Member Spotlight

Flowers of the Spirit

One word leads to another… a familiar prompt. But in the case of WAA member and fine art floral photographer Carmen Davailus, words led to a speech and a successful new creative outlet. Carmen recently challenged herself to enter the nationally known, North America’s Next Greatest Speaker competition.

The speech that Carmen chose for the semifinalist competition was related to her past profession as a primary care NICU nurse and a tiny baby she had always remembered.

Through a little sleuthing Carmen told of reconnecting with the family of a baby she cared for in neonatal ICU for three months, forty years ago! Happily, that baby is now a grown man with children of his own. The family remembered Carmen too and that tiny spark of curiosity has rekindled a friendship, and her inspirational speech struck a chord with the audience.

Carmen walked away from the competition as one of the three semifinalist speakers from Dallas and eligible to compete in the national finals in August.

More than growing an additional marketing skill, Carmen sees this new speaking venture as an extension of her journey to create and live with meaning and intent. To find out more of this amazing artist, check out CarmensFineArt.com, Doggies for Dementia Foundation, and her podcast, The Art of a Meaningful Life where you can hear the entire story of three special minutes in the lives of Carmen, Randy and his parents.

You can see a beautiful sample of Carmen’s fine art photography in our Members Gallery.