Emily, Plein Air Painting, Ruidoso NM 2021
About Me
I was born in 1969, and from an early age I always wanted to be involved in the arts. As early as I can remember I was intensely drawn to coloring, acting, and singing. I lived in a fanciful world that I thought everyone lived in. One of my first memories of being artistic came when I was six, and my mom let me take pictures with a real camera. I remember moving salt and pepper shakers into just the right position to “compose” the scenes.
I loved art in school, being involved in drawing and paper maché, but lost the trail for many years due to various life circumstances. Some in my family seemed to have a natural talent for painting and drawing, but I did not, and was convinced that I did not have the art “gene”.
Sometime around 2006, I became earnestly interested in photography, even getting to the point of developing my own line of greeting cards. I had some success with these cards, and sold them at a show, and at a local roadside gift shop.
In 2013, with the help of online artists like Jane Davenport, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, and others, I was able to rekindle my love of drawing and painting. More importantly, I discovered that there is no such thing as an art “gene”, or inborn talent. I found that art is a skill that can be taught and learned like any other skill. I started a journey of development that is underpinned in passion to do something greater than myself, and determination to build the skills required to accomplish my goals.
Starting In 2015, I sought out formal training. I was able to attend college art classes and take private lessons that were transformational in my development and confidence. I am deeply grateful for the inspiration and direction I received from Linda Ridgway, Liz Holden, John Taylor, Betsy Belcher, Rachel Anderson, and Sarah Graham.
I don’t believe that I’m talented. I believe that I’m determined.
