I grew up with an artist mother. Her art talent in the
40's was used to paint windows of business's in our small
town of East Peoria, Illinois. She would take me, her
first born, with her as a toddler. I would sit on a stool
and color with a pad of paper on my lap. As a first grader
I could draw anything at a 6th grade level. Friends would
gather around me and ask how I could draw like that. It
was so natural for me to draw, I had no answer for them.
My mother's opportunities were limited and since she could
never find enough work, her attitude became "artist's
can't make money." With that she never encouraged
me to develope my art talent. Teachers, however, saw to
it that I had pleanty of experiences at school. Mother
signed me up for a nurse's training program when I got
in high school. Nurses can always get a job. She wanted
me to be able to take care of myself.
After converting to the LDS Church, I rejected my mothers
nursing goals for me and went to BYU as an art major.
After years of hearing and subconsciously believeing my
mothers discouraging remarks about art, I became discouraged
in an art class one day. The instructor commented that
some of we students came from small towns and we were
the best artist in our high school But, he said "You
stink." I left class and changed my major to Recreation
Adminsitration with art and dance as minors and therapy
as a focus. Due to my love for art, I managed a few art
class's and began to teach art in recreation programs
all over Utah Valley. I gave encouragement and art support
to many children, with a passion that was never offered
to me as a child.
I can't claim I have painted under great named artist's
or that I have a degree in art. A couple of art teachers
have influenced me and helped me to push the limit. But
I don't paint like anyone else I know. I paint for self
satisfaction and what it does for me emotionally and mentally.
If I am stressed I can get a massage or paint. I feel
the vibrant colors are symbolic for the blossoming and
color that has come into my life because I am happy and
full of joy. I have healed because I paint. My self confidence
and self knowing has been awakened because I painted.
I have retrieved myself through painting. I have solved
problems, by picking up a brush and painting. Two years
ago I decided to put a price and a frame on the paintings
that I had created and start entering art shows and share
my art work.
One of the positive art experiences I had with my mother
was reading and talking about the art in the Children's
Golden Books she brought home for me. I loved the children's
books by Tasha Tudor, Kate Greenaway and Beatrice Potter-three
of the greatest illustrators of childrens books. I now
use my grandchildren as models for illustrating the books
I write about them. I have no solid direction for my art.
The only thing I have passionately wanted to do is publish
children's books and influence others with my African
Art Show to pick up a project for Zambia. I love it when
someone buys my art and puts it in their home. I am delighted
that my art is that meaningful to someone.
