Page 115 - Demo

hile my art has been in several exhibits over the years, I%u2019ve mostly avoided art fairs and galleries. I primarily create art for myself, simply because I enjoy doing it. It is very much a part of my innate nature to make things, create things, do things. I%u2019ve never felt I came into this world to be an artist who focuses on a relatively narrow creative path, using a single media, on limited themes. Instead, I believe I came here primarily to learn, to grow, and to appreciate myself and John. Art is so very important in my life. It excites me, and encourages me to be my own individual self. For those who see my art, I hope it makes them happy. I also hope it spurs them to question the societal conventions and expectations they%u2019ve absorbed from others.Art fills our home. So much so, that we have nearly 150 framed pieces on our walls, and scores of sculptures%u2014both large and small. They%u2019re from all over the world, from right here in Indiana, and some we made ourselves. Over the years, several people have referred to our various homes as museums. But we don%u2019t consider where we live to be a museum. We see our home as being alive with art%u2014and it%u2019s more than a structure built to display interesting pieces and collections. To us, all the statues, pots, prints, drawings, handmade rugs, and more, share our house with us. We look at them everyday, and they%u2019re cared for and admired. They continually teach us about interesting situations, people, animals, places, and beliefs. They radiate a positive energy, and bring us both very much joy.Just recently, I realized I was now one of those eccentric older people who were the subjects in my first series of pen-and-ink line drawings from the 1970s. At this point in my life, I%u2019m finally the same age of those characters. With that awareness, something struck me quite deeply. I truly am peculiar. And, that%u2019s OK. I%u2019m glad%u2014and proud%u2014to be odd. By definition, being an individual means no one else is like me. I don%u2019t have to cringe or apologize for my uniqueness%u2014or distort myself to fit in, be in style, or be acceptable. And it was art and creativity that started me on this decades-long journey. It%u2019s kept me interested, and kept me learning, so I could eventually find myself.