hi I’m an artist and an educator and this thing is my best friend and my
this thing is my best friend and my
this thing is my best friend and my worst enemy it’s big white blank it’s
worst enemy it’s big white blank it’s
worst enemy it’s big white blank it’s always waiting somewhere in the corner
always waiting somewhere in the corner
always waiting somewhere in the corner it’s like a barnacle it insisted on
it’s like a barnacle it insisted on
it’s like a barnacle it insisted on coming out here with me you know my
coming out here with me you know my
coming out here with me you know my medium is paint which is a silent medium
medium is paint which is a silent medium
medium is paint which is a silent medium but she screams at me everyday to do
but she screams at me everyday to do
but she screams at me everyday to do something important with her to say
something important with her to say
something important with her to say something with her but she’s silent so
something with her but she’s silent so
something with her but she’s silent so anyway you know as we go is we all have
anyway you know as we go is we all have
anyway you know as we go is we all have our blank canvases you know and I’m
our blank canvases you know and I’m
our blank canvases you know and I’m wondering we have this in common which
wondering we have this in common which
wondering we have this in common which blank canvas are you contending with at
blank canvas are you contending with at
blank canvas are you contending with at the moment is it that essay that you
the moment is it that essay that you
the moment is it that essay that you need to write for your college your
need to write for your college your
need to write for your college your dream college or is it that poem that’s
dream college or is it that poem that’s
dream college or is it that poem that’s burning to get out of you you know maybe
burning to get out of you you know maybe
burning to get out of you you know maybe it’s just cleaning your closet whatever
it’s just cleaning your closet whatever
it’s just cleaning your closet whatever it is we all have to contend with our
it is we all have to contend with our
it is we all have to contend with our blank canvases so the best thing to do
blank canvases so the best thing to do
blank canvases so the best thing to do is to get started so I’m just going to
is to get started so I’m just going to
is to get started so I’m just going to wrestle her over here she doesn’t want
wrestle her over here she doesn’t want
wrestle her over here she doesn’t want to go but just going to sit there for a
to go but just going to sit there for a
to go but just going to sit there for a minute so the first thing we have to do
minute so the first thing we have to do
minute so the first thing we have to do is make a mark go ahead and make a mark
is make a mark go ahead and make a mark
is make a mark go ahead and make a mark you know any project you have out there
you know any project you have out there
you know any project you have out there has to start somewhere behind me is a
has to start somewhere behind me is a
has to start somewhere behind me is a picture of a painting I embarked on
picture of a painting I embarked on
picture of a painting I embarked on right around the same time I embarked on
right around the same time I embarked on
right around the same time I embarked on this TEDx talk and it was a very
this TEDx talk and it was a very
this TEDx talk and it was a very ambitious painting for me unlike
ambitious painting for me unlike
ambitious painting for me unlike anything I’ve ever done it’s a labyrinth
anything I’ve ever done it’s a labyrinth
anything I’ve ever done it’s a labyrinth it’s actually located at the behind the
it’s actually located at the behind the
it’s actually located at the behind the Delaware Art Museum not far from here
Delaware Art Museum not far from here
Delaware Art Museum not far from here and I started with a line quick erase
and I started with a line quick erase
and I started with a line quick erase another line bigger erase you know until
another line bigger erase you know until
another line bigger erase you know until I got a line that worked and then I just
I got a line that worked and then I just
I got a line that worked and then I just went with it so I thought I would start
went with it so I thought I would start
went with it so I thought I would start this talk by saying let’s go ahead and
this talk by saying let’s go ahead and
this talk by saying let’s go ahead and make our mark and why don’t you and I go
make our mark and why don’t you and I go
make our mark and why don’t you and I go on a little walk right now
okay so as we embark on our walk
okay so as we embark on our walk together around the labyrinth some of
together around the labyrinth some of
together around the labyrinth some of the things that I’ve learned the first
the things that I’ve learned the first
the things that I’ve learned the first one I’d like to talk about is know what
one I’d like to talk about is know what
one I’d like to talk about is know what you don’t know it’s very important to
you don’t know it’s very important to
you don’t know it’s very important to grasp this because in today’s day and
grasp this because in today’s day and
