In January 2002 my Mother passed away after Alzheimer’s disease robbed her of everything. After retiring and before Alzheimer’s, she developed an interest in oil painting. Actually, I never got to see her paint. But she gave me one of the three paintings she finished. After she died my sister and I went through her things. When we got to her art supplies, no one really wanted them. My sister told me to take them because she was not interested in painting. Neither was I, but I brought them home anyway.
Toward the end of a very tough year, I set up the easel with a blank canvas on it. I just stared at it. Having no idea what to do next. It was very intimidating. My last “art” class had been in about 1962 at Lanier High School. That was a long time ago.
Clearly, I needed to study art to be able to add any paint to that blank canvas. So I bought some books about painting. The more I learned, the more I wanted to learn. I knew that painting made me feel relaxed. It made me feel great. And I also knew I needed to keep trying.
Then I joined the Bastrop Fine Arts Guild. The guild opened up so many doors. Through the guild I met Rebecca Neff. She is an excellent teacher. It was a pleasure to learn from her.
A few years later (also through the guild) I met another great teacher named Natalie Cooke. She taught me to trade my paintbrushes for a palette knife. Yes, it was awkward at first but now it is more comfortable.
I have been blessed with inspiration from my Mother. And I have been blessed with the guidance of two very patient teachers.
Now I understand that studying art will continue throughout my life. |
