What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

I was asked that question as a little girl.  It wasn't an unusual question to ask, but as a child I remember thinking to myself,"How funny to ask me that. I am already an artist".  It was just that simple.  I was an artist, I was going to be an artist, and there was no reason to think otherwise.  I have never wanted to do anything else.  I know there are a lot of other artists who started off in different careers, and then switched over to art, but that was not the case with me.  All I ever wanted to do was create art!  I loved painting and drawing as a child.  I could express myself with my pencil in a way that I could not express myself with words.  It was such a joy to go into my own little world and forget all of the real world "problems".  I started off with markers, crayons, and pencils, and then progressed to paints, pastels, and pen and ink.

I remember the first painting I did in oil paints, I felt as if a whole new world had opened up to me.  I am including a photo of it in this post.  It was done on canvas paper with a brush and palette knife.  I was 11 yrs old. at the time.  I had just started taking art lessons from a neighbor who lived across the street.  Her name was Grace Barnes, and she was a amazing artist.  The time I spent with her was a magical time.  I loved seeing her paintings.  I loved smelling the smell of paints and turpentine.  Best of all, I loved seeing what she could do with the paint brush and palette knife.  I was so eager to learn to do that too.  She would always insist that we take a break during our lesson and have cinnamon rolls.  I will never forget that.  Art and cinnamon rolls......what a wonderful combination!!

Looking back on my life, I can see that even though there were times where my art had to be put on a back burner (in order to be a mom), I never wanted to pursue anything else.  I always knew I would come back to my beloved art.  I cannot imagine life without being able to create.  I cannot imagine being anything other than an artist.  I know without a doubt, that this is what God created me to be, and I feel blessed!!!