qondio.com/599K

Art

My Dream!

Way back when I was in high school I dreamed of becoming an artist. I took an oil paint class and loved it. My teacher was awesome, she even personally bought me an artist kit when my class ended. She wanted me to continue my education. I was engaged and felt that I could not become an artist and make a living. I am not sure why I believed that. Apparently, I had no support from others in my life.

I even won first place in a contest in a local event. Still, I went to college and did not let my dream become a reality. After many years of not painting, I finally starting painting in 2006.

My children are grown and on their own. I finally got past all of my issues and believed that I could paint. It took me two years of coaching before I even told my coach that painting is my true passion. He almost fell out of his chair. He did not know that it was even a dream. I had pushed it so far down that it two full years to peel away the layers and get to my dream. I am so glad that we did!

People have commissioned me to paint. I have sold 10 pieces and someone called me today and wants me to paint three paintings. Locally, we have a great artist group and have many events. My paintings have been in three juried shows and I will entering more. IT is so awesome!! I can hardly believe that people like my art. It is such a pleasure to paint. Sometimes I still cannot believe that I have been paid to do something that I love!

Painting is my passion and I want to continue to develop my talent. God has given me a talent that I have hidden for many years. Now, my dreams are coming true. God is showing me the way!

My first paintings were in oils and I was not sure if I would like watercolors. I took a class and absolutely love watercolors. The results are instant...no waiting for the paint to dry like in oils. It is a different medium for sure, but I love it!

Canvas can make such a difference in a painting. I painted on stretched watercolor canvas and it was very different than watercolor pressed paper. On the canvas when I painted one color over the other it would remove the first color. It was a challenge but the results were great. My friend wanted me to paint the four playing cards, hearts, clubs, spaces and diamonds. I did them on the stretched watercolor canvas and they were exactly what she wanted to give her husband for their anniversary. They have a game room in their basement and they fit perfect.

My dream is to go to Paris one day and set up my easel and paint. Paint where many others have painted before. It will be awesome to feel their presence there and see the beautiful scenery. I wrote a poem about it:

My Dream

I had a dream at sixteen,
To go to Paris and oil paint.

To set up my easel on the sidewalk,
Paint the scenery and listen to people talk.

I put my dream on hold,
For someone I never even told.

See me there without a care,
Using my talent to share.

Painting where many others have before,
If I had believed in myself more,
Then I would not have slammed that door.

Now, I peer out the crack,
I slowly open the door, my dream is back.

Can it become a reality for me, can it be.
It is my life, be true to me.

By Myra Dwyer
January 2006

I plan to continue to paint and would love to make my living just painting. It is a possibility! One step, one painting at time!!

Now I have found digital frames and can view all of my art on it.

Thanks for letting me tell my story!! I hope it inspires you to pursue you dream. It is never too late!!

Contributor's Note

This is my true story!

Your dream of Paris is a true dream, not a myth. France has a very different cultural attitude about art, music and writing. French people respect the arts as serious professions, treating an artist on a par with a carpenter, a banker, a pharmacist or pastry chef. Respect is irresistible -- but lacking in this country.

Maybe what's at the root of the bitterness in the mainstream about it is Puritanism, a distrust of anything pleasurable or any luxury that isn't just purchased to impress someone with its price tag.

Breaking through that to open the door and live your dream is wonderful. I hope you do go to Paris. I hope you get to paint where all those greats painted before you, and all the happy unfamous yet wonderful painters as well. I hope it is better than you imagined and that you never let anything stop you again.

Thanks so much for your lovely comments Robert! The encouragement really helps.

I feel that I am being pulled toward Paris and developing my art more fully. I have let go of thinking that I cannot do it and WOW, that has made such a difference.

I am currently preparing 8 paintings to be displayed at our local mall. Our Capital Arts foundation called and asked me to display them in July, I am honored!

Yes, the French do appreciate artist and it has to be wonderful to live and paint there!

Your work is lovely. When you go to Paris you MUST take a day trip to Giverny to visit Monet's house. It is the most beautiful place on earth (that I have ever been). The flower gardens there will provide immense inspiration.

mermaidia,

Wow, it sounds lovely. Thanks so much, I appreciate your support of my art!

I work from 7 am until midnight several nights a week to keep things moving so I my dream becomes a reality. When I get there, I may have to sleep several hours first just to catch up!!

Take care!

The copyright for this content entitled "Art " has been specified by the contributor as:

This content may not be copied, distributed or adapted by anyone under any circumstances.