Click on the links below to see some fun examples of my art over the years. More will be posted from time to time right here on this page so come back or subscribe to my YouTube account for updates every time I post a new video.
http://www.youtube.com/user/shaunhays?feature=mhum#p/u/0/4NvldY0SrDI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB7I5tLzqmg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK6kiz-IufE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0ptix72ejQ
Enjoy! – Shaun
Last night I sort of went back in time and touched up one of my earlier works. It was done on an experimental faux Suede in 2003 for an event held at a Christian bookstore/retreat. The material was slow and chewed up my chalk a lot and later became unavailable so I stuck with my current canvas – a Wal-Mart bed sheet!
So here is the final work hung back on the wall. Not bad huh? This one is about 5-6 feet across, just slightly smaller than my norm. You can find a better pic. on my website.
Cross Path to Glory - 2003, Shaun Hays
I always tell people who are considering one of my originals that it is crucial to remember; It will take me ten time longer to touch up than what it took me to do it…if something happens to the art . (Sometimes a lot more than ten times!) This does happen from time to time and most of the time you can fix it yourself. I’ll post a link here later to the “How To Maintain The Chalk Art” page on my website.
I just want to thank the Ladies of the Women Of Worth – Bolingbrook, IL for a fun day at their Christmas celebration today and for they’re continued support. They are the group I have most frequently presented to over the years and I have made some wonderful friends there.
Here’s the art I did if you didn’t get a picture. (Picture will be posted soon.)
After I view the video and see if it’s quality, maybe I’ll post a link to it so you can show your friends who missed it.
Thanks for including me in your “reindeer games” lol.
The message is being turned into an MP3 for download and will be further explored for use in a book, however if you wish to get a manuscript of my message please email me through my website.
Does My Faith Scare You?
A Word For Event Coordinators
Shaun Hays successfully presents to all groups and ages.
I still remember the look in the event coordinator’s eyes when she found out I was a Christian. I thought she was going to get sick! She was very scared and it showed. I’m still not sure to this day what her previous experience with a Christian speaker had been, but obviously it was a bad one. I thought it was strange that she didn’t know I was a Christian ahead of time, since I’ve never tried to conceal the fact. I asked her if there was a problem and she responded with stammering words: “We uh…did NOT know you were a CHRISTIAN speaker! Now I feel lied to!” I must admit,I was a bit shocked at that response, but I reassured her of the following:
As a believer in Jesus and His teachings:
a) I do not condone lying in any form. I do everything to be forthright and complete in my discussions and contracts with you as well as the Christian presentations I do. I apply this to my presentations and to my interactions with your audience as well. In order to be truthful, I need you informed of my faith but also for you to understand my boundaries.
b) I will not “bait and switch” at your event. This means I will not say anything just to get in the door with your organization and then disregard our discussions and contracts simply to fulfill my own agenda or a religious agenda. This also means that I will NOT talk in religious overtones or try to convert anyone at your event if you are a public school or strictly secular venue. I assume you DO NOT want a Christian message UNLESS you specifically ASK for one.
c) I will conduct myself in a professional and respectful manner around your audience members, leadership and staff members even while “not on the clock” so-to-speak. I live my message in front of the people around me. Integrity is a valuable asset to me.
d) If you are a Youth Organization, School, or will have youth at your facility,I will look out for the youth like I work for you. I am very careful to protect your youth from all things that may hurt them in any form. I will ask you to make sure I am never left alone in a room or elevator with them. This is my way of setting an example to them and to your staff. Protect your youth and your speakers by applying this rule. Unfortunately we live in a world where these things need to be dealt with.
I am not ashamed of my faith but you are the event coordinator, not me. I am there to fill a need that you have decided could use my professional help. I will act in a professional manner. If there are any difficulties I try to handle them with reason. Conflicts are handled as quickly and as peaceably as possible. If you need to discuss things I am always available to do so. I value you and understand your concerns.
