My worklife took me to many endeavors. It is the reason that I call myself a multimedium artist. In my career, I went from being an art student, to graphic designer, to web developer, to videographer, to communication manager as technology changed and communications became faster. A return to oils was always on the back of my mind, yet on the back burner due to the lack of time and energy.
In 2023, I attended an abstract painting class with fine artist Johanna Furst, in Lambertville, NJ. Johanna is an inspirational teacher and she became more like a mentor. I continue to take classes in her studio and have a sense of community there. Most of these works were created in her studios, yet I also have a growing studio in my home in Bordentown. I am considered one of the “Artists of Bordentown” and work with that community as well. They hold an Arts and Craft Show every year in December at the Old City Hall.
Another aspect of painting is it has help me overcome a lifelong battle with anxiety. I lived my life with a lot of deadlines, working in the high-stress environments, where everything goes “live” in an instant. Painting has brought me back to the therapeutic life of an artist. I am away from any device and immersed with my mind, my hands, and my eyes. It is the reason for my theme of “Being Human” again. As Pablo Picasso has said, “it takes a long time to become young.” Using my eyes, in tune with my hands, takes me closer to the artistry of fine art. According to Julia Cameron, in her book “The Artist’s Way,” art champions the idea that creativity and artistic expression are not exclusive to a select few, but rather a potential inherent in all individuals, making art democratic in whatever level you are. In that thought, there is a sense of freedom!