When did you know you were an artist?
I can’t remember a time I didn’t pick up a pencil and draw or doodle on stuff. So, I think I always knew because I always enjoyed creating artwork, it didn’t matter the medium. I liked painting, drawing, and clay. When I was in elementary school, my siblings were swimmers and my mother gave me a bar of clay to take to the meets. I would make all kinds of clay figures during the swim meet, and at the end of the event I would squish it all together and go home. It didn’t matter what I made, I just liked making things.
When and why did you decide to pursue art as a career?
I started cake decorating when I was about 19 years old. I realized pretty quickly that I was satisfying a real need to create with cake designs. And I realized if I could see it in my mind, I could put it on a cake–or at least, something close to what I imagined. The medium was icing and it was all eaten, but it was still artwork. I decorated for 30 years. When I changed careers and retired from decorating, I knew I would need to find a new way to create and I began to focus on improving my drawing technique with pencils and practicing with watercolor and acrylic paint.
What’s been your hardest challenge?
Creating art that tells a whole story has been a challenge for me. I tend to work very quickly and I have been trying to slow down, take more time with my pictures and give them more time to emerge and be more detailed and in depth.
What successes or achievements are you most proud of?
I’m super proud of the fire hydrant I painted in the Emmaus Paint a Hydrant program. It was the first time I submitted a design for consideration and I am so happy to have been a part of the program. My hydrant is near the intersection of 10th and Chestnut St., in front of Service Master Cleaners. It’s bright green with the cats on it.
What’s your advice for anyone who wants to explore art or creativity, but can’t seem to find the time?
Figure out where you waste your own time and you’ll find the time to make art. I do a lot of mandala painting and drawing while I talk on the phone or watch tv–sometimes I just listen to TV or audio books and draw and paint. I replaced a lot of mindless doom scrolling on Instagram with drawing and painting. Don’t get me wrong, I still doom scroll, but I balance it with artwork.
What’s your advice when an artist is intimidated by a blank canvas?
If you aren’t sure what to paint, paint a mandala! I love to paint patterns and there’s no wrong way to make one. They’re beautiful and relaxing.
Feel free to add anything else you’d like to share with readers about yourself or your art.
I think everyone has the ability to create if they give themselves permission to do it. If you enjoy making something, then make it.
ART@EPL is the library’s exciting partnership with the Lehigh Art Alliance and the Lehigh Valley Arts Council. The series is funded through a grant from PA Partners in the Arts, making it possible for area residents to enjoy free art lectures and workshops from local artists working in pastels, charcoal, sculpture, and watercolor among others.
Visit the ART@EPL page to see all the artists who have led workshops and exhibited work at the library as part of ART@EPL.
