Start where you are...

A page from my book-- a work in progress

     I'm sitting here on the last day of the month of September, kind of discouraged, a little anxious, but still happy.  I started out this month at an art workshop.  Just me and Colleen Howe Bleinburger.  It was a mentoring workshop.  She invited me to stay at her home/workshop in Smithfield, Utah.  It was a beautiful setting right by Summit Creek. I had a great time learning from Colleen, she is a marvelous teacher.  We walked every morning in a nearby, shady with pine trees, park. I spent the next 6 hours of each day learning and painting in pastels.   We worked on still lifes and landscapes.  The week passed quickly, but she has promised to let me return every year and paint with her. Of course I was hoping for that 'EASY' button that will magically turn me into an accomplished artist.  And, off course, I realized once again, it takes time and it takes work--DAILY work.
I have been working almost daily on a children's book.  I guess I'm discouraged that I haven't tried a landscape since I've been home from the workshop.  Wishing for more energy, time, etc. seems fruitless.  I've got to be happy that I am working on one project, then I'll move onto the next.   I'm just IMPATIENT with myself and I want to learn and grow quickly in my art abilities but it will just take TIME.  
     Elder Ian S. Arden said recently at a BYU-Hawaii devotional, "It is Prayer--coupled with hard work- that greatly increases one's rate of learning and it is through having a vision that individuals are able to achieve in life."
     I am constantly amazed that when I am prayerful, people are placed in my path to help me on my journey. Good, talented people who want to share with others: Dilleen Marsh, Colleen Bleinburger, Julie Rogers, Del Parson, and one other that I haven't mentioned before--Will Terry.  I stumbled upon Will quite by accident.  I was itching to find someone who could help me with illustrating.  After praying about it, I turned to 'You Tube' and wrote in 'Children's book illustrating'.  Up popped a video tutorial made by Will Terry.  Will is part of a fantastic resource of art videos found on  http://folioacademy.com/ .  Will is a successful children's book illustrator that lives in Utah and teaches part-time at UVU.  He writes an interesting blog at willterry.blogspot.com, and is truly dedicated to helping other artists. I hope to meet Will someday and thank him in person.  I also wish I could take his classes at UVU. (Dream on...)
     I came across a quote by Arthur Ashe that gave me encouragement this week-- "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can."

Forever a Student

My latest project

     Summer vacation is over and this teacher didn't go back to teach. It is my turn to be the student again and I'm loving it. I'm meeting with Dilleen Marsh on a weekly basis.  She is amazing.  When I arrive we sit down and she gives me an inspirational pep talk--and this past week it was exactly what I had been thinking about.  I've become somewhat of a Pinterest addict.  It is a great ap to find all kinds of beautiful and creative art and design (and recipes), which is helpful to fuel the imagination but on the other hand can also be intimidating.  Kind of like when you visit the 'Parade of Homes' and come away with lots of ideas but also knowing you will never own a house like that!  It's the same with what I see on Pinterest.  I can't imagine ever having the skills that those artists and designers have.  Dilleen reminded me that we are put on this earth to learn as much as we can and that includes developing our talents. I may never reach the  pinnacle I would like to, but at least I am trying. I am working on it every day.  When I tell people I didn't return to work I want to explain that I am still working and hoping to reach those 9,000 hours sooner than I first expected! 
     Right now my main project is a picture book that I wrote three years ago.  It's called "Grandpa and Grandma are going on a Mission."  I've finally got the sketches completed and I'm laboring to get it drawn in Adobe Illustrator--meaning that I am learning as I go.  I had one class in Illustrator, but there is soooo much to learn.  I am hoping to have the illustrations finished in two months, then it is off to the presses.  I'm excited about this book and hope it will be loved by the grandchildren of those brave grandparents who leave them for a time to do the Lord's work.  My husband and I hope to be able to do that one day--and we know that mission will be a blessing to our family.

  Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.  And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.  D&C 130:18,19

No Fear!

