“It Just Takes Time, Honey: A Mother’s Love That Endures”

I remember the sound of her voice more than the details of what she wore. My mother didn’t speak much after her stroke—at just 36, a misdiagnosis left her partially paralyzed and struggling to string sentences together. But when she did speak, her words carried more weight than anyone else’s in the room. And there’s one phrase that has stayed with me all these years, echoing through my own moments of despair: “It just takes time, honey.”

My mother didn’t have a fair hand dealt to her. She made some poor choices along the way—who among us hasn’t?—but when life tried to silence her, she chose instead to speak through grace, resilience, and a quiet faith that radiated strength. Even as she depended on others, she never stopped showing up for them. She became the bright spark in any gathering, known for her birthday cards, sweet notes, and her genuine love for people.

Years later, when I faced my own personal reckoning—bankruptcy, a young family, and a heavy heart—I found myself leaning on her words more than ever. Her voice, shaky but sure, reminded me that healing and redemption don’t always come in grand gestures. Sometimes they come in pieces—like her words, like my art, like life itself.

Three Quiet Lessons My Mother Taught Me:

1. Strength Doesn’t Always Roar
My mother couldn’t walk without assistance or speak in long sentences, but her presence filled the room. She never complained. Her faith didn’t make her louder—it made her steadfast. Real strength is often found in the quiet perseverance to keep going.

2. Encourage with What You Have
She couldn’t do everything, but she always found a way to do something. A birthday card. A smile. A simple, thoughtful phrase. In a world often obsessed with doing more, she reminded me that sometimes the smallest gesture carries the greatest impact.

3. Time Heals in Increments
When life comes undone, we want instant fixes. But healing rarely works that way. My mother’s life—and my own story—show that time, coupled with faith and the love of those around us, can transform even the darkest seasons into unexpected blessings.

A Word to the Wounded

For some, Mother’s Day reopens old wounds—of loss, distance, or absence. If you never knew the comfort of a nurturing mother, I want to acknowledge your pain. May you find healing in the presence of other encouragers in your life—mentors, friends, or even strangers who believe in you.

As we approach Mother’s Day, I encourage you to pause. Whether your memories are fond or fractured, reflect on the moments that shaped you. For me, it’s my mother’s determination, her humor through hardship, and those tender words that still guide me: “It just takes time, honey.”
Life has a way of coming full circle. Sometimes, the words we heard as children become the lifelines we offer to others.

A Brush with Greatness: Capturing the Spirit of High Point University

Opportunity rarely arrives with trumpets blaring. More often, it shows up quietly — in a single conversation, a passing comment, a question that catches you off guard and invites you to dream a little bigger.

Last September, during a conversation about growth and future possibilities, I sat across from one of the most visionary leaders I know — Dr. Nido Qubein, President of High Point University. Toward the end of our discussion, he leaned in and asked:

"Would you consider capturing the extraordinary story of High Point University with your art?"

That simple, sincere question was a powerful reminder:
Opportunities are everywhere — if we're willing to see them and say yes.

Trusting a Bigger Vision

When we step into someone else's vision — whether it's a university, a company, or a movement — we have the chance to amplify greatness beyond ourselves.

Dr. Qubein’s transformation of High Point University is proof of what happens when leadership is paired with bold imagination. Through this project, I was invited not just to paint illustrious buildings, but to capture the spirit of resilience, innovation, and excellence that HPU instills in every student.

Each of us, in our own fields, has the ability to bring someone else's vision to life — and in doing so, grow our own impact.

Building Dreams, One Step at a Time

Big visions don't take shape overnight. Each week, I create one or two field studies — early sketches, small steps toward the larger goal. It’s a process of exploration, collaboration, and trust.

Whether you're building a career, a company, or a creative project, the lesson is the same: Start small. Work faithfully. Invite feedback. Keep building.

Momentum isn’t magic — it's simply the result of showing up, again and again, for the dream.

Learning from Leaders Who Inspire

One of the greatest privileges in any journey is the chance to collaborate with leaders who lift others higher. Working alongside Dr. Qubein and Senior Vice President Roger Clodfelter has reinforced a powerful truth: When leadership and creativity align, extraordinary things happen. Surround yourself with people who encourage your best work, who see not just what you are — but what you can become.