grasp this because in today’s day and age with Google at our fingertips we
age with Google at our fingertips we
age with Google at our fingertips we think we need to be the expert we have
think we need to be the expert we have
think we need to be the expert we have to have the answers well in fact you
to have the answers well in fact you
to have the answers well in fact you don’t you know just let yourself admit
don’t you know just let yourself admit
don’t you know just let yourself admit what you don’t know and you don’t have
what you don’t know and you don’t have
what you don’t know and you don’t have to be the know-it-all you just have to
to be the know-it-all you just have to
to be the know-it-all you just have to be resourceful
be resourceful
be resourceful and get those people near you who do
and get those people near you who do
and get those people near you who do know we all have our own areas of
know we all have our own areas of
know we all have our own areas of expertise so knowing what you don’t know
expertise so knowing what you don’t know
expertise so knowing what you don’t know is critical as a matter of fact it can
is critical as a matter of fact it can
is critical as a matter of fact it can liberate you
liberate you
liberate you quick story the building behind me is
quick story the building behind me is
quick story the building behind me is located Penn State University
located Penn State University
located Penn State University it’s the Carnegie building School of
it’s the Carnegie building School of
it’s the Carnegie building School of Communications you can picture me
Communications you can picture me
Communications you can picture me scurrying across campus with my
scurrying across campus with my
scurrying across campus with my oversized shoulder-padded dress running
oversized shoulder-padded dress running
oversized shoulder-padded dress running up those steps into my college interview
up those steps into my college interview
up those steps into my college interview mr. Harry Davis was waiting for me he
mr. Harry Davis was waiting for me he
mr. Harry Davis was waiting for me he was the director of communications at
was the director of communications at
was the director of communications at DuPont Harry was in a little swivel
DuPont Harry was in a little swivel
DuPont Harry was in a little swivel chair he swiveled around when I came in
chair he swiveled around when I came in
chair he swiveled around when I came in and he said in a gravelly voice hey kid
and he said in a gravelly voice hey kid
and he said in a gravelly voice hey kid you catch my lecture last night and I
you catch my lecture last night and I
you catch my lecture last night and I was like mmhmm yeah ya know
was like mmhmm yeah ya know
was like mmhmm yeah ya know no no mr. Davis I’m sorry to not make
no no mr. Davis I’m sorry to not make
no no mr. Davis I’m sorry to not make your lecture he looks at me he was a
your lecture he looks at me he was a
your lecture he looks at me he was a chain smoker made him even more
chain smoker made him even more
chain smoker made him even more intimidating he looks at me
intimidating he looks at me
intimidating he looks at me takes the drag looks back at me and we
takes the drag looks back at me and we
takes the drag looks back at me and we continued the interview and I thought
continued the interview and I thought
continued the interview and I thought that’s it
that’s it
that’s it I just blew my chances with with DuPont
I just blew my chances with with DuPont
I just blew my chances with with DuPont well it turns out I got an offer and
well it turns out I got an offer and
well it turns out I got an offer and Harry himself called me and said you
Harry himself called me and said you
Harry himself called me and said you know what kid I like your honesty so you
know what kid I like your honesty so you
know what kid I like your honesty so you know what know what you don’t know and
know what know what you don’t know and
know what know what you don’t know and admit it
admit it
admit it next thing is there’s no easy pass sorry
next thing is there’s no easy pass sorry
next thing is there’s no easy pass sorry no easy pass it’s our default we’d love
no easy pass it’s our default we’d love
no easy pass it’s our default we’d love to go quickly everywhere coffee to go
to go quickly everywhere coffee to go
to go quickly everywhere coffee to go you know we want to just scoot to the
you know we want to just scoot to the
you know we want to just scoot to the top and we don’t really want to slow
top and we don’t really want to slow
top and we don’t really want to slow down you know I have developed a thing
down you know I have developed a thing
down you know I have developed a thing called Tollbooth anxiety over the years
called Tollbooth anxiety over the years
called Tollbooth anxiety over the years there’s so many options you know easy
there’s so many options you know easy
there’s so many options you know easy pass coins only tickets and coins exact
pass coins only tickets and coins exact
pass coins only tickets and coins exact change and I’m like I just go through
change and I’m like I just go through
change and I’m like I just go through the easy pass you know and really in
the easy pass you know and really in