Children's Friend illustration by Dilleen Marsh

Illustration by Dilleen Marsh

     When I receive my monthly Children's Friend (the LDS magazine for children) I quickly flip through to see the illustrations first.  Then I get out my reading glasses and look for the tiny writing that gives credit to the illustrator on each page.  For years I've been a huge fan of Dilleen Marsh's illustrations.  She has worked for the LDS Church magazines and has been art editor for the New Era (for LDS youth).  I was excited to discover that Dilleen now lives in Southern Utah.  It's been on the back of my mind for months.  I woke up a few days ago, overcame my fear, and decided to contact her.  I found her web page and left a message.  She called me that same day and instead of asking me to come to her, she came to me.  She looked at my work and now I'm going to be learning from her on a regular basis.  (Perhaps she could see that I really needed help!)  She is very warm and kind.  She not only has an amazing artistic talent but is remarkably wise and willing to share her knowledge. It's a dream come true!
     Dilleen is currently showing her work at Dixie College Sears' Gallery with three other artists.  Her oil paintings of our area are gorgeous and she has several illustrations from past church magazines on display.  The show runs through August so take the time to stop in before it closes.  
     Another art show not to be missed is at the St.George Temple visitors' center.  Julie Rogers' paintings of the Martin-Willie handcart company are an emotional and visual feast.  
     On my last visit with Dilleen we discussed "the precious decade" we will both soon enter.  At our age the next ten years will be important ones.  When a woman is trying to reinvent herself it's best to face it with no fear.

     "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  2Timothy 1:7

Keep Trying

      You can see by the very vivid watermark that I am "thinking positive."  I had the opportunity to attend the Writers & Illustrators For Young Readers Conference (WIFYR) for the first time this June in Sandy, Utah.  I attended the Children's Illustrating class taught by Julie Olson.  She is a very talented illustrator and young mother of four.  It is amazing that she has been able to have a successful illustrating career and be a stay-at-home mom.  Right after graduating from BYU she took her portfolio to book editors in New York-brave girl- and it paid off. Some of her books are Dear Cinderella, Tickle, Tickle, Itch, Twitch and the The Happiest Mommy Ever.  She has also written and illustrated a darling ebook titled, Princesses,Princesses, Princesses (only 2.99).  She was very helpful and encouraging.  I also enjoyed listening to children's book editors and agents, learning about many aspects of the children's book business that I had never known before.  Fun stuff.  The best thing I learned was NEVER give up!  And I'll add...NEVER stop learning!

Julie Olson teaching her watercolor technique

 

Our group after taking Julie to lunch.

Priorities

Adde's Journal

     So, it's been awhile...the last two months have been busy ones.  I finished up teaching for the year which included last day field trips and programs, saying goodbye to those darling faces and a wonderful teaching partner, cleaning up the classroom, and bringing piles of things home.  I received a gift from my husband, telling me to quit my job.  I should have been ecstatic, but I was fearful and not sure it was the right thing to do.  I love my little students.  Yes, they are trying at times and my patience gets stretched beyond its limits and teaching is exhausting, but there is nothing like those sweet smiling faces greeting me each morning and saying goodbye to me at the end of the day.  There is something noble about teaching at Head Start and helping little kids that need it the most.  The place is filled with good, dedicated women working for practically nothing.  I love them all.  But in spite of all that, I wimped out and quit...and I haven't looked back.  I've been longing for more time to work on the projects I love.  I've got family books I want to write and illustrate, portraits to draw, and abilities to improve before I can do any of it successfully.  I needed time and now I have it. Which now brings me to this blog entry's title--Priorities.  My mind has been in a muddle.  What to do first, when to do it, and how to do it.  Clearly I need to prioritize and set goals.  I attended a workshop at a Relief Society Stake women's conference where the class leader offered help in goal setting.  In two minutes we were asked to write down five lifetime goals, two more minutes to write 5 major goals for the next year, two more minutes to write five major goals if we only had 6 months to live, and then the kicker...write down the ways we have spent time in the last week that related to any of those goals.  (The two minute time limit is important).  Try it, it is very eyeopening.  It is so easy to let the days slip away without accomplishing much.  I'm trying harder to get going and get to work.