The Invitation to Chase Something Extraordinary

At its heart, this journey isn’t just about painting High Point University. It’s about honoring the belief that we are all capable of more than we imagine. 

"When you change a person's belief about themselves, you change their future."           — Dr. Nido Qubein

Whatever your field, whatever your calling — opportunities to do something extraordinary are closer than you think. Sometimes they come as a loud announcement.  More often, they come as a simple question, quietly inviting you to say yes.

👉 If you'd like to hear more about the power of pursuing extraordinary opportunities, I invite you to watch my PBS interview with Dr. Nido Qubein on Side by Side.  🎥 Watch it here. 

Something New is Taking Shape: The Beginning of a Meaningful Journey

For months now—maybe even years—I’ve felt this tug. A quiet whisper saying, It’s time. Not just to keep doing the work I know how to do, but to stretch a little further. To start something new that brings together all I’ve learned, all I’ve lived, and all I still hope to share. I don’t have it all figured out—but I know this: I’m ready to make a new kind of mark. And I’d love for you to come along with me as it begins.

The Messy Beginning is the Most Important One
It’s easy to get stuck thinking we need a perfect plan before we begin. I’ve learned that the real magic happens when we just start—when we trust the nudge and take the first step. I picked up my first paintbrush with a 59-cent watercolor set and no idea where it would lead. That first act changed my life. Whatever your brush looks like, maybe today is the day to pick it up.

Your Mark Might Be Closer Than You Think
So many people tell me, “I wish I could do something meaningful like you.” But here’s the truth: you already are. Every time you encourage someone, solve a problem, create a moment of beauty—you’re making your mark. The key isn’t waiting for some grand opportunity. It’s seeing the everyday moments for what they are: invitations to shape the world around you.

The Story Isn’t Finished Yet
This is the part I’m still writing—literally. I’m beginning a new book project, and while the content is unfolding clearly, the title is still taking shape. At the core of my work is a message I’ve shared for years through my keynote programs: The ART of Making a Difference. It’s a title rooted in purpose and service. But recently, another phrase has captured my attention: Make Your Mark. It feels personal. Bold. Inviting.

In many ways, these ideas are two sides of the same coin. They both reflect a desire to live with purpose, to inspire others, and to leave something meaningful behind. But I’d love your help in deciding how best to frame this next chapter.

🎨 This Is Where You Come In
I want to invite you to walk this journey with me—from blank page to bound book. But even more than that, I want your voice to shape it.

Which title speaks to you more?

• The ART of Making a Difference – Reflects a life and message grounded in using our gifts for impact

• Make Your Mark – A fresh invitation for readers to take bold, personal action in their own lives

Feel free to drop your thoughts in the comments or reply directly. Your feedback means the world to me. This book is not just about my journey—it’s about our shared desire to do something that matters

📬 Want to Be Part of the Journey?

Sign up to receive behind-the-scenes updates as the book comes to life. You’ll get exclusive insights, early previews, and a front-row seat to how this all unfolds.
👉 Join me here.

On the Shoulders of Giants: The People Who Lifted Me Higher

Every masterpiece has an underpainting-those first strokes of color and shadow that provide a foundation for what's to come. The same is true of a life. As I reflect on my journey-through seasons of success, struggle, and surprising turns-I see clearly the quiet influences who shaped the man and artist I've become. None of us get here alone.

I want to honor three men whose belief, guidance, and even rivalry gave me the lift I needed when my feet were unsteady, and my dreams uncertain.

Bob Carey - The Entrepreneurial Brother Who Believed
Bob is my half-brother, ten years older, and without
a doubt one of the earliest champions of my talent. Where others saw a hobby, Bob saw a calling-and more than that, a business. He didn't just cheer
from the sidelines; he invested in my vision.

He bought pieces, commissioned works, and modeled what it meant to build something with both grit and grace. He showed me that passion could be turned into profession, and his entrepreneurial spirit became a quiet blueprint for how I could shape my own path. Most importantly, he showed me what the spirit of being an entrepreneur truly looks like-visionary, daring, and committed.

