Happy Easter from Chloe Pink™

Copyright © Sharna Fulton 2010. All Rights Reserved

Chloe Pink™ salutes Coco Chanel during Women's History Month

There are so many reasons why I adore Chanel. Oh let me count the ways! My mom bought me my first bottle of Chanel No. 5 when I was in college. While I'm not much of a perfume enthusiast, the "5" is still amazing to me. Chanel also invented bell bottom jeans, the little black dress and the famous Chanel jacket and suit. She basically started the revolution of making women's clothes more comfortable and practical when she first plucked a bunch of extra stuff off the hat of a French actress. She then went on to get rid of corsets. She not only made fashion less restrictive for women, but her styles truly celebrated femininity.

But what I've been most enthralled with Chanel as of late is the conviction she showed during her lifetime to be her very own person. In a world where girls are encouraged to be thin, look like models and actresses, not compete too hard against their peers, not outshine... Oy! Don't get me started! Besides I really must go get ready for an important meeting. And I think I'll turn my skinny jeans into a business suit by adding a tailored little jacket and a few strands of faux pearls. I think Coco would like that.

Copyright © Sharna Fulton 2010. All Rights Reserved.

Chloe Pink salutes Georgia O'Keefe for pursuing her passion

Georgia O'Keefe was considered to be the premiere female artist of the 20th century (It was a title, by the way, she wasn't too crazy about. She felt it was a put down to female artists.) As a matter of fact, it's said that O'Keefe was one of few Americans - man or woman - who had an impact on European art.

She said, "to create one's own world in any of the arts, takes courage." When O'Keefe began painting giant flowers, her work was revolutionary. And it continues to inspire many today.

But if you think that daring female artists are in short supply, think again! I've seen an abundance of creative risk takers lately. Yes. Girls aged five to seven. Artistes in my All Mixed Up Art Class.

It's amazing to simply watch the joy these girls get from creating a drawing or coloring it in with a pencil or magic marker.

I issued each of them a sketchbook and encourage them to sketch whenever their schedule allows. One student informed me she'd have lots of time on a flight she was taking for an upcoming family trip. That's the way us artists have to think! Every Thursday, the girls rush through the front door sketchbooks in hand. They literally run up and start flipping through their books to show me their drawings--sometimes 3 or 4 girls at the same time.

This is the exuberance of being an artist these young girls feel. They don't question if their art is good or if it's the right subject matter. (Actually, I think it's all good.) Or if the other girl's art is better. (Maybe it is, but so what? Next week, there's will be better.) They simply love their art and want to show it off. This attitude is something I hope more girls can experience--a sheer passion for creating and pursuing something that makes you happy. In this case, art. It's really that simple. It's also what I hope girls of all ages - teenagers, college students, moms, career women, grandmoms, empty nesters - can give some thought to as well. Chances are they won't reach the acclaim that Georgia O'Keefe did. But they can certainly enjoy the process of painting as much as she did. That is truly possible!

Copyright © Sharna Fulton 2010. All Rights Reserved.

Chloe Pink salutes female athletes during Women's History Month

This month, Chloe Pink is giving shout-outs to women role models who have made a difference. While there's no doubt that Babe Didrickson Zaharias was a natural athlete, it was her goal to be her best that made her a champion.

This is the message I hope to send out to girls of all ages through Chloe Pink™. Let's face it. Whether you're 5 or 75, a little pep talk never hurts.

So consider Chloe Pink's Women's History Month series just that. While you may not have Babe's super athleticism, you have your own unique strength. And it's up to you and you alone to strive to be your best at it!

For lots more great tips on getting ahead, I invite you to join me and Chloe Pink on TrackAhead.com, an education and career social networking site that encourages your success.

Hope to see you there. And here's to "your drive" towards success.



Copyright © Sharna Fulton 2010. All Rights Reserved.

Chloe Pink™ is a cartoon spokesperson encouraging girls of all ages to believe in themselves and to follow their dreams. So, when super ingenius Pamme B. at TrackAhead suggested I do a Chloe Pink™ series for Women's History Month, it seemed like a no-brainer to me. Thanks TrackAhead!

Chloe's salute to these feminine leaders takes off in acrylic on canvas entititled Girls Who Aim High. I wanted to do a throwback to vintage posters with fun typography and bold images. It just seemed like an old fashioned airplane was the perfect eye-catching visual to begin with. What's more, I couldn't think of a more courageous woman than aviator, Bessie Coleman. After all, she flew! But first, she faced adversity in pursuing her dreams twofold -- both as an African American and as a woman. Bessie went on to found a flying school for women saying that she didn't want others to face the difficulties she faced.

There are lots more like Bessie! And the rest of the series will feature mainly cartoons in line art. (Paintings are so much fun to do, but just a little too time intensive.)

I look forward to illustrating the achievements of our trailblazing sisters. In sports. Politics. The arts. Etc. These are women who listened to their own hearts and minds and made something truly special of their lives. They are role models for other women and girls. They are role models for me!

If you have any ideas of women before 1920 you'd like Chloe Pink to salute, just let me know. And feel free to weigh in on what Bessie Coleman's achievement means to you.

Chloe Pink™ © Copyright Sharna Fulton All Rights Reserved. Follow Chloe on Facebook and Twitter.