     I was able to attend the "Quick Draw" exhibit at the Santa Clara Town Hall on May 12th.  I spent the entire morning watching two artists, Colleen Bleinberger and Julie Rogers.  They were both so kind and helpful.  I watched Julie splash beautiful colors onto a portrait of a little girl holding a flower.  I then went home and made a complete failure of my next portrait attempt with pastels.  Discouraged, I picked up my colored pencils and made the little sketch above of my granddaughter, Adde.  I felt a little better, but not much.  Adde wants to be an artist and she is well on her way.  She loves to draw and spends time doing it...and that will make all the difference.

     Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known. D&C 60:13

Julie Rogers painting at the "Quick Draw" 5/12/2012

I'll miss you, Teacher Patti!

Twirling

Twirling by Julie Rogers

     Julie Rogers, a Kanab,Utah artist painted this wonderful picture titled "Twirling".  I love her loose, energetic style.  I can't wait to watch Julie paint at the Santa Clara "Quick Draw" exhibit in May.  At least I'm hoping she will be there.  I've been wanting to attend one of her workshops but apparently she is busy working on an exhibit that will take place in Washington DC.  
     This picture reminds me of the movie "You've got Mail".  The main character Katherine Kelly (Meg Ryan) reminisces about "twirling" with her mother.  That part always makes me cry.  I think of my own daughter and wonder, "Did we twirl?"  My one and only daughter came to us after the birth of three wonderful sons.  I was thrilled to have a girl in the family, a little "rose bud" to dress in frilly clothes, to balance out my baseball card tradin', crawdad fishing, sweaty and love 'em, little boys.  The whole hospital heard me cry out, "IT'S A GIRL!"  (That was in the days before routine ultrasounds.) She has been a joy in my life ever since.  She had her feisty years but has now become a most kind, thoughtful and sweet young mother, daughter, and friend.  It will soon be her birthday and I just want to say ,"I love you!"  She is fortunate now to have three sisters, the spectacular girls who married my sons.  I am most grateful for these four special women who are the mothers of the my beautiful, brilliant, and sometimes challenging, grandchildren.  I know their job is difficult but hope they won't forget to "twirl".  In their honor I pulled out one of my favorite quotes from an LDS conference talk given in 2000 by Margaret Nadauld.


     "Women of God can never be like women of the world.  The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender.  There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind.  There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined.  We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith.  We have enough greed; we need more goodness.  We have enough vanity; we need more virtue.  We have enough popularity; we need more purity."
     

Red Buds

     After what seems a long dormant winter, tiny magenta blossoms cover the trunks and branches of our five Red Bud trees.  They have brought me joy for nineteen years, but they are no longer in their prime.  They only have a life expectancy of twenty years ( a fact I didn't know when we planted them).  One has already succumbed but has sent up a new little tree to take its place.  New life, new hope...Love Spring!
     Easter seemed a little strange this year.  Half of our grandchildren were not with us.  The annual Easter picture on our backyard steps didn't get taken. I really have no room for complaints, we've been fortunate to have our children around us for this long.  Now two have flown the coop and taken up residency in the northern part of the state.  They have new opportunities and experiences ahead.

The Thinker

    
      My third grandson just turned five years old.  So far he hasn't been too interested in sports.  He likes to think...
about Mario Brothers.  He has learned to ride his bike without training wheels and hopeful parents have signed him up for karate lessons and t-ball.  He is starting to read and likes his Super Kids preschool in his new neighborhood.  He originally began the school year as one of my preschool students where he announced to the class that I wasn't really a teacher, just grandma.  What a great kid!  He paid me the best compliment ever when he told his cousins that he was going to marry me.  I couldn't ask for better than that!  I hope I have done justice to his handsome little face.
     I've heard a lot lately about how our thoughts influence what we are and what we will become.  It takes many, many positive thoughts to undo one negative thought.  My grandson is entitled to childish thoughts--he is a child.  But I am no longer a child and I'm still struggling to be a grown-up.  I think we have truly mastered ourselves when we can control our thoughts.  To have a mind filled with uplifting, pure and positive thoughts--  that would be a great accomplishment.  Since I'm not in that category yet I'm starting to add that to my daily prayers- to think positive is to be positive.