the easy pass you know and really in reality I might suggest to you taking
reality I might suggest to you taking
reality I might suggest to you taking the slow lane will teach you the most
the slow lane will teach you the most
the slow lane will teach you the most it’s it’s long the slow lane that we
it’s it’s long the slow lane that we
it’s it’s long the slow lane that we meet people and that we punch our time
meet people and that we punch our time
meet people and that we punch our time cards so to speak where we learn how to
cards so to speak where we learn how to
cards so to speak where we learn how to do those mundane jobs that are in the
do those mundane jobs that are in the
do those mundane jobs that are in the underbelly of an organization and that’s
underbelly of an organization and that’s
underbelly of an organization and that’s where we learn the most and that’s where
where we learn the most and that’s where
where we learn the most and that’s where we learn this thing called empathy which
we learn this thing called empathy which
we learn this thing called empathy which everyone talks about that we should all
everyone talks about that we should all
everyone talks about that we should all have that’s how you get it the slow lane
have that’s how you get it the slow lane
have that’s how you get it the slow lane you know take a walk with a
you know take a walk with a
you know take a walk with a four-year-old if you’re having trouble
four-year-old if you’re having trouble
four-year-old if you’re having trouble and you won’t go very fast and you’ll
and you won’t go very fast and you’ll
and you won’t go very fast and you’ll notice things along the way see the big
notice things along the way see the big
notice things along the way see the big picture
picture
picture so as we’re making our way around our
so as we’re making our way around our
so as we’re making our way around our labyrinth together you know oftentimes
labyrinth together you know oftentimes
labyrinth together you know oftentimes we’re just looking up one foot in front
we’re just looking up one foot in front
we’re just looking up one foot in front of the other and we don’t really take a
of the other and we don’t really take a
of the other and we don’t really take a step back and see the big picture often
step back and see the big picture often
step back and see the big picture often use the wide-angle lens or the panoramic
use the wide-angle lens or the panoramic
use the wide-angle lens or the panoramic and I would submit to you that we should
and I would submit to you that we should
and I would submit to you that we should check things we should test things test
check things we should test things test
check things we should test things test things culturally test things
things culturally test things
things culturally test things generationally you know let’s say you
generationally you know let’s say you
generationally you know let’s say you have a problem you’re trying to solve
have a problem you’re trying to solve
have a problem you’re trying to solve Wednes
Wednes
Wednes last time you tried it on your
last time you tried it on your
last time you tried it on your grandparents the 70 year olds the 80
grandparents the 70 year olds the 80
grandparents the 70 year olds the 80 year olds out there they have so much to
year olds out there they have so much to
year olds out there they have so much to offer and so many insightful things to
offer and so many insightful things to
offer and so many insightful things to tell you also check it out culturally
tell you also check it out culturally
tell you also check it out culturally you know you have an idea well maybe you
you know you have an idea well maybe you
you know you have an idea well maybe you didn’t you’re not the first with that
didn’t you’re not the first with that
didn’t you’re not the first with that that question or that idea or that
that question or that idea or that
that question or that idea or that problem you know maybe another country
problem you know maybe another country
problem you know maybe another country has already solved it why reinvent the
has already solved it why reinvent the
has already solved it why reinvent the wheel
wheel
wheel quick story the little youngster behind
quick story the little youngster behind
quick story the little youngster behind me is our second child you know his name
me is our second child you know his name
me is our second child you know his name is Hugh H ugh you Q don’t you love that
is Hugh H ugh you Q don’t you love that
is Hugh H ugh you Q don’t you love that name I love it it just rolls off your
name I love it it just rolls off your
name I love it it just rolls off your tongue Hugh so we here was born in
tongue Hugh so we here was born in
tongue Hugh so we here was born in Delaware and we didn’t know it but soon
Delaware and we didn’t know it but soon
Delaware and we didn’t know it but soon after he was born we were to move to
after he was born we were to move to
after he was born we were to move to Luxembourg Europe centrally located in
Luxembourg Europe centrally located in
Luxembourg Europe centrally located in Europe has its own dialect Luxembourgish
Europe has its own dialect Luxembourgish
Europe has its own dialect Luxembourgish and in the shops and restaurants they