I hope that in the end of your time with me, you will have enjoyed the experience so well, you will refer me to many others. – Shaun A. Hays
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me here.
For more info on booking Shaun for your event visit his website.
Below is information on dog fighting taken from the Humane Society’s website.
I’m going to add a couple comments before that, so, to clarify: anything after the title “Dogfighting Fact Sheet” is directly copied and pasted with no changes whatsoever. I have no intention of profiting off this article in any way – just educating the public.
Now for my comments: I wanted to post graphic details and pictures here depicting the reality of what I have seen when it comes to this unbelievably horrific crime, but on further consideration of my more sensitive readers, I have decided against it. The information you can find by Google-ing “the truth about dog fighting” will reveal enough to those who want to research more. let me forewarn you: there are many criminals out there trying to convince you of a lie that this is harmless sport. Nothing could be further from the truth.
November 2, 2009
Chad Sisneros
What is dogfighting?
Dogfighting is a sadistic “contest” in which two dogs—specifically bred, conditioned, and trained to fight—are placed in a pit (generally a small arena enclosed by plywood walls) to fight each other for the spectators’ entertainment and gambling.
Fights average one to two hours, ending one of the dogs will not or cannot continue. In addition to these organized dogfights, there are reports of an increase in unorganized street fights in urban areas.
How does it cause animal suffering?
The injuries inflicted and sustained by dogs participating in dogfights are frequently severe, even fatal. The American pit bull terriers used in the majority of these fights have been specifically bred and trained for fighting and are unrelenting in their attempts to overcome their opponents. With their extremely powerful jaws, they are able to inflict severe bruising, deep puncture wounds and broken bones.
Dogs used in these events often die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion, or infection hours or even days after the fight. Other animals are often sacrificed as well; pit bulls who are born “cold,” or won’t fight, may be kept around to sic other dogs on.
In The Complete Gamedog, convicted dogfighter Ed Faron goes into great detail about the injuries suffered during dogfights. In one fight between a dog named Bandit and one named Miss Rufus, he writes, “Miss Rufus spent most of the rest of the fight on her back and Bandit broke her other front leg high up in the shoulder, as well as one of her back legs, in the knee joint. The only leg she didn’t break she chewed all to h***. She had literally scalped Miss Rufus, tearing a big chunk of skin off the top of her head alongside one ear.”
Are there other concerns?
Yes. Numerous law enforcement raids have unearthed many disturbing facets of this illegal “sport.” Young children are sometimes present at the events, which can promote insensitivity to animal suffering, enthusiasm for violence, and disrespect for the law. Illegal gambling is the norm at dogfights. Dog owners and spectators wager thousands of dollars on their favorites. Firearms and other weapons have been found at dogfights because of the large amounts of cash present. Dogfighting has also been connected to other kinds of violence—even homicide, according to newspaper reports. In addition, illegal drugs are often sold and used at dogfights.
What other effects does the presence of dogfighting have on people and animals in a community?
Dogs used for fighting have been bred for many generations to be dangerously aggressive toward other animals. The presence of these dogs in a community increases the risk of attacks not only on other animals but also on people, because unsocialized and/or chained dogs are more likely to bite.
Why should dogfighting be a felony offense?
There are several compelling reasons. Because dogfighting yields such large profits for participants, the minor penalties associated with misdemeanor convictions are not a sufficient deterrent. Dogfighters merely absorb these fines as part of the cost of doing business. The cruelty inherent in dogfighting should be punished by more than a slap on the wrist. Dogfighting is not a spur-of-the-moment act; it is a premeditated and cruel practice.
Those involved in dogfighting go to extensive lengths to avoid detection by law enforcement, so investigations can be difficult, dangerous, and expensive. Law enforcement officials are more inclined to investigate dogfighting if it is a felony. As more states make dogfighting a felony offense, those remaining states with low penalties will become magnets for dogfighters.