25 hours

"The One"

         This beautiful pastel of the St.George temple was done by the talented son of dear friends of mine.  I love his view of the temple.  He is inviting us once again to look up!  I thank him for allowing me to post it.


     In the middle of each hectic week I am privileged to serve for a few evening hours at the St.George Temple. I have no doubt this building is a sacred place.  Many experiences have assured me of my Heavenly Father's love for me and for all of his children.  It is amazing the many times that events fall into place, little "coincidents" that have a great affect on one person or a small group.  A friend and fellow ordinance worker recently shared an experience.  She had made an error that would cause a problem for several people.  She was devastated and embarrassed. Her first thought was to leave the temple and go home before she could make any more mistakes.  A distinct impression told her she should stay.  As she continued to serve that evening she was overcome with a feeling of comfort.  She began to see, understand, and feel Heavenly Father's love and words with an amazing clarity that she had never experienced before.  It was a night she will never forget.
     When I am serving at the temple I am able to refocus, forget about the world, and remember what is important in the eternal scheme of things.  I feel peace in knowing He loves "the one."

Inspired

Young mother sewing Mary Cassatt

     "When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies?  The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods?  Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?"                Neil A. Maxwell


     This beautiful portrait of a mother and child was painted by Mary Cassatt.  I've been a fan of hers since college days when I wrote a paper about her for a class called "Women in the Visual Arts".  Mary was born in 1844 in Pennsylvania.  She had unconventional desires for a woman of her day.  It was not unusual for a man to study art abroad, but a young woman of good breeding did not display competitive, professional ambitions.  After much resistance from her parents she left for Paris in 1866.  She studied and copied the masters for years, finally being accepted into the very conventional and juried Paris Salon.  In 1877 she was invited by Edgar Degas to forsake the salon and exhibit with the avante garde impressionists: Manet, Monet, Renoir and Degas.  Though their exhibitions were ridiculed at first, Mary accepted "with joy"  She said, "I took leave of conventional art.  I began to live."  Degas became her mentor and friend.  Her parents and sister eventually came to live with her in Paris.  She never married or had children. When I finally saw one of her paintings in person I actually got tears in my eyes, it was so gorgeous.  Most of her paintings are of women and children.  They are beautiful and inspiring to me.

After the bath by Mary Cassett

     My sister, Ilona, also inspires me.  She has worked long and hard at becoming an artist.  She has been much more dedicated than me.  Her beautiful works of art can be seen on her website:  www.ilonaterry.com
   

 

Leadership

     This steely-eyed pitcher was born the star of two families.  We impatiently waited a few years for his arrival as first-born grandchild.  Our family of adults would lay him on the floor on his blanket, surround him and watch his every movement in complete and loving adoration.  He began the "baby boom" in our family.  Now the leader of twelve (24 with both families) he will preform many "firsts" for our grandchildren.  He was the first to be baptized, he will be the first to receive the priesthood, and we look to him to be first to serve his Savior and Heavenly Father on a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Is that a lot of pressure to lay on one young man's shoulders?  I don't think so.  I know he is up to the challenge.  Whatever he does, he will do it well and we will be proud of him.  "And a little child shall lead them." (Isaiah 11:6)

     I can't fully express the love I feel for each of the little faces that I am drawing as part of my "grandchildren series."  So much spirit and personality is prepackaged in each of their precious bodies.  I once had a dream about my own children.  Their spirits were glowing with incredible light.  What a privilege it is to be a mother and grandmother, to share my values, my faith, and my unconditional love with them.  Whether we are blessed with children of our own or not, women can nurture and influence others for good.