and in the shops and restaurants they
and in the shops and restaurants they speak French well the French have a
speak French well the French have a
speak French well the French have a difficulty pronouncing the letter H as a
difficulty pronouncing the letter H as a
difficulty pronouncing the letter H as a matter of fact they don’t as a matter of
matter of fact they don’t as a matter of
matter of fact they don’t as a matter of fact they might say something to you
fact they might say something to you
fact they might say something to you like I’m still happy to meet you you
like I’m still happy to meet you you
like I’m still happy to meet you you know no H well we made our way over to
know no H well we made our way over to
know no H well we made our way over to Luxembourg and my son Hugh my daughter
Luxembourg and my son Hugh my daughter
Luxembourg and my son Hugh my daughter Maggie we were walking in the park her
Maggie we were walking in the park her
Maggie we were walking in the park her neighbour approaches us and she says
neighbour approaches us and she says
neighbour approaches us and she says well sure Maggie we say bonjour madame
well sure Maggie we say bonjour madame
well sure Maggie we say bonjour madame Bonjour
oh wait eat it you see okay you get your
oh wait eat it you see okay you get your Sun bigger and I looked at you they said
Sun bigger and I looked at you they said
Sun bigger and I looked at you they said okay EGH so we did that for six years
okay EGH so we did that for six years
okay EGH so we did that for six years while we live there had I seen the big
while we live there had I seen the big
while we live there had I seen the big picture we may have named him Hugh but
picture we may have named him Hugh but
picture we may have named him Hugh but you know what just test it test your
you know what just test it test your
you know what just test it test your thoughts and your ideas cover your lemon
thoughts and your ideas cover your lemon
thoughts and your ideas cover your lemon too you know um I don’t think we spend
too you know um I don’t think we spend
too you know um I don’t think we spend enough time talking about this people
enough time talking about this people
enough time talking about this people can get hurt
can get hurt
can get hurt cover your lemon story here I was at a
cover your lemon story here I was at a
cover your lemon story here I was at a DuPont luncheon circular table and true
DuPont luncheon circular table and true
DuPont luncheon circular table and true to form enthusiastically squeezing my
to form enthusiastically squeezing my
to form enthusiastically squeezing my lemon into my iced tea
lemon into my iced tea
lemon into my iced tea and doesn’t the lemon juice shoot across
and doesn’t the lemon juice shoot across
and doesn’t the lemon juice shoot across the table into the eye of Wendy Israel
the table into the eye of Wendy Israel
the table into the eye of Wendy Israel who was high flier at burson-marsteller
who was high flier at burson-marsteller
who was high flier at burson-marsteller New York the PR firm we were working
New York the PR firm we were working
New York the PR firm we were working with how I as Wendy was there like
with how I as Wendy was there like
with how I as Wendy was there like staggering from the table like clutching
staggering from the table like clutching
staggering from the table like clutching her eye which was now clearly inflamed
her eye which was now clearly inflamed
her eye which was now clearly inflamed she looked at me and I was I just didn’t
she looked at me and I was I just didn’t
she looked at me and I was I just didn’t know what happened and she said Erin
know what happened and she said Erin
know what happened and she said Erin cover your lemon
cover your lemon
cover your lemon and you know as I got a little older and
and you know as I got a little older and
and you know as I got a little older and wiser and walking around the labyrinth
wiser and walking around the labyrinth
wiser and walking around the labyrinth of it I realized there’s a deeper
of it I realized there’s a deeper
of it I realized there’s a deeper message there cover your lemon okay
message there cover your lemon okay
message there cover your lemon okay how many times do we spew is acidic
how many times do we spew is acidic
how many times do we spew is acidic things from our mouth in the forms of
things from our mouth in the forms of
things from our mouth in the forms of rumor maybe in the forms of unkind words
rumor maybe in the forms of unkind words
rumor maybe in the forms of unkind words or just negativity you know keep it
or just negativity you know keep it
or just negativity you know keep it covered cover your lemon and be kind to
covered cover your lemon and be kind to
covered cover your lemon and be kind to people the world revolves around
people the world revolves around
people the world revolves around relationships building rapport treat
relationships building rapport treat
relationships building rapport treat people well and they will remember that
people well and they will remember that
people well and they will remember that and you’ll go further on your path make
and you’ll go further on your path make
and you’ll go further on your path make a mess completely underrated okay when
