Monday, October 24, 2011

"Where Is Chloe Pink Going? Contest"

Chloe Pink and Pete are going on a trip. Can you guess where? Just email the answer to sharna.fulton@att.net along with your colored in page of Chloe Pink packing. Please include your name, address, email and phone number.

Your beautiful artwork just may be featured right here on CP's blog and her Facebook page. And the first person to answer correctly where she is off to, wins a free Chloe Pink "Follow your dreams" t-shirt.

We must get at least 5 entries or contest is null and void. So get to work with those crayons or colored pencils or markers, girls! (And don't forget to follow your own dreams while you're at it.)

Copyright © Sharna Fulton 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Ten and a half hours

Last night, I watched the first half of Miss Representation, a documentary about the portrayal of females in the media. One of the first statistics that floored me was that girls consume about 10.5 hours a day of media -- much of which contains harmful images to their self confidence. Between movies, magazines, computers, TV and so on, girls are constantly bombarded with images of physical perfection for them to reach. Looks and acceptance by boys as well as within their own peer group of girls is more important than brains, talent, individuality and heart.
I've been working on Chloe Pink since 2006 and when I saw this movie, it helped me comprehend what the last 5 years of my cartoon project has been all about. The movie brings to the surface the many challenges I've faced as a girl and woman throughout my life from 1st grade to this particular moment as I write this blog post. My goal with Chloe Pink is to encourage girls to follow their dreams, which is to "follow their own heart." It takes a "C" like the one on Chloe Pink's cap which stands for courage to believe in oneself and follow one's own course rather than to constantly try to fit in with the media's image of who we are supposed to be. Thanks to Jennifer Siebel Newsom who wrote, produced and directed the movie and will be helping who knows how many understand just what we are up against...with these media images in front of our face everyday. Which is why Chloe Pink says "Follow your dreams, girl!"

Copyright © Sharna Fulton 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Thursday, October 13, 2011

10 reasons why every girl should do art

1) If you are sad, the arts can take you away to a happy place. Don't ask me how. They just do. Pick up a sketchbook and start drawing a cartoon about your feelings next time you're blue. You'll see what I mean.
2) The arts let you get out of your "box." That box is the "normal you" or the expectation others have of you and who you should be. For instance, did you know that many actresses and comics and musicians are actually shy? You would never know it once they get on stage!
3) The arts are fun. It's fun to dip a paint brush in red paint. It's fun to strum a guitar. It's fun to learn a new dance step.
4) The arts allow you to create something from nothing, which is just about one of the best feelings in the world.
5) The arts let you express your ideas and feelings which is quite healthy and therapeutic.
6) The arts let you be you!
7) The arts are a way to grow as an individual. The more you express yourself through the arts, the more you come to understand yourself and appreciate your strengths and abilities.
8) The arts are something you can do alone and are a better use of your time than watching TV. Although, believe me. I do watch TV--but I try to keep a sketchbook and a pencil near the couch.
9) The arts are a great way to meet other unique friends who enjoy doing art too. Most of my friends and associates have a passion for the arts in their own way. They are writers, dancers, art educators, actors, etc. They make my life interesting and I learn cool stuff from them.
10) The arts allow you to create and contribute to the world right now.

Who knows? You could be the next big ballerina or painter or musician or actress or....But if you never take ballet, pick up a paint brush, try to write a short story, compose a song or play the piano, you'll never know. And even if you're not a famous artist, you're still going to have a lot of fun. I promise. And so does Chloe Pink!

Copyright © Sharna Fulton 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Mary Joe Fernandez Tells Her Players To Believe

Please tell Chloe Pink that I was following my dreams this morning. I was hitting tennis balls on a gorgeous fall day with Fed Cup Coach and 2 time grand slam tennis champ, Mary Joe Fernandez and the pros at Bitsy Grant Tennis Center in Atlanta courtesy of Cadillac.

For those who don't follow or play tennis, Fed Cup is the international premier women's international team tennis event. And in addition to coaching the U.S. Women's Fed Cup Team, Mary Joe has an Olympic gold medal and two grand slam tennis championships under her belt. Plus, she's also a tennis commentator who travels the world, working side by side with all the major sportscasters and interviewing the likes of Roger Federer.

Mary Joe is a heavyweight in the world of tennis and obviously a girl who has followed her dreams. Soft spoken and laid back, she is a champion, a coach and someone who inspires many others. So, I had to ask her one question.
Me: Mary Joe. If you could tell your Fed Cup Players only one thing, what would it be?
Mary Joe: Believe in yourself.

Hmmm. Sounds like she and Chloe have a lot in common. Not to mention, they both like the color pink.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

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