Artisans

By Gayle
Early in my life I found great satisfaction in drawing. I was able at a very young age to get thepictures to appear to look back at you from the paper. The concentration I needed to do the workwould act like a meditation of sorts and take me away from the world around me to that specialcreative place in my head and heart. I entered college intent on getting some sort of a degree inart but unfortunately was never able to attend an art class. My last name put me at the end of theclass sign up lists. Just when I would have had been at the beginning of the list, I married. Thenew last name was again at the end of the list for class registration. Through the years I wouldalways find myself doodling. As a youngster at school all of my book covers were major worksof art and cartoons.

Years later when our autistic daughter was born, most of my creative side was put on hold for the next twenty years. With four children my artistic side created quilts, flower gardens and decorated my home. I designed several items that I manufactured and sold, and did custom sewing for others. About two years ago my daughter moved into a really good group home and again I could find that creative place. I find that there are many things I would like to do artistically and am open to requests or suggestions.

I am self-taught with special interest in textures and color, and light and dark contrast. The emotions and expressions showing individual personality of the people and animals are of special interest to me. Since our autistic daughter has no speech there was a need to really learn to read her facial expressions to understand what her needs were. My husband's father had strokes before I knew him and he, too, lacked the ability to communicate verbally. He was a master of facial expressions.

I create my pictures from photos and from real life. I am constantly seeing the world from "art" eyes taking note of texture and color and balance. The world even on the grayest of days has a very magnificent beauty. I find nature awe inspiring. I find sunsets breathtaking. I find all of life very wonderful, and an experience for the senses. I enjoy capturing portions of that to share with others. Just an expression or texture is so worthy of saving and experiencing over and over in art.

Through the years I have lived with many animals and have seen animated expressions that can speak for themselves, as most animal owners will verify. I feel a close connection to animals and really enjoy bringing their pictures to life.

In our society with so many things available at the push of a button and with photography in an instant, it would be easy to ignore this type of art. I feel that the meditative quality, the peace and calm achieved through the concentration are truly side benefits that I achieve. Others can enjoy my art while I enjoy the peace that the creative process brings to me.