FAREWELL LETTER TO ARTISTS

Dear Artists,

We love stories, don’t we? We love telling them, and we love hearing them. For the past six years, I’ve had the honor and privilege of helping facilitate the telling of your stories. These stories have largely focused on the instructional details of your most treasured creations. And when I think of the trust that you have given me by allowing me to handle your art, edit your words, and oversee the way in which your items are photographed and laid out, I am overcome with emotion and am forever grateful and indebted to you for your unwavering confidence and support.

As your Editor-in-Chief, I have also had the opportunity to share with you some of my stories. You have allowed me to recall stories from my childhood, stories that I continue to collect through motherhood, and stories that we learn through films, books, music, historical events, and current events. Through these stories, we have struggled with tough topics like originality in art, the pros and cons of technology, the concept of always becoming, and the value of embracing curiosity and courage — even if such an embrace leads us to inevitable change. Change can be scary.

But the resounding story that I’ve been able to hear, tell, and live throughout my life is that no matter how scary, no matter how tough, and no matter how dark things get, we can find the light through art. Because art saves. Art is what saved me as a young girl who held onto her yarn and knitting needles on the plane that took her from Korea to the United States. Art is what saved me when my Andrew was a baby and my Monica a toddler … as I learned to wash away the pressures of motherhood through the creation of a rubber stamped card, or a pieced quilt square.

Over the years, readers have showered me with stories of their own, to prove to me that indeed, art saves. In sickness, heartbreak, unemployment, divorce, and more … in the depths of life’s despair, readers have expressed gratitude for how they were saved from their worst nightmares by discovering art.

Many of you know that prior to my work in publishing, I was a social worker. I worked for seven years within child protective services where I interfaced with some of the most intense and radically devastating life stories.

For quite some time, it has been my dream to create a new venture that could harness the strengths of our art community to help expose the truth about the power of art. After six years as your editor, I have realized that now is the time for me to embrace this change and start this new venture.

In March of 2010, I will be launching CRESCENDOh.com — an Online Media Center with a mission to inspire creative passion, authentic community, and focused compassion. This launch is made possible with the support of an amazing new team that has convened — educators, business leaders, artists, writers, Web leaders, and more — all who support and believe in CRESCENDOh’s mission. It will be one of several key components that make up CRESCENDOh, LLC.

CRESCENDOh.com will be a place to have fun, learn about inspiring projects, shop for unique gifts, check out what’s totally hot, and most importantly, to read and share stories about how art saves. With your support, I will continue to help facilitate the telling of your stories, shine light on your creations, and in the process, help raise awareness of the world around us.

One thing I know to be true about life is that with everything, there is always a beginning, middle, and an end. And I believe it is important to do our best within all parts. I think doing our best at the end is especially difficult but very important, because how you handle things at the end will provide the foundation upon which you build your next new beginning.

I will be working until the end of January to complete shepherding the final issues of my beloved publications and to support the details that are included in a transition plan. During this time, I will guide and support my team so that they continue with the excellent work within all facets of the publishing division as new leadership blossoms. There is no staff smarter, more dedicated, more courageous, or more classy than the one that I have had the honor of building, training, and leading. We will always be Team 22936 — the amazing professional cohort that focused on a shared vision and performed miracles every day to make it happen. I am so proud of them. I will miss them.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for having been with me, and I hope that you will come along with me to CRESCENDOh, as we work together to cast the brightest light on creative passion, authentic community, and focused compassion.

Let us begin,

Jenny Doh, Editor-in-Chief & Director of Publishing

DEDICATION: JANICE LOWRY

I dedicate the past six years of this incredible journey to the loving memory of my dear friend and mentor, Janice Lowry, who I am certain is guiding and protecting me today. Janice was a woman who was saved through art, and whose art saved many and will save countless others for generations to come. As I embark on this new beginning to complete what I know to be my destiny, I will hold close to my heart, the last words that Janice offered me, which is to “keep working and enjoy the process.” 

 MUSICAL INSPIRATION FOR THE COURAGE TO PURSUE MY NEXT BEGINNING

Running to Stand Still as performed by U2

 

STAY TUNED

Slowly, deliberately, and thoroughly, I will be sharing on this blog, the details of what CRESCENDOh is all about, and how you can be part of it. Stay with me …

 Jenny Doh

Founder & President

CRESCENDOh, LLC

PO Box 11726

Santa Ana, CA 92711-1726

[email protected]

facebook.com/jennydoh

twitter.com/jennydoh

youtube.com/user/jennycrescendoh

 

Comments

[Mahala]

Wow and I wish you great luck on your new adventure.

[Julie Prichard]

I am so happy that we have had the opportunity to meet via Stampington.. I understand your dream and your passion and I am so happy for you. Best of luck in 2010- I'm with you.
xo

[kecia]

wow, best of luck to you! that's quite a venture for you; one of change and turning a dream into a reality. you have a wonderful new year ahead of you.