a mess completely underrated okay when
a mess completely underrated okay when is the last time someone gave you full
is the last time someone gave you full
is the last time someone gave you full permission to make a mess my children
permission to make a mess my children
permission to make a mess my children behind me have the which is the joy in
behind me have the which is the joy in
behind me have the which is the joy in their eyes as they were making a big
their eyes as they were making a big
their eyes as they were making a big mess and you know what we don’t do it
mess and you know what we don’t do it
mess and you know what we don’t do it enough we used to when we were in
enough we used to when we were in
enough we used to when we were in kindergarten we wear smocks and bibs and
kindergarten we wear smocks and bibs and
kindergarten we wear smocks and bibs and drop cloths and gone or those days but I
drop cloths and gone or those days but I
drop cloths and gone or those days but I really wish they weren’t I wish every
really wish they weren’t I wish every
really wish they weren’t I wish every day we could be given permission to make
day we could be given permission to make
day we could be given permission to make a mess it’s only then that we give up
a mess it’s only then that we give up
a mess it’s only then that we give up control and we accidentally stumble on
control and we accidentally stumble on
control and we accidentally stumble on things and we test things we take risks
things and we test things we take risks
things and we test things we take risks you know and there’s beauty to be found
you know and there’s beauty to be found
you know and there’s beauty to be found in a mess so many great things have been
in a mess so many great things have been
in a mess so many great things have been discovered through messes things like
discovered through messes things like
discovered through messes things like silly putty totally accidental
silly putty totally accidental
silly putty totally accidental antibiotics too so big and small things
antibiotics too so big and small things
antibiotics too so big and small things through making a mess improvise now as
through making a mess improvise now as
through making a mess improvise now as we’re making our way around our
we’re making our way around our
we’re making our way around our labyrinth of life we think we have it
labyrinth of life we think we have it
labyrinth of life we think we have it all lined up especially when you get to
all lined up especially when you get to
all lined up especially when you get to be my age you think got it all figured
be my age you think got it all figured
be my age you think got it all figured out invariably we don’t weather will not
out invariably we don’t weather will not
out invariably we don’t weather will not cooperate technology will fail us we
cooperate technology will fail us we
cooperate technology will fail us we fail ourselves so you’re left with
fail ourselves so you’re left with
fail ourselves so you’re left with having to improvise which is really just
having to improvise which is really just
having to improvise which is really just recovering you know from when you’re in
recovering you know from when you’re in
recovering you know from when you’re in a jam doing whatever it takes to get it
a jam doing whatever it takes to get it
a jam doing whatever it takes to get it done quick story here gonna take you
done quick story here gonna take you
done quick story here gonna take you back to Luxembourg its 1998 and we were
back to Luxembourg its 1998 and we were
back to Luxembourg its 1998 and we were my husband and I were so excited we got
my husband and I were so excited we got
my husband and I were so excited we got a babysitter I got a new dress it got
a babysitter I got a new dress it got
a babysitter I got a new dress it got nails done we were going out to dinner
nails done we were going out to dinner
nails done we were going out to dinner New Year’s Eve I wanted lamb chops very
New Year’s Eve I wanted lamb chops very
New Year’s Eve I wanted lamb chops very badly so the sitter calls
badly so the sitter calls
badly so the sitter calls and between her broken English and my
and between her broken English and my
and between her broken English and my broken French we were new to the country
broken French we were new to the country
broken French we were new to the country I figured out just suis malade she was
I figured out just suis malade she was
I figured out just suis malade she was sick okay
sick okay
sick okay pivot Plan B so I go to the butcher make
pivot Plan B so I go to the butcher make
pivot Plan B so I go to the butcher make my way to the market you know my typical
my way to the market you know my typical
my way to the market you know my typical mo at the butcher in Luxembourg was to
mo at the butcher in Luxembourg was to
mo at the butcher in Luxembourg was to look scan the window point to the piece
look scan the window point to the piece
look scan the window point to the piece of beef I want and then hold up how many
of beef I want and then hold up how many
of beef I want and then hold up how many and so I’m in line New Year’s Eve
and so I’m in line New Year’s Eve
and so I’m in line New Year’s Eve kind of a stressful day the butcher does
