My Resolution: to follow my passion as an artist (Repost to group)

The past year has been one in which I’ve spent a great deal of time writing, both for Gather and in connection with a book I am co-writing. Fortunately, I am now on the last chapter of that book and hope to have it in the hands of my publisher very soon.

When that is done, I resolve to spend more time painting in 2007. I am fascinated with the countless Nebula (galaxies) as captured by NASA’s Hubble. I have already completed four paintings and have received some positive feedback from a few Internet friends who are well known artists, as well as from my Gather friends, family members and other friends. This has given me the encouragement I need to continue working in this craft.

I already have many other pictures captured by the Hubble downloaded on my computer. From them, I create each work using oils and acrylics, as I love to explore and experiment with color and texture. There really is nothing more beautiful than the amazing array of galaxies created by God and one cannot help but marvel at His power to create such a vast expansive universe. And that does not even include the many universes beyond ours!

Since I was a young girl, I wanted to be an artist. However, as life would have it, things don’t always work out as we plan. In fact, I asked my adopted father after I graduated high school, if I could go to art school. The answer was a flat, out and out, NO! It simply was not practical, he said. Instead, I found myself at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario taking a two-year secretarial course. When a second opportunity for a new career arose at 31, again I was forced to be practical. I was a divorced mom of two girls, so I chose Print Journalism at St. Clair College in Windsor.

Over the years though, I did manage to create a few oil paintings here and there, but there was always someone who wanted them, so I had nothing to show for it except the continued desire to pick up a brush and paint. This past year, my passion finally found its way onto canvas again and I plan to continue in this direction. My daughters have provided me through my birthday in November and at Christmas, with more than enough paints, canvases and other essentials to keep me going for most of 2007.

As each new work unfold, I would like to share my work with my many Gather friends and continue to get their feedback, which means a great deal to me. However, the ultimate goal is to “one day” have a showing of my works in a local gallery here at home.

I think the lesson here is that one is never too old to pursue a passion that they love. While writing is and always has been “in my blood,” painting is also something I enjoy so much. I find it not only stimulating, but also relaxing and when each work is completed, there is a great sense of satisfaction because I know that no one has created the same work in exactly the same way. When the finishing touch – my initials – are placed on the canvas, it is the piece de resistance and I really do feel that I truly am an artist!

And just in case anyone is wondering, yes I will also be writing. How could I not? In fact, just last week a psychic on The X-Zone told me that I would be writing another book – this time, about myself. As I was speaking with the show’s host, Rob McConnell, he’d been jotting down some words that included: “Memoirs, The History of…” As some of you know, I’ve written quite a lot about events in my life here on this web site. Perhaps these articles have been a precursor to a biographical novel. I’ll have to give that one some thought!