About four years ago, I began to play in oil paints. My first painting was created under the influence of margaritas and laughter of my neighbor. She and I had so much fun just playing around with the brush, oil paints and a blank canvas. My creation was a abstract horse. It was vibrant and beautiful. I posted it on ebay on Monday. By Friday, I had a full price offer. My first creation was off to the hands of a new owner.

It was that sale that gave me the confidence to attempt another painting. This was the beginning of new journey for me. I have always been talented at crafts and writing, but painting was a new game for me. The truth is my family has always had the talent of painting. My grandmother, whom I never met, painted many fabulous paintings one of which hung over my bed.

The more I began to learn the craft the more I wanted to learn. It was the critical voice of my son that encouraged me to start sketching that really improved my skills. The odd thing about painting, as opposed to writing, was that I was willing to openly receive criticism. It was the criticism that brought my skills up to a level that I have even become impressed with.

What I am trying to say is that maybe it took a little alcohol to become lucid enough to try something new, but it helped me find a valuable genetic skill that laid dormant all these years. I am not endorsing getting drunk, but what I am endorsing is the notion that maybe sometimes we just need to step outside of ourselves to find ourselves.

I am excited to say that my endeavors as a painter has taken off. I have since sold many paintings some original, some prints and some t-shirts. I have had my art juried and exhibited.  That is not even the exciting part. The art it’s self is the one thing that continues to amaze me. My most recent painting, Doris, stuns me. When I look at it I think; how did I do it?  It is by far my best piece ever.

“Doris” will be part of the Critical Mass Exhibit at the Shreveport, Louisiana ARTSPACE. CRITICAL MASS 6 EXHIBITION DATES, Saturday, March 3 – Saturday, May 5 (9 weeks) on two floors of ARTSPACE.

Please come and see my best work yet.