How I started drawing pictures....

Michele asked me to write about what got me started doing creative projects and of course I have been thinking about it since she wrote that request. So here we go….

I come from an extended family of doctors, and medical practitioners…except for my mom, who was a singer, and an ‘artistic’ person. Mom married out of the faith, and we kids were subject to constant reminders that Mom could have married this or that Doctor or dentist, and if only she had how wonderful it would have been. It was instilled in me by my extended family that Art was NOT something that you do for a living. And in the way of children, I set out to prove that Mom’s choice of career and marriage was validated – my brother and I were set to do science from day 1. He’s a Doctor and I’m a Clinical Chemist. Good children.

Despite family influences I had an artistic inclination and tried art classes through my school years, and loved them all… but it “wasn’t a career” so I just played. After college – nothing really, no time!. Too busy getting married, building a career, buying and fixing up a house etc, etc.

So what got me started on this recent road? I still don’t know the absolute trigger, but there were a number of small things that built up.
1) My dog of 15 years died and we didn’t rush out and get another one, so I had nothing to care for and take for walks etc. Lots of free time.
2) My dear friend Isabel died of larynx cancer. A terrific artist and designer she was always encouraging me with fabric arts, and a general artistic environment. I missed her inspirations.
3) I broke my leg in 2005 and was incapacitated for 12 weeks and permanently limited in some ankle movement, which limited my desire and ability to take long walks or go to some of those active gym classes.
4) My sister in law died in January 2006 - another big hole left in my life.
5) We moved to a new house and I finally had some space. Old house was tiny, less than 900 sq ft of space aside from bedrooms and a basement that had dirt floors and stone walls. New house has big room, and a full dry basement begging to be used.

It was after my sister in law died that I really got started with art projects. Here I was with no dog, missing close friends, a gimpy leg and a lot of time on my hands. I was at Michael’s art store and saw a book about decoupage, and cigar boxes. I bought the book and supplies and was off like a shot.

I loved decoupage, and went out and bought lots of books and supplies and made boxes for friends, and family. Everyone loved them, or said they did and I loved doing them. I painted birdhouses, and decoupaged them. It was a short hop from decoupage to collage and then to drawing and painting. I was like a crazy woman and wanted to try it all – so I did. I figured that I’d been working my whole life, and it was time to indulge in a little bit of passion. With no training, I had no idea how to use supplies, so I tried them all. I spent a fortune at Michael's! I tried every medium aside from oils. I did research on line about art. I found out about blogging, and started reading art blogs. I found Portrait Party and Illustration Friday and IFN (this was my favorite post that I did for IFN) and EDM and WetCanvas and Monday ArtDay. I found magazines and ZNE’s about paper art, and on and on. I found a whole new world, friends, encouragement, honest opinions, and started learning how to SEE (Note: I can't find the post where Fern had recommended pressing your nose against a tree and looking at the colors, but it made a great impression on me! ). I started quilting, actually something that I had started years ago, but had no space to do.

It has all settled down

So today, I am more settled with some specific passions. Little drawings, ATC’s, colored pencils and continued learning. I have SO much stuff that isn’t useful to me anymore, and it’s all going to the Goodwill. Lot’s of sparkles and glitter glue (don’t laugh).
Embellishments and other crap. I feel more comfortable with drawing, but still don’t call myself an artist. I have a lot to learn, and feel comfortable enough to sign up for classes now. I am constantly thinking of ideas, and writing them down. I have started two books, and that is harder creative work than anything else. I draw on the weekends and doodle or sew during the week. I would love a week away with just art to learn and do. Maybe it’s years of ideas just flowing out, maybe I just have ADD. I don’t know…and don’t care. I’m happy.

Did this answer your question Michele? It was fun to research and write so thanks for the inspiration.