I thought it would be fitting for my first blog entry (well after the ‘hey look at me I started blogging’ intro blog lol) to offer a little back-story. So in a nutshell, here is how I got into the arts:
Ever since I can remember I’ve had a sketchbook or some form of art supplies close by… My mom says I did my first sketch under the age of 2 where I drew a stickman in pen on a fresh diaper I grabbed from my changing table (insert cute visual here, & “awww”)… Anyway, through my whole childhood I tinkered and played with painting, drawing, simple jewellery making, sewing, the occasional woodworking, and I’m sure more but my memory is not so good sometimes lol… But what I do remember is that I very much enjoyed making things!
My family always nurtured my interest in the arts, and for that I thank them eternally!!! My mom is both very creative and handy (great combo!), my dad a fantastic cabinetmaker and antiques restorer… so it was no surprise that my two sisters and I are all quite hands on, logical thinkers, and creative… left & right brained, whatever you call it lol!
Taking every possible art class through school and loving it more than anything, it was no surprise that I wanted to pursue the arts for post secondary and fingers crossed a career! First up – jewellery and object design.
here are a few rings that I made during my jewellery training, for example
I trained for 2 years under a German goldsmith named Gerold Mueller in Nelson BC to learn the fine practice of hand made jewellery. After completing my 2-year diploma, I was hungry for a degree… Step two – move to Calgary to attend the Alberta College of Art + Design, one of the only schools in the country to offer a BFA program in Jewellery + Metals. Cut to 2007 – girl meets boy and is crazy in love. 2008 – eloped and happier than can be! And somewhere between the transition of single student to married 23 yr old, I felt a strong urge to put aside my jewellery tools to try my hand at painting. And the rest so to speak is ‘history’…
paintings from early on (left – one of my first pieces I completed, right – first painting sold at a store!)
I have been showing and selling my paintings throughout Calgary for the past 5 years now, and loving every minute of it! But I know myself well, and the stress of relying on my art for income would make me the biggest worrywart in the world lol! So I have fine-tuned a great balance for myself between working as an interior design assistant and selling my artwork. Don’t get me wrong, I truly admire those who jump in with both feet… But to each his own and I believe in doing what you feel is right for you at any given time in your life. Things change, time flies, people grow, goals evolve, and so on… So right now, I’m in a very happy place between having two full time jobs (design & painting) doing two things that I enjoy very much. What more can a girl ask for?? 😀
Through the years my family has remained incredibly supportive, and again for that I thank them. My husband and I continually encourage each other’s dreams and creativity, him a musician and me an artist, which is a pretty amazing thing and I am grateful every day! Life is pretty awesome, and if I can make others smile through my ramblings, pictures, and posts, then that’s a pretty great feeling too 🙂
Well I think that sums a lot up actually, lol, so less a ‘nutshell’ and more of a small novel haha, but either way thanks so much for reading!