Do some states already have felony laws?
Yes. Dogfighting is a felony offense in all 50 states.
Should being a spectator also be a felony?
Yes. Spectators provide much of the profit associated with dogfighting. The money generated by admission fees and gambling helps keep this “sport” alive. Because dogfights are illegal and therefore not widely publicized, spectators do not merely happen upon a fight; they seek it out. They are willing participants who support a criminal activity through their paid admission and attendance.
What can I do to help stop dogfighting?
Learn how to spot the signs of dogfighting. If you suspect dogfighting activity, alert your local law enforcement agency and urge officials to contact The HSUS for practical tools, advice and assistance.
Put up our dogfighting reward posters in your community. For free posters, send us an email (include your name, address and the number of posters you’d like). Learn about ourEnd Dogfighting program and how to start one up in your community.
If you live in one of the states where being a spectator or other aspects of dogfighting is still a misdemeanor, please write to your state legislators and urge them to make it a felony. Find out how your state treats dogfighting at our page on State Dogfighting Laws [PDF].
Hi! My name is Dugan, (DOO gun) Hays. I’m a Bullmastiff/St. Bernard mix. I’m rather large I guess you’d say, but I think I’m a lap dog.
I was born in east Ohio to some mean people who did nasty things to me and the other dogs they had. They made us fight each other and if we wouldn’t fight they starved us to make us mean. I didn’t want to fight. I wasn’t angry at the other dogs. They hurt me and put me in a small cage. Then they left me there to starve and maybe die.
But I was rescued.
Some angels in uniforms came and saved me from my cage. I heard them talking as if I might not make it, and it really felt like it too… but I desperately wanted to live. They gave me all the love and care I had never had before… (and food!) and I made sure to give them as many kisses as I could in return.
Eventually they moved me to a foster home in Aurora, Illinois. I stayed there for many months in a very nice lady’s home. She loved me so much and I loved her too. There were many dogs to run and play with there. But it was not my permanent family… my home.
Then they found me!! My mommy and daddy… I knew the moment they walked in the front door it was them. Something about the gleam in their eyes and the way they got down on the floor with me right away to pet me and play with me. They even let me kiss their faces. We’ve been a family for several years now, I have a sister named Allie who looks like a Chihuahua (but don’t call her that – she’s all min pin!) and a cousin (Rottweiler/Lab) named Buddy. Mom and dad have a really big house and they spoil me in every way you can imagine!
Once I was starved and emaciated almost to the point of death. Now, I’m healthy and lovin’ life!
If you feel on the verge of death and everything is against you… maybe people have even hurt you in unspeakable ways… DON’T LOSE FAITH! YOUR ANGELS ARE ON THEIR WAY! LIFE IS GOING TO GIVE YOU ANOTHER CHANCE! – But remember, “don’t bite the hand that feeds you good things!” -Dugan
For several years it has been a goal of mine to become an advocate for those with Bipolar Disorder. I have been around it and suffered its effects my whole life. I strongly believe and show in my life that anyone with this disease can not only survive Bipolar illness, but succeed and thrive despite the odds against them.
Author, speaker, humorist and Chalk artist - Shaun Hays
Last year I heard someone talking about doing a collective book on the subject from an angle I don’t think hasn’t been addressed nearly enough. Perhaps it has not been addressed at all. It would be a book regarding the dynamics of christian beliefs and bipolar illness. I had a couple meetings regarding the idea with this person, but after reviewing their ideas and mine, I have decided that our ideas aren’t coming from the same perspective. I have decided to keep a journal and keep interviewing various sources. I will author my own “take” on the subject. I am very excited and believe that this book will become a resource not only to industry professionals and patients, but to clergy as well.
I believe this project should take about 2-3 years to complete, but with help from many professionals and the interviews I conduct with Dr.’s and clergy, I could be looking at a sooner release. I believe this project’s thoroughness will be its credibility and decide its success, so I don’t want to rush it too much.
