The Roots of My Artistic Life

I have been a creative all my life. Because we moved often, I focused on journaling and poetry during my school years. Years later, in 1981, a friend invited me to take an Americana Folk Art class with her. Learning to paint on wood with acrylics, I had found my entrance into the creative field of art! I began selling my art at local Craft Fairs and large juried events. I taught Folk Art classes, too. I especially loved painting on bentwood boxes. I became active in a national art group where we shared our knowledge with each other and collaborated annually on an artistic piece for charity. 

While I was still painting in acrylic, I felt there was more to learn and do with my creative abilities. I met a woman who had a business doing custom faux finishes in homes, on walls, ceilings, fireplaces … everywhere! My world of painting expanded! I eventually branched out into my own business with my daughter. We were known as Heavenly Faux by Kim and Donna. We often received calls from potential clients asking if this was the “Heavenly Foxes”. 

We became Faux Finish experts. We did finishes on walls, furniture, and custom built-ins, as well as murals. My brother, Rod, joined us and more business came our way. We did custom work in the annual Parade of Homes. In 2008, the economy went south, and our business shrunk accordingly. We began to do more custom work for homeowners instead of home builders. 

In 2012, a friend called to invite me to an artist event in North Carolina. Matt Tommey had begun an annual conference called The Gathering of Artisans. God had called Matt to bring together an army of artisans. That experience changed my life as an artist forever. I grew in my artistic expression and found I loved abstract art. I realized God loved painting “with” me. Every painting began with worship and expressing my heart on canvas. I had entered a new season of art.

Then, in 2015, my husband and best friend of 37 years passed away suddenly. He was the biggest supporter of my artful journey, and I miss him very much. 

In 2017, I joined Matt Tommey’s Created To Thrive Mentoring Group online and began to attend the Gathering of Artisans and other events in North Carolina. The Mentoring group has brought together artists from all over the world. The friendships established have been very important to my growth as an artist.

Recently, I’ve begun creating in media of cold wax & oil and collage. I’ve also brought back painting on bentwood and other specialty wooden boxes. I have plans for these boxes to become gifts for children.  

While I love the various media and surfaces I use, my focus is the expression that results  from God’s heart intertwined with what He has put into my heart. I hear and see the colors and movement. I desire for my art to be a blessing to those who purchase it. I pray that each piece God and I create together will bless others wherever it is placed—in a home or business. There is a word or story in each of my creative works. For those that purchase, it has a word or story for them.  
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Next time, I will share about the two books I am writing. Yes, those days of writing poetry and journaling have come back to visit me. I give all credit to God for any way I bless you and others with what He has put in my hand to do.