Looking at the common and making it uncommon...here is a unique business

Last night on the 10pm Houston news (khou.com), a unique Dallas, Texas business was featured.

Artistic caskets!

The owner of the company ~ Whitelight Art Caskets ~ saw an opportunity to create a tribute to one's deceased loved one by personalizing their caskets in a picturesque way.

He uses images which tell a story about what the person inside was all about. They are becoming very popular.

He does hold the U.S. patent on the application of the graphic images to the casket.

He has agreements with major colleges to use their logo.

If you were known as a fisherman, hunter, firefighter, cowboy, football player or served in the military, there is a suitable artistic expression available.

Any hobby or 'cause' can be used in creating a suitable "image for eternity".

Common everyday things may be our goldmine too...if we will only begin to view them MORE creatively!

~Amber


So what would you like on yours?

The titles of all the courses i've bought from GURUS!

-- Cash :-)

> Last night on the 10pm Houston news
> (khou.com), a unique Dallas, Texas business
> was featured.

> Artistic caskets!

> The owner of the company ~ Whitelight Art
> Caskets ~ saw an opportunity to create a
> tribute to one's deceased loved one by
> personalizing their caskets in a picturesque
> way.

> He uses images which tell a story about what
> the person inside was all about. They are
> becoming very popular.

> He does hold the U.S. patent on the
> application of the graphic images to the
> casket.

> He has agreements with major colleges to use
> their logo.

> If you were known as a fisherman, hunter,
> firefighter, cowboy, football player or
> served in the military, there is a suitable
> artistic expression available.

> Any hobby or 'cause' can be used in creating
> a suitable "image for eternity".

> Common everyday things may be our goldmine
> too...if we will only begin to view them
> MORE creatively!

> ~Amber

Dear Cash,

You have a wonderful sense of humor! I haven't laughed so hard in days! Thank you so much! LOL ~Amber

> The titles of all the courses i've bought
> from GURUS!

> -- Cash :-)

Hi Amber!

Thanks, that was a pretty unique story.... :)

It reminds me of something I learned while a Ph.D. student.... One of my thesis advisors told me that ONE way to get ideas is to take an idea from one area, and apply it in a different area. I can tell you that this approach works in physics research....

But could it work in business? Your example made me think of this, since in a sense, it's like that!

Decorating objects is common for many things, like murals on walls, or furniture.... Perhaps it could be seen as taking this idea, and applying it in a totally different area, to caskets!

I wonder where else this could be applied? An old friend of mine had decorated her car.... She painted pictures of brickwork around the bottom half of the car, and clouds with a blue sky in the background on the top half of her car.... I can tell you, that car got noticed!

One day I had to move some furniture, and her car was a station wagon so she let me borrow it.... Driving that car along the roads was a riot! It was amazing how many STARES you got while you were driving along.... :)

I wonder if painting designer art on cars could be a winner too? I bet some would go for it.... :)

Thanks Amber.... Fantastic story.... :)

- Dien

Dien,

Sounds like riding down the road in your friend's art car was a day you'll never forget. :)

On the Texas highways, I have seen a few autos - mostly vans or pickups - that were REALLY works of art with beautiful landscape scenes, most commonly. I imagine that some serious artist was paid a handsome sum to turn those autos into objects d' art.

AND I've seen some wildly decorated autos, as well ~ painted with abstract designs to zoo animals (I remember one with monkeys all over it... to multi-colored polka dots, one with a giant spider and even an old VW 'Bug' with big red lips! :)

The owners of those MUST be extroverts, for sure! I can tell, when passing them, that they do love the attention! From what I can tell, many of them appear to be aging hippies who have been driving art cars since the 60's! The strands of love beads dangling from the rear view mirror are a clue! ;)

For a special occasion, this site www.artcars.com tells you how to make a 'temporary' artcar where you can try it out before committing to a permanent painting. There are also some photos on other parts of this site.

Perhaps having this temporary artistic 'makeover' for your car for a special event or function will someday be a hot trend!

