Self-Portrait, Spring 1887, Oil on pasteboard, 42 × 33.7 cm., Art Institute of Chicago (F 345). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Don’t let yourself conjure up an image that doesn’t apply accurately to me, however. I’ve never sold anything. I do it for the joy of the process. So if you’re interested, here’s my story.

For the last ten years I have become a self-made artist along with the help of many different types of artists who I’ve met in my journey. I learned a great deal from them all.

I started out using watercolor paints. I bought the lowest-grade supplies of paints, paper, and brushes just in case I didn’t stick with this endeavor. There’s a very good reason for this! I have a tendency to start all types of hobbies or start learning something like Sign Language, but then don’t stick with it in the long haul. Anyway, back to the watercolor painting. I wasn’t sure what to paint, but I knew what I liked: flowers, landscapes, oceans, that type of thing. At first I would find greeting cards I liked and just copy the image by eyeballing it, not tracing it. I began using small pieces of paper – 4×6 and 5×7 sizes at the largest until I got the hang of it. I painted things pretty loosely in the beginning until I could learn to draw better. Now I have become very detailed in my work, especially when I paint flowers. That is my greatest interest of late. Actually, it always has been. In fact, I love Georgia O’Keefe’s work very much.

After I decided I was going to stick with painting, I joined the North Light Book Club and built up a fine collection of art books. It became expensive in the long run, though, so after I had quite a few to start with, I quit the club. Besides, I had obtained plenty to keep me busy for quite some time. So I put myself to work – LEARNING!

I don’t feel like I was born to be an artist like Renoir or Van Gogh, both of whom I love. For me, it has been an endeavor that I have had to work really hard at. But it has been the most rewarding work I’ve ever done outside of being a wife, mother, and home school teacher. All of those responsibilities have kept me busy through the years. My two kids are teens now, so I have more free time for myself as they can work more independently.

Lastly, I have to say I am thankful that I have been fortunate enough to stay home and raise my family like my mother did before me and her mother before her, etc., etc. That was a priority of mine and my husband’s. Plus, this has afforded me the opportunity to learn many other new things, such as playing the guitar and getting back into piano which I learned to play as a child. I have always loved art and music. It’s a great blessing to be able to do both at my leisure!

Until next time, keep cool, get outside and enjoy the sunshine, and tell someone you love them today!