
*Lifeline Personal Growth & Counseling Certificate with 2 years volunteer service at Lifeline Center in Watermeyer.
*Intermediate Logotherapy Certificate (UNISA)(VFISA)
*Creatively fit Coach (CCFC)

It is my prayer and wish that it is well with your soul! As we enter the silly season of the year so many people feel overwhelmed and lonely. December is the month with the highest suicide statistics. Remember you are not alone, reach out and ask for help when you need it!

Stay well! See you soon!

Gideon.

YEAR END COMPETITION:
Stand a chance to *win my new  hair and scalp spa pamper treatment packadge worth R550 absolutely free!

📯Three lucky clients who follow me on Facebook, Instagram and who read my monthly blog will stand a chance to win this wonderful prize. Here is how to enter...

👉 Visit my Facebook page, and use the review option on my page and write me a great referral.
https://www.facebook.com/Gideonslight/
👉 Go to my Instagram and follow me. You will find me easily by using my personal hashtag #Gideonslight
👉 Lastly follow and read my BLOG; (my blog link is on top of your appointment confirmation notice each time you book, as well as on all my social media pages) 👇COMMENT on the following 3 months publishing's and FIND THE CLUES in the blog that will reveal the answer to THAT MONTHS QUESTION in that edition. Leave your ANSWER IN A COMMENT at the end of the blog. You will find the Question under the COMPETITION SECTION in my blog.

📯Succesful entrants will go through to the lucky draw on 16 December 2018!

📯NOVEMBER QUESTION:
🔖What are the three different aspects of my business? Name all three. Leave your NAME & answer as a comment below this blog.

*Terms and conditions apply!
In order to get your name selected for the lucky draw, you must comply with ALL the requirements above!

Yours sincerely,
Gideon Busquet-Craucamp
Master Stylist
Counselor
Reiki Master
Creative Coach
Artist

Find me on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/Gideonslight/

📞 0794965407 by appointment only!

📧gideonslight@gmail.com
📍Salon Allure, 142A Tecoma street, Wonderboom, Pretoria, 0182.