20 hours

LIfe Happens

Confession: I didn't reach my goal of 10 hours last week.  I was feeling kind of blue and with a little upheaval at work, It took me three days from the time I finished my last drawing until I put a new piece of paper on my easel.  I will correct that problem, from now on one will go up as one comes down.  Another obstacle--I began to feel a little sheepish about the whole blogging thing.  Putting my thoughts and dreams out there for anyone to read is a little unsettling.  But whatever else a blog is, It is therapeutic and  motivating to me.  It helps to put my thoughts into words and makes my goal seem more real.  As I told some friends, a goal shared has BIGGER teeth. So I apologize if any of this sharing seems vain, I am doing it mainly for myself and possibly my posterity may gain something from it in years to come. At least they will know what grandma was thinking.  I'll try to share something uplifting along with my disappointments.  
     In a recent LDS Living magazine, Julie B. Beck (LDS General Relief Society President) was interviewed.  I marched as a Dixie College Rebelette one year with Julie.  I'm sure she doesn't remember me, but she was quite a spectacular girl, even back then.  In the article, Sister Beck was quoted, "Nobody can have everything, and you especially can't have it all at once...There's an opportunity cost to everything."  How do we know if our choices are correct? "First, 'Am I aligned behind the Lord's plan for me'? Is what I'm doing moving me toward eternal life or am I just enjoying my time in Babylon."..."How do I feel? Is the Spirit confirming my choices?...I've learned that the world teaches us that we can have the dream now.  They express the dream as what Adam and Eve had in the garden--you don't have to work for anything and everything is peaceful and happy.  That's really where the adversary still is.  But we chose to have a mortal experience to prepare for the real dream, and that dream is eternal life. Eve was willing to go through a long, hard mortal experience in order to work toward the promise of the dream--I don't think most women realize that.  They're trying to make it be the dream now.  We don't get that here.  What we get here is the experience."
   I've probably lived about two thirds of my mortal life.  I made the choice to have faith and family.  They are my most important assets and my greatest joy.  Wanting to develop the artistic ability I have is just one of my hopes for the future.  I would also like to serve an LDS mission with my husband. I would like to have the means to provide for our old age.  I want to stay connected to and continue to enjoy my family.  And I want to continue serving in the Church. 
   Life happens, but the most important things seem to be in place.  I am blessed and I am happy. 

The Drawing Room

"I have an idea," I told my husband.  "What?," eyes rolling--actually he was very supportive, he likes ideas that don't cost anything.  He even offered his expert interior design advice, "You can't do all that and keep four chairs in here."  So down went one chair and a small buffet, up came my IKEA drafting table and in went my easel.  My front living room has been transformed into my art studio.  It is the best room in the house.  It has two walls of big windows, North light, and a beautiful view of Pine Valley Mountain and the red rock hills beneath it.   We'll call it "the drawing room".  At first I thought we'd need to install a french door to enclose the space and keep  little fingers out.  But why would I want to keep them out?  Now I have a space to share my goals with my grandchildren. Their usual art space is the kitchen island, mine in a bedroom corner, the new space will be so much better.  Of course, I think all of my grandchildren are budding artists.  What child isn't when given encouragement, materials, space to work, and NOT a steady diet of coloring book pages?  I had a great time buying them beautiful art supplies with the understanding that they will take care of them, return them neatly to the assigned drawer and clean up after themselves.  All we need now are some reference pictures to inspire them. From the above photo you can see it is already a hit!  I overheard my little granddaughter ask her big sister, "Is grandma an artist?"  I didn't hear her sister's reply but I answered, "I'm trying to be."

Turning Hearts

Malachai 4:6  And he (Elijah) shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."


