“I have put the mind-monsters out to pasture, and am embracing the reality that nothing is perfect! It is differences and flaws that make things unique, interesting, beautiful, one of a kind!”

“If you won the lottery, what would you do?” My answer has never changed. In FIVE DECADES, my answer has never changed! It has always been that I would be an artist, and get lost in the creative. I finally asked myself “Why am I not doing this right NOW?" And have given myself permission to follow my passion. 

I grew up an artist. No specific medium. But always creating. Always. From writing to photography to painting to carving to building! Anything and everything I could do. And at an early age I combined my talents with entrepreneurship. In grade school, I sold personalized cartoon drawings. In junior and senior high, I made extra money with silkscreened cards and t-shirts. Though my love for creating continued to grow as an adult, life got in the way. My parents insisted on “a real degree”. Responsibilities and the fear of not being good enough crept in: "This isn’t perfect… It would be better if… It’s not as good as…”  Not any more. I have put the mind-monsters out to pasture and am embracing the reality that nothing is perfect! It is differences and flaws that make things unique, interesting, beautiful, one of a kind! The Navajo, the Japanese, and many other cultures have embraced this fact for centuries, even incorporating flaws into their work to remind themselves and others that “the only thing perfect is God”. My paintings may not be the perfect heart shape. A tiny fly may have found its eternal resting place... A bare spot gives it character... Each is truly a one of a kind. Each is made with love. This is love, imperfect.