About
Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.
--Thomas Merton
Do you remember a work of art that hung in your childhood home? Or maybe in your grandparents' home? I remember falling off my bike in my grandparents' driveway and recuperating in my grandfather's bed. On the wall was the popular 1940's print of the photograph, "Grace" by Eric Enstrom. It is of an older man saying a prayer over a table with a simple meal. Art, music, fragrances, can all transport us through time. Like the smell of crayons. Can you remember the first day of school?
In case we haven't met yet, I'm an artist living in Florence, Alabama with my husband, Dale and our cat, Callie. We have a blended family of adult kids and seven grandchildren. I believe creating art and enjoying art is fundamental to human happiness! Particularly the bright colors and whimsical perspectives of children's art.
A story I love to tell is when my mother noticed I preferred drawing in the dust on the back of the piano more than playing it, she signed me up for art lessons at age 9. I've enjoyed dabbling in art most of my life but discovered a love for painting when taking a color theory class from Bill Nance (deceased) at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, Alabama. This is where I learned to see colors and how to mix paint to achieve the color I was looking for instead of creating "mud"!
In a move from Huntsville to Birmingham in 2015 my husband encouraged me to use a spare bedroom for a place to paint. I've become more and more committed to my art since that time, participating in regional juried art shows and have work hanging in galleries. It always excites me to see so many children attracted to my artwork at art fairs! I love inspiring young artists and to have my art hanging on the wall of their childhood home, creating memories of it for years to come.
When I die, I hope to have a smudge of paint on my face or hands so my Creator will know just how much fun I've had playing with His colors here on earth!
Join the growing community of people receiving inspirational thoughts about life and art though my weekly email. Sign up here and receive a free digital art collector's guide of my artwork!