"Art is my heart, mind & soul. Art completes me."

MY STORY

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It was not until after my father passed that I truly realized the roots & depth of my art journey and what my path was meant to be. Only wish this was discovered when he was alive.

 

Growing up in Indiana, we took long "scenic drives." My father would spend hours daily quizzing us with trivia questions, like "Who painted with dots?" or "I wonder who painted ballerinas," or "Can you name the Renaissance Painters?" The trivia was endless as were the miles of cornfields we drove by. Little did I know the seed was planted.

 

We relocated to D.C. during middle school. Dad was a graphic artist in an advertising agency, and we moved a lot. Weekends were spent going to art museums, historical monuments, and driving around and around the White House in our hopes to see President Carter. My brother and sister would then say, "Museums, not again!" We just wanted to play Frogger on Atari, but my parents were in love with the idea of history, art, and education. After school was spent taking art classes-all kinds of art pottery, drawing, sewing, painting & plain air with the senior center. Mom would enroll me into any kind of art contest in hopes I would become famous and she could be my momager.

 

From there, we moved to Connecticut–new art museums and more historical sites! Art continued filling my life. I lived in the art department at Hand High School in Madison. My teachers embraced my passion and encouraged me to think outside of the box. Lunch was spent in the art room. The seed is growing. I graduated from Hand High School with an art scholarship to Endicott College. I was lucky enough to be taught by Professor Broudo, my art angel. He took me under his wings and guided me like no other. I remember waking up at 6:00 AM, running to the art building to see if my pottery had come out of the kiln. He was standing at the door, arms crossed, and nodding...."now that's an inspired artist." Weekends were spent either painting the ocean scenes of Gloucester, taking a train into Boston and visiting the art museums, or making pottery and talking about art with Professor Broudo. Leaves are forming.

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Now married with three children, I want to inspire the next generation in a fun and loving environment. It is something inside me that I cannot turn off. Art is my heart, soul, and mind. The flower is blooming.

 

What’s most important about my journey is the love and support that I have encountered along the way. Without my husband, wonderful friends, and family, I might not have followed my dreams. They have encouraged me to follow my dreams, take chances, be brave, while supporting me along my creative journey.

 

The trivia car rides and visits to the museums continue. I laugh when I hear my kids moan when I ask them,

"I wonder who painted ballerinas?" I think of my Dad, and I know that he is very proud. 

 

New seeds have been planted. And they are continuously growing here at Splat Art Studio in Wallingford, Connecticut.