This time of year causes all of us, or most of us, to sit back and think about what we are thankful for in our lives. The thoughts started earlier this past week for me. I am one lucky girl. Yes, I have suffered great loss in my life thus far; a few that could have been the end of me mentally. It was then that I realized that I was fortunate to still have my two children with me and my wonderful family as well as an invaluable network of close friends. Losing my first husband that young was a very difficult time but I survived. Losing my brother, Les, was yet another great loss to me and one that happened too soon. He was after all the artist in the family, besides my mother.
Enter the world of Art……………….my creative side growing up was always satiated with writing. I had no idea at that time that I would ever pick up a pencil to draw with, or pick up a paint brush. Imagine my surprise when I took a beginner drawing class how instantly I took to this new means of expressing creativity! With lots of jumps and starts along the way while I raised my two children, I immersed myself in creating art once my youngest went off to college. I have not looked back since and for that I am thankful. I am thankful that I feel a connection between myself and my late brother when I paint. It gives me much joy. I am thankful that I can carry on the artwork for him. He was so talented. My mom doesn’t paint anymore due to her age and arthritis and I am thankful I can continue on for her. She says she is proud of me. That makes me thankful.
I am so thankful for the many artists I now call friends and mentors. I never have a boring day when I head to the studio. Oh, and I am thankful for that too! I am SO lucky that I have a place where I feel calm, creative, and at peace. There is nothing like it. I actually smile and exclaim out loud sometimes when I unlock the door to my studio ‘Ahhhhhh…………………’. I know I am one of the fortunate ones that do not have to support myself with my art, but instead can pay for a studio and supplies and create for the sake of creating. I am SO thankful for that. The result of that is that I love to share what I have, share my supplies, my knowledge and my space with others.
I am thankful that I was made with both a left brain and right brain. At times it gets very hectic in there with all the crisscross of thoughts back and forth between the creating and the business aspects of art. My mind has a difficult time shutting down. It creates a struggle at times between time at the computer and time at the easel but somehow it all gets done. I am thankful for that. It is quite a journey at times.
I am thankful that my children have grown into wonderful human beings: compassionate, intelligent, hard working and loving. I am thankful for the additional family members I have gained by their relationships. I have gained a fabulous daughter in law and next year will gain a wonderful son in law. Life is good. I am thankful that my husband supports my artwork. He doesn’t put limitations on time spent at the studio nor club business although I will get the occasional ‘so I am on my own again tonight?’ He makes do. He now knows how important art is to me. I do not get in the way of his hunting and golf either.
And to end I am thankful that I have the opportunities to learn something each and every day and that I haven’t closed my mind to learning. I never want to stop learning!
What are you thankful for?
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