Painting

It all started Christmas 2017 when Derrick gave me some acrylic paints and canvas as a gift... well, that's how Derrick tells the story anyway.

There was a time when I said I would be an artist when I grew up.  However, as the years passed that seemed less and less practical, and I have always had a healthy dose of practical in me.  Once in a while it did sneak back in.  My last semester in high school I just couldn't take another French class and dropped it for an art class.  In my first year at university I had to take one class from the humanities I chose an art class.  I would have done more, but there were always more practical things to do.

Well, it snuck back in and this time I think I may have found a number of practical reasons to have it stay.

In 2018 I needed a distraction from social media and news. I got out those paints Derrick gave me.

(this was multiple layers of "failed" paintings that I finally washed off in the pouring rain one night which turned into something I really liked, map of Nicaragua drawn on top)

Well, painting canvases was not going to be practical... because space is an issue.  So I found an old set of watercolor paints and started painting cards.  This became an act of prayer and therapy during tense months.

I found that it could also function as an act of love and making cards for people has become one of my favorite times of painting. (plus, see how practical it is, no waste!)

Well, it's been almost 2 years since that provident gift from Derrick.  I've invested in some nice paints, paper, and even a sketchbook- for those times when I can be less practical and just learn and explore.  Derrick says I'm an artist, maybe he's right.  Mostly I'm grateful for a way an activity that is bringing me joy and maybe some others as well.