     This is a familiar scripture that I feel very passionately about.  During my "Golden Grandma" years (2004-2009) I was able to accomplish something I had wanted to do for a very long time.  I am a descendant of Mormon pioneers.  They joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their European homelands.  Sometimes choosing faith over family, they left their homes to join the Saints in America and be led by a modern-day prophet. I feel especially close to one great-grandfather because he wrote of his experiences.  He left a great legacy of testimony and faith for his posterity.  For years I wanted to make his story into a children's picture book, hoping my grandchildren could be uplifted by his experiences and testimony.  I just didn't know how I could illustrate it, (this was during my artistic "dark ages").  I started praying daily about it and eventually I received inspiration--cut the pictures from scrapbook paper to look like an appliqued quilt.  I went to work and completed the book with the help of my daughter.  There are many more family stories I want to tell through picture books.  Now I wait until my summer vacation to work on these projects.  Last summer was devoted to a book for the Santa Clara Historical Society.  To celebrate the sesquicentennial year of the Swiss pioneers coming to settle Santa Clara, I wanted to write a history for children.  A beautiful quilt was being made for the same occasion by several local women.  Photographs of the quilt blocks were used for the illustrations and with the writing and editing help of Cindy Nicholls and other English teacher friends, the book was finished in time for the 2011 Swiss Days Celebration.


   Jimmy B. Parker, a supervisor of genealogical materials for the LDS Church said," Imagine the impact it would have on the lives of our family members if we taught them the great gospel principals...from personal family experiences, using them as a second witness to the same truths found in the standard works (scriptures). Imagine also the many times these sacred family records could be used in family home evenings and other teaching situations to personalize the gospel truths."
  
   I believe in the importance of "Turning Hearts!"  This is another goal I pray I can accomplish.

Confidence part two

Mountain Rescue by Minerva Teichert

     I can't quite leave this topic without adding that I believe each of us need to find our confidence because we are sons and daughters of God. He created us, He loves us.  If we understand that fact we should be confident in ourselves.  Not the overbearing, self-important kind of confidence, but confident in our relationship with Him and His son, Jesus Christ.  Confident in our abilities to serve Him and our fellow man.  Confident in the talents  He has blessed us with and our desire to develop those talents and use them for good in this world and the next, (we can take our knowledge and talents with us!)
     One of my artistic idols is Minerva Teichert.  She is a great example of confidence and using her talents for good.  Born and raised in remote Idaho, This young LDS girl somehow made her way to the Art Institute of Chicago, and later the Art Students' League in New York City where she received a first-class art education.  She was encouraged by one of her professors to paint her "great Mormon story".  That is exactly what she did.  She returned home, married a rancher, raised a family and physically worked hard.  The part I love best was how she continued to paint.  She attached huge mural canvases on her living room wall.  Between cooking, cleaning and the many chores a ranch wife would have to complete, she would slip into that room and add a few strokes to her painting.  Then after her children were in bed she would devote more time to her painting- many times working far into the night. She painted scenes from the Bible, Book of Mormon, and the great LDS Pioneer trek across the plains. During the depression years she found an agent in Salt Lake City and her fame grew, allowing her to help out financially at their struggling ranch.  She became the first woman artist to paint a mural for an LDS temple.  Even though enthusiasm for her work faded, she never lost her confidence. When a grandchild asked her if she was famous she said, "No, but I will be someday."   I absolutely love her work.  She died in 1976.


Information about Minerva Teichert was found in the Winter 2008 BYU Magazine,"Painting the Mormon Story" by Peter B. Gardner




   

