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ABOUT
As an Artist & Creative Professional, Charlene knows first-hand how traditional career and/or business advising doesn’t address the unique perspective & needs we Creatives have.
In 2020, SmART Career Solutions was created
to fill-in-that-gap & support fellow bad-ass Creative Professionals along their career path.
Step-by-step, with coaching & instructional guidance, you can take control of your career & get relief from the overwhelm of doing it on your own.
Everything I do comes from the perspective of a Creative.
For the benefit of other creatives.
Creatives are most productive & satisfied in their careers when using their creativity & “being” creative is a part of their purpose & contribution.
I recognize & celebrate that a significant number of professionals don’t fit into a traditional service model & that NOT ALL PROFESSIONALS wear a suit or would consider themselves in an "average" career - nor would they want to be.
So it makes sense that as a "Creative"- You NEED a CAREER COACH that:
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You can relate to.
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Really "get's it".
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Has likely "been there, done that".
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Knows the ups & downs from both ends - as the job seeker & after a decade of being a Career Counselor.
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Addresses YOUR unique emotional, creative & practical needs to achieve success in today’s shifting economy.
The ART in SmART is that
I put ART first!
“Being” creative & doing creative activities is also great for your mental health!
As a painting teacher for over a decade & a life-long creative, Charlene knows how beneficial “being creative” is
as a therapeutic activity.
In 2010, SmART Solutions was created
(d.b.a. Artdonewright), to offer painting classes, for busy, burnt-out & balance-seeking folks looking for a FUN activity with those beneficial side-effects for their mental health.
By way of step-by-step demonstration, support & instructional guidance, you can unleash your creativity & get relief from the overwhelm of your busy life. Plus, you leave with more confidence & with a completed painting.
I give permission to embrace your creativity, regardless of skill, to go beyond the canvas & feed your well-being thru an artistic medium.
Painting parties are also available for team leaders that want a different teambuilding activity that gives them all a break from work & supports staff connection.
One thing I know for sure is that I am a CREATIVE.
I was an only child brought up by my mother, but I had a very creative father who was a Taxidermist.
We were a typical dysfunctional family. I thought we we the only ones.
Not surprisingly, I felt ALONE & LOST because I never really FIT-IN.
When I was a teen I struggled with fitting into a box.
I needed FREEDOM.
I was distracted & lost in my imagination with TOO MANY ideas.
I didn't think & learn the way others did.
My learning style and brain worked differently than others.
So I gravitated to teachers that "got me" rather than those that tried
to change me or squeeze me into that box.
I am allergic to the box - like many creatives.
I geared ALL of my education to hone my skills as creative professional.
I wanted to be with others that I could relate to.
CONNECTION was always immediate with other Creatives.
As far those IDEAS - I didn't want to pick just one thing.
I wanted VARIETY & was torn between creative & practical pursuits.
My self-esteem was low, except when I was making ART.
This is my happy place.
When I am stressed & overwhelmed I want to make ART, DESIGN or CREATE something.
I did it for the MENTAL HEALTH benefits. I realized it was therapeutic to self-sooth this way, before I even knew that was what I was doing.
I have made money from my art & creativity for over 30 years in one way or another. I feel blessed.
MONEY MADE from my creativity has come from many different streams, ventures & iterations. Sometimes as an employee, sometimes when self-employed & other times, a combination of BOTH.
I am more satisfied & productive when I "being" creative on-the-job.
"Being" creative is part of my purpose & contribution in this world.
Finally, over half way to 100 years old (LOL)…
One thing I know for sure is that I am a CREATIVE!
FUN FACTS
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Stage is Starlene Silver. Everyone needs a stage name - just in case!
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Short & spicy!
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5’- 1 and 3/4” but feel much taller
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More than 1/2 way to 100 years old. Very seasoned.
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25% Italian, & apparently the family had connections to the Mob.
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Reside in beautiful BC & moved here from Ontario over 1/2 a life ago.
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I have a PHD...aka a purple hair doo...LOL.
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I drop the occasional F-bomb.
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I don't have time for BS.
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I am a straight talker with a BIG heart. You will see it on my sleeve.
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I like to LAUGH & don't want to take life too seriously.
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I am writing a book called Memories of a Taxidermist Daughter.
Be prepared if you ask – it’s gruesome and awesome! -
Thanks to many years of therapy, I am safe for society!!
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