I decided to call my paintings “Bright Ideas” because I am always thinking of things to paint. I enjoy painting free-handed because it is easier to control. I’m not good about staying in the lines. Patining to me is a stress relief. The work day of pressure rises to my shoulders. I’ve been painting for at least 12 years with a break of a year or two. One of my therapies is – I will try anything once, and if I don’t succeed or feel comfortable doing it I won’t do the something again. But, if it works well and I find it feels comfortable, I will do it again and again. 90-95% of my paintings are happy and bright. I had 4 or 5 that came out of a sad and very scary time in my life. My program writer, Todd, and I painted a picture of a friend who died of cancer. It was a memorial in her honor. I love to paint pictures related to winter, love, Thanksgiving, Christmas, water scenes, happy spring. I also incorporate deer, birds, and ducks. I had a grandpa who painted with oils. He was self-taught at the age of 13. He did lettering and painted signs for people. I watched him paint when I came down for the summer.
