The penniless martial Artist
So most of you know that I train in the martial arts, some of you know that I compete in jiujitsu tournaments on occasion (with fun results like this!), and a few of you know that I teach martial arts as well.
Like any endeavor, being good enough at martial arts to turn around and teach others requires time, dedication, competition and training under the best martial arts instructors one has access to (not unlike becoming a good Bible teacher, in fact!).
There are two opportunities coming up this Spring/Summer that I am hoping to participate in…but I need your help!
The first is NAGA North Carolina, on April 9th. NAGA is a nationally-ranked grappling tournament that features some of the best competition at all levels. Last year, I competed in NAGA in Atlanta in the Blue Belt Lightweight division (though technically I was only a white belt). I did okay, and as a result I was awarded my BJJ (Brazilian Jiujitsu) Blue belt by my instructor. This year, I want to challenge myself even more, so I plan on competing in the Blue Belt Absolute Division. Absolute Division means I will be competing without weight classes. So I could compete against someone 130 lbs or someone 330 lbs! It will definitely be a challenge and I won’t have any idea what to expect, but I want to push myself each time I compete.
The second opportunity I hope to take advantage of is in July. It’s a trip with my instructor, Sensei Derek Richardson, to his instructor’s academy to train with the absolute BEST BJJ INSTRUCTORS IN THE COUNTRY–Renzo Gracie Academy in Manhattan!
Since receiving my 1st degree black belt, I have chosen to concentrate my area of study in Brazilian Jiujitsu (my black belt is in our mixed curriculum of martial arts, I’m only a blue belt in BJJ) and that means learning from the best in order to one day be able to teach what I learn to others and thus pass on the martial arts traditions I have been blessed by. An opportunity to train at Renzo’s (by invitation!) is something I would hate to pass up…especially since current UFC Champions Georges St. Pierre and Frankie Edgar BOTH train there, as do many other top martial artists!
So…here’s where you come in!
I need to raise the funds for both of these. The NAGA admission fee is $100 and the trip to RGA will be around $500. Right now, I can’t afford these on my own.
BUT…
I’m not just asking for sponsor donations (though I’ll always accept them! haha!). Rather, I’d like to offer something in return.
In case you’ve missed it, I’ve been doing a number of MMA-related pieces of artwork. I would like to offer signed color prints of these pieces in exchange for donations.
Anyone who donates between $10-$20 towards my NAGA and RGA trip will receive a print of their choice.
Anyone who donates between $20-$50 will receive 3 prints of their choice!
And anyone who donates $50 or more will receive 5 prints of their choice!
AND…
If anyone donates more than $100 I will give them a print of each piece AND a 2-hr private martial arts lesson whenever and wherever they would like!
How’s that for a bargain?? 🙂
So, if you want to help me become a better martial artist AND have something cool to hang on your wall, simply make a donation HERE and include a message letting me know which piece/s you would like in return for your donation.
Here are the pieces that I’m offering (size of prints will be approx. 8.5″x11″):
“Jonny Bones”
“Legacy”
“The Natural”
“Spider”
“Sugar meets the Dragon”
“Bulldog”
“The Last Emperor”
“El Guapo”
“Li’l Bulldog”
“Gina”
I know many of my readers could not care less about martial arts, so I understand if you have no interest in this. But for those who do, I would greatly appreciate your support and encouragement.
Blessings from the Dojo!
JM
Categories: Arts and Culture, Blog, Martial Arts
[…] those curious about prints of some of these… James-Michael Smith's Disciple Dojo – JMSmith.org The penniless martial Artist __________________ JMS The Discipleship Dojo – http://www.jmsmith.org Machida, Renzo, Anderson, […]
by Fighter artwork thread - Page 3 - Sherdog Mixed Martial Arts Forums on Mar 7, 2011 at 7:32 pm