Margaret James - What’s In A Name? Part 2

What’s in the name “Margaret James”? When deciding on a name for my new Fine Art & Design business I knew I wanted it to be bigger than me - an “umbrella” of sorts that would leave me room to grow into something creatively bigger than just a place to showcase my artwork. The name “Margaret James” is a nod to two of my biggest inspirations, my talented and creative grandmother (the subject of a past newsletter) and my talented and determined son.

Today I’ll share a little bit about James and the important part he plays in my success. (fair warning - this email may be more about soccer than art :)

James on his first day of preschool.

It was apparent even at this age that I had a single minded and obsessively focused boy on my hands. If it wasn’t Thomas the Tank Engine he wanted nothing to do with it! (hence the Thomas lunchbox)

His focus soon after moved to Lego, but to this day he is true to his temperament - if he is truly interested in something he puts his whole heart and mind into it.

Around the age of 8 James surprised us with the announcement that he wanted to play soccer. His request came seemingly out of the blue as no one in our family played soccer and neither did any of his friends. He knew what he wanted, persisted in asking, and this began a journey which has led him to playing soccer at Hood College and for the Ocean City Nor’easters. This is a kid who listens for inspiration, follows his gut, and puts his all into the path he chooses. 

As someone who can tend towards second guessing my intuition, I only need look at James to remind me to stay true to my path and know that success will follow. I look forward to seeing where this journey leads him and I’m proud to be alongside him for the ride.

The following quote from Thoreau is something I continually have to remind myself of but by some blessing is how James naturally lives his life…

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”

Probably the only “art related” picture I have of James as he expresses his natural talents on the field rather than on the drawing table.

Some shenanigans he was creating for a “man cave” he and his friends were building. I was employed to draw the outlines (even at this age he stills needs me sometimes!) and he even admitted that he enjoyed painting!