Hello and welcome to my world. I am so excited to be launching my website to have an adventure with you all. It has been a long time coming and I am awestruck that this is mine. It still does not seem real to me but I am ecstatic to be able to share a bit of myself with you. Art has always been a part of my life since the time I was born. It has been my constant companion through all of my life trials and experiences. All types of art have shown me the world, opened my mind, expanded my horizons and been the most memorable teacher.
Literature and writing were the main focus of my early years. It wasn’t until my late 30’s that visual art began to be my main medium. It started slowly and was very rough in the beginning. The passion was there so I kept at it. Over time and much tribulation, I found my style. A style that continues to evolve with new thoughts and mediums. Images start in my head as thoughts that I have. Thoughts about a belief, an experience, a love, a walk, a new art piece I saw and so much more. The thought plays over and over in my mind working its way into a image that I then need to translate to paper. From there, the thought becomes a visual thought in a drawing. The drawing goes on to be a print, purse, mug, tile, necklace or some other form.
It’s strange how a simple conversation can whip up the waves to bring you to shore. I was discussing my lack of knowing how to get my art out into the public realm. Marketing and branding are not my forte at all and I felt stuck. The creation of the art itself is where my talents lie. I was talking about this with my sister Julie. She said that she knew someone who did marketing and she would talk to her. From there a conference call ensued with the woman who would make my dreams come true. Karen got to work. Over the next several months, Julie, Karen and I talked almost weekly. Out of those conversations came A VIZUAL THOUGHT. I cannot thank those two ladies enough. My deepest gratitude to them for taking the concept that an artist had and bringing it to fruition.
I would also be remiss if I did not mention the other two woman who have gotten me where I am and continue to push me to be even more than I am. Tracy Smoll started me drawing. She is the sole reason that I picked up a pencil (a pencil she recommended on paper she also recommended) and began my love affair with drawing. She is truly one of the most gifted artists that I am honored to know and be influenced by. No matter what I did or do, she always loved it and encouraged more. Tami Resler took what Tracy started and expanded my art horizons. I would never have thought about painting especially on pottery. Tami simply believes in you and believes you can do anything so you just do. Her technique is often to put something in front of me and tell me to go at it with little other options. Her skills at art especially in pottery continue to astound me. I am humbled to be her friend and to have her be someone who believes in me.
So here it is. Here is A VIZUAL THOUGHT. I am excited to start sharing with all of you. I promise it will be an adventure full of art and stories and reflections. It will be my art and the art of others that I love. My favorite quote is by Twyla Tharp. She said “Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.” Please come in and run away with me.