If you know of anyone I should interview for this book please feel free to contact me. If you have an opinion you’d like to share, feel free to comment below. When I get enough done to post a segment I will put a link on here.
In this post I thought I’d share some of the most useful or at least entertaining sites I know of on the internet. While there are billions of sites that have useful or interesting aspects to them, these are for the general population and are a great list to have in your arsenal of research tools. Please see disclaimer at bottom of page.
1x.com – amazing photography
8tracks.com – great music playlists
5min.com – how-to, instructional and DIY videos
adage.com – intelligence and conversation for marketing and media communities
adbusters.org – anti-consumerist magazine famous for their spoof ads
allrecipes.com – tens of thousands of user-tested recipes
amazon.com – books, movies, music, games and more
arstechnica.com – technology news, reviews and analysis
berkeley.edu – flagship campus of University of California system
boingboing.net – blog about technology, futurism, science fiction, gadgets
boston.com – breaking news and sports, and incredible photo galleries
cnet.com – tech news and product reviews
designboom.com – Europe’s trendy design magazine with topics on art, fashion, photography and graphics
discovery.com – science, history, space, technology and more
dornob.com – modern home, interior and furniture design and ideas
economist.com – news focusing on international politics, business and opinion
epicurious.com – tens of thousands of recipes from cookbooks, chefs and home cooks
espn.go.com – comprehensive sports news and coverage
etsy.com – handmade and vintage items direct from artists and artisans
ffffound.com – inspiring graphics and photos
flavorpill.com – guide to cultural events in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, and London
flickr.com – photo management and sharing
gawker.com – gossip, trivia and latest news about celebrities
gigaom.com – news and trends on new emerging technologies
gizmodo.com – informative articles about gadgets
harvard.edu – oldest institution of higher learning in the US
health.com – up-to-date medical news and expert medical information
imdb.com – movie descriptions and behind-the-scenes information
instructables.com – instructions for entertaining and useful projects, recipes and hacks
last.fm – expansive music catalogue, free internet radio
mashable.com – news blog covering digital and social media and technology
mentalfloss.com – where knowledge junkies get their fix
nasa.gov – images, videos and interactive features from the unique perspective of America’s space agency
nationalgeographic.com – maps, photos, videos and articles about animals, cultures and the environment
npr.org – breaking national and world news and commentary about business, politics, health, science, technology, music, arts and culture
reuters.com – the latest news from around the world
slashdot.org – technology news and reviews with a heavy slant towards Linux and Open Source
stanford.edu – leading research and teaching institution
stumbleupon.com – a unique way to surf the internet for great web content that you enjoy!
techcrunch.com – group-edited blog about web technology, companies and trends
ted.com – inspiring talks by leading world thinkers
treehugger.com – green news and solutions
tumblr.com – personal short-blogs
virginia.edu – founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819
wikipedia.com – free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.
youtube.com – discover, watch, upload and share videos
I will continue to add more sites when I find them and work on the links for the existing sites here.
The content from this article was taken from Stumbleupon. I do not take any credit nor do I endorse any specific content on any site mentioned above. Some sites, such as artistic sites may have art or photography considered to be inappropriate for some audiences. Please, set parental controls on your computers and use at your own discretion.
Image via Wikipedia
About this time of year, we often begin to hear from groups asking our help in aiding the less fortunate. I am continually surprised by the attitudes of my fellow humanity. Of course, it’s not always a good surprise.
Many times I hear of the great things people do like the lady near my beloved Chicago who saved all year to buy two hundred Christmas gifts for children in a local hospital. That’s just plain awesome! Or the gentleman who pushes carts at the Villa Park Walmart who won’t take any credit on the news or let me post his name here even though every year he grows a nice snow white beard, dresses up as Santa Claus and visits Children’s Memorial Hospital and children who are burn victims. These people give without remorse and love what they do.
