Why do I do what I do? I have been asked this more than just a few times! My answer...I HAVE to paint, draw and create! This is just part of who I am. Something of my own heart goes into every drawing and creation. I get lost in the process of creating, something that keeps me sane in my crazy world. Each piece of art has a story, a connection, and an emotion attached to it. Whether it's a painting, a piece of stitchery, a crochet blanket or a garment I have sewn, it was created with purpose. A physical expression of the thoughts, memories, feelings or love for another person. I always wanted to draw portraits from the time I was a child making crayon drawings of princesses. My first passable portrait was of my paternal Grandmother made shortly after she died. My Grandmother, and my favorite Aunt, supported me when I was a young, emerging adult, despite other family members. I left home at 21 to start a new life on my own on the other side of the country. My portrait of her was a tribute to an amazing woman who profoundly influenced my life.
I once painted stone bridge on a circular saw blade that I gave to my grandfather. I remember the pride and love in his eyes that moment he opened the gift. He was the one who encouraged me keep painting and drawing, and hung it in the kitchen. I miss him every day, and yes, I still have that saw blade!
I have portraits of each of my children with me as babies. My eldest standing on my lap as I sing to him. The one of my youngest is of his first laugh. Precious moments frozen in time.
I create portraits because people are important! Every person has a story and wants to feel special. It was an honor to create a portrait of a beloved father shown both at the age of 21 when he joined the service and at 74 years young when he was marching with is unit at a local parade with his purple heart shinning on his chest. I did a portrait of a two year old boy whose father just found out about about time. He commissioned a portrait for himself and his boy's mother. I did a portrait of two small brothers looking at each other as if they just realized they were best friends, a gift for the grandma that had everything. A young woman with a difficult home life asked for a pencil portrait of a woman with wings, the woman had been like a mother to her. There have been the unusual requests too, like the drawing of a superman cape torn, hanging on a fence. The man requesting this had the picture stuck in his head and just wanted to see it drawn. Then there was the tattoo a woman wanted created in remembrance of a departed sister featuring her favorite flower and a butterfly. This was her first tattoo at the young age of 50!
These are my whys, reasons of the heart. Precious moments and memories made visible to others. It is my honor to have a part in sharing these.
Thank you to all those who have graced me with your requests! God bless you and yours. Peace be with you in this chaotic world. What moment can I draw for you?