[Carmen Torbus]

Best of luck with this new endeavor Jenny!

xo,
Carmen

[Geralyn Gray]

WOW!!!! I Believe you will be a great force in the power of art and I admire you for your new endeavor!!!

[Teresa aka Tess]

Wow, I am beside myself with emothion here. Unknowing for sure what I should feel. I am so glad I found you through my wonderful art magazine. I look forward to following you into your next phase of life and cherishing every moment I can to see you continue to grow and prosper in the art world.

[Donna Salazar]

This sounds wonderful! An artful career with a passion for healing... you couldn't ask for anything better!

[Susan Tuttle]

Jenny -- you truly shine! I feel blessed to know you.

I have to share something -- when i read your words about how Janice was saved through art and in turn saved many through her art I began to cry -- it became crystal clear to me in that moment that i was also saved by art and feel passionately about passing it on as well.

What you are doing through Crescendoh will become larger than you can ever imagine. It will save lives through art, and those touched by you will pass it on. That is crystal clear.

Much love to you:)))
xoxoxo

[Chris P]

So glad to hear that you are following your heart and your passion! Bravo! Well done! Looking forward to the next chapter!

[Kat Baker]

Good luck Jenny. You are an inspiration. I will continue to follow you.

[Connie Akers]

I KNOW that Art can heal and like you I have a friend whose spirit still guides me. She and I talked about an Art Continuum and how everyone deserves to have their creative voice heard. I believe you will being doing that and I'd like to be along for the ride.

[coleen]

Bravo Jenny!!!!..it takes courage to open new doors to adventure. I know first hand how art heals lives...creating art for others helped me thru some of the darkest days of my soul and many of my customers have told me that my art shined a light into their or a loved ones lives, too...art truly heals. This new venture will touch many, many hearts and we will all be blessed and better people because of your courage. Its like a pebble that has dropped into a pool of crystal clear water and the ripples grow and grow and grow..........

[Dede Warren]

I wish you nothing but the best as you move onto next chapter of your life. What an exciting new year you have to look forward to! Your dedication and hard work will no doubt bring the success to Crescendoh, that you brought to Stampington.
Good Luck, Dede

[colette]

Jenny, I wish you every bit of magic that comes from an imagination infused with love to assist you on this new journey. May God, the creator, be with you and use you to restore hope and health to lives that have known deep loss and hopelessness.

God Bless you and thank you for all you've done.
Colette George

[Dawn @ The Feathered Nest]

Dear sweet Jenny...I'm so happy for you!!!! Change is hard but such a part of our lives. Thank you so very much for giving me the confidence to share my artwork...and my ideas ~ you, my dear, are a force to be reckoned with and I know in my heart whatever you touch will be blessed!!! I'm so very happy for you, hugs and love, Dawn

[Rachel Emilie Jackson]

The very best of luck in your new venture Jenny. It's been a rare pleasure working with you through Somerset for the past few years.

All good wishes for an exhilarating new year,

Rachel.

[Firuzan]

Dear Jenny,it sounds very enchanting and very encouraging for the artists. What a wonderful start for a New Year? Dont we all need new beginngigs? I think they always put magic to our lives. I will continue to follow you.
Best Wishes,
Love,
Firuzan

[Becky Shander]

Your new venture will surely spread hope and joy to many. And I imagine that this would inspire others to try to make a positive difference as well. You're a leader in all ways Jenny.

[Kathryn - Collage Diva]

You will be brilliant because you are brilliant. All the best on your new venture. I look forward to following your adventure and participating!

[Tami B.]

Such huge news! Wishing you happiness & many blessings as you begin your new chapter! Can't wait to see what you have in store.

[Melissa Bolton]

Best of luck to you in your new venture- I anxiously await the launch of your new project! Congrats on taking the leap!!
Melissa

[Brenda Justabedofroses.blogspot.com]

Looking forward to this adventure I can feel your passion for and is much needed in the world.
I've enjoyed following you over the years, learned many wisdoms, had some good laughs too.
You will be blessed as you do this new website and I too think it will be bigger than even imagined.

[Sue Jackson]

Jenny,
Your words and the way you live your life are an inspiration to many, including myself. You were the one that encouraged me to write every day on my blog, as I read your daily posts. Your posts helped me put the way I "see" life, as a story waiting to be told, into words each day. I'm anxious to see your new direction and I will be one of your biggest fans. I wish you the best.
Sue

[Swirly]

BIG WOW!!! I can't wait to learn more about your vision and see it unfold in 2010.

[Olive Appleby]

Well thats certainly a different turn of events...... you wont be at the helm of Stampington that is going to be strange. I admire your courage in starting your new venture and cant wait to see what the New Year is going to bring to your new 'baby'..... hope it will allow us from foreign parts to take place. Courage Jenny, Ciao