Confidence

This handsome young man is confident and determined.  He loves sports and he practices--he practices for hours!  When his older brother is working on his skills, this one is right there by his side wanting to bat just one more time.  He spends a lot of time shooting baskets, kicking or catching a ball. And have I mentioned his smile and his light blue eyes?  This guy has it all--especially a grandma who adores him.  I could learn a lot from his determination to improve his talents and abilities.
     I have an amazing group of friends.  Their talents range from floral, graphic and interior design, expert quilters, scrapbookers, super grandmas, gardeners, polished party hostesses, school teachers, counselors, youth speaker, the list goes on and on. A few of us were having a "heart to heart" and discovered that we were all a bit intimidated and envious of the others' talents and felt that our own abilities just didn't make the grade.  We all vowed to stop having such negative thoughts and rejoice in all of our unique talents.  Easier said than done.  I still find myself falling into that pit of self doubt. I think that is one of the reasons for my 9,000 hour goal.  I want to develop my own talents and just be the best I can be.  Even if I'm still trying to figure it out at 80!
    I recently picked up a magazine called "Where Women Create".  I liked Jo Packman's editorial on confidence.  She wrote,"...It is always interesting to me, that regardless of how unaccomplished or accomplished we each may be, we can be overly confident and absolutely fearless in various situations and in others we are meek, timid, and uncertain...In one interview right before [Katie Couric's] big night as the first solo female anchor of a weekday evening news program, she said, 'There is nothing more beautiful than confidence.'...So perhaps the key is just working to be more confident.  That's it, isn't it...but oh... how fragile and fleeting is true confidence?...What makes you confident and why are we so so easily convinced by no one but ourselves, to lose our confidence that we were just in control of just moments ago? I work diligently, every day, to keep my confidence intact and some days I am so much better at it than others"


    Only 8,990 hours to go!

Great Teachers

     I began taking classes from Del Parson in the fall of 2009.  He has taught me so much.  He is a very successful artist but spends hours each week commuting and teaching at Dixie State College.  I try to take a class from him whenever I can.  He is kind enough to let me come in late because of my work schedule. Above are some examples of my practice from 2009-2011. Hopefully now that I'm working at my easel at least 5 times a week I'll start to see more improvement.  I am trying to overcome a mental block with color and value.  Again, I need more practice...then why am I working in charcoal right now? (I guess because I like it!)


    Another great teacher is LDS apostle and member of the First Presidency,
 Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf,
He said, "The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.  No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before...We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fulness of joy.  Our birthright--and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth--is to seek and experience eternal happiness.  One of the ways we find this is by creating things...we all have talents and gifts, every one of us...Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before--colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter...As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you."

Rock Fan

This little guy has been through a lot. He is a resilient fellow.  He used to be a plain old rock.  A preschool teacher gave him to my little granddaughter and she painted him a lovely shade of green, attached those penetrating eyes, and he became Frog.  Frog lived at my house for two years along with my son and his family--a returning to school, new career story.  He had the habit of disappearing for weeks at a time then reappearing suddenly, just in time to make me smile and melt my heart with those soul-searching eyes.
He reminds me to keep trying.  After my son's family moved 300 miles away Frog reappeared in their new home.  No one remembered packing him.  We now enjoy a long distance relationship.

Look Up!

A wise man said, "It is better to look up."  I agree.  I've spent too much time looking down and it is boring there- same old pity party. The last few years have brought some bumps in the road-BIG bumps.  I had "retired early"-actually resigned from my job at the library after 16 years.  I started working when my baby entered kindergarten and quit so I could help with her baby while she finished up her dental hygiene degree.  It wasn't a hard decision--things were going well.  I enjoyed five years of hanging out with my daughter and daughters-in-law,  helping with all the babies that were coming along, and taking too frequent trips to Target.  A grandma's dream.  I didn't want schedules, alarm clocks, or routines. Free at last!  I finally had the time to take those art classes from Del Parson that I had been wanting to...but I didn't, It had been too long, I was afraid to go back and face all of those young minds secretly thinking, "Why is that old lady in this class?"  The same thing I used to think.  But I found out that bumps bring blessings.  I was brought out of retirement.  I had to go back to work, and in order to do that I had to get college credits to renew my teaching certificate.  I signed up for computer classes and every class that Del Parson offered--Life drawing, portrait drawing, pastels, landscape painting and portrait painting.  My love for creating art was rekindled.  Though I had to return to work, now as a preschool teacher for Head Start, I've continued taking classes whenever I can. I did the illustration above for an Adobe Illustrator class taught by the irreverent, but knowledgeable, J Maxfield.

