I created this piece for my highschool yearbook in 1996. 30 years and 4 kids later I almost forgot how much art was a huge part of my life.
I also almost forgot that I got my bachelor’s in visual arts communications! I worked in the field as a graphic artist for about 10 years and realized sitting behind a computer for sometimes over 10 hours a day was and is not for me. Art has always been a constant in my life. As a little girl I always had a sketch book a pencil and a box of crayons. I was obsessed with paper and the smell of paint. I loved that newspaper print and tempura paints I used to use in elementary school. I remember once while watching the Italian chanel with my parents there was an opportunity to draw a picture to be aired on the show. I drew a picture for my brother to enter and to my surprise, it got aired. I was very proud even though my brothers name appeared on it and not mine.
I also remember my classmates coming up to me and asking me to draw them dogs and bears to illustrate their stories during writing.
Creating covers for my book reports were always so exciting for me. And sometimes I’d put more work into my covers than the actual reports! I continued loving art all throughout highschool and having my artwork featured in the yearbook really built up my confidence.
With the guidance of my art reacher Mrs. Campbell, I decided to continue my education in art and long story short I majored in visual communication. I had created a sunburst in one of my art classes which was sent to a morning show and was picked to be aired. I never got to see it live but i got a copy of the show and again, felt proud of my achievement.
Looking back, I kinda wish that I had become an art teacher. I’m not sure why I didn’t, however during my years of raising my children there was always an art project or two ready to go almost every day. So, I guess in a way maybe I did get to teach art.
And now here I am. Working in a preschool and loving being a part of cute little art projects and it’s got me thinking that the next half of my life might be lesrning how to teach art to young children.
Valentine’s Day is behind us, and the month of love, which we all know as February, has paved its way into March. However, that does not mean the opportunity to write or send love to someone is over. There’s even more reason to reach out to someone you love or someone you don’t know because the truth is there’s never a good reason not to. 