kind of a stressful day the butcher does
kind of a stressful day the butcher does not look pleased he looks especially
not look pleased he looks especially
not look pleased he looks especially grumpy and I’m just there and panicking
grumpy and I’m just there and panicking
grumpy and I’m just there and panicking because I don’t see the lamb chops and
because I don’t see the lamb chops and
because I don’t see the lamb chops and the line gets closer closer I’m now
the line gets closer closer I’m now
the line gets closer closer I’m now face-to-face with the grumpy butcher and
face-to-face with the grumpy butcher and
face-to-face with the grumpy butcher and he says Matt damn and I say and the
he says Matt damn and I say and the
he says Matt damn and I say and the grumpy butcher smiles and says Agnew
grumpy butcher smiles and says Agnew
grumpy butcher smiles and says Agnew Agnew that’s the French word for lamb
Agnew that’s the French word for lamb
Agnew that’s the French word for lamb and I got my four chops and the woman
and I got my four chops and the woman
and I got my four chops and the woman behind me taps me on the shoulder and
behind me taps me on the shoulder and
behind me taps me on the shoulder and she says perhaps I can help you I’m a
she says perhaps I can help you I’m a
she says perhaps I can help you I’m a French teacher so not only did I get my
French teacher so not only did I get my
French teacher so not only did I get my lamb chops I got the French teacher and
lamb chops I got the French teacher and
lamb chops I got the French teacher and everybody was happy
everybody was happy
everybody was happy all because I improvised and yes animal
all because I improvised and yes animal
all because I improvised and yes animal sounds do count okay so back to the
sounds do count okay so back to the
sounds do count okay so back to the lepprince painting I shared with you at
lepprince painting I shared with you at
lepprince painting I shared with you at the beginning of my talk I’m showing you
the beginning of my talk I’m showing you
the beginning of my talk I’m showing you the painting Midway
the painting Midway
the painting Midway behind me and it’s uncomfortable to
behind me and it’s uncomfortable to
behind me and it’s uncomfortable to share this with you but I was struggling
share this with you but I was struggling
share this with you but I was struggling I didn’t want to finish it it was
I didn’t want to finish it it was
I didn’t want to finish it it was exhausting and I wanted to walk away the
exhausting and I wanted to walk away the
exhausting and I wanted to walk away the shadows weren’t working I was feeling
shadows weren’t working I was feeling
shadows weren’t working I was feeling very inadequate and how many times in
very inadequate and how many times in
very inadequate and how many times in our life when we talk about our own
our life when we talk about our own
our life when we talk about our own blank canvases do we feel inadequate and
blank canvases do we feel inadequate and
blank canvases do we feel inadequate and we’re so afraid of failure but you know
we’re so afraid of failure but you know
we’re so afraid of failure but you know what I just said let me finish this put
what I just said let me finish this put
what I just said let me finish this put my name on it
my name on it
my name on it I got to own it good or bad it’s mine so
I got to own it good or bad it’s mine so
I got to own it good or bad it’s mine so I did finish it and I want to share it
I did finish it and I want to share it
I did finish it and I want to share it with you now we go back share it
with you now we go back share it
with you now we go back share it I’m sharing my final piece called
I’m sharing my final piece called
I’m sharing my final piece called labyrinth with you not because I’m
labyrinth with you not because I’m
labyrinth with you not because I’m trying to brag or boast or
trying to brag or boast or
trying to brag or boast or sell it I’m not sharing it with you
sell it I’m not sharing it with you
sell it I’m not sharing it with you actually because we have a duty to share
actually because we have a duty to share
actually because we have a duty to share we have a duty to share with one another
we have a duty to share with one another
we have a duty to share with one another and we all have gifts we have to share
and we all have gifts we have to share
and we all have gifts we have to share it because you don’t know who you’re
it because you don’t know who you’re
it because you don’t know who you’re going to trigger next to you you’re
going to trigger next to you you’re
going to trigger next to you you’re going to spark somebody else and we all
going to spark somebody else and we all
going to spark somebody else and we all rely on each other for that so please
rely on each other for that so please
rely on each other for that so please don’t be afraid to share what’s on your
don’t be afraid to share what’s on your
don’t be afraid to share what’s on your blank canvas and go ahead right now and
blank canvas and go ahead right now and
blank canvas and go ahead right now and make a mark thank you
make a mark thank you
make a mark thank you [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment