In March of 2020 we were all ordered/asked to stay home and not mingle with people. We were told to wash our hands, lathering them for at least 20 seconds, wear masks, and stay 6 ft apart from the next person. When we went to the grocery store we were directed to walk down the now one-way aisles. And thus began the Great Toilet Paper Panic of the twenty-first century.

After making sure I was well stocked with the essentials, I decided to gear up and go to the local Michael’s craft store and see if I could buy a jigsaw puzzle. I planned to use it to occupy my time in between watching TV and reading. A little over a year had gone by since my husband, Ted, passed away and enduring a quarantine alone in my house was going to be a strain.

Apparently, I wasn't the only one that had this idea, because when I arrived at the store, there was not a puzzle left on the shelf. I perused the aisles following the traffic pattern designated by the newly taped out arrows on the floor looking for something I could make into a hobby. It wasn't too long before I found myself in the Drawing Department among the seemingly countless possibilities of artistic expression. After careful consideration, I settled on a tin full of pencils at different hardnesses and a large pad of drawing paper.

The next day, I picked up one of my favorite pictures of Ted and attempted to capture his expression on paper. It was a poor likeness of him, but I was so happy I could draw something as I’ve never done this before in my life.

One month, and 9 portraits later, my second attempt at recreating the very same photo was an amazing improvement.

10^th Drawing

I became so motivated to witness what my eye could translate to my hand that I returned to Michael's to buy pastels, colored pencils, erasers, brushes, pads of paper in different colors, and more. I drew my mom, dad, brothers, sister-in-laws, nephews, nieces, great nieces, girlfriends and babies. I have never taken drawing lessons, but instead relied on my instincts and intuition to guide me.

I truly enjoy taking time with each portrait. As I examine each person's many, unique features I feel as if I am visiting with them in-person. I look closely at their features, how the light hits their faces, the expression in their eyes and then see if I can transfer that through my hand to the paper. When I have exhausted myself working to capture everything that I can glean from from a small photo, I frame it. Each finished portrait is laid alongside Ted against the fireplace, so I now have my family with me in the room during this lockdown. The entire experience is very personal, very beautiful, and very emotional. Even now, as I reflect on the collection of portrait drawings that I have created, tears well up in my eyes for those that have passed on.

I don’t know where this gift will take me as I am still experimenting with color and style. Some say the pictures do not look exactly like the people, but for me, I am still amazed that the gift runs in my genes. My Dad was an amazing artist. With no formal education, his passion for art took him to Bendix Aerospace in the Commercial Art Department where he was instrumental in the design of Apollo 11 and the first Land Rover for the moon along with the design of the first X-ray machine used in airports. After he retired, he became Dale Earnhardt’s personal portrait artist for commercial use. Dad had an amazing talent that was God given and because he had no formal education, he did not know how to teach this to others. He just did it. They say he was a genius of sorts. The second picture, Dad did for the Medical Community after researching the instruments used back in the early 1900’s. It is so amazingly perfect!

Up until this point, I have spent my life working in business consulting. I’ve had the honor of knowing, working with, learning from many unique personalities throughout my career. This natural talent is something I never thought I could do. That is … until I tried.

As they say, whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it will achieve.

Something does not have to be perfect, but rather only has to be done with an idea that it can be done. To date, I’ve had two people commission me to draw their grandchildren. When they were presented with the finished product, both customers had tears in their eyes. Bringing this kind of joy to people is such a wonderful experience.

These are photos of pictures from my iPhone which doesn't really do justice to the texture and depth of the actual drawings. Overall, it is just such a joyful experience.

Below is a sample of additional picture and more can be viewed on my artwork page.