David Grimes - The Lifeline in a Time of Loss
After my early success came a devastating bankruptcy-a humbling chapter I rarely share, but one that taught me more than any triumph ever could. In that valley, David Grimes extended a hand. He owned Potpourri Press, a local company not tied to the fine art world but to commercial creativity. David saw potential in me beyond the gallery walls.

He opened a door into publishing and product design, offering not just a paycheck, but perspective. From him I learned the value of versatility-your talent doesn't have to be confined to one box, and that survival sometimes births new vision. But David did more than open doors-he led me to the Lord, grounding my faith and giving me a deeper compass to guide both my life and career.

Bob Timberlake - The Friendly Rival Who Lit a Fire
I've never told Bob this, but in many ways, he lit a fire in me. Already a household name, Bob had achieved the kind of brand recognition most artists only dream of. While we weren't close, he was always just ahead-like a runner you can see in the distance who pushes you to pick up your pace.

His ability to leverage art into a multifaceted brand challenged me to dream bigger. Yes, I was jealous at times-but it was a good jealousy. It motivated me to refine, expand, and rise. Without knowing it, he gave me something every artist needs: a rival worth chasing. Having a healthy rival keeps you sharp, pushes you beyond complacency, and challenges you to not just be good-but to be your very best.

If you're reading this, I invite you to pause and ask yourself: Whose shoulders did I stand on? Who believed in you before the spotlight? Who offered you opportunity when you had little to offer back? Who inspired you-by kindness, generosity, or even competition-to become more than you thought you could?

Take a moment today to honor them-write a note, share a memory, or simply whisper a silent thank you. Gratitude has a way of grounding us in humility while lifting others in return. Success is never a solo act. It's a symphony of belief, encouragement, and example-played by those who saw something in you before the world did.

A Painter's Journey to Augusta National: Azaleas and Second Chances

It was supposed to be a birdie.

Two solid shots left me 125 yards out on the 13th hole at Augusta National—arguably one of the most breathtaking stretches in golf. With my pitching wedge in hand, I envisioned a smooth swing, a little spin, and maybe a moment of glory at Amen Corner. But instead, I watched the ball turn over sharply and disappear into a dense bed of azaleas.

What could’ve been the most embarrassing moment of the round became one I’ll never forget. As I stepped through those blooming azaleas to find my ball, I stumbled onto a view of the hole that took my breath away. It was a perspective most players never see—and for me, it became the spark behind one of my most iconic golf paintings: Azalea No. 13.

Funny how a misstep can lead you exactly where you were meant to go.

Three Lessons from the Azaleas

1. Opportunities Don’t Always Arrive Polished.
That errant shot could’ve ended the day in frustration. Instead, it opened a window to something greater—a new view, a new story, and a new direction for my art. Many of life’s breakthroughs arrive disguised as setbacks.

2. Preparation Meets the Unexpected.
I wasn’t invited to Augusta on a whim. My years of capturing the spirit of the Greensboro Open and the landscapes of North Carolina had caught the attention of Blake Clark, a member of both Augusta National and Greensboro Country Club. When he extended the invitation, I was ready—because I’d done the work long before the spotlight appeared.

3. Embrace the Detours.
If I’d stayed on the fairway, I would’ve missed the view that became Azalea No. 13. Life often leads us off-course for a reason. What looks like a wrong turn might just be the vantage point we need to see something extraordinary.

Today, that double bogey remains one of the most pivotal moments of my career—not just because of the painting, but because it opened doors to become an official artist for the Masters, and later, to share that journey on stages around the country.

If you're a meeting planner looking for an authentic keynote speaker, this is just one of the real-life moments I share in my programs. As a motivational speaker on making a difference, I don’t bring theory—I bring lived experience, brushstrokes of purpose, and moments like these that inspire people to reflect and respond in their own lives.

Whether I’m standing behind a canvas or a podium, I show audiences how beauty, resilience, and meaning can be found—even in the missed shots.