Monday through Friday, you can drive your dull conservative car...but on Saturday, wahoo!!! Let your imagination go wild...express yourself! --knowing that it can be washed off on Sunday evening, if necessary. :)

I do think we'll see a trend to the more serious artistic expression on our vehicles... in due time. It seems that selling some large decals for this purpose would also be a good business opportunity.
~Amber

.... I can tell you,
> that car got noticed!

> I wonder if painting designer art on cars
> could be a winner too? I bet some would go
> for it.... :)

> Thanks Amber.... Fantastic story.... :)

> - Dien


Dare to be different...drive an artcar! :)

of my friend Kate with her unique car....



Driving it was fun! :) She's a very creative person....

Thanks for the link.... And you're right, maybe there will be a trend. It will make the roads more exciting! :)

- Dien

Hello Dear Amber, beloved friend and almost sister!

I think this is FANTASTIC!

> Artistic caskets!

YES! I love it!

And your entire post reminds me of something I wrote a while back....and since Tom Hanks was nominated today for "Castaway" I thought it was appropriate.

Enjoy everyone!
"Cast Away" to Your Creative Future
(c) 2001
Julie Jordan Scott

Nestling into my cushy theater seat with Diet Coke and Popcorn in
hand, I prepared to observe the magnificent acting of Tom Hanks
in the film "Cast Away". Much of the story I had learned through
seeing previews, so I sort of knew the outcome even before buying
my ticket. What I did not recognize at the time were all the
messages underneath the surface of this tale as it gloriously unfolds.

"Cast Away" is also an inspirational study of using what we have to
creatively increase the quality of our life. Tom Hanks' character
observed what he had on the island and then utilized acquired knowledge
to not only survive on the island but also to find his way back home.

He designed tools, built structures, tested inventions, held scientific
experiments, created art, and manifested possibilities that at one
time seemed impossible. He took his time in order to make sure
the action he took had the greatest chance of success. He recognized
that in reality, he controlled nothing except for himself and his
outlook on the options in front of him.

What do you have in your life today?

What can you design, build, test, create and manifest?

What can you DO with what you HAVE?

You have 24 hours a day, that is something we all have in common.
Chances are you have a computer, since that is how you are accessing
this information. You have a certain level of education, you have
certain possessions.

Look around at these commodities with a new eye. How can you
use what you have differently? Think possibilities. Observe as a
person whose life depends on new ideas. Think of potential not in
the ordinary, instead in the extraordinary. Take your time. Use
what you have learned as far back as high school science or
elementary school art class. Think of the last time you had an in
service at work, what were some messages you can use there to
bring into form something new for yourself, your family, your
co-workers, your business.

Arthur Schopenhauer, Nineteenth Century Philosopher, observed
"Great minds are related to the brief span of time during which they
live as great buildings are to a little square in which they stand:
you cannot see them in all their magnitude because you are standing
too close to them." In "Cast Away" the main character had no choice
but to step back and look at life differently. His context completely
changed everything.

Today you can change your context without going anywhere. Simply
decide that you are going to step back and really look at those
things you have at your disposal. Once you have taken inventory,
take purposeful, deliberate action towards creating a fresh experience.

Develop unique paths. Craft an unexpected masterpiece. Live
passionately, today.

With Purpose and Passion,

JULIE JORDAN SCOTT




Dare to Discover Your Passion, Decide to Live Your Destiny!

Wow Julie!

Another great post in the same day! You are spoiling us! :)

I just read a very interesting post that Gordon wrote over on the study forum... makes me think that the two of you are on a complimentary 'wave length' of good thoughts to ponder at the moment.

What you propose is indeed a good exercise in creativity. Worthy of at least trying in order to stretch and challenge our imaginations!

I loved "Castaway" but now when I go to ship a package via Fedex, I almost feel impelled to add a box of cookies and a "Wilson" in with the ordered product. :)

You know...just in case!

~ Amber

> I think this is FANTASTIC!

> YES! I love it!

> And your entire post reminds me of something
> I wrote a while back....and since Tom Hanks
> was nominated today for "Castaway"
> I thought it was appropriate.