I never set out to sell my artwork.
If I am being honest, it was a fun escape from my everyday life. But if I am going to tell a story here, it might as well start from the beginning. During my second year of working on my associate’s degree, my college advisor explained to me that the campus only offered a few select courses for electives to earn my degree and that I could pick from music, theater, or the arts. Ultimately and reluctantly, I chose art. I chose art appreciation because I knew my drawing skills were lacking in every aspect of the word. But I knew I loved writing and that to get my degree, I would have to jump through the hoops of college electives.
I started the class, and in the first week, I learned that although I had gained an exceptional, gifted individual—whom I now consider a dear friend and still talk with—as my professor, she required a weekly sketchbook for the course. I could immediately feel the stress building inside me. I went home thinking I would fail this class and desperately needed to advance to my next goal. Thankfully, she assured us that this sketchbook would not be a deal-breaking situation, but I was still genuinely concerned for a person like me who takes grading seriously.
I took every opportunity
With the extra time I would have each day to learn how to draw from online tutorials. It was pure tenacity that led me down the rabbit hole of videos, blogs, articles, pictures, clips, and anything else I could find to aid me in figuring out what to put in this sketchbook each week. I ended up learning that, by some miracle, I had some basic skills on my own. Now, at my age, this was shocking to discover. I am a wife of twenty-five years and the mother of two grown sons. I have been afraid of art since grade school because I could not draw back then. During class time, we studied world-famous artists and their works.
I became fascinated
The psychological aspects of these artists left me fascinated. Why did they choose their colors, textures, patterns, tools, and compositions? There is so much visual rhetoric involved in art that it would astound a person if they just stopped long enough to analyze it. I found it a game to go to class to discuss the next piece of art and what codes were behind it. What did the artist say after they left? It honestly makes the DaVinci Code look like child’s play. But I digress.
Once I started my sketchbook
I submitted it each week on time, but as most professors are at grading, I was waiting to hear back for quite a while. When it arrived, I was shocked to see her response because she recalled my first week of jitters about the sketchbook. She was excited to see how well I had done and looked forward to learning more. Each week I chose a different medium, from pencil to charcoal, watercolor, paint, or soft pastels. When we had compiled enough pieces, she wanted us to design a book to keep them in, and we had to design the cover.
I chose to do a spray paint cover that showed the moon with stars. I used a YouTube tutorial to do it, and I loved how it turned out. My professor did too. By the time I had finished that course, I had already signed up for her next one, Art History I, and it was just as exciting, but it included a field trip to the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. We had a great semester learning about, discussing, and writing about many more artists.
Fast forward to the present day
I have continued with my art on my own. I also took courses with other professors, such as ceramics, where I fell in love with making pottery on a potter’s wheel. I hope to one day have my own studio in my home for that craft, but until then, I must settle for the twelve pieces that I do have, including the three-foot vase in my living room. I started posting my paintings and resin art on my social media posts last year. I did this so family members who did not live near me could see what I worked on in my spare time. Soon after this, however, friends began commenting and messaging me about buying them.
I had started out
At first, I just wanted what I had in supplies to make them support my addiction but then I had some friends ask, “What about your time involved?” So, I would then say, “What do you think it is worth?” I was pleasantly surprised at how well my friends and family considered what my work was worth. Things took off quickly after that. I have sold some pieces locally, in Texas, and in Colorado.
This blue, gray, and white piece is the latest commission that went to Colorado. It is a 24 x 24 canvas, and I used a textured medium on the canvas before painting it. I was sent a photo to match the woman’s living room colors. I was elated at how well they matched when the picture arrived. The woman was beyond happy with the piece. I was sad to let it go, but happy she loved it. I have always heard that people can find what they love and make a living. I just never thought that I could be one of those people this late in life. It is never too late to dream, I suppose…