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I
started with the average art class background in
high school, and felt I had done nothing with it.
However, after 13
years as a hair stylist, and as many years tailoring clothing for my family,
it became apparent that I had put to use
many skills learned in those high school
art classes. Symmetry, design, color
co-ordination and harmony, to name only
a few. During the
late 60's and 70's, it came as no surprise to me
that all those years of color, design, and
precision fitting led me to a desire to create works of
art on canvas and paper. Over a several year
period, in the late 70's, I pursued private
lessons and on location seminars in oil and
watercolor. Surrounding myself with other
creative people and their arts seemed like a
natural progression for me, and I found
myself opening The Art Shoppe, Inc. in
1980. It wasn't long before I also added custom
framing to the gallery and art supply
business, as it was yet another way to
extend the creativity, by
expanding the design beyond the artwork
itself. My husband, and fellow artist,
Frederick, joined me after my sixth year
in business, and together we spent the
next twelve years sharing in the daily
mix of creativity and community service.
In 1995 I suffered a neck/back
injury, from which I never fully recovered. My
husband also fell victim to a condition
called Peripheral Artery Disease, and
was no longer able to spend long hours
on his feet. We tried to
fool ourselves into believing we could
continue, each contributing whatever
strength we had, to overcome the
weaknesses we suffered. After two
years, it became apparent that we could
no longer keep up with the needs of the
business, and in 1998 we had to sell.
After 18 years in business, being at
home and out of the daily mix of art and
artists was very hard to accept, as we
just weren't sure where to go from
there. It didn't take long for my frustrations
to turn into the fuel needed to find a new
direction and pour myself into learning how
to transfer my artistic talents to the computer.
The graphics pad became my palette and the
graphics pen
became my brush, and I was again free-handing my
own original creations. It didn't take long for
me to realize that I had just opened a whole new
world of possibilities that never existed on
paper or canvas, so I
never looked back. My husband continued with his
custom portrait work and oil painting
commissions, and we began to hone our
talents to collaborate on projects
together. We found a whole new world as
free lance artists, working together
seamlessly, each contributing his/her
talent toward the end goal, and
satisfaction of the client.
Unfortunately, I lost my husband to
cancer in January of 2009, so just me
(and our 4-legged companion Sonny)
continue on. Aside from the normal
artistic activities I'm generally
accustomed to, I have now extended my
art to help support/promote our
veterans. My daughter served in the
Navy, both of my grandsons are now in
the military (Navy and Marine Corp),
other family members have served in the
Army and Air Force, and I have friends
that served in the Coast Guard. So far I
have designed and now maintain a website
for a Vietnam veteran, located at
www.veteranartistsnetwork.com,
along with rendering the artistic design
for the Navy Order of the Blue Nose
Challenge Coin, and currently working on
a Missing Man Table Ceremonial Poster
for the National League of POW/MIA
Families. I thoroughly enjoy doing this
type of work, as it is my way of showing
my appreciation for all those who have
served, or currently are serving, their
country. I did not have the opportunity
or privilege of serving in any branch of
the military, but I hope to now be able
to serve those who have. |
Previously
the owner/operator of The Art Shoppe, Inc., a retail
business establishment located in Jefferson City (Capitol of)
Missouri, I served my
community and the surrounding area, for 18 years, in the field of Visual Fine
Arts, Commissioned Art and Custom Picture Framing. However, due to unexpected physical
disabilities, I found it necessary to
leave the retail business, but my love of art has continued to spur
me on in new directions. I now strive to provide a more personal
level of service through freelance work.