And then there’s the other side. The “Dark Side of the force” if you will. People who insist (many whom I’ve heard within earshot of a Salvation Army bell-ringer) that they are the poor and needy. Interesting how people will do this while snacking on a candy bar headed to their favorite restaurant with a truck full of unnecessary gifts. Oh you know it’s true! To be honest, I’ve done something similar myself. We all lose focus of reality from time to time and there’s nothing better to wake you up than seeing the suffering or actually suffering what other’s suffer.
It happened to us once. My wife and I ended up shivering under a blanket wrapped around us and a space heater plugged into an extension chord which was plugged into our neighbors outlet. We had lost electricity due to poor money management. Our cupboards were empty and our bank account overdrawn and it was the dead of winter in Chicago. Ask me how grateful (although embarrassed) I was to that neighbor!
I have learned over time that you can always do something to help another person. “The poor you will always have with you.” You don’t have to be rich to help someone less fortunate. Stop waiting for the lotto or publishers clearinghouse. Seriously. Just get started.
I bet if you think for a couple minutes you can think of something you should “pay forward” because someone helped you or your loved ones. When you do something for someone else less fortunate than yourself it brings perspective to your own world and really makes you feel good. My suggestion? Check out a Feed My Starving Children facility or donate to their cause.
I know that there are some people in life who just “leach” off of others and are totally ungrateful, but that is a whole other post.
Thanks for reading!
-Shaun
A few years ago my wife and I were looking to upgrade our vehicle. We wanted a truly solid car that would last us for a long time. Something nice too. Something special. That’s when a black BMW 528i came into our life. It was a much better make of car than either of us had ever owned and it fit our list of needs and wants just perfect.
Right away priorities changed for me. Suddenly getting my “Beemer” washed, waxed and detailed was way more important to me than picking up my daily coffee and bagel. I was vigilant about oil changes and spent more money on the right set of tires and top of the line brakes. I conditioned the leather seats and asked questions of mechanics and other car enthusiasts. Why? Because I wanted to make sure I got as much bang for my buck as I could. I wanted this car to endure.
When I bought it someone told me “a BMW isn’t like your everyday American made car…you can easily get 200-250 thousand miles out of one if you just treat it good”. (Now, I’m all for buying American when I can and I like several American made cars, but this just wasn’t one of those times.) Needless to say, I listened to that advice and took better care of my car than any other car I’ve ever owned. Yesterday, my wife and I celebrated that very car hitting 200,000 miles. We are so happy!
I think there is a lesson here for us all. The success of this story started when I decided I wanted something better. Something MORE! All of us need to look at our lives and ask the question: “Am I doing everything I can to make life’s journey something special for the long-haul?” Many of us need to trade in our values for something of higher value. I’m certainly not talking strictly monetary here: I’m talking getting the most out of life and that often means doing good for others and setting a higher standard for yourself and those you love.
What is higher living to you? Is it just making more money or does it go much deeper for you than that? If so, than you’re my kind of person. You really care about things going on in this world and you want to make a difference. But dreaming about making a difference isn’t going to cut it. I know a lot of people who say things like “I wish I had a nice car like yours!” but that is where it all stops for them. They aren’t serious about it and I know this because they don’t actually DO anything about making it happen. Doing something would involve changing careers for many people or at the very least making that wish a goal. If you don’t know the difference between a wish and a goal, then you are in need of my blog entry entitled “Goal Setting – The Comeback“.
Set Goals! Stick to them! Make adjustments if necessary, but always strive for something higher…something bigger than your current life and circumstances and make one of your biggest goals to reach out and help those less fortunate than you. (And there are ALWAYS those less fortunate than you…even right now. You can begin to help others today. Quit waiting for the lotto and Publishers Clearinghouse! Seriously.)
Thanks for listening and applying what you read. It makes me very happy when I hear back from people who have! :)
– Shaun
Its a long story... 
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