My Art History part two

After the birth of my four children I had a burning desire to get a Bachelor's degree.  No four year programs available in my home town at the time.  What to do?  When my baby turned two, a neighboring college started offering an outreach program for elementary education.  Hmmm, I knew I couldn't handle being an elementary teacher, but library/media sounded like something I could enjoy.  I began taking classes with two friends from my neighborhood.  I could get the basics in the outreach program but I would eventually need to travel on campus for the  library/media endorsement.  I would also have to spend two summers away from my family to finish up requirements.  Hardest thing I ever did but it opened a door for me.  Since I was traveling anyway, why not take some art classes too?  I ended up discovering that an art major was available for only 60 hrs.  With classes I had taken previously and some correspondence courses I would be able to get my degree in art along with an elementary teaching certificate.  I loved taking illustration classes from Arlene Braithwaite and life drawing from Mark Bangerter.  One year just wasn't enough.  I wasn't an artist yet! Someone was still keeping essential 'art secrets' from me! I hadn't discovered the 10,000 hour rule- nothing takes the place of practice- not even a degree.   After I graduated I found myself in a middle school library--and lucky to be there.  Media jobs don't open up very often.  Even though I went to work kicking and screaming, I learned a lot, made great friends and enjoyed making library displays and bulletin boards--usually using someone else's artwork.  The 'art part' of me was once again pushed aside but not totally buried for almost 20 years.

The Cowboy

Last week's project.  I'm never sure when a drawing is finished.  I hate to over do it, but I probably don't push the values quite enough.
This is my first son.  He's my cowboy.  My dad would be so proud.  He was a sheepherder then a cattleman on the Arizona Strip. He spent a lot of time taking my children on horseback rides at the old posse grounds.  It stuck with this one.

My Art History part one

I always liked to draw.  Growing up in a small Southern Utah town didn't give much opportunity for art instruction. When I was five I  won a giant Easter bunny from the "Miss Nancy" TV program for the drawing I did of same bunny- but the winner was actually drawn from a hat.  I was lucky, but can't really claim that as an artistic prize.  During elementary I got a little attention for being a "good drawer."  I did not take an art class that I remember in Junior High- took Spanish instead.  In High School I was on the journalism staff and drew headlines for the school paper- no time for art class.  So it wasn't until Dixie College that I enrolled in my first beginning drawing class.  The teacher's name was Gene Riggs.  One day when I handed in an assignment of gesture drawings he said my name incredulously, like he couldn't believe what he saw.  That gave me a little confidence boost.  I also took  oil painting and pottery classes--loved pottery, didn't like the oil class.  I guess I felt encouraged enough that I wanted to major in art.  Mom thought I should major in Home Economics like my sister, but I didn't.  I attended one year at Dixie College then transferred to BYU.  I wanted to experience living away from home before my sweetie came home from his LDS mission.  Bravely I entered the art foundation classes.  I would have to pass those with a B- or better to be admitted into the official art majors program.  I was woefully unprepared for those classes.  Every assignment made me cry.  On top of that I had to endure everyone's comments..."You're majoring in art??  How easy!" I did get a B- in the foundations, but I was pretty discouraged about majoring in art.  I went home, graduated from Dixie married my RM and was happily expecting my first child 2 months later.

Giving myself 1,000

My Jo

The first time I heard about the 10,000 hours rule was in a class taught by artist, Del Parson.  He said that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to mastery. It was brought to my attention again by one of my favorite children's book illustrators, Will Terry.  He quoted from the book, The Outliers,  it takes 10,000 hours of GOOD practice to master ANYTHING.  I decided I better read the book.  Sure enough, 10,000 hours.  Do I have 10,000 hours left?  Hopefully I do. What have I got to lose?  I am giving myself 1,000 hours, hence, 9,000 is going to be my lucky number.  I figure I've had at least that much practice in my almost 60 years. After all, I did get a degree in Art over 20 years ago.  What have I been doing since then?  Working, raising a family, becoming a grandmother, etc., etc.  I was definitely still very much a novice when I graduated.  So enough excuses, after today I am setting a goal for myself of 10 hours of drawing per week.  Not much, but I work full time at a job that pretty much zaps  all of my energy and strength.  10 hours per week, if I can do more, great!