The Early Age
At an early age I didn't relate my thought process to
an art form. I would spend many a recess and lunch hour
visualizing rooms in old tree stumps and hollow logs.
Actually, as a very young girl I was always attracted to
color, light and shape.
Everyone of our four seasons brings a special beauty and
joy to the heart. Remember the new sneakers for spring
plus the fresh flowers popping up, one new bathing suit
(in red, I hope) for summer, the fall colors falling all
around you, plus the excitement of the first falling snow.
One cannot live and see these natural wonders of this local
area on the south shore of Nova Scotia, Canada without
visualizing these images in the mind forever.
Caring and Sharing
As a military wife with 3 sons and a husband in a field
regiment, life was always a challenge but most interesting.
We traveled mainly in Germany, across Canada, with one
posting in the United States. Our longest posting was in
Germany for five years. During these years their were no
family to assist us for when one was sick, doctors
appointment or even for a dinner out. I quickly learned a
very valuable lesson which will stay with me for the rest of
my life: "Caring is Sharing". Yes, the military was our family
and believe me when I say, "We truly cared and shared
together". Today, I gladly share my artistic knowledge to
give pleasure or assistance to others.
Learning to See
My mother started to paint in her early fifties and my Dad
was a wood carver all his life. I strongly believe that I
inherited their natural talent to some extent. For
instance, when my mother and I go walking, it is not
uncommon for both of us to reach down to pick up the same
colorful leaf! Thanks to both of my parents, the natural beauty
surrounding our daily lives was always brought to my
attention.
Many years ago I started trying to capture nature's beauty
with my camera. I,ve filled many a photo album with European
and Canadian scenes.
In 1987 we left Germany for a posting to Ottawa, Canada.
After the family was settled in, I started my first art
lesson.
My instructors name was Gilles Proulx, a wonderful person
and most beautiful artist. Thanks to Gilles "kindness,
patience, and guidance, I ventured to Algonquin College and
enrolled into a "Drawing All Levels" course, for the winter
term.
In 1988 we were transferred back to Germany. I took a
secretarial position at the Canadian High School. During this
time, I was most fortunate to meet the head of the arts
department, Peter Olson. Peter encouraged me to take his
night courses which turned out to be educational and very
interesting. Actually, I fall back on his teaching to this
day.
I graduated from Adult Education in "Drawing & Painting",
Advanced 1 & 2 Levels, 95 hours of instruction per lesson
at night school.
I lived for Saturdays to go the Outdoor Market to purchase
fresh flowers to paint during the week. It was a very
exciting way to live.
In 1990, back in Ottawa, I took additional lessons in
watercolors, a dangerous and spontaneous medium for me
but I loved it.
In 1992 off to Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas we go. Here I
started "Advanced Painting" classes which was most
enjoyable.
During the 3 years in El Paso, I took private lessons and painted
desert scenes, which have a rare beauty of their own.
In 1994, I graduated from North Light Art School.
In 1995, we retired to the south shore of Nova Scotia. At
that time, I added fibre art to my list of mediums. Family,
friends and books helped me along this never ending
journey.
The excitement of dyeing the wool to create color and
patterns is very intriguing. Pictorials are my favorite
subject for this medium.
Mondays, I paint with my 82 year old Mother, Sylvia, in her
studio. We paint, dine, talk and walk!
On Wednesdays, I join our rug hooking group at the Yacht
Club over looking Shelburne harbour.
Wonderful way to live.
Why I am Artistically Motivated
Picture this: I live on a high hill in the country
surrounded by two fresh water lakes. You cannot hear the
traffic pass due to a large pine grove. On our five acres,
we enjoy a large variety of birds, squirrels, partridge,
deer and on occasion, a few rabbits. My life is quiet and
full of natural beauty as the seasons pass. In one half
hour, I can be walking by the sea!
This is the perfect spot for an artist - guaranteed
motivation all year long!
A lot of my friends from my earlier lifestyle call me a
"hermit" and that is okay by me. I choose to live my life
full of nature, that is what inspires me to create on
canvas, paper, and a variety of backings.
Please feel free to contact me for additional information
about my art work. Also, if you would like to peek at our
beautiful south shore, email me and I'll be happy to send
you a link to get your vacation started.
