One step at a time, small beginnings

This blog is intended to be an exploration of the mind and motivation of an artist. Perhaps it is also my way of feeding the writer side of my creativity.

LCBI art class in the late 1990's, with students who were already amazing artists in their own right. One such student, Kathryn Gorectke (nee Akre), has continued to expand and market her talent in acrylic paintings. It might have been the persistent influence of my students that first encouraged me to paint.

I remember that their difficulty with water colors prompted me to head to our cabin over the summer loaded with paper, paints and brushes to work through the two art books I had borrowed. By the end of the month my efforts were not that bad with method I had employed. Returning to school in the fall, I brought samples of the steps to take, teaching my students some of the basics that worked for me. They ran with it, outstripping my work in leaps and bounds to my delight finding new techniques as they worked.

As I guided their classes, those many students taught me to take risks, to believe in what might happen, to look at the subject with new eyes and to find joy in the process.

Years before I retired, I worked in watercolors until I discovered my preference for acrylics. For a few weeks each summer, I played in paints at the cabin sporadically. It wasn't until 2013, after my last year of teaching full time that I started painting more seriously as one of my goals for retirement. I had waited until nothing could distract or hold me back from pursuing this goal.

At first, I was nervous about sharing my work. Was it good enough? Would I seem like I was boasting somehow? I didn't need to worry. The look on the faces of my daughters was enough. Perhaps they were a bit taken aback that their mom had this flicker of talent showing up in paint. The year I offered them their choice of an acrylic painting for a Christmas present was affirmation that I had arrived as an artist.

The first watercolors and canvases were also well received by friends and even by purchasers at fundraisers.  My work was worth something! I think that the first small offering brought in a bid of $45 and the next one was over $100.  More than that, the comments encouraged me continue to explore, risk and learn more.

Simple beginnings, small steps over perhaps 10 years but a process that has been rewarding in many ways. I have learned to humbly trust the talents entrusted to me, as well as the positive comments that gave me hope.  This has been as much about self-discovery as it has been about practicing a skill.

Thanks to all those who have supported my work with kind words and purchases.