We walked by an art gallery, and I saw a huge abstract painting and just stopped in my tracks. I had never thought about painting before (I can't even draw a stick figure), but I could not take my eyes off the painting. I knew right then and there that I wanted to start painting. I remember the first time I painted. I put on a YouTube video and started to paint along with the artist. I quickly bec
ame frustrated and felt very restricted. I turned off the video, cranked the music, and the next thing I knew, I was done. It was like the brushes and palette knife had a mind of their own. When I finished, I stared at the painting and thought, "How did I just do that?" I looked at the picture and saw an image. I saw scenery. I turned the painting upside down and a bunch of new images jumped out at me. I had discovered a new passion. I do fluid and textured abstract painting. I admire artists who can do realism painting, but even if I could do that kind of painting, I don't think I would want to. For me, looking at a blank canvas and having no idea what I'm going to do is so liberating. It's exciting to just let the brushes go to work and see what happens. I like to incorporate different media into my paintings. I use anything from toilet paper and fabric to stones and glass shards. I love experimenting with texture—spackle paste, stucco, you name it. My kids have developed an eye for items I can use in my work. There have been times when they have found objects in recycling they pulled out for me, and the paintings turned out wonderful with their additions. I also like to reuse my paint. I paint on silicone mats or plastic. Sometimes the paint that runs off the canvas is more beautiful than what is on the canvas. I save them (they are called "paint skins") Some people use paint skins to make jewelry. I use them in my other paintings. I've been fortunate to have many walls to display my art. We have vacation rentals in Michigan, and I've decorated all of the houses with my paintings. I love it when a guest approaches me and asks what materials I use in my artwork and also if it is for sale. Knowing that someone wants to buy something I made and display it in their home is an incredible feeling.
