Just about the time you decide that you have figured it all out, found your groove, reached your maximum potential, etc, is the exact moment you STOP GROWING (and start growing old.)  Fortunately, for me, I haven't reached that point.  I really don't think I ever will.  I know that there is so much more for me to learn, experience, and take in from so many different artists that I should keep growing until infinity.

True story:  I have been practicing creativity since childhood.  I have tried so many different arts and crafts, including sewing, knitting, paper crafts, jewelry making, cake and cookie decorating, porcelain doll making, sculpting, glass fusing and lampworking, sublimation.  I truly believe that each of these creative endeavors led me to what I am so passionate about today:  oil painting.  

I take my art education seriously (serious fun!)  I was introduced to oil painting by my dear cousin, Marty Lambeth Robson, who is an incredibly talented artist in her own right.  Once bitten, I pursued finding an art instructor local to me, and was fortunate enough to find Wendy Brayton in Petaluma.  Wendy is not only extremely talented, but she is also so kind in her instruction, and makes me feel like I can paint anything!  Wendy is also very generous to her students by inviting other well-known artists to give demonstrations and workshops, each teaching their own special craft. 

With the whole pandemic situation, I explored online instruction.  I was introduced to two fantastic artists who were teaching oil painting online, Krista Eaton and Kelli Folsom.  Oh. My. Gosh.  My confidence exploded as I learned so much.  I soon realized that I really needed to commit to my art learning, so I enrolled in Kelli Folsom's Art Life School, and paid the annual membership fee.  It has opened so many doors for me.  Not only am I learning how to paint different subjects, I am also learning the business side of being an artist, finding my artistic voice, and more.   I'm so excited to say that I will be traveling to Denver in April to attend an Immersion Workshop with Kelli. (Eeeee!  I can't wait!)

So, I will continue learning.  I continue to take classes in person from Wendy when I am not on the road traveling with my husband and our dog, Maggie.  I also continue to take online classes with Kelli.  While I would like to claim that I paint every day, life does manage to get in the way at times.  I do strive to paint a couple of times a week.  There are just so many things to paint! 

Something I have realized through all this is:  My art has value.  Investing in my art education is important.  I truly feel that I have found my sweet spot in this art journey I am on.  I am blessed beyond measure to be able to pursue the thing that brings me such joy and brings beauty to the world.