At what age did you start painting and when did you feel you were able to call yourself an artist?
I very much love your emails but could I ask a favor? It would mean a lot to me if you would post your reply/comments on my blog. I would really appreciate it! Thanks! Gaye
4 comments:
I was 63yrs old when I started to paint,when I prepared for retirement.[I only had school training] I say that after 6yrs did I gain the confidence to work among other artist.
I have been teaching seniors for about 4 years.and active in art groups from the start of painting.
At this point of my life my classes are about - having fun,relax,and self confidence.
Happy Brushing,Pete,Theartbrush
I remember drawing at a very young age--around 8 yrs. old. I remember sitting at the kitchen table with my Mom while she was working on her books-she'd work-I'd work on her portrait. I seemed to always be drawing or designing something on paper...that should've been a clue about where God was directing my life. At age 13 I enrolled in my first "official" oil painting class with Angie Brown. She was new to the NB area and teaching at the time. This was back around 1963.
Flash forward--with many hours of academic art training, designing many different items for folks from logo's to children's toys, to home renovations for Wenzel Building-God has called me back to painting on canvas. On my journey, I discovered a wonderful program that enabled me to learn more about Texas-that program is called the Texas Master Naturalist Program. That's where I met my good and talented friend-Gaye Sekula! The TMN Program was instrumental with awakening in me an intense appreciation for this beautiful state and all the blessings God has provided to us. Painting is truly a way of seeing-and seeing more clearly.
And so, with God's help, a lot of work, and hubby's support, Texas Hexes Designs website (www.texashexesdesigns.com) will be launched this weekend! I invite you to check it out! God's peace, MaryB Wenzel
Gaye, Are you doing some king of research on artists? I started my first oil painting in my 50's after my early retirement from a computer technology career in an oil company. After 5 years of painting now I feel more comfortable to call myself an artist. Happy Painting! --Janet
Well, let's see. Painting. I took a long ago college level oil painting class and enjoyed it, but had other things to do for a couple decades before I got back to painting. In the interim I would, on occasion,gift family and friends with pen and ink drawings. Doing those drawings helped train my eye to see and express different values. When we moved to Texas I took a workshop with Vie Dunn-Harr at which time the bug to paint finally bit. That was about seven years ago. Since then hurdles of other commitments and health issues have been roadblocks to overcome, but I have managed to keep coming back to the easel. I can see growth in skills as I have kept painting, and of late I am experiencing a wonderful freedom at the easel. Even when learning something new, and in wipe-out/redo mode. That's cool to me! I love to be at the easel and to simply feel comfortable -- and like it is the best place to be.
Am I an artist? That's difficult to answer. Being an artist has come to mean to me that I am a painter, and there are times when something artistic happens. If I ask my husband if I'm an artist, he says, "Yea!" Others tell me I'm an artist.
I don't think I'll ever be satisfied at whatever ever level I find myself. I hope to see artistic expression grow in my work... most of all I wish to express beauty and truth. Corrosive truth. Surgical truth. Succinct. Lovely. All wrapped in an undeniable beauty that draws one in to consider the power and gentleness of understanding... even if only for a moment in a fleeting glance.
Now, can I do that??? To what measure, if so? Guess I'll find out. No matter the answer, the journey will be fun and I will remain grateful to God for the opportunity to paint...
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